Applause Catering + Events
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersGrand Rapids, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
Applause Catering + Events firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Applause Catering + Events
- Legal name
- Applause Catering + Events
- Website
- https://applause-catering.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Applause Catering + Events industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Catering Services
- NAICS
- Caterers (722320)
- SIC
- Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Event Catering (Weddings, Social, Private Parties) (THAFAIAB)
Keywords
Where Applause Catering + Events is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Grand Rapids
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Applause Catering + Events business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Full-Service Catering and Event Design: Comprehensive catering services including menu customization, event design, venue coordination, and on-site service for weddings, corporate events, and special occasions. Revenue generated through per-event contracts based on guest count, menu selection, and service requirements.
- Barbeque Boys: Specialized barbecue catering service operating since 1994, offering authentic barbecue experiences for various event types from casual to formal. Revenue generated through event-based catering contracts.
- A+ Express Delivery: Quick delivery service for corporate offices, workplaces, and private homes, providing prepared food packaged for on-the-go consumption. Revenue generated through individual delivery orders.
- Menu Offerings: Fresh breakfast to fancy hors d'oeuvres, with menus reflecting passion for global cuisine and cultural diversity in food offerings.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Custom quote-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Applause Catering + Events product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Applause Catering + Events is a full-service catering and event design company that provides custom menu development, on-site event execution, and venue coordination for weddings, corporate events, and private gatherings in West Michigan. The company also operates the Barbeque Boys BBQ sub-brand and the A+ Express Delivery service that delivers prepared food to corporate offices, workplaces, and private homes.
Product overview
Applause Catering + Events is a full-service catering and event company offering a unified suite of services. The core offerings include Wedding Catering for coordinating every aspect of wedding celebrations from venue selection to food and presentation; Corporate Events for professional business gatherings; Barbeque Boys, a dedicated BBQ catering sub-brand serving events since 1994; and A+ Express Delivery for quick, professional food deliveries. The company also offers Event Design services and has partnerships with numerous West Michigan venues.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Barbeque Boys: Authentic BBQ catering service operating since 1994, serving family affairs and corporate events with 'down-home' food and traditional American barbecue.
- A+ Express Delivery
Products and services
- Wedding Catering
Companies that use Applause Catering + Events
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Applause Catering + Events technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Applause Catering + Events partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Bissell Treehouse at John Ball ZoocoreLong-standing venue partnership for upscale events at one of Grand Rapids' highest points with sweeping downtown views. Applause provides catering services for seated meals and casual cocktail parties on the wrap-around deck.
- Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM)corePremier venue partnership for weddings and corporate events featuring unique downtown location with riverfront views and distinctive settings including 'Streets of Old Grand Rapids' and carousel.
- Goei CentercoreVenue partnership for community collaboration and corporate events, offering spaces from large events to modest business meetings with top-notch service.
- GLC Live at 20 MonroecoreState-of-the-art venue partnership for live music, entertainment, and special events accommodating nearly 2,600 patrons or intimate configurations.
- Grand Rapids Downtown MarketcorePartnership for weddings and corporate/business events at the market venue featuring Greenhouse ceremony space and Banquet Room.
- Venue St. GeorgecorePremier event facility near downtown Grand Rapids since 1999, designed in the round accommodating up to 225 guests with 7,000+ square feet of space.
- Venue3TwocoreUnique venue in Kentwood at Shaffer & 32nd Street - a renovated 1920s estate on a horse ranch with all net profits supporting local community organizations.
- Villa Bar & BanquetcoreState-of-the-art facility in Grandville with main banquet hall accommodating up to 300 guests, offering basic through platinum event packages.
- The Revel CentercoreIntimate wedding venue and corporate event center with capacity for up to 200 guests, combining old world elegance with industrial design.
- The Loft at LunacoreElegant yet rustic wedding and special event venue with brick and wood tones, high ceilings, seating up to 175 guests.
- The McKay Tower BallroomcoreHistoric landmark since 1915 with recently remodeled 10,900 square foot space featuring 26-foot ceilings and classic marble interior.
- Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM)coreWorld's first LEED Gold-certified Art Museum partnership offering beautiful architecture and stunning city views for memorable events.
- St. Cecilia Music CentercoreHistoric venue established 1883 with 650-seat acoustically superb Royce Auditorium and seven grand pianos, downtown Grand Rapids location.
- New Vintage PlacecoreWest Side landmark with iconic smokestack featuring towering windows, exposed brick, and column-free reception spaces with free on-site parking.
