Websites using Ezcater

Okay, let s break down ezCater, covering its overview, revenue, alternatives, pricing, and customer care.

ezCater Overview

• What it is: ezCater is an online marketplace that connects businesses with local caterers and restaurants for corporate catering and food ordering needs. Think of it as a Grubhub or DoorDash specifically for business catering.
• Target Audience: Businesses of all sizes, from small offices to large corporations, needing to order food for meetings, events, and employee lunches.
• Value Proposition: ezCater simplifies the catering process for businesses by providing:
  • A centralized platform to browse and order from multiple caterers.
  • Simplified ordering, payment, and expense tracking.
  • Nationwide coverage (in the US).
  • Dedicated support for larger, more complex orders.
• Key Features:
  • Extensive caterer/restaurant directory with menus and reviews.
  • Online ordering and payment processing.
  • Order tracking and management tools.
  • Account management features for budget control and reporting.
  • ezCater Rewards loyalty program

Revenue

• How they make money: ezCater primarily generates revenue by taking a commission on each order placed through its platform. The commission is typically a percentage of the total order value and is paid by the caterer or restaurant. They also may have other revenue streams related to advertising or enhanced services for caterers.

• Revenue Figures:

  • As a private company, ezCater doesn t publicly disclose its exact annual revenue. However, they are considered a very successful player in the corporate catering space. There are a few third-party sources that estimated the revenue, but those vary from 300M to 400M, so it s hard to rely on any of those as a definitive truth.

Alternatives to ezCater

Here s a list of alternatives, categorized for clarity:

• Direct Catering/Restaurant Relationships:

  • Directly Contacting Caterers/Restaurants: The most basic alternative. Businesses can bypass platforms and establish direct relationships with local caterers they trust.
  • Pros: Potentially better pricing and more personalized service.
  • Cons: Time-consuming to manage multiple relationships, no central ordering/payment system, more manual work.

• Other Online Catering Marketplaces:

  • Cater2.me: Similar to ezCater, connecting businesses with local catering options.
  • Fooda: Focuses on bringing rotating restaurant pop-ups to corporate offices.
  • ZeroCater: Offers managed corporate catering solutions, often with on-site setup and management.
  • Catering CC: Catering network which allows people to find catering for business and private events.
  • Grubhub/Seamless (for Work): While primarily known for individual meal deliveries, they often have catering options for larger groups.

• Restaurant Delivery Services with Catering Options:

  • DoorDash: DoorDash also has a corporate catering business.
  • Uber Eats: Similar to DoorDash.

• Internal Solutions/DIY:

  • In-House Catering: Larger companies might have their own catering staff.
  • Employee Meal Programs/Stipends: Providing employees with stipends to order their own meals.

Pricing

• For Businesses (Customers):
  • ezCater itself is generally free for businesses to use. They don t charge subscription fees or usage fees.
  • Businesses pay the cost of the catering order itself, plus any applicable taxes and delivery fees.
  • Prices will vary widely depending on the caterer, menu choices, and the size of the order.
• For Caterers/Restaurants:
  • Caterers pay ezCater a commission on each order they receive through the platform.
  • Commission rates can vary depending on factors like order volume and contract terms.

Customer Care Details

• Contact Channels:
  • Phone Support: ezCater offers phone support for businesses needing assistance with orders, account management, or general inquiries. The phone number is usually prominently displayed on their website.
  • Email Support: Email support is available for less urgent inquiries.
  • Live Chat: Live chat is often offered on the website for quick questions.
  • Help Center/FAQ: They have a comprehensive online knowledge base with articles and answers to common questions.
• Support Hours: Check their website for current support hours, but they generally offer extended hours to cover different time zones and business needs.
• Dedicated Account Management: For larger enterprise clients, ezCater may provide dedicated account managers to provide personalized support and manage complex catering programs.
• Reputation: Generally, ezCater is known for providing good customer support, especially for larger orders. However, like any platform, there can be occasional issues or complaints. Check online reviews on sites like Trustpilot or G2 for the most up-to-date customer feedback.
• Resources for Caterers: ezCater also provides resources and support to help caterers succeed on their platform, including marketing materials, training, and data analytics.

In summary: ezCater is a leading online catering marketplace that simplifies the process for businesses. They generate revenue through commissions from caterers, offer various customer care options, and have numerous alternatives depending on the specific needs of the business.