Katherine’s Catering

What Katherine’s Catering does

Katherine's Catering is a privately held, full-service catering and event company headquartered at 359 Metty Dr STE 4 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, operated through the legal entity Katherine's Catering, Inc. Founded in 1985, the company has planned and executed more than 75,000 events over 40+ years across Southeast Michigan, including weddings, University of Michigan functions, corporate galas, and nonprofit fundraisers. Its stated mission centers on chef-crafted menus, artful presentation, and thoughtful event design, with services spanning menu planning, food preparation, bar service, event coordination, vendor management, and on-site execution delivered directly at client-chosen venues.

The core product surface is organized around four event verticals — Weddings (primary segment), Corporate Events, Social Events, and University of Michigan Events — supported by add-on modules including Event Planning Services (vendor management, rental coordination, timeline creation, floor plans, lighting design, day-of coordination), Bar & Beverage Service (TIPS certified bartenders, signature cocktails and mocktails, bar rentals and glassware), Rental Equipment (tents, tables, chairs, linens, china, glassware, signage), and Custom Catering Menus (service styles spanning plated, family style, buffet, strolling stations, hand-passed hors d'oeuvres, grazing displays, drop-off, and boxed meals, with dietary accommodations for gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and plant-forward menus).

The business model is professional services, sales-led, with quote-based pricing structured across disclosed budget tiers ranging from under $7,500 to $18,000+ per event, finalized via free consultation (phone and Calendly). Go-to-market is direct-to-client full-service delivery at the venue, augmented by an Instagram- and Facebook-led marketing presence, website galleries, and a documented partnership network of 40+ Southeast Michigan venues including the Ann Arbor Art Center, Michigan Theater, Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Frutig Farms, Cobblestone Farms, Belle Isle, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. The University of Michigan certified caterer status provides a contracted-price institutional anchor. The company is independently owned and operated with 11-50 employees, led by Owner/CEO Jon Curtis and President/COO Katie Cobb.

Name

Katherine’s Catering

Legal name

Katherine's Catering, Inc.

Website

https://katherines.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Katherine's Catering is an independently owned, full-service catering and event company founded in 1985 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, serving weddings, corporate, social, and University of Michigan events across Southeast Michigan with 75,000+ events catered and a 40+ venue partner network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Ann Arbor

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Catering and Event Services: Full-service catering for events including weddings, corporate events, social gatherings, and university functions. Revenue generated through food preparation, service staff, equipment rental coordination, bar services, and event planning/coordination.
2. Menu Planning and Culinary Services: Custom menu creation with locally sourced ingredients, culinary preparation, and artistic food presentation for events of all sizes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Katherine's Catering is a full-service catering and event company in Ann Arbor, Michigan that provides custom menu planning, on-site culinary preparation, bar service, event coordination, and rental equipment for weddings, corporate events, university functions, nonprofit fundraisers, and private social gatherings. The company handles menu design, cooking, styling, service, and cleanup at venues throughout Southeast Michigan.

Product overview

Katherine's Catering is a full-service catering and event company offering a unified platform of catering and event services. The core offerings include Wedding Catering, Corporate Event Catering, and Social Event Catering, supplemented by add-on modules such as Event Planning Services, Bar & Beverage Service, Rental Equipment, and Custom Catering Menus. The company provides complete event coverage from menu planning through execution, handling all aspects including cooking, styling, service, and cleanup for events of all sizes across Southeast Michigan.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Full-Service Catering Comprehensive full-service catering covering creative menus, artful presentation, gracious service, cooking, styling, service, and cleanup for events of all sizes across Southeast Michigan.
• Wedding Catering Custom wedding catering offering menu planning, multiple service styles (plated, family style, stations, buffet, hors d'oeuvres), complimentary tastings, dietary accommodations, bar service with custom cocktails, and wedding coordination services for couples in Southeast Michigan.
• Corporate Event Catering Professional catering for corporate events including multi-day conferences, branded and themed catering, University of Michigan certified catering at contracted prices, nonprofit events, boxed lunches, multi-meal setups, and team gatherings across Southeast Michigan.
• Social Event Catering Catering services for private gatherings and social events including graduation celebrations, birthday parties, anniversaries, and intimate celebrations, with flexible service styles for varied guest counts.
• Event Planning and Coordination Services Comprehensive event planning and coordination services including vendor management, rental coordination, space styling, timeline creation, floor plans, lighting design, and day-of coordination for weddings, corporate, and social events.
• Bar and Beverage Service

