By: Diane Hernandez
“Many restaurants in America have untapped profit potential outside their dining rooms,” says Dan Roland, Co-Founder at Katalyst. “It’s time to explore those opportunities.”
Rising costs and shrinking margins have led restaurant owners to reconsider how they can grow without simply increasing seating. Many are now turning their attention outside the dining room. Off-premise profit streams, such as catering, online ordering, and digital gift cards, are increasingly seen as viable options for modern operators.
And Katalyst is helping make that transition more accessible.
The New Reality: More Revenue Beyond the Dining Room
Restaurants can only serve so many guests during peak hours. When all seats are filled, further revenue growth can become challenging. Dan suggests that this mindset can limit growth opportunities.
“You can’t keep raising prices on the same burger indefinitely,” he says. “Off-premise sales, like catering, could be a key factor in achieving sustainable growth.”
Katalyst’s platform offers an easy way for restaurants to diversify revenue streams without requiring significant operational changes. There’s no need for expensive hardware or complex integrations. A single login can unlock catering menus, online ordering, and digital gift card sales.
Catering: The Biggest Untapped Revenue Stream
Most restaurant owners recognize catering as a potential revenue booster, though few have the right tools to manage it effectively. Katalyst addresses some common obstacles in the industry.
Traditional third-party catering platforms often charge up to 15% in commission fees. For larger orders, this can substantially cut into profits. Katalyst removes these fees by connecting orders directly to the restaurant’s system, enabling businesses to retain control over pricing, payments, and delivery.
For example, a single catering order can generate several hundred dollars in revenue, with margins much higher than typical dine-in orders. These orders can be fulfilled during off-peak hours, helping to utilize kitchen resources when fewer customers are dining in.
Katalyst makes the setup straightforward. There’s no need to replace existing point-of-sale systems or make major changes. The catering module is lightweight, and most clients are able to get up and running within a few days.
Delivery Without High Fees
Online ordering has become increasingly prevalent over the past five years. However, the hidden costs of third-party delivery apps can be steep, with commission rates often reaching up to 30%.
Many restaurant operators feel constrained by these platforms, as they don’t have many alternatives.
Katalyst’s system offers a solution. It integrates with delivery networks, giving restaurants the flexibility to choose how they manage orders. Whether using in-house drivers, third-party couriers, or a combination of both, the restaurant maintains control over the customer experience.
“Our goal is to provide owners with more flexibility,” says Bill Roland, a lifelong restaurant owner and Katalyst Founding Partner. “They can choose who delivers the food and decide what they’re willing to pay for the service.”
By removing the high markups typically charged by third-party services, Katalyst enables restaurants to retain more of the sale price.
Digital Gift Cards: Low-Effort, High-Impact
Some of the simplest off-premise strategies are often overlooked. Digital gift cards, for instance, can generate significant revenue during slower seasons. One Katalyst client saw five-figure sales in gift cards while their restaurant was closed for winter. These funds helped cover fixed costs and brought back loyal customers when the restaurant reopened.
Gift cards are available for purchase 24/7, requiring no staff involvement in processing the sales. It’s a low-effort strategy that helps maintain cash flow year-round.
No Hardware. No Disruption. No Excuse.
Many restaurant owners hesitate to explore new revenue streams because of concerns about technical challenges. They worry about staff training or disrupting normal operations.
Katalyst removes these obstacles. Restaurants don’t need to invest in new hardware or overhaul their entire system. For catering, all that’s required is an online menu, some basic setup, and staff training.
“We’ve designed this to be as simple as possible,” Bill says. “Owners can start with catering, see the results, and expand when they’re ready.”
Winning Corporate Catering Business
One of the most significant growth opportunities comes from corporate catering. Many offices order lunch regularly and spend thousands on bulk orders, but small restaurants often miss out on these opportunities.
Without an online catering presence, businesses often turn to other providers. Katalyst helps restaurants get noticed by local offices and large events, streamlining the ordering, payment, and delivery processes.
“You risk losing out if you don’t offer catering online,” Dan explains. “In the meantime, your competitor could be securing corporate orders that should be yours.”
A Simple Shift That Pays for Itself
A single catering order could easily cover the cost of the Katalyst module for an entire month. The profit margin on large orders allows restaurants to see quick returns. There are no hefty fees eating into profits, and the process is simple and repeatable.
Digital gift cards create another consistent revenue stream with no additional labor required. Online ordering helps maintain sales during off-peak hours or slow seasons.
Each component works together to help restaurants remain profitable when in-house dining alone is no longer enough.
The Big Picture: Modern Restaurants Grow Beyond the Four Walls
Consumer behavior has shifted. Guests now expect the convenience of ordering online, purchasing gift cards, or planning catering orders without the need for a phone call.
Katalyst equips owners with the tools they need to meet these expectations without causing operational strain. They retain their current systems, choose what works ideally for their kitchen and staff, and expand their profit channels on their own terms.
“You’ve already invested in your space and your staff,” Dan says. “Make the most of those resources.”
“The most successful operators understand that waiting for more customers to walk in isn’t the only path to growth,” Bill adds. “They proactively seek out revenue beyond the four walls of their restaurant.”
Learn more about how to expand your profit with off-premise sales at Katalyst’s official website.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and Katalyst’s impact on restaurant revenue or operations will depend on various factors, including but not limited to the restaurant’s specific circumstances, market conditions, and usage of the platform. Katalyst does not guarantee specific results or outcomes.
