Menu Maker Catering & Events
Menu Maker Catering & Events is a Franklin, Tennessee-based catering company founded in 1992 that provides full-service catering, drop-off delivery, event planning, and a retail carryout café to corporate, wedding, and social clients across Middle Tennessee.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersFranklin, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Menu Maker Catering & Events does
Menu Maker Catering & Events is a privately held, sole-proprietorship catering company headquartered at 102 Alpha Drive in Franklin, Tennessee, founded in 1992 by Mary Weary and sold in September 2018 to current owner Reiko Renee Tate, who serves as Owner and Creative Director. The company operates a single commercial kitchen facility from which it delivers four core service lines: full-service catering (on-site setup, plated service, bartending, and breakdown), drop-off delivery catering (food with disposable serviceware), event planning and management services (venue selection, staffing, menu design), and Menu Maker Carryout, a retail café open Tuesday through Friday, 11am-2pm. Its customer base spans corporate events, weddings, and social celebrations across the Greater Middle Tennessee region, supported by a 1,000+ cumulative client roster built over more than 25 years and a preferred-vendor network with 10+ regional venues.
The business operates with 11-50 staff including 25-30 part-time and contract servers, with no proprietary technology platform disclosed. Its technology footprint is limited to mainstream marketing and design tools: a YouTube channel, Canva-produced visual assets, and social media management across LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, Yelp, and TripAdvisor. Revenue is generated through quote-based pricing on a per-event basis for the three catering and event planning lines, and unit-priced menu items at the carryout café. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, and downloadable menu PDFs are provided without specific price points.
Menu Maker's go-to-market is sales-led and event-driven: customers reach the company through website contact forms, phone, and email consultations, supplemented by participation in community events such as Taste of Williamson and Wine Down Main Street. The company holds regional recognition including the 2012 SBA Home-based Business of the Year in Tennessee, the 2019 Judge's Choice - Best Overall Award at Taste of Williamson, and the 2024 Patron Award from the Heritage Foundation. It maintains a broad menu catalog with specialized packages for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, lighter fare, bourbon-paired, and themed event offerings, and an extensive charitable partnership portfolio across Middle Tennessee non-profits.
Menu Maker Catering & Events firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Menu Maker Catering & Events
- Legal name
- Menu Maker Catering and Carryout
- Website
- https://menumakercatering.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Menu Maker Catering & Events is a Franklin, Tennessee-based catering company founded in 1992 that provides full-service catering, drop-off delivery, event planning, and a retail carryout café to corporate, wedding, and social clients across Middle Tennessee.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Menu Maker Catering & Events industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Catering Services
- NAICS
- Caterers (722320), Caterers (72232), Food Service Contractors (722310)
- SIC
- Retail-Eating Places (5812), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Full-Service Catering (Off-Premise) (HSACAGAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Event Catering (Weddings, Social, Private Parties) (THAFAIAB), Catering Coordination & Bar Service Management (Non-restaurant) (HSACAAAH), Event Culinary Staffing & Back-of-House Services (Chefs, Servers, Bartenders) (THAHAKAN), Specialty & Dietary Catering (Vegan, Kosher, Halal, Allergy-Friendly) (HSACAGAH), Beverage Services (Bar Catering, Mixology, Beverage Programs) (THAHAKAJ)
Keywords
Where Menu Maker Catering & Events is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Franklin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Menu Maker Catering & Events business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Full-Service Catering: Comprehensive catering service including setup of tables, chairs, linens, rentals, plated meal service, bartending, event space cleaning, breakdown, and trash disposal. Billed per event based on menu selection, guest count, and service level.
- Drop-off Delivery Catering: Catering delivery to event locations with disposable dishes, serving equipment, and utensils. Suitable for lunch meetings, breakfast meetings, office meals, training programs, and casual events. Billed per delivery based on menu and quantity.
- Menu Maker Carryout: Retail carryout and dine-in service operating Tuesday through Friday, 11am-2pm. Serves made-to-order and prepared homestyle favorites for individual customers. Indoor and outdoor café style seating available.
