So, what's the deal with the big marketing push from
Cater2.me in Metro Center? The company, a one-stop catering operation that sources lunch from local vendors, is expanding. The company, which was founded in San Francisco in 2010,
launched operations in D.C. in October 2013 and is adding clients in Austin, Tx.,--the company's sixth city of operation—this week.
"D.C. has been growing by leaps and bounds," explains Alex Lorton, cofounder of Cater2.me. "We have clients in the District, Virginia and Maryland." The company caters to teams as small as ten people and as large as 300 or more.
Cater2.me's online platform keeps track of clients' dining preferences, feedback and allergies and provides a central location for invoicing and delivery tracking. Clients' meals are catered from "all different types of restaurants, food trucks and chefs," Lorton says, providing a welcome change from the typical corporate turkey sandwich and tossed salad catered lunch.
Since Cater2.me's D.C. launch, the company has grown from 30 employees nationwide to 60, and Lorton says he is still hiring. Locally, Cater2.me, which operates out of Uber Offices in Dupont, is looking for support in operations and account management.
Of the Austin launch, Lorton says, "whenever we look at a new city, we look at density, the tech scene and startups, since that's our target market." He also mentions "a range of food options, established food truck culture and food festivals. Austin"--like D.C.--"has those in spades."
So, where will Cater2.me launch next? Lorton says the team is actively looking at "a number of cities—L.A., Seattle, Atlanta, Houston and Miami" but haven't decided yet. "It could be one or multiple cities before the end of the year."
And the signs? The next big push is to Farragut North. Lorton wants to make sure everyone knows the company's name.