-San Luis Obispo’s Popolo Catering has been serving California’s Central Coast since Leon Castillo started his food service career in 1986. Family-owned and operated, Leon and Kat Castillo launched Popolo Catering in 2006 after acquiring and rebranding another catering company.

“The Central Coast is rich with catering options, including startup catering businesses,” says Leon Castillo. “We’ve put together some tips, based on our years of experience, to help new caterers get a start in this highly competitive business.”

The Castillos have created thousands of lasting memories for their clients over the years. Sharing their wisdom is a way to perpetuate Popolo Catering’s legacy and make success a little easier to reach for new caterers.

“There’s room for all of us,” said the San Luis Obispo-based caterer. “A wholesome attitude keeps the Central Coast in the spotlight, and we all benefit when we are all busy.”

Making lasting memories comes from a solid business foundation, which includes:

• Finding a niche. Become a specialist in what you do by focusing on events of a certain size, certain types of events, a particular serving style, or even a particular ethnic food fusion.
• Keeping it realistic. Growing too fast, without a plan, can lead to failure. Build a reputation for reliability by only booking events you know you can handle. At the same time, plan for growth. Establish benchmarks and the finances and staffing needed for each benchmark. As a benchmark approaches, the plan for success is already in place.
• Develop a trusted network. A network of reliable support staff helps avoid being left shorthanded. Relationships with other caterers, venues, event planners, and suppliers develop valuable resources and opportunities to learn more.
• Focus your menu. Develop a core menu that can grow with your business. The menu becomes part of your reputation. Even though you may be tempted to take on a profitable event with a different menu, do so in a manner that enhances your business’s reputation.
• Enjoy yourself. Catering is demanding and stressful, so keep your enjoyment of the work alive. Your smile and contentment are contagious. Expose everyone!

Over 40 years of catering and event planning experience has given Popolo Catering a reputation as one of the leading catering companies in the region.

Popolo Catering
1605 Calle San Joaquin
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
118 Kit Way
Santa Maria, CA  93455
(805) 543-9543