- Event Planning and Management Services: Planning and corporate event management including event strategy, venue research and site selection, on-site coordination and staffing, project management, menu design, and theme selection.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Full-Service Catering - Premium event catering with complete setup, service, and breakdown |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Drop-off Delivery Catering - Budget-friendly catering with disposable serviceware |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Menu Maker Carryout - Retail food service for individual customers |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
Menu Maker Catering & Events product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Menu Maker Catering & Events provides full-service and drop-off catering for corporate events, weddings, and social celebrations, delivering custom menus with on-site setup, food service, bartending, and cleanup. The company also offers event planning and management services including venue selection, menu design, staffing, and on-site coordination. A retail carryout café operates at the Franklin, TN location serving individual customers Tuesday through Friday.
Product overview
Menu Maker Catering & Events is a catering company offering a portfolio of food service solutions organized around four core offerings: Full-Service Catering (on-site setup, service, and cleanup), Drop-off Delivery Catering, Event Planning and Management Services, and Menu Maker Carryout (walk-in and takeout meals). The company provides specialized menu packages across distinct categories including Wedding Reception, Dinner & Reception, Breakfast & Brunch, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Lighter Fare, Desserts, Baby & Bridal Shower, and themed offerings like Bourbon & Whiskey Friendly Fare and Lemon Inspired menus. The product portfolio functions as a unified catering service with modular delivery options (full-service vs. drop-off) and specialized menu tiers to serve diverse event types from corporate meetings to weddings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Full-Service Catering Services Comprehensive catering service including setup of tables, chairs, linens, and all rentals; service of plated meals; bartending services; event space cleaning; breakdown and trash disposal. Ideal for corporate meetings, cocktail receptions, holiday parties, wedding receptions, and social celebrations.
- Drop-off Delivery Catering Services Catering delivery service including food, delivery to event location, disposable dishes, serving equipment, and utensils. Suitable for lunch meetings, breakfast meetings, office meals, training programs, casual dinners, and group lunches.
- Event Planning and Management Services Event strategy; venue research and site selection; on-site coordination and staffing; project management; menu design and selection; and theme selection. Ideal for client development programs, staff appreciation, management retreats, weddings, and conferences.
- Menu Maker Carryout Made-to-order and prepared homestyle favorites available for pickup or dine-in at indoor and outdoor café style seating. Open 11am-2pm, Tuesday through Friday.
Quantifiable outcome
- 25+ years of consistent delivery of distinctive catering with exceptional service
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Menu Maker Catering & Events
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Menu Maker Catering & Events technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Menu Maker Catering & Events partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- A Vintage AffairminorNon-profit organization that Menu Maker supports through donations and community involvement.
- Boys and Girls Club of Middle TennesseeminorYouth development organization supported by Menu Maker through various activities and donations.
- Bridges Domestic Violence CenterminorDomestic violence support organization supported by Menu Maker's community initiatives.
- Franklin Equity and Justice CoalitionminorLocal equity and justice organization that Menu Maker has partnered with for events including the Inaugural Juneteenth Gala in 2021.
- Friends of Franklin ParksminorParks advocacy organization supported by Menu Maker's community giving.
- Graceworks IndustriesminorCommunity organization supported through Menu Maker's charitable activities.
- Hard Bargain AssociationminorLocal community organization that Menu Maker supports through donations and event participation.
- Healing HousingminorHousing support organization supported by Menu Maker's community initiatives.
- OneGenAwayminorFood security organization supported by Menu Maker's community giving.
- United Way of Williamson CountyminorMajor community non-profit supported annually through Menu Maker's participation in events like Taste of Williamson.
- Williamson, Inc.minorChamber of commerce and economic development organization. Owner Reiko Tate featured in member spotlight. Menu Maker active member.
- Adventure Science CenterminorPreferred venue partner for events. Menu Maker hosted Spring Tasting Event at this venue in April 2024.
- The Venue at BirchwoodminorPreferred venue partner for catering events in Middle Tennessee.
- The BedfordminorPreferred venue partner for catering events in Middle Tennessee.
- Tennessee State MuseumminorPreferred venue partner for catering events in Middle Tennessee.
- Battle Mountain FarmminorPreferred venue partner for catering events in Middle Tennessee.
