By: Louis P.

“Too many restaurants think growth starts and ends at the dining room door,” says Dan Roland, Co-Founder at Katalyst. “But the reality is, smart operators are increasingly finding opportunities for profit beyond their four walls.”

Many restaurant owners may overlook profitable revenue streams that don’t rely on a busy dining room. In an industry known for tight margins, neglecting options like catering, online ordering, or even gift cards could mean lost potential. Katalyst is working to challenge that mindset.

Expanding Beyond the Physical Limit

Restaurants are naturally limited in how many guests they can serve at one time. During peak lunch and dinner hours, kitchens can quickly reach full capacity. During the quieter times, however, staff and equipment may remain underutilized.

Katalyst encourages restaurant owners to use that downtime more effectively. “Most kitchens are quiet mid-afternoon. That’s an ideal time for preparing large-scale catering orders,” Dan suggests.

Catering orders—whether for large events or corporate drop-offs—use the same staff and ingredients but often bring in significantly higher returns. Katalyst offers a straightforward way for restaurants to manage these orders without needing expensive hardware or complicated setups.

With just a login, restaurants can adjust their catering menus and begin accepting orders.

Catering: A Potentially Untapped Revenue Stream

Dan Roland highlights that catering orders can often reach an average of $350, while a dine-in ticket might typically be only $25 to $50 after fees.

“Think about it—one catering order can be equivalent to an entire evening’s worth of dine-in tickets,” he says. “And the margins are typically better because you can control the timing and volume of the orders.”

Many restaurant teams are hesitant to embrace catering, often due to the perception of additional complexity. However, Katalyst’s catering module addresses common concerns: scheduling, payment processing, and delivery. Restaurants can set parameters like minimum order sizes and required lead times to safeguard their profits.

For many restaurant owners, the ease of getting started is a pleasant surprise. Katalyst doesn’t require a major point-of-sale overhaul to begin offering catering services. The process is mostly about inputting menu data, setting pricing, and training staff to handle larger orders. In most cases, restaurants can be ready to accept their first catering orders within a matter of days.

Navigating the Delivery Challenge

A major hurdle for many restaurants is delivery. High commission fees from third-party platforms like DoorDash and Uber Eats can significantly erode profit margins. In addition, restaurants often have little control over the quality and timing of food delivery.

Dan notes, “Margins shrink when 30% of your profits are spent on third-party fees.”

Katalyst’s new feature allows for native delivery logistics, giving restaurants the option to handle deliveries in-house, use third-party drivers, or a combination of both. The platform integrates with large driver networks, enabling restaurant owners to track orders and provide timely updates to customers.

This flexibility leads to improved quality control, reduced stress, and lower operational costs.

Gift Cards and Loyalty: Small Adjustments, Significant Impact

Gift cards can be a crucial revenue stream, especially for seasonal restaurants. For example, one Katalyst client in Cape Cod sells thousands of gift cards every winter, helping cover rent and wages during the off-season.

Katalyst’s platform also supports the sale of digital gift cards, which can be purchased by customers at any time, even outside of business hours. This simple yet effective revenue source is often overlooked by many restaurants.

“These small efforts really add up,” Dan explains. “$10,000 a month in gift cards can provide the kind of stability that keeps a business afloat.”

No Hardware, No Hassles

A key feature of this transition is Katalyst’s ‘plug-and-play’ model. Many restaurant owners dread complicated installations and costly upfront investments. Katalyst eliminates those concerns.

For instance, the catering function operates independently. Owners don’t need to replace their current POS or payment systems. It works alongside their existing infrastructure and is ready to use almost immediately.

Similarly, the delivery system is flexible. Restaurants can decide on the delivery method, choose whether to use in-house drivers or third-party services, and easily adapt the system to fit their needs.

Reaching New Customers Beyond Regulars

Corporate offices, sports teams, and event planners often spend large amounts on catering. Yet many independent restaurants fail to tap into these opportunities.

“You’ll remain under the radar if customers don’t know you offer catering,” Dan notes. That’s why Katalyst provides tools like web buttons, QR codes, and loyalty programs. Customers dining in can scan a code to explore catering options.

The same system also helps to build customer loyalty, leading to repeat large orders.

Some restaurant owners worry about the time commitment involved in marketing these new services. Katalyst addresses that concern by connecting restaurants with local delivery contractors and other partners, ensuring food reaches its destination on time and in great condition.

A Simple Adjustment That Can Pay Off

Restaurant owners who are hesitant to adopt catering services often fear new costs. However, one catering order can easily cover the entire monthly fee for Katalyst’s module. There are no major upfront costs, and no massive retraining is required. The system works in tandem with existing operations.

This flexible model allows restaurants to start small, testing corporate catering, expanding online ordering, and selling gift cards—all without major financial strain.

“The best part? You can accomplish all of this without new hardware, lengthy contracts, or a complete operational overhaul,” says Roland. “Your kitchen’s already set up, and your rent is covered. Why not maximize its potential?”

Katalyst suggests that the most forward-thinking restaurants this year will be the ones that shift focus from waiting for more foot traffic to actively creating new income streams with tools that streamline processes and increase profitability.

For further insights on how to reimagine your restaurant’s revenue, visit Katalyst’s website.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. The strategies and tools discussed may not be suitable for every restaurant, and results can vary based on location, market conditions, and individual business operations. The use of Katalyst’s platform or any similar service should be evaluated based on the specific needs and goals of the restaurant. Restaurant owners are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with business advisors before implementing new revenue strategies.