Catering is as good as fast food on demand with profit I tell as long as ugc lead on

I remember the moment I realized catering could be just as good—and even more profitable—than fast food on demand. It was a simple observation during a family event, watching how people flocked to the food table, not just for a quick bite but for a whole experience. The food was freshly made, thoughtfully presented, and tasted like it was made with love.

At the same time, I saw the power of digital content shaping people’s decisions. Friends were snapping photos and videos of the dishes, sharing them on social media with genuine excitement. This wasn’t just advertising; it was storytelling that sparked curiosity and appetite.

I’ve seen local caterers grow their brands by encouraging customers to share their dining experiences online. A simple video of someone taking their first bite of a jollof rice dish or snapping a pic of a colorful salad bowl can spark more orders than a pricey ad campaign.

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UGC creates a sense of community and trust because it’s real. Potential customers see genuine reactions and think, “If they love it, maybe I will too.”

• A small to medium catering service can charge between ₦50,000 to ₦150,000 per event or order, depending on the menu and number of guests.

• If you handle 10 such orders a month, that’s ₦500,000 to ₦1,500,000 in gross revenue.

• After deducting food costs, transportation, and labor (which often total around 60-70% of revenue), your net profit could be around 30-40%. That means ₦150,000 to ₦600,000 monthly profit.

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Compare that to fast food vendors who may make quick sales but have tighter margins because of competition and price wars. Catering lets you offer a premium product and charge accordingly.

When customers see someone like them enjoying your food and sharing their honest reviews online, it builds confidence. They feel assured the food is fresh, delicious, and worth their money.

This trust means faster repeat orders and referrals, reducing your need to spend heavily on traditional marketing. UGC acts as social proof—your best advertising tool.

One caterer I spoke with shared how a viral TikTok video of her signature fried rice dish led to a 200% increase in bookings in just one month. She credits the realness of the video—no fancy production, just happy customers enjoying her food.