With the economy like it is, if you are trying to raise funds for a school group, or church, or girl scout troop, or any non-profit organization, I know your thoughts are churning to figure out more creative ways to turn a dime into a dollar.

Regardless of your past cookie sales or pie raffle results, Ms. Piggies’ Smokehouse Fresh Pulled Barbecue can help your surpass your fund-raising goals…especially if you don’t have to spend all night cooking!

Discover How To Raise $500 Without Working

You can get a 10% back from the total gross cash revenue of our 10612 Page Avenue location.  Our food packages come with our pork shoulder pulled fresh from our pits ( a generous 1½ sandwiches/guest), mouth watering baked beans, tangy cole slaw or potato salad, famous sauce and fresh buns baked right here in St. Louis!

Besides the great price, you’ll love the fact when the time is over, you can go home with cash in hand.  We also include our famous bbq sauce!

Why Are We Willing To Give You 10% of Our Profits?

Well, I have a good reason. A lot of you, as well as your brothers or sisters, aren’t from the O’ Fallon area, and may not be familiar with Ms. Piggies’ in St. Louis, Missouri (about 25 minutes from the airport). I’d rather ‘bribe’ you with giving your non-profit organization money, than hope you someday discover Ms. Piggies’ Smokehouse & Catering Company on your own.

Once you try our bbq you’ll Be a Facebook Fan Forever!

There Are Only 3 Concerns You Need To Cover For A Great Turn Out:

It’s Gotta Be CASH: Therefore, you need to tell everyone who comes for your fund-raising event They Must Use Cash. Heck, we don’t like the bank bail out either, so if folks use their credit cards the bank will take a cut from Your Profits! So tell everyone to use the good old American Green Back.

Can They Come On Time: We will designate a time to start the meter running. Say, from 4 pm to 8 pm on Thursday anyone who comes in the door and pays cash, 10% of that goes to your scout troop, football club, church group, baseball league, pet rescue organization, book club, whatever your non-profit organization does… Just get them to us and we’ll feed them. Our foods comes with enough fresh pulled pork shoulder for 1½ ‘good size’ sandwiches per guest… that’s over 30% more than the average bbq place.

It Better Be Good: We guarantee your going to love our bbq. In fact, we smoke our shoulders over hickory for over 22 hours, so you get fall-off-the-bone tender barbecue that would require you staying up all night long just to get close.  You can also get BBQ Party Packs with beef brisket, turkey breast, chicken and ribs.Click here for our Ms. Piggies’ Catering Menu.

Remember, We’ll Throw In $25 Ms. Piggies’ Smokehouse Certificate Just For Trying Us Out!

This offer isn’t for everyone — just for 501(c)3 organizations. But if you are looking for a new, fresh caterer that will make you look like a fund-raising hero, provide plenty of food for everyone at a great value with one-call and no-hassles, then you deserve to give Ms. Piggies’ a try and treat yourself to some FREE Ms. Piggies’ Smokehouse BBQ Sauce!

The ball’s in your court. Pick up the phone now and call us directly at 314.327.3034. You’ll be glad you did.

Exceeding Expectations,

Kendall E. Matthews, The Barbecue Apostle

P.s. Remember, we are always looking for reliable folks to work for us. Do you know of anyone? If so, refer them to our Need A Job web page.

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The demand for motivated, qualified employees is far greater than the current supply. This trend is expected to continue well into the 21^st Century. One of your greatest challenges is not only to keep fully staffed, but insure your workforce is motivated to stay on your team.

A recent survey of managers revealed “higher wages” were the most important factor in keeping their employees motivated. The same survey revealed their employees ranked “feeling appreciated” as their #1 motivator.

What Does a Barbecue Caterer Know About Employee Appreciation?

Admittedly, for years I considered Ms. Piggies’ Smokehouse a carry-out restaurant and catering company that happens to serve the best barbecue I’ve ever eaten. Over the years clients would comment, send me letters or call to let me know how much their employees “appreciated” Ms. Piggies’ Smokehouse being brought in for them.

In fact, one company’s employees sent a letter to management thanking them. The food was the best they had ever catered in and they felt “appreciated”. After comments like this, I realized Ms. Piggies’ Smokehouse is not a catering company, we are an employee appreciation company.

