Caterers in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
New York, United States
Last Updated: August 2024
NAICS 72232Revenue
$14.8bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XXX.Xm
Employees
183k
Businesses
102k
Wages
$X.Xbn
Caterers in the US industry analysis
The Caterers industry has been grappling with the double effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and plummeting marriage rates. Before the pandemic, a surge in downstream consumer expenditures and booming corporate profit spurred demand for business-to-consumer events. Yet, this was insufficient to neutralize the detrimental impact of the dwindling marriage rates. To mitigate these hindrances, caterers innovated by launching new menu options and offering diverse services.
Trends and Insights
- The COVID-19 pandemic has been a major blow for caterers, with businesses and event venues shutting down. As companies' profits took a hit in 2020, this led to a slump in demand for catering services.
- The pandemic spurred growth in no-service catering demand. Caterers mainly providing food and beverages saw an uptake as clients aimed to reduce virus exposure risks.
- California and New York's bustling business activity and high median income attract many caterers. The dense population and strong economy lead to an impressive concentration of catering services in these states.
- Caterers vie for business based on pricing and location. They rely heavily on their reputation, often built through successful events, to secure further opportunities. Their pricing strategies align with customer budgets and competition in the local market.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 1.3 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $14.8bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Corporate profit volatility affects catering demand
- Companies with substantial earnings are more likely to arrange catered events like holiday parties or product launches. This comes to a halt when business closures occur or profit plunges. Further, the shift to remote work has further dampened this demand.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Increased corporate budgets and digital platforms boost the industry's prospects
- The Caterers industry is witnessing a resurgence due to increased corporate marketing budgets. Companies are more willing to invest in functions like holiday parties, product launches, and investor celebrations, which provides caterers with a solid customer base.
Biggest companies in the Caterers in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Elior Group | 286.0 | 8.2 | 2.9 | |
Delaware North Companies, Incorporated | 212.6 | 86.7 | 40.8 | |
ISS A | 12.7 | 0.4 | 2.8 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 6 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Alcohol beverages, Food prepared for immediate consumption and Food served at events on caterers’ premises. Alcohol beverages is the largest segment of the Caterers in the US.
Trends and Insights
Budget constraints boost demand catering at third-parties' premises
- The industry caters to clients who organize events at their own or rented premises, where the demand primarily lies for an efficient food service. The food is often pre-prepared by caterers and delivered to the venue, while some caterers offer on-site meal preparation and cooking, given adequate space and equipment availability.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Chain Restaurants in the US
- Single Location Full-Service Restaurants in the US
- Food Service Contractors in the US
- Street Vendors in the US
- Coffee & Snack Shops in the US
- Fast Food Restaurants in the US
Complementors
- Commercial Leasing in the US
International industries
- Caterers in Canada
- Catering Services in Australia
- Catering Services in New Zealand
- Catering Services in the UK
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
The Caterers industry includes companies that provide individual event-based food services. These companies generally have equipment and vehicles to prepare food off-site and transport it to events. Banquet halls with catering staff are included in this industry. Examples of events catered by industry establishments include graduation parties, wedding receptions, business luncheons and trade shows.
What's included in this industry?
Providing alcoholic beverages Food prepared for immediate consumptionFood served at events on caterers' premisesFood served at events on customer's or third-party premises No-service cateringAdditional coat checking, delivery and rental servicesCompanies
Elior GroupDelaware North Companies, IncorporatedISS APurchase this report to view all 6 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
FOOD SERVICEWASTAGEFOOD HANDLINGIndustry Code
NAICS 72232 - Caterers in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a major blow for caterers, with businesses and event venues shutting down. As companies' profits took a hit in 2020, this led to a slump in dem...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
The pandemic spurred growth in no-service catering demand. Caterers mainly providing food and beverages saw an uptake as clients aimed to reduce virus exposure risks.
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
California and New York's bustling business activity and high median income attract many caterers. The dense population and strong economy lead to an impressive concentration...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Caterers vie for business based on pricing and location. They rely heavily on their reputation, often built through successful events, to secure further opportunities. Their ...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Delaware North Companies Inc. has leveraged its omnipresence in sports hospitality into successful ventures in catering, representing the largest share of the market. The com...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Elior Group's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Delaware North Companies, Incorporated's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of ISS A's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 3 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Elior Group, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Delaware North Companies, Incorporated, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for ISS A, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 3 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Marriage rates have slid over the past five years, impacting caterers. This decline, combined with pandemic-induced wedding postponements, has severely hampered the earnings ...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Inflation has driven up food prices, hurting caterers' profits. The rise, fuelled by a growing agricultural price index, can't be offset downstream, impacting the catering in...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Caterers in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Caterers in the US industry in United States is $14.8bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Caterers in the US industry in 2024?
There are 102k businesses in the Caterers in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 6.5 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Caterers in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Caterers in the US industry in United States has been declining at a CAGR of 1.3 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Caterers in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Caterers in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Caterers in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Caterers market in United States are Elior Group, Delaware North Companies, Incorporated and ISS A
What does the Caterers in the US in United States include?
Providing alcoholic beverages and Food prepared for immediate consumption are part of the Caterers in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Caterers in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is Elior Group.
How competitive is the Caterers in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Caterers in the US industry in United States.
