Catered Creations
Catered Creations is a family-owned off-premise catering company, founded in 1986, serving weddings, corporate events, and social occasions across West Michigan with full-service and drop-off tiers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersGrand Rapids, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Catered Creations does
Catered Creations Inc. is a family-owned off-premise catering company founded in 1986 by Gary and Patti Zylstra and headquartered at 1724 Coit Ave NE in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The company serves weddings, corporate events, and a broad portfolio of social occasions (graduations, holidays, birthdays, funerals, showers, picnics, and family reunions) across the West Michigan region. Its service model spans two primary tiers: full-service staffed catering (food preparation, delivery, setup, professional service, cleanup, and rentals coordination billed under a single invoice) and lower-touch corporate drop-off catering for groups of 30-300+ guests. Capacity per event ranges from roughly 30 to 500+ guests depending on the service line.
The company operates with no proprietary technology platform; operational capability is built on food preparation, logistics, event staffing, and curated vendor relationships. It maintains an in-house party rental equipment inventory and a curated network of preferred West Michigan wedding vendors (photographers, florists, bridal salons, rental companies, day-of coordinators). Distribution is direct: quote requests via the company website, phone, email, and listings on The Knot and WeddingWire marketplaces drive lead flow, with no resellers or distributors in the chain. Pricing is fully custom and quote-based, with quotes delivered within one business day.
Revenue mechanics are professional-services, pay-as-you-go, and quote-driven per event. Customer segments are horizontal across event types, with primary emphasis on wedding couples and corporate event planners in West Michigan, and secondary segments covering corporate picnic planners, family reunion hosts, shower hosts, funeral/memorial hosts, and corporate holiday planners. The company has earned The Knot Best of Weddings (2023) and Hall of Fame (2024) recognition as well as the WeddingWire Couples' Choice Award (2018), and reports long-tenure corporate clients (9+ years). There is no external investment, no parent company, and no publicly disclosed revenue.
Catered Creations firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Catered Creations
- Legal name
- Catered Creations Inc.
- Website
- https://cateredcreationsinc.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Catered Creations is a family-owned off-premise catering company, founded in 1986, serving weddings, corporate events, and social occasions across West Michigan with full-service and drop-off tiers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Catered Creations industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Event Catering Services
- NAICS
- Caterers (722320), Mobile Food Services (72233)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Event Catering (Weddings, Social, Private Parties) (THAFAIAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Full-Service Catering (Off-Premise) (HSACAGAA), Off-Premise / Mobile Event Catering (THAHAKAD), Drop-Off / Delivery Catering (THAFAIAI)
Keywords
Where Catered Creations is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Grand Rapids
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Catered Creations business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Full-Service Catering: Complete event catering with food preparation, delivery, setup, professional staffing, service, and cleanup. Includes rentals coordination and single invoice for all services. Priced per event with custom quotes based on guest count and menu selection.
- Corporate Drop-Off Catering: Delivery-based catering service for groups of 30+ featuring fresh, labeled meals delivered on-time and ready to serve. Includes boxed lunches, buffet trays, breakfasts, and dinners. Minimum 30 guests with capacity up to 300+. Next-day pickup of equipment included.
- Wedding Catering: Full-service wedding catering including cocktail hour, dinner service, dessert, and late-night snacks. Menu options include buffets, plated dinners, appetizers, bar services. Menu categories: Bar Creations, Appetizers, Wedding Buffets, Plated Dinners, Desserts, Late-Night Snacks.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Full-Service Staffed Catering - Custom quote based on guest count and menu |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Corporate Drop-Off Catering - Minimum 30 guests, capacity up to 300+ |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Catered Creations product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Catered Creations is a family-owned off-premise catering company based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, founded in 1986 by Gary and Patti Zylstra. The company prepares food at its own facility and transports, sets up, and serves it at client-chosen venues for weddings, corporate events, and social gatherings. It operates two primary service tiers: drop-off catering for groups of 30 or more guests, and full-service staffed catering that includes setup, service, and cleanup.
Product overview
Catered Creations is a full-service off-premise catering company operating as a single unified service with differentiated service tiers. The core offering includes Full-Service Wedding Catering and Corporate Full-Service Catering, which encompass staffing, setup, rentals coordination, and full event execution. Additional service modules include Corporate Drop-Off Catering (delivery-only for 30-300+ guests), Company Picnic Catering (high-volume outdoor events), and a comprehensive suite of Social Event Catering covering Graduation Parties, Holiday Events, Birthday Parties, Funeral & Memorial Services, Bridal & Baby Showers, and Family Reunions. The company also offers an extensive menu portfolio including Wedding Buffets, Plated Dinners, Appetizers, Desserts, Late-Night Snacks, Bar Services, Picnic Menu, Graduation Menu, Social Buffet Menu, Brunch Menu, Christmas Menu, and Corporate Breakfast/Lunch options. Founded in 1986 and family-owned, the company serves Grand Rapids and West Michigan with both drop-off and full-service staffing options.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Full-Service Catering Staffed off-premise catering service including food preparation, transport, on-site setup, full-service during the event, and cleanup. Designed for weddings, corporate events, and large social gatherings at client-chosen venues without in-house kitchens.
- Drop-Off Catering
- Corporate Event Catering
- Wedding Catering
- Social Event Catering
Quantifiable outcome
- Trusted in West Michigan for nearly 40 years
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Catered Creations
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Catered Creations technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Catered Creations partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered preferred, minor and core.
