What Should I Name My Catering Company? 50+ Name Ideas & Expert Tips
As someone who has worked in the catering industry and has years of experience, I have witnessed firsthand the immense impact a well- chosen, fitting name has on the success of a catering business. There is a right name for every company and it is a crucial foundation for your brand identity and a powerful tool to set yourself apart from others on a competitive catering landscape.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to name your catering business, avoid common mistakes, and explore 50+ proven catering company name ideas.
It will include:
- Why Your Catering Business Name Matters
- The Measurable Impact of a Great Catering Company Name
- Step-by-Step Guide to Naming Your Catering Company
- Common Catering Business Naming Mistakes to Avoid
- Make Your Final Decision on How to Name a Catering Company
- 50+ Catchy Catering Company Name Ideas
- Key Takeaways: Crafting the Perfect Catering Company Name
- Frequently Asked Questions About Catering Business Names
The Critical Importance of a Strong Catering Business Name
In the beginning, when Caterboss was first formed, countless hours were spent deliberating over the name. In hindsight, that deliberation process was key to the creation of a name that truly became the cornerstone of our brand identity. It has also played a pivotal role in our growth and success. A well crafted name changes everything. It creates an indelible first impression, resonates with potential clients and provides a competitive advantage in the catering industry.
The Measurable Impact of a Great Catering Company Name
Let me share some concrete examples that illustrate the power of a strong name:
1. Feast & Fiesta: A client of ours rebranded from a generic name to Feast & Fiesta. It made a huge increase (30 per cent) in inquiries within three months! It also captured their vibrant, party-focused catering style and made it more appealing to their target market.
2. Gourmet Gatherings: Another example of the importance of names is a company that initially named itself John’s Catering. They found that they were often confused with similarly named businesses. They rebranded to Gourmet Gatherings and saw a 25 per cent increase in high end event bookings within six months. A huge difference that can be attributed to a name change.
3. Green Plate Catering:
This is an eco-friendly catering company that saw a 40 per cent increase in corporate event inquiries after changing their name. The new name Sustainable Bites more clearly communicated their commitment to environmentally conscious catering.
These examples highlight the real benefits of a good name. According to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, companies with easy-to-pronounce names do better in the stock market and have higher initial public offering (IPO) valuations. Even though this study focused on public companies, the idea applies to businesses of all sizes. A clear, memorable name can greatly influence your profits.
A Step-by-Step Approach to Choosing Your Catering Company Name
Learning from my own experience in the catering industry, I have developed a strategic approach to naming a catering business. It combines creativity and market research ensuring that your chosen name will appeal to your target audience and support business goals.
1. Define Your Catering Company's Identity
Before you start brainstorming names, you need to have a very clear understanding of your catering business’s identity. When I named Caterboss, I spent time reflecting on our core values, target market and unique selling propositions. This process became crucial in guiding the naming decision.
Consider the following key aspects:
- Specialization: Which type of catering do you excel in? (e.g., corporate events, weddings, specific cuisines)
- Target Market: Who is your ideal client?
- Unique Selling Points: What sets your catering business apart from competitors?
- Brand Personality: How do you want your brand to be perceived? (e.g., luxurious, fun, innovative)
For example, if you’re intending to focus on high-end corporate events, you will need a name that is professional and sophisticated. However, if your focus is on vegan catering, the name should of course be different and should reflect your plant-based specialty. .
To illustrate, let's look at some successful catering companies and how their names align with their identities:
1. Purple Onion Catering Co.: This name suggests creativity and uniqueness, appealing to clients looking for innovative culinary experiences.
2. Eco Caters: Clearly communicates their focus on sustainable, environmentally friendly catering services.
3. Elegant Affairs: Perfectly captures their emphasis on upscale, refined catering for high-end events.
2. Conduct Thorough Market Research
Another thing that should be on your radar from day one is understanding your competitive landscape. Research the names of successful catering companies in your locality and beyond. Look for patterns in naming conventions and try and find gaps and opportunities where your name could stand out.
Google Trends can help you with that. It can provide valuable insights into popular search terms relating to catering in your area. You can learn a lot from this and it can help you understand what clients are looking for and how to align your name with these trends.
For instance, if there are trends that you notice towards health-conscious catering in your area, you can use this information to create a name that emphasizes fresh, nutritious offerings.
3. Brainstorm Catering Business Name Ideas
Now comes the creativity. Brainstorming is most effective when its a collaborative process. You can do brainstorming with your team, and even invite trusted clients to give their two cents.
Here are some proven techniques for generating name ideas:
- Word Association: Start with key terms related to your catering niche and list associated words. For example, if you specialize in Mediterranean cuisine, you might list words like olive, Mediterranean, seaside, azure, etc.
- Combine Words: Experiment with combining relevant words. For instance, Feast + Fiesta = Feast & Fiesta.
