J&L Catering
J&L Catering is a Chicago-based full-service catering company providing custom event catering for weddings, social gatherings, corporate functions, and drop-off office meals, operating with 130+ staff across 30+ Chicagoland venue partnerships and the owned Venue West event space.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What J&L Catering does
J&L Catering is a privately held, full-service catering company headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, operating since 1993. The firm runs four interconnected service lines: wedding catering (with seasonal and globally-inspired menu collections covering Far East, Latino, Southeast Asia, Indian, and North African cuisines), social events catering (private parties, showers, galas, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs), corporate events catering (from breakfasts to full-scale functions including staffing, rentals, florals, décor, entertainment, and valet), and a drop-off menu service for office meals with a $350 order minimum and 48-hour notice requirement. The company also owns and operates Venue West, a 12,000+ square foot event space in Chicago's West Town neighborhood with an in-house state-of-the-art kitchen, providing both a captive venue for J&L's catering and a demonstration of its full-service capabilities.
The business model is professional-services based with revenue generated through customized per-event full-service catering, quote-based event planning, and unit-priced drop-off corporate catering. Go-to-market combines direct client engagement with a network of 30+ venue partnerships across Chicagoland, including Civic Opera House, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago Cultural Center, Morgan Manufacturing, and Harris Theater. Underlying operations rely on an experienced team of 130+ event planners, chefs, and service staff coordinated manually rather than on proprietary technology platforms. The company's stated differentiators are 31+ years of Chicago market presence, a globally diverse culinary team, locally sourced sustainable ingredients (with named farm partners such as Slagel Family Farm and Testa Produce), and deep venue relationships.
The company is co-owned by Ted Grady (co-owner and event planner) and Kevin Kelly (co-owner, president, and executive chef), who together purchased J&L in June 2001 from original founders John Chavez and Lisa Gershenson. Customer segments are horizontally distributed across weddings, social events, corporate functions, and non-profit/foundation accounts (MacArthur Foundation is a named account). No institutional investment, acquisitions, public listing, or expansion beyond the Chicagoland market is indicated in available sources.
J&L Catering firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- J&L Catering
- Legal name
- J&L Catering
- Website
- https://jandlcatering.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- J&L Catering is a Chicago-based full-service catering company providing custom event catering for weddings, social gatherings, corporate functions, and drop-off office meals, operating with 130+ staff across 30+ Chicagoland venue partnerships and the owned Venue West event space.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
J&L Catering industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Event Catering Services
- NAICS
- Caterers (722320), Caterers (72232), Food Service Contractors (722310)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Full-Service Catering (Off-Premise) (HSACAGAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Catering Coordination & Bar Service Management (Non-restaurant) (HSACAAAH), Corporate & Business Event Catering (THAHAKAA), Event Catering (Weddings, Social, Private Parties) (THAFAIAB)
Keywords
Where J&L Catering is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
J&L Catering business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Full-Service Event Catering: Custom catering for weddings, social events, and corporate functions. Revenue is generated through per-event food and beverage service, staffing, and event planning. Menu pricing is customized based on client preferences and event scope. They provide end-to-end event services including menu development, rental equipment, linens, floor plans, and on-site coordination.
- Drop-Off Catering: Corporate drop-off service providing boxed lunches, breakfast, and celebratory office catering. Requires $350 minimum order and 48-hours advance notice.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Drop-Off Catering - Corporate |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels3 records
J&L Catering product offering
Product offeringCore offering
J&L Catering is a full-service catering company in Chicago providing custom catering for weddings, social events, and corporate functions, as well as a drop-off office catering service. They offer end-to-end event services including menu development, equipment rentals, linens, floor plan layout, floral, décor, entertainment, valet, and on-site coordination, delivered by a team of event planners, chefs, and service staff across 30+ venue partner locations and their owned Venue West property.
Product overview
J&L Catering is a full-service catering company operating as a single unified service offering rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. The company provides four interconnected catering service lines: Wedding Catering (with seasonal and globally-inspired menu collections), Social Events Catering (for private parties and celebrations), Corporate Events Catering (from breakfast to full-scale corporate functions), and Drop-Off Menu Service (for convenient office catering). The company also operates its own event venue, Venue West, which provides in-house catering capabilities and serves as a demonstration of their full-service event expertise. All services are supported by a team of event planners, service staff, and chefs who handle menu development, staffing, and event execution across their network of partner venues throughout Chicagoland.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Wedding Catering Services
Quantifiable outcome
- 31+ years in Chicago catering market
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use J&L Catering
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
J&L Catering technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
J&L Catering partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
30 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Artifact EventscoreJ&L Catering is a featured/exclusive caterer at Artifact Events, 4325 N. Ravenswood Avenue, Chicago. The venue offers unique industrial space with high ceilings, natural light, exposed beams and brick for groups of 50-800 guests.
