Labor Day weekend is one of the busiest — and most profitable — times of year for caterers and food service businesses. But here’s the catch: a surprising number of customers don’t plan ahead.
From casual backyard barbecues to company picnics and beach parties, many Labor Day events come together at the last minute — leaving customers scrambling for fast, easy catering solutions.
That’s where your business can shine.
With a few smart tweaks to your online storefront and some ready-to-go catering packages, you can turn procrastinating planners into profitable customers — and boost your bottom line over the long weekend.
Why Labor Day Is Perfect for Last-Minute Offers
Not every holiday is casual, but Labor Day is — and that’s what makes it a golden opportunity. Here’s why:
● It’s low-pressure: Most gatherings are informal and don’t require full-service catering.
● It’s last-minute by nature: People decide to host cookouts or gatherings with just a few days (or hours) to spare.
● It favors simplicity: Customers want turnkey solutions — not custom consultations.
Offering pre-set packages and fast ordering options meets your customers where they are: short on time but ready to spend.
Create Simple, Seasonal Packages
Forget custom menus. For Labor Day, think in terms of shareable packages that are easy to prep, transport, and serve.
Here are a few ideas:
● Grill & Go BBQ Box
Pulled pork or grilled chicken, baked beans, slaw, cornbread, BBQ sauce
● Patio Picnic Pack
Sandwich sliders, pasta salad, watermelon wedges, kettle chips, iced tea
● Veggie Grill Bundle
Grilled portobello caps, quinoa salad, hummus, flatbread, lemon-mint water
Tips for building these:
● Keep options limited to ensure fast prep and fulfillment
● Price them for groups of 8–12 to encourage higher order values
● Design with drop-off or self-serve in mind
These packages should feel festive, flavorful, and frictionless — no extra decisions required.
Prep Your Team for Quick Fulfillment
To make last-minute orders manageable for your team, plan around batch-prepped items and clearly defined fulfillment windows.
Best practices:
● Prep common ingredients in bulk (e.g., grilled proteins, salads, sauces)
● Limit menu changes or customization requests
● Set clear delivery or pickup windows to streamline logistics
Graze’s backend dashboard lets you track incoming orders in real time, adjust inventory if needed, and stay ahead of the weekend rush.
Final Thoughts
Labor Day is more than a three-day weekend — it’s a high-impact opportunity to boost short-term revenue and build customer loyalty with fast, delicious catering solutions.
By offering a few simple, well-positioned packages and promoting them through your Graze storefront, you can capture last-minute demand without overextending your team.
The best part? These offers don’t just help you make money over the holiday — they set the stage for repeat business throughout the season.