Think about it. Federal Express doesn’t sell package delivery, they sell you piece of mind. The piece of mind your package will make it to Los Angeles by 10:00 am tomorrow.

If your needs are only to satisfy the hunger of your employees and nothing else, you needn’t bother finishing this article. If your purpose in catering in a special meal is to show your employees you appreciate them, to motivate them and to build loyalty, please consider Ms. Piggies’ Smokehouse for your next event.

Your Employees Will Feel Appreciated

Ms. Piggies’ Smokehouse is not in the food business. We have thrived because we specialize in making your employees feel appreciated. How do we accomplish this for you?

• “All You Care To Eat” Meals: All of our buffets are served as “All You Care To Eat”. Nothing will disappoint your employees more than going back to work hungry. We are the only caterer that offers a 120% Guarantee. If we run out of food on any of our full service buffets, we will refund100% of the cost plus give you a 20% credit towards your next event.

• Large Portions On Self Serve Caterings: Some companies opt to pick up their catered meals in self-serve aluminum pans. We calculate 1 ½ “Good Sized” sandwiches per guest. On average we provide 25% more food than you’ll usually receive. Again, full employees make for very appreciated employees.

• Caterings Available For 2^nd & 3^rd Shift: We know your employees that may work the 2^nd or 3^rd shift feel as appreciated as the 1^st shift are just as important to your operation as those on 1 & 3 shift. Depending on the number per shift, we can either serve a complete buffet or leave a self service meal in warmers ready to make your 2

• Your Employees Are Treated Like “They’re Writing The Check”: That’s right. Everyone knows the person who books an event or writes the check gets special treatment. We train all of our associates to treat each and everyone of your employees like they’re picking up the tab. Let’s face it. Be it an upset customer or a demanding boss, everyday your people work hard to satisfy their customers. We hear from employees like yours time and time again how nice it is to be treated special and with respect.

• Free Desserts at Ms. Piggies’ Smokehouse: Provide us your company logo and, we would be glad to provide free dessert or free appetizer certificates to your employees on your behalf. Imagine, not only will your employees feel appreciated by Ms. Piggies’ Smokehouse catered meal, they’ll walk away thinking you picked up the tab for a free dessert or appetizer ($2.49 – $5.95 value).

How Much Will It Cost Me To Make My Employees Feel Appreciated?

Not as much as you might think. Our self-service caterings start at a $7.49 investment and our full-service buffets start at a $9.95 investment per guest. That is equal or lower than one extra hour of pay per employee. How can you offer so much to them for so little an investment?

Please browse through our catering menus. We may offer caterings featuring our traditional barbecue goodies, as well as other completely customized popular options.

What Do I Do Now?

I know you are busy, and I want you to feel appreciated by us during your search for what will ultimately make your employees feel appreciated. I created a guide on “How To Get A Free Catered Event.” Also, let me bring you a free sampling of our goodies. Be it lunch for you, or a sample for a committee of ten after work, it will be my pleasure to serve you and discuss your needs. Please respond immediately, as we can only provide one FREE Sampling per weekday and my calendar books out quickly. Please don’t get left behind.

If it is more convenient, I invite you and your people to be my guest for lunch or dinner. We’ll sit down. And I’ll have you sample a little bit of everything, just like my mom did in her kitchen for her guests.

Look forward to meeting you soon!

Exceeding Expectations,

Kendall Matthews

The Barbecue Apostle ™

P.S. – As it becomes increasingly more competitive to attract, motivate and keep qualified employees that add to your bottom line, turning to Ms. Piggies’ Smokehouse & Catering Company to cater in a meal that makes all your people feel appreciated makes sense. Combine the great food with the fact we will do all the work for an investment of one hour’s pay or less per employee, and you’ve got a winner!

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Most people hire a caterer without checking important facts. Here are 11 questions you must ask every food caterer you interview:

1. What do their customers say about them? ( Ask to see testimonials.)

2. What is their quality of food? ( A caterer should insist you sample before you commit!)

3. Will the food be “re-heated” or fresh? ( Nothing worse than dry, tasteless food.)

4. Do they have different options to fit your budget?

5. Are they consistently “on-time” with their service?

6. What are the size of portions you are paying for? ( A lower price might equate to less food.)

7. How much notice is needed to book a catering? ( Wouldn’t it be nice to have the ability to feed 1000 people with 24 hours notice?)