- Ravenswood MansionminorPreferred venue partner for catering events. Featured in Menu Maker's photo gallery and wedding services.
- Southall MeadowsminorPreferred venue partner for catering events in Middle Tennessee.
- Saddle Woods FarmminorPreferred venue partner for catering events in Middle Tennessee.
- Leiper's Fork DistilleryminorPreferred venue partner for catering events. Bourbon-friendly menu offerings available for this venue.
- Travellers RestminorPreferred venue partner for catering events in Middle Tennessee.
- Williamson County Enrichment CenterminorPreferred venue partner for catering events in Middle Tennessee.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Menu Maker Catering & Events competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Flavor Catering: Nashville-area full-service caterer with drop-off and event planning options, serving corporate and social clients in Middle Tennessee.
- Foodworks Catering: Middle Tennessee-based full-service caterer offering customized menus for weddings, corporate functions, and private events — directly comparable service portfolio.
- Catering by Design: Nashville-area caterer offering full-service catering, drop-off, and event coordination for weddings and corporate clients — directly comparable in service mix and geography to Menu Maker.
- Puffy Muffin: Long-standing Nashville caterer and dessert specialist serving weddings, corporate events, and social celebrations with comparable menu customization and event-planning services.
- TomKats Hospitality: Nashville-based full-service catering and event planning company serving corporate and social clients across Middle Tennessee with comparable full-service, drop-off, and event management offerings.
- Infinity Events & Catering: Nashville full-service event and catering company providing corporate and wedding services with on-site coordination, directly comparable to Menu Maker's service tiers.
- Berry Farms Catering: Franklin, TN-area venue-affiliated catering operation serving weddings and corporate events in the same Williamson County market as Menu Maker.
Emerging players
- ezCater: Online catering marketplace aggregating local caterers for corporate orders; represents a potential channel partner but also a competitive threat by disintermediating smaller local caterers in the drop-off segment.
Broad incumbents
- Panera Bread Catering: National chain offering standardized drop-off breakfast, lunch, and group-order catering — competes directly with Menu Maker's drop-off delivery catering tier at lower price points.
- MCL Cafeterias (Corporate Event Catering): Large multi-market food service contractor that provides corporate event catering and on-site food services, overlapping Menu Maker's corporate event and drop-off delivery offerings at scale.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Menu Maker Catering & Events social profiles
Digital presenceMenu Maker Catering & Events financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Menu Maker Catering & Events leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Menu Maker Catering & Events funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Menu Maker Catering & Events M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Menu Maker Catering & Events
What does Menu Maker Catering & Events do?
Menu Maker Catering & Events provides full-service and drop-off catering for corporate events, weddings, and social celebrations, delivering custom menus with on-site setup, food service, bartending, and cleanup. The company also offers event planning and management services including venue selection, menu design, staffing, and on-site coordination. A retail carryout café operates at the Franklin, TN location serving individual customers Tuesday through Friday.
Is Menu Maker Catering & Events a public or private company?
Menu Maker Catering & Events is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Menu Maker Catering & Events founded?
Menu Maker Catering & Events was founded in 1992. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Menu Maker Catering & Events based?
Menu Maker Catering & Events is headquartered in Franklin, United States, in the North America region.
How does Menu Maker Catering & Events make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Full-Service Catering is the primary driver. The others are drop-off Delivery Catering, menu Maker Carryout and event Planning and Management Services.
Who are Menu Maker Catering & Events's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Flavor Catering, Foodworks Catering, Catering by Design, Puffy Muffin, TomKats Hospitality, Infinity Events & Catering and Berry Farms Catering. ezCater is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Panera Bread Catering and MCL Cafeterias (Corporate Event Catering).
Does Menu Maker Catering & Events have an API?
No public API is recorded for Menu Maker Catering & Events.
What industry is Menu Maker Catering & Events in?
Menu Maker Catering & Events's product category is Catering Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSACAGAA, Full-Service Catering (Off-Premise), with a secondary code of THAFAIAB, Event Catering (Weddings, Social, Private Parties). Its NAICS code is 722320 and its SIC code is 5812.