Episode 44: The Building Blocks for Catering Success + Jim Rand of Rand Parker Group

In this episode, industry veteran and current catering consultant Jim Rand shares lessons from building and scaling catering programs at brands like Panera Bread and PF Chang’s. Jim walks us through how to build a robust catering program—from understanding production and technology integration to menu adaptation—and how operators can use tools and online ordering systems to streamline operations. He also dives into marketplace strategy, self-delivery vs. third-party fulfillment, and the key investments needed to stand out in a competitive landscape.