What Gilmore Catering does

Gilmore Catering is a Grand Rapids, Michigan-based social and corporate catering company founded in 1978 that operates as the catering arm of The Gilmore Collection, a privately-held hospitality conglomerate. The company delivers chef-inspired, customized menus for weddings, corporate functions, and social celebrations, with a 50-person minimum across most venues, per-person pricing typically ranging from $16 to $61.65, and 23-25% service charges plus sales tax applied on top. Its go-to-market is sales-led: direct inquiries routed through venue-specific phone lines, a TripleSeat-powered online booking request form, and listings on WeddingWire and The Knot, supported by organic social and email marketing (the Gregslist newsletter).

The core asset base is a portfolio of seven wholly-owned event venues spanning Grand Rapids (The B.O.B. — a multi-space complex with Eve, H.O.M.E., BOBARINO'S, B.O.B.'s Brewery, Bottle Lodge, Judson's, and Ashton; Mangiamo in East Hills; and The Gilmore in Comstock Park, opened 2017), the West Michigan lakeshore (Baker Lofts in Holland, Kirby House in Grand Haven, Bostwick Lake Inn in Rockford), and a destination property, the Redstone Inn in Redstone, Colorado. Beyond on-premise catering, Gilmore provides off-premise catering at client-selected locations across Grand Rapids and West Michigan, plus full bar service.

The company serves a mix of corporate enterprise clients (Amway, Steelcase, Herman Miller, Michigan State University, Priority Health, Raymond James, Haworth, Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge) and a long tail of weddings and private social events, with approximately 51-100 employees and 100+ years of combined event-planning experience on the management team. Procurement is anchored by Gordon Food Service as broadline distributor, supplemented by a network of local farms, orchards, bakeries, and specialty suppliers. No AI/ML capabilities, APIs, patents, or external funding are disclosed; the technology stack is centered on the TripleSeat booking platform.

Name

Gilmore Catering

Legal name

Gilmore Catering

Website

https://gilmore-catering.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Event Catering Services

NAICS

Caterers (722320), Caterers (72232)

akta.pro primary industry

Venue & Banquet Hall Catering (THAFAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Event Catering (Weddings, Social, Private Parties) (THAFAIAB), Full-Service Catering (Off-Premise) (HSACAGAA), Wedding & Social Event Catering (THAHAKAE), Beverage Services (Bar Catering, Mixology, Beverage Programs) (THAHAKAJ)

Keywords

• Event catering services
• Wedding catering
• Corporate catering
• Banquet venues
• Off-premise catering

Headquarters

HQ city

Grand Rapids

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. On-premise catering: Catering services at company-owned venues including The B.O.B., Mangiamo, The Gilmore, Kirby House, Baker Lofts, Bostwick Lake Inn, and Redstone Inn
2. Off-premise catering: Catering services at client-selected locations throughout Grand Rapids and West Michigan

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Gilmore Catering provides full-service social and corporate catering across multiple owned event venues in Grand Rapids and West Michigan, plus off-premise catering at client-selected locations. Offerings include chef-inspired customized menus, bar service, event planning, and banquet facilities for weddings, corporate functions, and social celebrations. The company operates since 1978 and is part of The Gilmore Collection hospitality group.

Product overview

Gilmore Catering is an award-winning catering company operating since 1978, offering catering services across multiple branded venue properties in Grand Rapids, West Michigan, and destination locations. The company operates as a platform of venue-based catering brands including The B.O.B. (multi-space entertainment complex), The Gilmore (Mid-Century Modern venue), Mangiamo (historic mansion), Baker Lofts (lakeshore loft venue), Kirby House (historic Grand Haven venue), Bostwick Lake Inn (lakeside venue), and Redstone Inn (destination Colorado property). Service offerings span on-site venue catering, off-premise catering for external venues, bar service, and specialized wedding, corporate, and social event catering. The company also offers seasonal holiday catering packages.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The B.O.B. Catering Multi-space entertainment complex and event venue in downtown Grand Rapids with several distinct event spaces including Eve nightclub, H.O.M.E., Bobarino's, B.O.B.'s Brewery, Bottle Lodge, Judson's, and Ashton Lounge for catered events.
• The Gilmore Catering Mid-Century Modern and Art Deco style event venue in Comstock Park featuring three unique rooms, outdoor garden and gazebo, Grand Luxe Ballroom, and Mercury Event Room. Opened in 2017 as the company's newest venue.
• Mangiamo Catering Event venue in a historic mansion setting in Grand Rapids' East Hills neighborhood, featuring a large lawn for outdoor events and private dining rooms for smaller gatherings.
• Baker Lofts Catering Lakeshore event venue in Holland, Michigan featuring industrial-chic loft spaces for weddings and corporate events along the West Michigan lakeshore.
• Kirby House Catering Historic event venue in Grand Haven, Michigan with wine cellar, Harbor Room, and Dark Room event spaces for lakeshore catered events.
• Bostwick Lake Inn Catering Lakeside event venue on Bostwick Lake in Rockford, Michigan featuring The Captain's Quarters private beach and four-season covered deck.
• Redstone Inn Catering Destination wedding venue in Redstone, Colorado nestled in the Rocky Mountains, offering historic accommodations and access to outdoor activities.
• Off-Premise Catering Catering services for events held at venues outside Gilmore's managed properties, bringing chef-inspired customized menus to any client-selected location throughout Grand Rapids and West Michigan.
• Wedding Catering Specialized wedding catering services including custom buffet or plated menus, wedding planning assistance, and coordination at all venue locations for wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, and related celebrations.
• Corporate Catering Business event catering including business meetings, company holiday parties, product launches, and corporate galas with professional service for enterprise and organizational clients.
• Social Catering Social event catering for occasions including birthdays, anniversaries, Mitzvahs, quinceaneras, and LGBT commitment ceremonies.
• Bar Service Full-service hosted bar offerings including cocktails, beer, wine, spirits, local microbrews, and non-alcoholic options across all venues and off-premise events with bartender service.
• Bachelorette Party Packages Bachelorette party packages at The B.O.B. featuring bottle service with design salon spa gift bags and various menu options including appetizers and spa treatments.
• Holiday Catering Seasonal holiday party catering with passed appetizers, buffet-style dinner, boards and dips, carving stations, and assorted desserts at $45 per person.

