Restaurant Catering Workshop

Revealed: The 2026 Top 30 Movers & Shakers: Catering

In 2026, catering has become one of the fastest-growing engines of brand loyalty and scale in the restaurant industry, and a new class of leaders is rewriting the playbook for what off-premise dining can be.

Photo: Connect Food

September 14, 2026

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Off-premise dining used to be an afterthought — a few extra trays for office lunches, a line item buried under "other revenue." Not anymore.

In 2026, catering has become one of the fastest-growing engines of brand loyalty and scale in the restaurant industry, and a new class of leaders is rewriting the playbook for what off-premise dining can be.

Today, we are proud to unveil the 2026 Top 30 Movers & Shakers: Catering— an annual report spotlighting the operators, innovators, and brands pushing catering into the spotlight. This year's honorees are reimagining everything from kitchen logistics and fulfillment technology to bold new menu concepts built specifically for off-premise occasions.

What makes this year's list especially notable: nearly all of the winners are first-time honorees, a sign of just how quickly fresh talent and new ideas are reshaping the category. This isn't a list of the usual suspects — it's a snapshot of where catering is headed next.

The full report, presented in partnership with co-presenter MONKEY Catering Platform, dives into the strategies behind each honoree's rise — the operational bets that paid off, the technology driving smarter fulfillment, and the menu innovations turning catering into a growth channel rather than an afterthought.

Download the free report today to see the full list of honorees and get an inside look at the ideas defining catering's next chapter.

And don't miss the chance to celebrate these leaders in person: The 2026 Movers & Shakers will be recognized live on stage at the Restaurant Catering Workshop, October 6–7 in Arlington, Texas.

Register here.

Upcoming Events

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Restaurant Catering Workshop

October 6-7, 2026 | Arlington, TX

Discover the strategies and tools you need to build a winning catering operation. Whether you're starting out or refining your catering business, this workshop is your key to success.

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