How do you turn catering into a true brand-building moment? In this episode, host Erle Dardick sits down with Jessica Serrano, Chief Marketing Officer at Bagel Brands and former CMO at Dig Inn. Jessica has built her career creating authentic connections between guests and food brands, leading marketing efforts for Taco Bell, Burger King, Dig Inn, and, shortly after this episode was recorded, Bagel Brands.

She shares how restaurants can build brand love and drive catering growth—even with lean budgets. From national campaigns to scrappy wins, Jessica unpacks what it takes to make catering and off-prem feel on-brand and unforgettable.

Get ready for the Restaurant Catering Workshop (RCW) in Austin! In this episode of the Catering Cage, Erle sits down with Cherryh Cansler and Kelly Grogan to preview what’s ahead at this year’s event and talk about why catering is becoming a critical growth channel for restaurants.

We cover the crowded tech landscape, how brands are balancing third-party with first-party, practical ways to align the C-suite with on-the-ground catering teams, and the key sessions that will define this year’s workshop.

The conversation also explores how the CaterLinked community is helping operators year-round — creating a space for education, sharing strategies, and building relationships that make catering stronger across the industry.

Join the fastest-growing catering community for restaurants. It’s free to join and built to help you grow smarter and faster. Sign up and download the app at CaterLinked.com.