_{At ezCater, we’re dedicated to helping restaurants grow a successful catering business. That’s why we’re excited to share this video series featuring insights and lessons from industry experts behind thriving catering programs.}

Your team is the most important aspect for your catering business. So to build a great catering team, you need to identify a mix of talents, personalities, and skills. Each role requires a different skillset. For example you should look for friendly staff members to welcome guests to your restaurant. And seek out great communicators for executing your strategy behind the scenes.

In this video, Eric Wyatt, Chief Operating Officer of Boston Market, describes how to build entry- and senior-level catering teams. He explores qualities of a successful team and how to nurture potential leaders for senior management positions.

Video Takeaways:

• Elevate friendly faces. Staff members with a knack for direct eye contact and smiling are great for the customer-facing side of your business.
• Look for leadership qualities. Identify staff members who build consensus and communicate effectively for senior-level positions on your catering team. When things get crazy, you want people who can keep their cool and make a plan.
• Emphasize business acumen. Success in the catering business means looking at the big picture. Identify senior-level catering team members who can drive sales and manage operations.

Eric Wyatt is Chief Operating Officer of Boston Market, where he executes their strategic operations plan. A 20-year veteran of restaurant operations, he is passionate about business strategy and building a strong operations team to keep guests satisfied. Prior to Boston Market, Eric oversaw operations from some of the biggest brands in restaurants and catering, including Panera Bread and Starbucks.