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 75,000 events catered successfully since 1985
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Michigan certified caterer status. Katherine's provides catering services for all types of University events at University contracted prices. Includes access to U-M venues such as Jack Roth Stadium Club, Junge Family Champions Center, Crisler Center, and other campus facilities.
• Ann Arbor Art CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured venue partner since 1909. Katherine's provides full-service catering events at the Ann Arbor Art Center.
• Brooklyn DetroitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured venue partner in Detroit's Corktown neighborhood. Historic character venue offering flexible event spaces for weddings, corporate events, and social celebrations.
• Stone Chalet Bed & BreakfastminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured venue partner offering unique event spaces for Ann Arbor reunions, group retreats, intimate weddings, corporate meetings, and parties.
• Guardian BuildingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured venue partner - historic landmark in Detroit offering elegant spaces for intimate and grand events.
• Detroit Symphony OrchestraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured venue partner offering sophisticated and iconic setting for special events in Detroit.
• Michigan TheaterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured venue partner - historic, intimate, state-of-the-art theater setting for events.
• Matthaei Botanical GardensminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured venue partner at University of Michigan - tranquil escape with unforgettable backdrops for weddings, corporate gatherings, and celebrations.
• Frutig Farms (The Valley at Frutig Farms)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured venue partner with restored historic barn, lush gardens, and 16 scenic acres just minutes from downtown Ann Arbor.
• Cobblestone FarmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured venue partner with charming outdoor ceremony area, cozy barn, and picturesque setting for timeless and rustic events.
• Belle IsleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured venue partner - iconic Detroit gem combining natural waterfront beauty with historic charm for weddings, corporate gatherings, and celebrations.
• Goldner Walsh EventsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner mentioned in Instagram content - outdoor event venue featured in Katherine's portfolio work.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Whole Foods Market Catering: National grocery and foodservice brand offering drop-off and staffed catering across weddings, corporate, and social events; competes on convenience and brand rather than bespoke service.
• The Epicurean Group: Large multi-market full-service catering and event production company operating corporate, social, and wedding divisions across multiple U.S. cities; broader scale player in same category.

Regional players

• Sterling Events Group: Southeast Michigan event production and catering company serving Detroit-area weddings and corporate events, competing in the same geographic footprint.
• Relish Catering + Kitchen: Ann Arbor–based catering and events company offering weddings, corporate, and social catering with custom menus, competing for the same Southeast Michigan client base as Katherine's.
• Distinctive Catering & Events: Southeast Michigan–based full-service catering and event company serving Detroit and Ann Arbor, directly overlapping with Katherine's on weddings, corporate, and social events in the same regional market.
• Zingerman's Catering: Ann Arbor–based food brand with a catering arm serving corporate, wedding, and social events, overlapping with Katherine's on locally sourced menus and Mid-Michigan client base.

Direct peers

• Affairs to Remember Catering: Full-service off-premise catering company focused on weddings, corporate, and social events with design and coordination; mirrors Katherine's full-service event production model.
• Thomason & Company Catering: Full-service off-premise caterer offering custom menus, bar service, and event coordination for weddings, corporate and social events in a comparable Midwestern market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/KatherinesCatering
• Instagraminstagram.com/katherinescatering
• Xx.com/KatherinesCater

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Katherine’s Catering