8. Can you get a written proposal the same day you called?

9. What service is included in this catering? (You don’t want any surprises on the day of your catering.)

10. What if more people show up than expected, or you run out of food? ( This area leaves you the most vulnerable with your peers.)

11. What “Guarantee” do they provide?

Now, you definitely are armed with some “food for thought”. Please use these questions as a guide when searching for a caterer. The right answers will make you look like a “Hero”, when your event goes off without a hitch.

Here’s information on how you can “Get Your Next Corporate Catering For FREE”. After the craziness of the holidays and long hours in front of a computer, you might appreciate some great barbecue.

Exceeding Expectations,

Kendall E. Matthews

The Barbecue Apostle (TM)

P.S.- Ms. Piggies’ Smokehouse & Catering Company is the only caterer with the 120% Guarantee. We guarantee your full service catering will have the best smoke meats you have ever eaten, and you will not run out of food. If you feel the food did not live up to your expectations, and we ran out of food…You have the right to demand a 100% refund plus a 20% credit for your next catered event. GUARANTEED!

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When I first started talking to friends and customers about the concept for this I received the following two comments:

* “A free catering?  How can I get my next catering free?”
* “A free catering?  Nothing is free in life.  What’s the catch?”

I would imagine your initial reaction was the same.  I have to admit the thought of a free catering sounds too good to be true.  You know the old saying, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.”  My parents taught me that growing up, and it’s half true and half false.

How is a free lunch false? Let me tell you to start.  Someone is going to have to pay for or write the check for your catering.

Neither I, nor my competition can afford to go around giving away all of our food for free.  You’ll see us in bankruptcy court in less than 30 days.

Now read on.  I promised to show you how to get your next catering for free, and that’s what I’ll do.

How is a free lunch the truth?  I just mentioned someone has to pay for your catering, but it doesn’t have to be you.

Who would pay to feed your employees or cater your next client event.  The answer lies in one simple question:

“Who Stands To Benefit From My Company’s Success?”

Your employees? Yes, but you and I wouldn’t dream of asking our employees to pick up the tab.

Your Vendors and Suppliers! That’s right.  The more your business grows and prospers, the more products and services you will need to purchase from your vendors and suppliers.

Many companies consider the vendor/supplier relationship adversarial.  To remain competitive into the next millenium, you will need to view your suppliers as partners in your business.  Let’s take a closer look at this relationship and how it will benefit you.

Why Your Suppliers Will Beg You To Let Them Pay For Your Next Catering

“You help people get what they want, and they’ll help you get what you want!”  Repeatedly, I have found this statement to be true.  The more I do to help my customers and clients be successful, the more I am rewarded with more business and loyalty.

At Ms. Piggies’ Smokehouse & Catering Company we feed over 43,000 people each year.  It would be safe to say this large group, as a whole, is affiliated with just about every company, school, church, non-profit or association in St. Louis County.  We are bombarded with up to five requests each day for gift certificates for events ranging from employee appreciation events to silent auctions for schools.

We never say no.  Why is this?  We know there is an almost 100% chance the request is coming from a current customer.  By donating a gift certificate, we are building on the goodwill of our customers.  We also count on them to influence others.  Adopting this philosophy has allowed us to grow each year.

The same philosophy that drives me to honor the multitude of requests for free gift certificates, will motivate your suppliers to help underwrite the cost of your next event.  You just need to position it properly.

Your corporate catering will be held to benefit one of two groups: your customers or your employees.

A customer focused event like a holiday party, a new product launch,  a seminar or customer appreciation is the type of event that helps solidify, if not build upon, the goodwill you have established with your customers.  This goodwill, if used properly, will lead to more business with your firm.

Needless to say, your vendors directly benefit.  The more your sales increase, the more business your supplier receives.  A true WIN-WIN situation.  Most vendors are more than happy to contribute their fair share to such a worthy event.  Just listen to the success of one company.