- Café BrauercoreJ&L serves as caterer at Café Brauer, 2021 N. Stockton Drive, Chicago. A historic Prairie School-style landmark (1908) offering indoor and outdoor space with soaring skylit roof and Tiffany-inspired chandeliers.
- Center on HalstedcoreJ&L Catering partners with Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, Chicago. Lakeview venue offering theatre, library, rooftop terrace, and reception hall for events.
- Cheney MansioncorePark District of Oak Park's Cheney Mansion (220 N. Euclid Avenue, Oak Park) is a venue partner providing unique venue for private meetings and celebrations.
- Chicago Park DistrictcoreJ&L partners with Chicago Park District venues including 63rd Street Beach, Clark Park Boathouse, Columbus Park Refectory, Garfield Park Conservatory, Lincoln Park Conservatory, Northerly Island, Promontory Point, South Shore Cultural Center, and others.
- Civic Opera HouseflagshipJ&L Catering serves events at the Civic Opera House (home to Lyric Opera of Chicago), 20 N. Wacker Drive. Historic 1929 landmark with art nouveau and art deco designs, 3,563-seat theatre, and four private dining rooms.
- Chicago Cultural CentercoreJ&L partners with the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street. Landmark building with large and small rooms appropriate for formal weddings, cocktail receptions, seated dinners, and events for up to 800 people.
- Venue WestflagshipOwned venue at 221 N. Paulina St, Chicago. 12,000+ square feet of chic, modern industrial space in West Town neighborhood with custom furniture, full A/V capabilities, and J&L's state-of-the-art kitchen.
- Harris Theater for Music and DancecoreJ&L Catering serves events at Harris Theater (205 E. Randolph Drive) and its Rooftop Terrace with stunning views of Millennium Park and the city.
- Lincoln Park ZoocoreJ&L Catering provides catering at Lincoln Park Zoo venues. Locations include Café at Wild Things, Farm-in-the-Zoo, Foreman Pavilion, Regenstein African Journey, and other unique event spaces.
- Jay Pritzker Pavilion StagecoreJ&L serves events at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph Street. Features floor-to-ceiling glass doors overlooking the park with views of Millennium Park.
- Harold Washington LibrarycoreJ&L Catering partners with Harold Washington Library, 400 S. State Street. The Winter Garden provides a perfect setting for meetings, receptions, corporate functions, and weddings.
- The GeraghtycoreJ&L serves events at The Geraghty, 2520 S. Hoyne Avenue, Chicago. A completely customizable space devised by industry visionaries for innovative events.
- Morgan ManufacturingcoreJ&L Catering partners with Morgan Manufacturing, 401 N. Morgan, Chicago. Over 32,000 square feet of world-class space in a renovated historic West Loop building with industrial elegance.
- Ovation ChicagocoreJ&L serves events at Ovation Chicago, 2324 W. Fulton Street. A modern industrial loft space created from an old foundry in a serene off-the-beaten-path location.
- The Newberry LibrarycoreJ&L partners with The Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton Street. 1893 library with inspiring architectural details, marbled halls, and elegant rooms for weddings and celebrations.
- Loft on LakecoreJ&L serves events at Loft on Lake, 1366 W. Lake Street, Chicago. Premier destination with 20-foot ceilings, raw architectural elements, and a 65-foot long skylight unique in Chicago.
- Salvage OnecoreJ&L Catering serves events at Salvage One, 1840 W. Hubbard Street, Chicago. A 60,000 square foot vintage warehouse with eclectic furniture and exposed brick.
- Kenilworth ClubminorJ&L partners with Kenilworth Club, 410 Kenilworth Avenue, Kenilworth, IL. Historic Prairie Style structure with fireplace, stained glass windows for up to 500 guests.
- Park WestcoreJ&L serves events at Park West, 322 W. Armitage Avenue, Chicago. Historic 1916 Art Deco theater with 11,000 square feet, 5 tiered levels, and concert-quality sound.
- Floating World GallerycoreJ&L Catering partners with Floating World Gallery, 1925 N. Halsted Street. Award-winning space featuring classic and contemporary Japanese art for intimate urban weddings.
- Peggy Notebaert Nature MuseumcoreJ&L serves events at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Chicago. Unique venue with Nature Boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo views.
- Women's Club of EvanstonminorJ&L partners with Women's Club of Evanston, 1702 Chicago Avenue, Evanston. Historic 1912 venue near Lake Michigan accommodating 75-250 guests.
