AboutGary & Teri Expertise My main specialties are invitations, catering, and banquet locations or in general, wedding receptions. Started as a family business over 75 years ago I now own and operate a catering & banquet facility for over 30 years and have catered small cookout events to large formal ones with everything in between. I even had an event that was attended by the President of the United States. I have been involved with over three thousand weddings and have been told that I have seen and done it all. I must reply almost, because something new always pops up.
Experience I have preformed almost every service needed at a reception from invitations, hosting and catering the event to photographing, dj and honeymoon plans with the latter being special circumstances. I have worked and hosted weddings up to 750 guest and other functions up to two thousand. With well over 30 years experiance of consulting with brides I have seen much of what works and does not.
I have also been involved with many business and orginizational functions and also have been listed in "Who's Who" business and executive edition.
Expert: Gary & Teri Date: 7/7/2008 Subject: New Banquet Center?
Question QUESTION: I'm considering opening a banquet center in my community. I know most of their business is on weekends but is there any reason why we couldn't hold events there during the week to help cover expenses? Also, where is the best resource for doing my homework on this business?
Thank You,
Ron Lowry
ANSWER: Hi Ron, I receive many questions like this and yours is the second today. I don't know if you have done this before but before I can help anyone out I fully recommend them to get their "feet wet" somehow. You can work someplace or even go to www.vocationvacation.com where you can learn a lot by doing one of their vocation vacations. I am there under catering. I have known a number of people that think it is a business for them but they knew nothing about it. After working it they learned it wasn't for them. This and the restaurant business is not an easy one and I have seen many go out of business with experienced people. The mentorship at that website is the best homework you can do to start off.
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QUESTION: Thank you for your answer. I oversee a church rec center and we have been catering in our facility for about 10 years. We cater to our local schools, civic organizaitons and obviouisly our church family for wedding receptions and such. Even though it appears that most facilities make their money on the weekends, I was trying to find a way to utilize space during the week most efficiently.
I am proceeding very cautiously and have quite a bit of experience with our catering service but we have never had to pay for lights and overhead as a stand-alone business would. Thank you for the words of wisdom and if you have any other resources, please pass them along. I appreciate your expertise in this area.
Answer Hi again, It seems you have been involved with the work so it won't all be new to you. As for during the week events that is very hard. I find them hard to come by myself. I know some restaurants that do this sort of thing but it seems when you start expanding you loose quality and the specialty of a banquet center. I can also mention to you my expenses are about $2000 per week but that can change with your size and location. Advertising is a killer as are utilities.