“We were having an open house for our customers.  Kendall, the plan you developed for us to approach our vendors to help pay for your catering was genius.  Six suppliers each contributed $500.  The $3000 raised covered the cost of the catering and the invitations. All the vendors I approached were excited to help us out and have been rewarded over time with increased business.”

Morty Banks, Banks Industries

You see.  If approached properly, your vendors/suppliers will be glad to help you.  It’s a selfish motive.  They know it will ultimately come back to them in spades.

Why Would My Suppliers Want To Pay To Cater An Employee Event?

Your vendors will be just as eager to help with employee parties and picnics.  Let’s examine why treating your employees is beneficial.  A recent survey revealed most company managers and owners believed pay (money) was the number one motivator for employees.  Employees taking the same survey said “appreciation” was the number one motivator.

Let’s face it.  In St. Louis, Missouri with unemployment under 6%, most of your employees can go down the street and make an extra buck an hour or two grand a year.

What you say and do to make your employees feel appreciated has more to do with employee productivity and retention than pay.

Each year we see an increase in the number of meals companies cater in to make their employees feel appreciated.  One local hospital invests about $9,000 each month in catering just to make their employees feel appreciated.  A simple lunch is one of the easiest and most cost effective means to show your appreciation.

Your vendors understand the value of your employees.  The better your employees are treated.  The better your customers will be treated.  The direct result is increased sales for you and ultimately your supplier.

Pharmaceutical reps are constantly paying to cater in lunches for doctor’s offices and clinics.  We handle many such events each week.

One local company, C.U.C. Travel, has all the major car rental companies drooling to bring in lunch for all their employees.  I asked one of the car rental reps why they would spend so much money to feed all of their employees.  He replied, “When a customer calls in to book a vacation and needs to rent a car, I want every travel agent remembering my company.”  You see.  Another example of vendor and customer working together to help each other.  WIN-WIN.  That’s what it’s all about.

Won’t I Be Indebted To My Vendors?

That’s the first question that came to my mind. Researching our catering clients that were successful in having their suppliers pay for their catering, I uncovered two factors that kept them from feeling they owed their vendors.

1.  The amount you request from any single vendor should represent a small percentage of what you spend with them each year.
2.  Don’t ask your vendors to help out too often.

A $500 request from a supplier that you spend $20,000 a year with is reasonable.  Most suppliers won’t think twice about it.  If you asked for $2,000, you’ll meet with resistance and made to feel indebted.  I’m sure you would help out one of your customers in this situation and not think twice.  It makes good business sense.

How Do I Go About Approaching My Suppliers?

Studying and calling our clients that have been successful in having their vendors pick up the tab for their catered events, helped me develop the following 4-Step System.

* Decide Which Vendors To Approach
* Send A Letter of Request
* Make A Follow Up Telephone Call
* Send A Thank You Note

Before you decide which suppliers to approach, you’ll need to make a list of all your suppliers along with the amount of money you spend each year with them.  Sort that list from largest vendor to smallest.  Now go down your list and write down a realistic dollar figure each supplier should be able to contribute to your catered event without feeling pinched.

With your list complete, you are ready to mail out a letter of request to each vendor.  You will be explaining the purpose of the event, how they can expect to benefit and what you would like them to contribute.  Remember, you can ask them to write a check, or give you the amount in goods and services.

It doesn’t matter to you.  Five hundred dollars worth of printing is just as good to you as a $500 check.  The end result is the same.  In fact, your vendor might prefer to give you products/services because their hard cost is much less.  Their hard cost on $500 worth of merchandise might only be $250.  Again, a WIN-WIN situation for everyone.

SAMPLE LETTER

January 10,

Mr. Bob Jones
ABC MFg.
1231 Hawkeye Road
St. Louis, Missouri 63376

Dear Bob:

I want to thank you for being one of our preferred vendors.  We have worked together for quite some time, and appreciate the great service we have come to expect from you.  The ability for us to consistently deliver high quality products and service our customers is directly related to vendors like you delivering on your end.

You could even say we’re partners of sorts.  The success of both of our companies is intertwined.

