The numbers tell a compelling story. The U.S. catering market reached $72 billion in 2023 and is projected to hit $124 billion by 2032—growing 50% faster than traditional foodservice. More importantly for franchise owners, catering now represents 11% of total foodservice revenue.
For Great Greek franchisees, these trends create a perfect storm of opportunity. Mediterranean cuisine—with its fresh ingredients, shareable format, and health-conscious appeal—naturally fits what today’s event planners want.
Why Greek Catering Works for Every Event
The Great Greek’s menu solves the biggest catering challenge: pleasing diverse groups. Your catering offerings can include:
Cold appetizers like hummus platters and tzatziki with pita.
Hot entrees such as souvlaki skewers and DIY gyro bars that create interactive experiences
Flexible portions scaling from intimate 10-person meetings to 200+ corporate events.
Dietary accommodations with naturally gluten-free, plant-based, and lean protein options.
This variety means you’re not just competing for office lunch orders—you’re positioning for weddings, fundraisers, school events, and community gatherings where Mediterranean food creates memorable experiences.
Great Greek Catering as Your Brand Ambassador
Here’s what many franchisees miss: catering isn’t just about immediate revenue—it’s about brand expansion without real estate costs.
When you cater a corporate quarterly meeting, you’re not just feeding 50 employees—you’re introducing your brand to 50 potential customers who might never have discovered your restaurant location. When those employees post photos of your beautifully arranged Greek spread on social media, you’re getting marketing reach that would cost thousands in traditional advertising.
Consider the ripple effect: An office catering client becomes a weekend dinner customer. A satisfied event host recommends you to their network. A corporate client asks about franchise opportunities for their hometown. Each catering order plants seeds for future restaurant visits, customer loyalty, and even potential franchise leads.
Your Greek Franchise Catering Playbook
Start with Presentation Excellence
Mediterranean food is naturally photogenic, so invest in quality presentation. Offer self-serve gyro stations with warming trays, beautifully arranged mezze platters, and mix-and-match menu options. Use eco-friendly packaging that reinforces the fresh, healthy image while keeping costs reasonable.
Master the Logistics Early
Map out delivery zones based on drive time, not just distance. Partner with local event venues and establish relationships with corporate office managers. Create standard setup procedures so your team can execute flawlessly whether it’s a conference room lunch or outdoor festival booth.
Integrate Marketing from Day One
Train your restaurant staff to mention catering during every interaction. Use table tents, flyers, and digital displays asking, “Did you know we cater?” Create a dedicated catering landing page on your website with clear pricing and photos. Most importantly, photograph every catering event you complete—these images become your best marketing tools.
The Health-Conscious Catering Advantage
While many catering companies default to heavy, processed foods, The Great Greek offers something different: genuinely healthy options that don’t sacrifice flavor. Mediterranean cuisine consistently ranks among the world’s healthiest diets, featuring fresh vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and heart-healthy olive oil.
This positioning opens doors with health-focused clients: corporate wellness programs, fitness studios, medical offices, and schools implementing healthier meal standards. When you pitch catering to these prospects, you’re not just offering food—you’re offering alignment with their values.
Building Community Through Catering
Great Greek catering creates natural opportunities for community engagement that drive long-term brand loyalty. Consider these examples of community-focused catering:
School fundraisers where families experience authentic Greek flavors while supporting local causes
Cultural events celebrating Greek heritage or Mediterranean cuisine awareness
Charity galas where donating a portion of proceeds builds goodwill and generates positive publicity
Youth sports teams providing healthy post-game meals that parents appreciate
Each community catering event strengthens your local reputation and creates emotional connections that go beyond simple transactions.
Measuring Your Catering Success
To maximize catering profitability, track these key metrics:
- Monthly catering revenue percentage of total sales (target 25-35%)
- Average catering order value compared to dine-in tickets
- Customer conversion rate from catering clients to restaurant visitors
- Repeat catering bookings indicating satisfied corporate accounts
- Social media engagement from catering event posts
These numbers help you refine pricing, improve service, and identify your most profitable catering niches.
The Dual Revenue Advantage for Franchise Owners
For prospective Great Greek franchisees, the catering component represents a significant competitive advantage. You’re not just investing in a restaurant—you’re getting a proven system with two distinct revenue streams that complement each other.
Restaurant operations provide steady daily cash flow and build local brand awareness. Catering generates higher-ticket orders, extends your market reach, and creates deeper community connections. Together, they create a more resilient, scalable business model than single-revenue-stream competitors.
Why Mediterranean Catering Fits Today’s Market
The catering landscape has evolved beyond basic sandwich platters and pizza boxes. Today’s event planners want memorable food experiences that reflect well on their organizations. Greek cuisine delivers on multiple levels:
Visual appeal that photographs well for social media Conversation starters as guests discover new flavors Dietary inclusivity accommodating various health needs Cultural authenticity that feels special rather than generic
This positions your Great Greek franchise to command premium pricing while delivering genuine value.
Your Next Steps for Catering Success
If you’re an existing Great Greek franchisee, start small but start now. Identify three businesses within 15 minutes of your location. Create a simple catering menu with photos and pricing for groups of 10, 25, and 50 people. Commit to one catering sales call per week.
If you’re considering a Great Greek franchise investment, factor catering potential into your market analysis. Look for areas with office complexes, schools, community centers, and event venues—these represent built-in catering demand that can significantly boost your revenue projections.
The Mediterranean catering opportunity is real, growing, and perfectly aligned with The Great Greek’s authentic cuisine and community-focused brand values. The question isn’t whether catering can work for your franchise—it’s how quickly you can start capturing this revenue stream.
Ready to explore The Great Greek franchise opportunity? Contact our franchise development team to learn how Mediterranean catering can accelerate your path to profitability.