How do you attract the right people for your event?

This often underinvested step is likely the key to getting an event to go well. A small group of lifetime enthusiasts may be better than a broad blast to the masses. Or vice versa. It really needs to tie in to what you're trying to do and how much you can put into each person who you expect to show up. Some things you may want to keep in mind as you think about sending invites out or making an announcement: At what stage are you opening? : What's compelling about the invitation? : Once you've determined who you want to come, next comes determining if they'll jump at the chance or need a little bit of encouragement to brave traffic. This is where thinking through and setting expectations about things like timing, parking, refreshments, agenda/ what they can expect is likely to shape who actually shows up and when What are you looking to achieve from those present? : If you're a retail store, then there's often a difference between early invites/ soft preview and an official opening. The challenge early is that (unless you're a big brand that's done this many times and bringing an experienced opening team) you're likely to be working through early operating kinks and training. Bringing in a small group of enthusiasts early is likely to give you great feedback from a forgiving set. Bringing in (social) media early and keeping the group small is likely to help you keep a personal touch. Making a big launch can result in large crowds that may or may not understand what you're trying to do - so are you set up to create the positive experiences that will have them come back with friends? If you're an office or facility then a grand opening is often a chance to connect employees and their families with the new office or a chance to share a milestone with partners and investors. This can often happen even if the office isn't quite finished/ polished. Thinking through what stories you want to share (a larger space for growth, a new room to establish a new competency, displays and other things to change the feel and focus) can often shape both the timing and the invite list.

Grand Opening Catering - Los Angeles Stores and Offices

Designed Thoughtfully. Crafted Lovingly. Presented Beautifully.®

Recommended Grand Opening Menus

Grand Opening Photos

Branded serving trays @ Bhindi Grand Opening

Modern Flower Arrangement @ Bhindi Grand Opening

Raspberry Shortbread Bites @ Bhindi Grand Opening

Watermelon Cubes @ Bhindi on branded tray

Caprese Skewers - Vertical presentation on Wood

Chilled english pea soup with cucumber boursin canape

Sauteed Polenta Cakes with Mushroom Ragu and Microgreens

Branded napkins for Grand Opening @ 3rd St Promenade

CB2 - Grand Opening in Santa Monica 3rd St Promenade

Congratulations! Celebrating the grand opening of a new store or office is a major milestone and can be the start of something amazing! We'd love to help you get everything going on the right (and tasty) note. Some ways we're generally asked to help include

Incorporating brand logos, colors, messages, or stories with food, beverage, signage, and staff (note: this does take some notice)
Encouraging guests to explore the facility by placing food stations, passing zones, or bars in strategic locations
Ensuring the key hosts and the groups they're speaking with can stay focused on the conversation
Protecting some of the more delicate areas of the facility through service zones, menu/ beverage selection, signage, and staff messages
Solving for logistical issues (i.e., cooking without a kitchen, rules around flame or smoke, working in back rooms or hallways, bringing power beyond the current electrical supply, bringing in water, dealing with trash, etc)

Store Grand Opening Catering

Retail store grand openings may be to the public or to a select group of VIP customers, buyers, investors, etc. There are so many ways to do these events that vary by store, type of product, type of customer, and price points. We recommend thinking about using catering to either attract attention outside (retail) or focus people inside on moving through key parts of the store, staying for some type of presentation, or talking with salespeople on the floor. Please let us know what you're thinking and we can prepare some ideas relevant to your opening.

Office Grand Opening Catering

An office opening or anniversary is generally a bit more of a private affair focused on celebrating a milestone (office or product) with employees (and sometimes their families), customers, partners, investors, and other stakeholders (including the public for some institutions). We recommend thinking through any particular stakeholders are the focus and any messages/ themes that you're trying to convey. We can then use the catering to help to enable these conversations or spread the relevant messages. We look forward to hearing what you have in mind!

Potential Measures of Success in Designing a Successful Grand Opening

Revenue

Audience Potential

How do you turn visitors into customers?

You've done the hard work of getting the right people to your grand opening event (if not, then you'll have a bunch of lookie loo's almost by definition). Next question is what will turn them from visitors into customers? This may differ pretty dramatically for the type of thing you sell, but the biggest thing is generally to make sure people know you have something to sell that they want to buy.

Showcase your value proposition: Ensure there's signage somewhere prominent (we like to put food stations or the bars where there are key messages) that highlights the message the customer should take away that will bring them back again and again.
Put your people on the floor: We're not encouraging the aggressive sell. More, especially in industries where deep relationships matter, it's a courtesy for your customers to get to know your people and like them. Your best clients are in your house - make sure your family chats them up and creates great relationships! We can help with setups for quieter rooms for conversation, VIP "speakeasy" experiences that people can be invited to...
Take customers on the tour: Everyone loves to see the "behind the scenes" insider's view of things. Take clients on the tour and help them to understand what effort and resources have been put into giving them a great product or service.
Ask for the sale: Before people leave, make sure someone has given them the opportunity to buy, if they wish. There are a lot of shy people who are there because they're interested in the product - make sure you've given them a chance to say they would like to become a customer.

Recommended Grand Opening Catering Menus

Food Stations and Displays

Setting up food stations throughout the store can help to move the crowd to key areas. We offer a mix of different "hearty platters" ranging from gourmet cheese displays to charcuterie to crudite. We can also put together individually portioned chips and dip to reduce potential for double dipping amongst strangers!

Download PDF: Food Stations and Displays

Passed Hors d'oeuvres

Perfect for a cocktail style format. If your sales team is looking to connect with clients, there's no better way than hanging out where the food is being passed! We recommend adding enough variety to keep people sticking around through the rotation.

Download PDF: Passed Hors d'oeuvres

Bar Packages for "Over 21" VIP/ Buyer Events

Nothing gets people comfortable and interested in talking quite like a cold drink and some great food. Where do you want your crowd of VIPs or buyers to gather - they'll usually assemble near the bar! Bite is able to put together bar packages including any necessary event permits, security, and insurance.

Download PDF: Bar Packages for "Over 21" VIP/ Buyer Events

Example Grand Opening Events

Corporate Store Opening Party @ Bhindi Glendale Galleria

Couture Diamond Jewelry. Three words that we always love to hear! Bite Catering Couture recently joined forces with boutique fine jewelers Bhindi f...(click on highlighted event's name for more details)

Grand Opening CB2 at Santa Monica Place

CB2 is Crate & Barrel’s destination for modern affordable furnishings, lifestyle and decor. Smart designs, clever materials and we are thrilled...(click on highlighted event's name for more details)

Grand Opening Catering - Los Angeles Stores and Offices

Designed Thoughtfully. Crafted Lovingly. Presented Beautifully.®

Grand Opening Catering - Los Angeles Stores and Offices

Designed Thoughtfully. Crafted Lovingly. Presented Beautifully.®

Grand Opening Catering - Los Angeles Stores and Offices

Designed Thoughtfully. Crafted Lovingly. Presented Beautifully.®

Grand Opening Photos

Store Grand Opening Catering

Office Grand Opening Catering

Recommended Grand Opening Catering Menus

Example Grand Opening Events

Corporate Store Opening Party @ Bhindi Glendale Galleria

Grand Opening CB2 at Santa Monica Place

Grand Opening Venues