The Catering Visionary: An Interview with Michael Attias
Michael Attias is a restaurant operator, entrepreneur, and the founder of CaterZen, a leading catering technology company. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Attias has witnessed the evolution of catering from manual, pen-and-paper operations to sophisticated technology-driven solutions.
Attias' journey began as a franchisee of Cory's Barbecue, where he recognized the need for a more efficient way to manage catering orders. "I had the idea long before I even had my restaurant," he recalls. "I knew if I knew how to program, I could build them a simple database order-taking system and save them hours a day."
That idea eventually materialized into CaterZen, which Attias launched in 2008 after selling his restaurant. He bootstrapped the company with $30,000, turning down $100,000 in outside investment to maintain control and focus on his vision. Attias' mission is to help restaurants do more catering, a strategy he believes can significantly boost profitability.
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"Catering is a different business," Attias explains. "You can't just put a square peg in a round hole. It requires a comprehensive, enterprise-level solution that addresses the unique workflows and data requirements of catering operations." This insight has driven CaterZen's development, resulting in a robust platform that streamlines order management, production, and delivery for its clients.
Attias' knowledge of the industry comes not just from running a catering-focused restaurant, but also from hands-on experience in the trenches. He has seen firsthand the challenges restaurants face in implementing catering technology and the importance of a thoughtful, data-driven approach. "It's not just about the technology," he says. "It's about the workflows, the data, and the leadership required to drive catering success."
As the catering technology landscape continues to evolve, Attias remains at the forefront, advocating for comprehensive solutions and a deeper understanding of the unique needs of restaurant operators. With CaterZen's growth and his upcoming appearance at the Restaurant Catering Workshop in Denver, Attias is poised to continue shaping the future of catering technology in the industry.