You’ll agree our being more successful leads to you being more successful.  The busier we are the more we turn to you to help service our growth.

We will be holding a customer open house on March 30.  This will give us an opportunity to meet face to face with our customers and discuss their needs for the fall.

Events like this have proven very successful in solidifying and building client relationships.  Not only are we able to obtain commitments for future business, we are able to talk one to one with clients and uncover areas of improvement for our company.

As a preferred vendor that benefits directly from our growth, I am requesting you help underwrite a part of the investment in our open house.  We would appreciate you investing $500 in our open house.

You can feel free to deduct the amount from a future invoice or write us a check.  We want to make your participation in this event uncomplicated.

I will call you next week to discuss the details of the open house and answer any questions you may have.  Based on previous open houses, I know an investment in this event will benefit both our companies.  Thank you in advance for your consideration and support as our partner in growth.

Sincerely,

David Smith
President

Once you have mailed your letters of request, you are ready to follow up by phone.  You will want to wait about three to four days after your letter is received to call.  You want to incorporate the following into your conversation:

* Did you receive the letter I mailed?
* Do you have any questions?
* Will you be able to help out with the event?
* If not, how about a future event?
* If yes, thank them and go over the details.
* Whatever happens,   ALWAYS THANK YOUR SUPPLIER   FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION!

Telephoning your supplier will be easier than you think.  The letter you mailed gives them notice of your upcoming call.  Whether they decide to help or not, they will be prepared to give you an answer when you call.

I had a college professor who taught business correspondence at Purdue University. The one bit of information that still sticks in my mind after ten years is the importance of thank you notes.

He told a story about being invited to a friend’s lake house one summer.  As soon as he returned home, he sat down and composed a hand written thank you note.  Every year since, he has been invited back.

That story prompted me to start writing notes to thank friends and acquaintances for everything from sailing trips on Lake Michigan to week long ski vacations.  Needless to say, I get invited back each year, and I am sure my appreciative note has something to do with it.

Be sure to write each and every vendor that helps underwrite the investment in your next event a thank you note.  Besides being the right thing to do, it will be appreciated.  You can count on your future requests being cheerfully honored.

How Does Ms. Piggies’ Smokehouse & Catering Company Benefit From Giving You This Information?

The purpose of this report was to share a system that allows you  to thank your customers and/or employees without costing you a dime.  Our number one goal was to enlighten you to what your fellow businesspeople were doing to maximize their customer and employee relationships.  I have always found it easier to study unrelated companies and apply their systems to my industry, rather than copying my competitors.  If nothing else, I hope your vision has widened.

I know some people will read this article and dismiss it by saying, “Too much work,” or “It’ll never work for me.” Everyone has to do what makes them feel comfortable, and I respect that.  Others of you will embrace this idea, but choose to stick with your current caterer.  If this is your choice, I understand.  The final group of people, hopefully like you, will try the system and call Ms. Piggies’ Smokehouse to handle the catering of your next event.

Whichever category you fall into, please know our intent is to give you a proven system to help you grow your business.

Exceed Expectations,

Kendall Matthews
Barbecue Apostle ™

P.s. We started by talking about there being no such thing as a free lunch.  Guess what.  There is.  I want to give you a “Get Out Of Work Free Card” for you.  If you are considering any type of event, please call our Free Recorded Message  24 hour corporate catering hotline 1.877.727.9246 ext. 302.  I would love to have you out to my restaurant to sample some of our barbecued goodies, or I’ll be glad to bring lunch out to you.  You’re under no obligation.  All I ask is you consider us for your catering needs.

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Now imagine after all the planning, the follow up phone calls jockeyed into your breaks, and numerous decisions to be made, the big day comes.  You drive into the park dressed for a memorable day of fun in the sun.

Thirty minutes before the meal is scheduled to start, no sign of the caterer.  You call them and receive an answering machine.  What are you going to do?  Fifteen minutes before lunch, the catering crew drags in.  They explain they took a left instead of a right and were detoured 30 minutes.  The excuse is drowned out
as you call on your friends to help the caterer unload.

Ten minutes later all the equipment is unloaded.  Lunch is finally served thirty minutes behind schedule.  You tell yourself it’s alright.  Everyone seems happy and the crowd is flowing through.