- Use Alliteration: Names with alliteration are often catchy and memorable. Examples: Culinary Canvas, Savory Soirées.
- Draw from Your Specialty: Let your unique selling point guide your name. If you specialize in farm-to-table catering, you might consider names like Fresh Fields Catering or Farm Feast Co.
- Consider Your Location: If you have a strong local focus, incorporating your location can be effective. For example, Boston Banquet Co. or Napa Valley Nosh.
This is the time to write down everything, every idea, every word play, everything you can think of. Don’t be worried about taking down something unconventional. Some of the best names come from unexpected places.
Let's look at how some successful catering companies likely arrived at their names:
1. Taste Catering: Simple and straightforward, emphasizing the sensory experience of their food.
2. Noosh Catering: A play on the word osh, meaning to eat food enthusiastically.
3. Plumed Horse Catering: An intriguing name that sparks curiosity and suggests a touch of elegance.
4. Check Name Availability
It’s important to check if the name is available. I learned this the hard way when I almost settled on a name for my business only to discover it was already trademarked by another company!
Here is a checklist that you can use to verify name availability:
Here's a comprehensive checklist for verifying name availability:
1. Domain Name: Use domain registrars like GoDaddy to check domain availability.
2. Social Media Handles: Check major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn for handle availability.
3. Business Name Registration: Check with your local business registration office or online database.
4. Trademark Search: Use the National Trademark Database on the IPOI website to search for existing trademarks.
5. Google Search: Conduct a thorough Google search to ensure no businesses with similar names exist in your area or industry.
Using a combination of online tools and professional services can be effective for this. You can even consider consulting with a trademark attorney to know completely that you are not infringing on any existing trademarks.
5. Test Your Top Name Choices
To be absolutely sure of your final decision, you should test your top name choices. You could conduct informal surveys with existing customers or industry contacts.
Consider the following methods for testing your potential names:
1. Create Mock Branding: Design simple logos or business cards with your top name choices. This can help you see what the name will look like in practical applications.
2. Conduct Surveys: Use tools like SurveyMonkey to gather feedback from potential customers, friends, and family.
3. A/B Testing: If you have an existing online presence, consider running A/B tests with different names to see which one resonates more with your audience.
4. Phonetic Test: Ask people to spell the name after hearing it. This can help you identify if the name is easily misspelled or misheard.
5. Longevity Test: Consider how the name might age. Will it still be relevant and appealing in 5, 10, or 20 years?
Make sure to pay attention to people’s initial reactions and any potential negative associations. Your name is important - it will be a long-term investment for your brand - therefore, it is worth taking the time to choose the perfect one.
6. Common Catering Business Naming Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing the wrong catering business name can hurt your visibility, branding, and long-term growth. Avoid these common catering company naming mistakes:
- Being too generic, such as “John’s Catering,” which makes your business hard to distinguish online
- Choosing hard-to-spell or hard-to-pronounce names, leading to lost searches and inquiries
- Ignoring domain and social media availability, which can weaken your SEO and brand consistency
- Limiting future growth with names that are too niche or location-specific
A strong catering company name should be clear, memorable, easy to find online, and flexible enough to grow with your business.
7. Make Your Final Decision On How To Name A Catering Company
After all of the above (research, brainstorming, testing) the time comes to make the final decision. It is important to trust your instincts and carefully consider the feedback you have received. Follow the next steps after choosing your name.
1. Register Your Business Name: Follow your local procedures for registering your business name.
2. Secure Your Domain Name and Social Media Handles: Act quickly to secure your online presence.
3. Consider Trademarking: While not always necessary, trademarking your name can provide additional protection for your brand.
Once your catering business name is finalised, the next step is setting up a professional kitchen that can grow with your brand. Many new caterers begin by sourcing reliable commercial catering equipment (refrigeration, ovens etc.) from trusted suppliers like Caterboss, ensuring they’re operational from day one.
Always remember that while the name of the business is important, it is just one part of your overall brand. The quality of service, equipment and your customer experience will decide your overall success.
50+ Catchy Catering Company Name Ideas
To inspire your creativity, here's a long list of catering name ideas in different categories. These are meant to get you thinking. Feel free to change or mix them to come up with something special for your business.