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Crane's Pie PantrycoreOthersLocal food supplier providing pies and baked goods for events
• CakabakerycoreOthersBakery supplier for custom cakes and pastries
• Ingraberg FarmcoreOthersLocal farm supplier for fresh produce
• Schwallier's Country BasketcoreOthersLocal produce supplier
• Crane OrchardscoreOthersOrchard supplier for fruits, particularly cherries and apples
• Cherry Growers, Inc.coreOthersCherry supplier for Michigan-grown cherries
• DeVries MeatscoreOthersMeat supplier for premium cuts and proteins
• Fairway Packing Gourmet MeatscoreOthersGourmet meat supplier
• Supreme LobstercoreOthersSeafood and lobster supplier
• Fortune Fish & GourmetcoreOthersGourmet fish and seafood supplier
• BLiS GourmetminorOthersGourmet specialty foods supplier
• Gordon Food ServicecoreOthersBroadline food service distributor
• Design 1 Salon SpaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreferred vendor for beauty and spa services at events
• At Your Service ValetminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorValet parking services for events
• Ryke's BakeryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBakery supplier for events
• Eastern FloralminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFloral arrangements for events
• Alpine Rent-All & SalesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEquipment rental for events
• Grand Connection Event PlanningminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEvent planning coordination services
• Jeanine Glenn PhotographyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPhotography services for events

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• ezCater: Online marketplace for corporate catering connecting businesses with local caterers. Overlaps with Gilmore's off-premise corporate catering business and represents the technology-enabled direction the industry is heading.
• Fooda: Workplace food and catering platform enabling companies to host pop-up restaurants and order catering. Comparable in serving corporate catering demand but with a technology platform approach that contrasts with Gilmore's traditional venue-led model.

Direct peers

• Feastivities Events: Regional event and catering company operating multiple venues in Michigan. Most directly comparable peer in terms of size, regional focus, owned-venue model, and dual wedding/corporate event service offering.
• Centerplate: Large-scale event and venue hospitality company providing catering and concessions for stadiums, convention centers, and event venues. Comparable in providing full-service catering tied to owned/operated venue relationships, though at a much larger scale.
• Sodexo Live!: Event venue hospitality division of Sodexo focused on catering, concessions, and event services at convention centers, arenas, and special event venues. Directly comparable business model of venue-based event catering with custom menus and bar service.
• Five-Star Catering: Regional full-service catering company with multiple owned venues serving weddings and corporate events. Comparable in operating a venue-based catering model with off-premise services, with similar scale and geographic focus.

Broad incumbents

• Aramark: Global food services and facilities management giant serving sports/entertainment venues, business dining, and event catering. Overlapping capabilities in event catering and bar service across multiple venue types, but operates as a much larger diversified portfolio.
• Bon Appétit Management Company: Specialty food service company providing custom catering and corporate dining services. Comparable in chef-inspired customized menus and corporate event catering, though focused more on workplace dining than owned event venues.
• Compass Group: Largest contract foodservice company worldwide with substantial event and venue catering through its Levy Restaurants and Chartwells brands. Comparable in providing premium event catering experiences, though at vastly larger scale across multiple segments.
• Delaware North: Privately held hospitality and food service company operating sports venues, travel hospitality, and event catering. Similar in combining venue ownership with catering operations, though at national/international scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/gilmorecollectioncatering
• Instagraminstagram.com/gilmorecatering
• Pinterestpinterest.com/gilmorecatering
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gilmore-catering

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries15 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 Gilmore Catering