McDonalds is testing breakfast catering in 195 restaurants in Central Florida, according to Nation's Restaurant News. Diners can choose from bundled meals including over a dozen preselected catering trays or create their own breakfast bundles. Catering orders are only available during breakfast hours, but on the upside, phone-in orders can be made within one hour of advances notice.
The catered bundles are available for delivery through UberEats, or can be picked up. McDonalds has also created a designated phone line for pick-up catering orders. The target group size is 6, 12, 18 and larger. There are no set prices per bundle, but pricing will vary as determined by the restaurant, according to the company. It also stated that breakfast beverages may be purchased for an additional cost.
As of yet, the programs is still in its pilot stage, and the company hasn't decided on whether to expand the program beyond the 195 restaurants in the Orlando area, according to a McDonalds spokeswoman.
Editor's Insight: Breakfast is a high growth area. Vending and micro market operators are stocking a greater number of breakfast items to meet the demands of consumers. McDonald's sees breakfast as a trend too, and is using this catering test to get in the workplace. Operators need to be aware of this big brand's move as well as consider ways they could conveniently offer a similar service, such as day ahead ordering for corporate meetings.
