The People Factor: How to Build a Catering Team That Delivers

PEOPLE POWER: Build a Catering Team That Delivers Excellence In this final episode of the 5 P’s Framework series, Wendy Ewers dives deep into the most important ingredient in your catering success—your people.

Whether you’re scaling a multi-unit catering program or building a local operation, this masterclass will help you align your internal teams, partners, and culture around a shared guest mission. Learn how to structure your team, train for hospitality, empower delivery staff, and drive collaboration across departments.

What You’ll Learn

  • How to define roles and structure off-premises teams
  • The right way to train for excellence and guest recovery
  • How to build a culture of pride, recognition, and ownership
  • Why internal communication drives catering growth
  • How to treat partners as true brand extensions
  • Real-world Q&A from operators like you

This episode is packed with insights Wendy has developed over 20+ years leading off-premises programs at brands like On the Border, Brinker, Potbelly, and more.

Catch the full 5 P’s series here on CaterLinked.com: Product, Price, Place, Promotion — and now, People.

Wendy Ewers

Wendy Ewers

Off-Premise Sales & Marketing Leader

Wendy Ewers is a seasoned restaurant executive with extensive experience in driving off-premise sales, marketing strategy, and brand growth across casual dining, quick service, and fast casual segments. She has a strong track record of leading initiatives that optimize operations, enhance guest experiences, and achieve significant revenue growth.

In her most recent role as Senior Director of Off-Premise at Fogo de Chão, Wendy developed a strategic roadmap that aligned cross-functional teams and optimized off-premise operations. Previously, at CEC Entertainment, she played a key role in repositioning and growing brands through menu innovation, strategic partnerships, and brand development.

As Vice President of Off-Premise at Potbelly Sandwich Shops, Wendy led initiatives that expanded off-premise sales significantly, built a third-party delivery business, and improved digital platforms to enhance the customer experience.

Wendy's expertise includes brand positioning, third-party partnerships, digital transformation, and building high-performing teams. She is known for her ability to deliver results and drive profitability in the restaurant industry.

Through WRE 4GrowthInOp Consulting: Where Off-Premise Meets On-Point Strategy, Wendy empowers restaurant brands to define what success looks like—and acts like—beyond the four walls, helping them grow sustainably and win in today’s competitive off-premise landscape.

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