What now?  Someone calls you over.  It seems the caterer ran out of chicken before he and his family could get served.  About this time people are coming back for seconds they won’t get.  You try to act composed, but your face can’t hide your combination of embarrassment and anger.

You set out to find the lead caterer and explode as you find him hiding behind a tree sipping a coke and taking a smoke.  What else could go wrong?

This story was not told to scare you, rather to open you up to some of the possibilities of using a caterer. Being involved in planning, I know you are programmed for winning.  You just need to know the rules of the game, and believe me there are a few in planning a successful picnic.

The Ten Biggest Mistakes Made Planning A Picnic

1.    Not Sampling The Food Before The Event

You would be surprised how many people call up a caterer and book an event without tasting the food.  This is critical.  What happens if the food is not what you expect?  You leave yourself open to looking bad in front of all your guests and their family. Believe it or not more people will remember the “cold, tasteless fried chicken”, rather than the true meaning of this special event, a day of camaraderie and friendship.

A good caterer will “insist” you sample the menu before you commit.  If the caterer hesitates, they may have something to hide.  It’s better to uncover potential problems on the front end.

2.     Failing To Have A Budget & “Goal” In Mind

You know the importance of setting goals.  Goals are a focal point to rally your team around.  The vision of attaining these goals is what keeps everyone motivated and on course.  A picnic is no different.

You had better have a vision of the end result.  Do you picture self-service box lunches, or would you prefer guests casually enjoying a traditional St. Louis barbecue with all the fixin’s?

The second part of the equation is your budget.  Knowing in advance how much money you have to spend will save you time in exploring options.  There is nothing more frustrating than having a specific meal in mind without the budget to see it through.

3.     Basing Your Decision Just On Price

The old saying, “You get what you pay for,” rings truer today than ever.  Competition is such that one caterer can not afford to over-price their service.  Most caterers should be within 5%-10% of each other for similar menus and levels of service.  You’ll find someone offering a rock bottom price is cutting corners somewhere.

You need to make sure and compare apples to apples.  Is clean up included in the price? What about the serving tables?  Are they included and what type of covering is included?  Is the food cooked fresh or re-heated?  What about portion size?  What happens if the caterer runs out of food?  How many servers are included?

The list goes on and on.  You see, all caterers are not created equally.  You owe it to yourself to make sure you know what you’re paying for.  This will help you avoid any unpleasant surprises.

4.     Choosing One Entree Instead Of Two

Most group meals consist of a “minority” of guests that have special diets and/or desires.   Years ago you could order one entree and be sure everyone was happy.  Today, you need to consider adding another entree.  Perhaps a vegetarian spaghetti or a chicken dish added as another main course would accommodate all.

Not every event requires two entrees, but is advisable to find out on the front end.  Take an informal survey of co-workers before you make a decision.  A professional caterer should have options available to please everyone without breaking your budget.

5.     Forgetting To Explore All Possible “Options”

The price of two cars with different options can vary as much as $5,000.  Caterings are no different in the fact options can add to the price tag.  The opposite can also ring true.  If you are willing to forgo certain extras, you might be able to negotiate a lower price.  Make sure you ask about the “base model” catering if you are on a tight budget.  Most caterers will work with you.

If you have a larger budget be sure to ask about the extras.  You just might have enough to add the homemade pumpkin pie to your menu.

6.     Not Getting References

What does a caterer’s customers have to say about them.  Don’t discount the importance of references.  You’ll find out things about a caterer he might not otherwise disclose.

There are two types of references.  The first is the references provided by the caterer.  Don’t hesitate and call these references. “Word of Mouth” references are people you or your friends know that have used the caterer.  You need to know whether they enjoyed the food, received good service and whether the meal was served on schedule.  I’m sure you’ll have a lot of your own questions.

This will prove to be your best source of information.  Think about it.  Would you let a friend make the wrong decision?  Of course you wouldn’t and neither would one of your friends.

7.     Thinking The Caterer Won’t Run Out Food

Have you ever been to a party and they run out of food?  How did it make the host look?  Running out of food is the biggest catastrophe for an event.  Make sure your caterer provides you a written guarantee they won’t run out of food for the number of people you agree on.