- Jill DeVries PhotographypreferredPreferred wedding photographer with documentarian style capturing moments from remarkable perspectives. Photojournalistic approach focused on genuine interactions rather than stiff poses.
- Leidy & Josh PhotographypreferredHusband and wife fine-art photographers shooting in film with romantic, editorial, and candid style. World travelers based in Grand Rapids experienced with destination weddings.
- Stephanie Parshall PhotographyminorPhotographer known as 'The Extra Tall Woman Behind the Camera' helping couples feel comfortable for best images. Based in Traverse City with travel capability.
- Baker Party RentalcoreTent and party rental company with over 30 years working relationship. Over 200 tents of all shapes and sizes from simple canopies to extra-large wedding tents.
- Taylor True Value RentalpreferredDIY wedding rental provider offering tents, tables, speakers, slushy machines, and more with great customer service. Located in Holland.
- Alpine EventspreferredRental partner providing sailcloth tents, elegant chairs, and tableware for weddings of all sizes. Professional, responsive team that understands event vision execution.
- Ludemas Floral & GardencoreFull-service florist twice receiving Silver Medal for On the Town Magazine's Townie Award for Best Wedding Florist. Known for gorgeous flower arrangements.
- Stems MarketpreferredFull-service florist in Grandville offering both DIY bulk cut flowers and full service arrangements. Consultants help clients understand and celebrate their vision.
- Bridal Duo at Smash SalonminorHair and makeup salon recommended for bridal party styling. Full range of services available for special day preparation.
- Renee Austin WeddingpreferredBridal salon in Grand Rapids showcasing gowns from elegant to classic styles. Known for friendly staff, beautiful dresses, and great customer service.
- Bridal ElegancecoreEstablished bridal gown and tuxedo rental shop with over 20-year reputation. Experienced team that helps discover perfect dress for style, figure, and budget.
- The Best Day DetailspreferredDay-of wedding coordinators bringing calm, confidence, and heart to every event. Keep things running smoothly so couples and vendors can enjoy the moment.
- Allegra Print & MailminorDesign and printing company for wedding invitations and event signage in Grand Rapids. Also handles general printing and mail services.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Catered Creations competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Aramark: Global food service and facilities management company providing corporate catering, concessions, and event services at scale. Overlaps with Catered Creations on corporate catering and large event execution, though typically operating in larger venues and institutional settings.
- Compass Group: World's largest contract food service company operating across corporate, hospitality, and event catering. Provides broad catering capabilities that intersect with Catered Creations' corporate full-service offering, though at much larger scale and via institutional contracts.
- Sodexo: International food services and facilities management company with corporate event catering and hospitality services. Competes for enterprise corporate catering contracts that overlap with Catered Creations' corporate client base.
Direct peers
- ezCater: Largest US corporate catering marketplace connecting businesses to local caterers for drop-off and pickup orders. Direct overlap with Catered Creations' corporate drop-off (30+ guests) service tier, though via a marketplace/aggregator model.
- Gilmore Catering: Long-established Grand Rapids-based full-service off-premise caterer serving weddings, corporate events, and social gatherings in West Michigan. Highly comparable in service model, geographic market, and event type coverage to Catered Creations.
- Sherman's Catering: West Michigan full-service caterer focused on corporate drop-off and event catering with similar drop-off minimums and regional delivery model that overlaps with Catered Creations' corporate drop-off offering.
- Distinctive Catering: Grand Rapids-area off-premise caterer providing full-service wedding, corporate, and social event catering with comparable service tiers (full-service and drop-off) in the same West Michigan market.
Emerging players
- Cater2.me: Tech-enabled office catering platform offering recurring corporate meal programs with rotating local restaurant menus. Comparable to Catered Creations' corporate drop-off catering from a customer-procurement standpoint, though lighter on staffing and full-service events.
- Hungry: Office catering marketplace and corporate meal platform aggregating local restaurant vendors for group orders. Competes for the same corporate drop-off catering dollars Catered Creations targets in West Michigan.
- Fooda: Workplace food service platform offering pop-up restaurants, catering, and corporate cafeteria programs. Competes for corporate food service spend that overlaps with Catered Creations' drop-off and corporate event catering.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Catered Creations social profiles
Digital presenceCatered Creations financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Catered Creations leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Catered Creations funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Catered Creations 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 Catered Creations
What does Catered Creations do?
Catered Creations is a family-owned off-premise catering company based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, founded in 1986 by Gary and Patti Zylstra. The company prepares food at its own facility and transports, sets up, and serves it at client-chosen venues for weddings, corporate events, and social gatherings. It operates two primary service tiers: drop-off catering for groups of 30 or more guests, and full-service staffed catering that includes setup, service, and cleanup.
Is Catered Creations a public or private company?
Catered Creations is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Catered Creations founded?
Catered Creations was founded in 1986. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Catered Creations based?
Catered Creations is headquartered in Grand Rapids, United States, in the North America region.
How does Catered Creations make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Full-Service Catering is the primary driver. The others are corporate Drop-Off Catering and wedding Catering.
Who are Catered Creations's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Aramark, Compass Group and Sodexo. Direct peers are ezCater, Gilmore Catering, Sherman's Catering and Distinctive Catering. Emerging players are Cater2.me, Hungry and Fooda.
Does Catered Creations have an API?
No public API is recorded for Catered Creations.
What industry is Catered Creations in?
Catered Creations's product category is Event Catering Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFAIAB, Event Catering (Weddings, Social, Private Parties), with a secondary code of HSACAGAA, Full-Service Catering (Off-Premise). Its NAICS code is 722320.