Wedding Catering Business Name Ideas
1. Blissful Bites Catering
2. Wedded Feast
3. Love & Ladles
4. Cherished Chews
5. Matrimony Morsels
6. Vow & Victuals
7. Aisle of Flavor
8. Everlasting Tastes
9. Smitten Kitchen Catering
10. Bride's Banquet
Unique Catering Business Name Ideas
1. Culinary Canvas
2. Gourmet Gala
3. Flavor Fusion Catering
4. Epicurean Endeavors
5. Savory Soirees
6. Palate Painters
7. Gastronomy Galaxy
8. Culinary Constellations
9. Flavor Alchemists
10. Zest Quest Catering
Classy Catering Company Name Ideas
1. Elegant Eats
2. Refined Repasts
3. Luxe Lunch Catering
4. Gourmet Grandeur
5. Sophisticated Spreads
6. Opulent Occasions
7. Prestige Plate
8. Regal Repast
9. Aristocrat Appetites
10. Cultivated Cuisine
Buffet Style Catering Company Name Ideas
1. Bountiful Buffets
2. Feast Fiesta
3. Spread & Savor
4. All-You-Can-Indulge
5. Buffet Bonanza
6. Endless Eats
7. Smorgasbord Solutions
8. Abundant Appetites
9. Cornucopia Catering
10. Plentiful Plates
Fun Catering Company Name Ideas
1. Chow Champs
2. Munch Bunch Catering
3. Grub Hub Heroes
4. Foodie Festivities
5. Nosh & Nourish
6. Flavor Fiesta
7. Yum Yum Express
8. Taste Bud Ticklers
9. Munchy Madness
10. Delish Dish Catering
Cute Catering Service Name Ideas
1. Sweet Treats & Savory Eats
2. Nibbles & Bits
3. Yummy in Your Tummy Catering
4. Delightful Bites
5. Scrumptious Smiles Catering
6. Charming Chews
7. Whimsical Whisks
8. Cuddle & Cook Catering
9. Sprinkle of Joy Foods
10. Hugs & Dishes
Key Takeaways: Crafting the Perfect Catering Company Name
Choosing the right name for your catering company is an important step in building your brand. Here are the key points to remember:
1. Reflect Your Identity: Your name should clearly represent your catering business and appeal directly to your target market.
2. Conduct Thorough Research: Understand your market, study your competitors, and find naming trends and opportunities.
3. Brainstorm Extensively: Be creative and explore different naming techniques.
4. Check Availability: Always confirm that the name is available on all relevant platforms and registries.
5. Test Your Choices: Collect feedback and run tests to ensure your chosen name connects with your audience.
6. Protect Your Brand: Once you have selected a name, take the steps to make it official and protect it legally.
It is important to remember that the quality of your food and your service are what will really determine the success of your catering business. A name will give you a significant advantage - but will not do the whole job for you! You should still choose a name that you are proud of and that accurately represents your business, then focus your energies on delivering great catering experiences to clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a good catering business name?
A good catering business name is memorable, relevant, easy to pronounce, and clearly communicates your food style or target market.
It should incorporate several key qualities:
1. Memorability: It should stick in potential clients' minds after hearing it just once or twice.
2. Relevance: The name should clearly relate to your catering services or specialty.
3. Appeal: It must resonate with your target market.
4. Simplicity: Opt for names that are easy to spell, pronounce, and remember.
5. Uniqueness: It should be rare and not used by competitors
6. Flexibility: Choose a name that allows for potential business growth or expansion.
For instance, Savory Celebrations, a name of a catering company, perfectly encapsulates their focus on creating memorable dining experiences for special events. It is easy to remember, relates to catering and allows for a range of services. All in all; the perfect name.
How can I thoroughly check if a catering business name is available?
To comprehensively check if a catering business name is available, you need to conduct several searches:
1. Business Name Registry: Check with your local business registration office or online database.
2. Domain Name: Use domain registrars like GoDaddy to check domain availability. Consider checking for .com, .net, and any country-specific domains relevant to your business.
3. Trademark: Search the Intellectual Property Office of Ireland for existing trademarks in the Ireland. For international searches, check with the relevant country's trademark office.
4. Social Media: Check major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn for handle availability. Try to secure consistent handles across all platforms.
5. Google Search: Conduct a thorough Google search to ensure there are no businesses with similar names in your area or industry. Use various search combinations including your proposed name + catering, food service, etc.
6. Local Business Directories: Check local business directories and review sites like Yelp to ensure no local businesses are using a similar name.
7. Industry-Specific Databases: If there are any catering or food service industry databases in your area, check those as well.
You can conduct these searches yourself initially but you may need to consult with a legal professional especially for trademark searches - this ensures that you aren’t overlooking anything.
Should I include my location in my catering business name?
Including your location in your catering business name can be beneficial in certain circumstances, but it's important to consider the pros and cons:
Pros:
1. Local SEO: It can help with local search engine optimization, making it easier for local clients to find you online.
2. Community Connection: It can create a sense of local pride and connection with your community.
3. Clear Service Area: It immediately communicates where you operate, which can be helpful for potential clients.
Cons:
1. Limited Growth: It may limit your perceived service area if you plan to expand beyond your initial location.
2. Longer Name: It can make your business name longer, which might be less memorable.
3. Relocation Issues: If you change location, the name may no longer accurately represent where you operate.
Written by Nainsi, content writer at Caterboss, an Irish owned commercial catering equipment supplier in Ireland based in Carlow, supporting local Irish hospitality businesses all year round.