- Moonlight StudioscoreJ&L serves events at Moonlight Studios, 1446 W Kinzie St, Chicago. 15,000+ square feet of interior event and production space in West Loop with lofted ceilings.
- City Hall (Chicago)coreJ&L Catering serves events at City Hall, 838 W. Kinzie Street, Chicago. Industrial West Loop venue with historic touches for weddings, functions, and galas.
- FairliecoreJ&L partners with Fairlie, 339 N Bell Ave, Chicago. Early industrial architecture with organic finishes, skylights, and skyline views for up to 400 guests.
- Slagel Family FarmcoreLocal organic farm partner at 23601 E. 600 North Road, Fairbury, IL. J&L works closely with Slagel Family Farm to source sustainable, responsibly raised ingredients.
- Testa ProducecoreProduce supplier partner at 4555 S. Racine Ave, Chicago, IL. J&L works with Testa Produce as part of their commitment to quality, sustainably sourced ingredients.
- Collective Resource, Inc.coreLocal organic and non-profit partner at 803 Elmwood, Evanston, IL. J&L works with Collective Resource to ensure ingredients are sustainable and responsibly sourced.
- SeedlingminorFruit supplier partner at 6717 11th Ave, South Haven, MI. Part of J&L's network of local, organic partners for sustainable sourcing.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
J&L Catering competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Blue Plate Catering: Chicago-based full-service off-premise catering company serving weddings, corporate, and social events across the metropolitan area. Directly comparable to J&L in service mix, target customer, and venue-based operating model.
- Jewell Events Catering: Chicago full-service caterer specializing in weddings, corporate, and social events at premier venues across the city. Operates a comparable event-planner-driven, venue-partnered model and competes for the same Chicago premium segment.
- Paramount Events: Chicago full-service catering and event company with its own venue (The Vic Theatre / Paramount Room) and a portfolio similar to J&L's Venue West-plus-partnerships model.
- Big Delicious Planet: Chicago catering company offering corporate, wedding, and social event catering with an emphasis on sustainable, locally-sourced food — comparable to J&L's sourcing partnerships and full-service offerings.
- Catering by Michaels: Long-established Chicago full-service off-premise caterer serving weddings, corporate events, and social functions at upscale venues. Directly comparable in geography, customer base, and service breadth.
- Fooda: Chicago-based corporate drop-off and workplace catering platform providing individual and group office meals. Directly comparable to J&L's drop-off catering line and increasingly competing for the same corporate recurring-revenue accounts.
- The Catering Outfit: Chicago full-service catering company providing custom menus for corporate, social, and wedding events across Chicagoland. Comparable to J&L in service lines and target customer segments.
Broad incumbents
- Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises: Large Chicago-based restaurant and hospitality group with off-premise catering capabilities across its restaurant portfolio. Competes with J&L in the premium Chicago catering market but offers catering as part of a much broader dining ecosystem.
- Aramark: National food service, facilities, and uniform services company with a significant corporate, event, and venue catering presence including at major Chicago venues. A larger incumbent competitor for both corporate and venue-based catering work.
- Sodexo: Global food services and integrated facilities management company with extensive event, corporate, and institutional catering capabilities, including in Chicago. Competes for institutional and corporate catering contracts at scale.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
J&L Catering social profiles
Digital presenceJ&L Catering financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
J&L Catering leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
J&L Catering subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
J&L Catering funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
J&L Catering 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 J&L Catering
What does J&L Catering do?
J&L Catering is a full-service catering company in Chicago providing custom catering for weddings, social events, and corporate functions, as well as a drop-off office catering service. They offer end-to-end event services including menu development, equipment rentals, linens, floor plan layout, floral, décor, entertainment, valet, and on-site coordination, delivered by a team of event planners, chefs, and service staff across 30+ venue partner locations and their owned Venue West property.
Is J&L Catering a public or private company?
J&L Catering is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was J&L Catering founded?
J&L Catering was founded in 1993. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is J&L Catering based?
J&L Catering is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does J&L Catering make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Full-Service Event Catering is the primary driver. The others are drop-Off Catering.
Who are J&L Catering's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Blue Plate Catering, Jewell Events Catering, Paramount Events, Big Delicious Planet, Catering by Michaels, Fooda and The Catering Outfit. Broad incumbents are Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Aramark and Sodexo.
Does J&L Catering have an API?
No public API is recorded for J&L Catering.
What industry is J&L Catering in?
J&L Catering's product category is Event Catering Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSACAGAA, Full-Service Catering (Off-Premise), with a secondary code of HSACAAAH, Catering Coordination & Bar Service Management (Non-restaurant). Its NAICS code is 722320.