8.     Failing To Find Out What “Service” Is Included

As mentioned earlier, you get what you pay for.  This includes service.  Find out exactly what the caterer does as part of his service.

Will they stay till the end and clean the entire area or just through the meal?  Who is responsible for the trash?  Does the caterer plan on setting up and serving the meal, or is it a drop-off catering (one where the food is left in aluminum pans)?  You need to be aware of what you are getting for your money.  This allows you to receive the service you expect and prevents any unexpected surprises for you before, during or after your picnic.

9.     Not Having A Plan For Extra Guests That May Show Up

As good a job as you will do in taking reservations and estimating the number of guests, there will always be some people show up unexpectedly.  Usually, a caterer will require you pay for the exact number of guests you guarantee.  If fewer guests show, you’re stuck paying for food you didn’t use.  If extra guests join in, you are more than likely going to run out of food.

Some caterers use a “flexible guarantee”.  You give the caterer a guaranteed number of guests, and the caterer guarantees there will be enough food to feed an extra 10%.  If extra people show, you pay for them.  If they don’t, you’re not on the line for uneaten meals.

If you are afraid fewer guests will show up than expected, you can guarantee a lower number.  The 10% leeway will protect you in the event you guessed wrong.  Again, the advantage to this is that you minimize your investment in meals that go uneaten.

Make sure you insist on this kind of guarantee.   There are many reputable caterers that offer the “flexible guarantee”.

10.     Using A Caterer That Doesn’t Guarantee Your Experience

Guarantees are a part of doing business for most industries.  This protects you, the consumer, from not getting what you expect. You have a right to receive what you expect.

Look for a caterer that guarantees their product.  An example would be a guarantee that if the  caterer runs out of food, you don’t pay.  Make sure you go into your picnic knowing you are covered.  Don’t place the risk on your shoulder.  You’re giving up your valuable dollars.  You have every right to expect a guarantee for your event.

What Happens When You Avoid The Ten Biggest Mistakes Made Planning A Picnic

Now imagine after all the planning, the follow up phone calls jockeyed into your breaks, and numerous decisions to be made, the big day comes.  You drive into the park dressed for a memorable day of fun in the sun, and it really is.

The caterer has been waiting for you for fifteen  minutes.  You show them where lunch is to be served, and politely excuse yourself.  You go to the softball field for fifteen minutes of last minute preparation.  You return and to your amazement the buffet is set up ready to go.

The smell of the fresh cooked barbecue permeates the park.  You can’t wait to eat, and the head caterer makes you up a small plate before guests arrive.  You can’t believe the freshness.  You’re ready for another plateful, but you stop yourself.  There’ll be plenty later.

The crowd arrives, and everyone makes a bee line for the buffet. You overhear someone comment to his wife, “This is unbelievable.  I never expected a barbecue to be so nice.  It’s as nice as the brunch served at the country club.”  You smile inside as you walk by.  You know you’ll get extra brownie points for this.

Meanwhile, some of the bigger guys are loading up their plates for the second time.  They’re surprised it’s an “All You Can Eat Buffet”.  They love that challenge, and remember they couldn’t even get seconds at last year’s picnic.

All day long everyone is hunting you down.  They are really impressed with your skills in planning a picnic.  You’ve never had so many compliments.  Imagine, all because you picked a great caterer.

You’ll definitely have a memorable catering.  The right choice will make it a pleasant memory.

I look forward to personally working with you on your successful picnic.

Exceed Expectations,

Kendall Matthews
Barbecue Apostle ™

P.S. – Ms. Piggies’ Smokehouse & Catering Company is the only barbecue caterer with a 120%
Guarantee.  We guarantee your full service barbecue catering will have the best barbecue you have ever eaten, and you will not run out of food.  If you feel the barbecue did not live up to your expectations, and we ran out of food…You have the right to demand a 100% refund plus a 20% credit for your next catered event.  GUARANTEED!

P.S.S. Let us help you make your picnic a huge success.  I’ll have you out as my guest to sample our food and explain how we can make you look like a hero. If you’re busy, my team will bring some great barbecue out to you, no obligation.

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