More Fast Casual Catering

LOUISVILLE, Ky.As more consumers seek a wider diversity of foodservice options for entertaining, catering as jumped into the fray as an alternative to hosting a party at a restaurant but boasting the convenience of not having to prepare all of the food from scratch.

Catering by fast-casual restaurants, such as Panera Bread and Wingstop, is poised to take off in 2010. Not only does catering diversify the business avenues for fast-casual restaurants, but it helps drive exposure and awareness of menu items, notes Rick Vanzura, COO, Panera Bread. Wingstop has noted that it is hoping to ramp up efforts to secure more 100-plus wing orders during 2010.