- Cathedral Squarecore11.5-acre campus in Heartside Neighborhood anchored by Cathedral of Saint Andrew with Italian-style Piazza Secchia for outdoor events.
- Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD)coreModern, urban spaces for corporate, non-profit, or private events in the heart of Grand Rapids with inspiring contemporary art architecture.
- Michigan State University College of Human MedicinecoreMedical education facility partnership for events, enhancing community visibility through academic and healthcare events.
- The 1530coreVersatile venue for business meetings, team building, wedding receptions, family gatherings, non-profit events, and teaching space including commercial kitchen.
- Cornerstone UniversityminorUniversity venue partnership with adjusted pricing based on organizational values alignment and circumstances.
- Celebration! Cinema EventsminorEvent services partnership at movie theater venue for wedding receptions, holiday parties, business meetings, and family gatherings.
- Gerald & Jane-Ann Postma Center for Worship & EducationminorModern facility on Pine Rest campus offering casual or formal settings for educational meetings, social gatherings, and intimate wedding receptions.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Applause Catering + Events competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Aramark: Global foodservice and facility services provider operating across corporate, education, sports, and event verticals. Overlaps with Applause's corporate event catering business at much larger scale and with a broader portfolio.
- Compass Group: World's largest contract foodservice company operating across corporate, sports, and leisure segments globally. Comparable in foodservice delivery and corporate event catering at significant scale and breadth.
- Sodexo: Global foodservice and facilities management provider with significant corporate event catering and venue hospitality exposure. Comparable to Applause's corporate and event catering work at significantly larger scale and broader geographic reach.
Emerging players
- ezCater: Online corporate catering marketplace connecting businesses with local caterers for workplace meals and events. Adjacent to A+ Express Delivery's corporate meal positioning and competes for the same corporate catering wallet.
- Fooda: Corporate workplace meal platform connecting offices with local restaurants and caterers for daily meal programs. Directly comparable to Applause's A+ Express Delivery service in addressing corporate meal demand, though operating via a marketplace model rather than owned kitchens.
Direct peers
- Imperial Catering: Southeast Michigan full-service caterer serving weddings, corporate functions, and private events. Comparable offering in scope, custom menus, venue-based service, and off-premise catering model.
- Wolfgang Puck Catering: Premium full-service event catering company serving weddings, corporate, and social events across major U.S. markets. Highly comparable in full-service off-premise catering model, custom menus, and event design capabilities, though operating at much larger scale.
- Distinctive Catering & Event Design: Michigan-based regional caterer offering full-service off-premise catering for weddings, corporate events, and private parties. Closely comparable business model, segment mix, and family-led regional positioning to Applause Catering.
- Two Sisters Catering: Michigan full-service caterer specializing in weddings, corporate events, and social gatherings. Directly comparable in segment mix, off-premise service model, and family-led regional positioning within the same state market.
Regional players
- Gilmore Catering: West Michigan regional caterer operating in the Kalamazoo area with comparable wedding, corporate, and social event catering focus. Comparable regional positioning within the broader West Michigan market.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Applause Catering + Events social profiles
Digital presenceApplause Catering + Events financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Applause Catering + Events leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Applause Catering + Events funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Applause 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 Applause Catering + Events
What does Applause Catering + Events do?
Applause Catering + Events is a full-service catering and event design company that provides custom menu development, on-site event execution, and venue coordination for weddings, corporate events, and private gatherings in West Michigan. The company also operates the Barbeque Boys BBQ sub-brand and the A+ Express Delivery service that delivers prepared food to corporate offices, workplaces, and private homes.
Is Applause Catering + Events a public or private company?
Applause Catering + Events is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Applause Catering + Events founded?
Applause Catering + Events was founded in 1989. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Applause Catering + Events based?
Applause Catering + Events is headquartered in Grand Rapids, United States, in the North America region.
How does Applause Catering + Events make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Full-Service Catering and Event Design is the primary driver. The others are barbeque Boys, A+ Express Delivery and menu Offerings.
Who are Applause Catering + Events's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Aramark, Compass Group and Sodexo. Emerging players are ezCater and Fooda. Direct peers are Imperial Catering, Wolfgang Puck Catering, Distinctive Catering & Event Design and Two Sisters Catering. Gilmore Catering is listed as a regional player.
Does Applause Catering + Events have an API?
No public API is recorded for Applause Catering + Events.
What industry is Applause Catering + Events in?
Applause Catering + Events's product category is Catering Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFAIAB, Event Catering (Weddings, Social, Private Parties). Its NAICS code is 722320 and its SIC code is 5810.