Question

Topic: Strategy

Help Please! Competition In Food/catering Biz

Posted by Anonymous on 11/4/2008 at 11:24 AM ET 125 Points
Few months back I started a catering biz that provides Authentic Home-made Indian food for busy couples & students. However, the moment I started I have copy-cats and competition arising from everywhere.

I have an awesome website and online ordering. However, I am afraid that if I put my website on my ads then my competitors will see it and soon create their own. Also, how do I screen calls to ensure that I am not giving info to a competitor instead of a customer? Please help.
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RESPONSES

  • Posted on 11/4/2008 at 11:25 AM Author
    www.bombaytakeout.com - more info & my website
  • Posted by michael on 11/4/2008 at 12:29 PM Accepted
    You can't worry about potential copy cats. Go after the business. Put you menu on the website....but not prices. The phone is not going to ring, YOU make it ring.

    We're doing this for an espresso caterer. Lots of them out there, but we're winning the business

    Michael
  • Posted on 11/4/2008 at 2:55 PM Author
    Thanks Michael. I have a question:

    If I get a phonecall, how can I tell whether it is customer vs competitor. My main competitive disadvantage is that I can provide limited delivery service. Whereas, my competitors provide delivery almost everywhere. They have their family helping them with deliveries, but I am alone...how can I combat that? I am very passionate about food- My theme is Food that is simply down to earth.

    If a competitor wants to find out the price, they can always call pretending that they are a customer...so how does withholding the price help? As, I got lot of business simply b/c people saw my prices & were eager to try.
  • Posted on 11/4/2008 at 2:58 PM Author
    Hello Phil,

    I needed to hear that. My main competitive disadv is lack of delivery service. I can't afford to hire a driver like pizza parlors, hence I am trying to sub-contract a driver from a pizza place...An exisiting driver in dominos or pizza that have the same route and can do my deliveries also. I am trying to find someone but haven't found anyone yet...What else can I do?

  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 11/4/2008 at 6:28 PM Accepted
    Your website and onsite ordering aren't your main benefits. The #1 question is, "How awesome is your food?" If people are loving it, then help them to spread the word: give out frequent dining cards, or discount cards to give to their friends, etc. If the food isn't awesome, either improve it or differentiate yourself: organic, local ingredients, custom orders for people with food sensitivities, etc.

    Don't worry about your competitors. They'll always be there, and if you're good, they'll be following you. The trick is to lead, not follow them. Continue to offer things that your clients want/need, whether it be food, spices, or even recipes to make their own food.
  • Posted by CarolBlaha on 11/4/2008 at 7:49 PM Accepted
    Is no biz is so transparant that you have to be so protective. Don't fool yourself-- every competitor knows about you and your business. Just deal with it as a fact. And as you should shop them they will shop you.
  • Posted by dmmarathe on 11/5/2008 at 2:58 AM Accepted
    Just deliver what you promise. Indian customer is typical.Wants more value for money.Deliver good quality at right price.Best of luck.
  • Posted by Mikee on 11/5/2008 at 11:22 AM Accepted
    As always, lots of good advice above.

    I would like to reiterate that you can not worry about the competition. Your goal needs to provide the best food with best service at a great value.

    You cannot stop people from creating a website. I would put your website on all your information. If your competitor gets it so be it. You need to spread the word. You cannot keep your competitor from getting information, so stop worrying about it and move on.

    Mike
  • Posted by michael on 11/15/2008 at 11:41 AM Member
    You can do the same with prices....calling the competition. However, most of your competitors won't call you. If it's only about price, then you might want to consider a different business. Catering is, as you know, very word-of-mouth.

    I would encourage you to look for people you can hire on the spot. There are lots of people out there willing to do ad hoc work. Just be very selective.

    Michael
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