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Michael Attias
Catering Sales & Marketing Guru (President/CEO/Founder)
Professional Background
Michael Attias has cultivated a rich and diverse professional background that spans over several decades in the restaurant industry. His journey began at the tender age of 16, where he took his first steps into the culinary world, starting as a dishwasher. This early experience in the fast-paced environment of restaurants allowed him to develop a strong work ethic, deepening his understanding of restaurant operations from the ground up.
After completing a Bachelor's degree in Business with a focus on Marketing & Advertising from The University of Memphis, Michael took a significant leap into entrepreneurship. He opened one of the first Corky's BBQ franchises just outside of Nashville, Tennessee, shortly after college. His venture into franchise ownership marked the beginning of several notable achievements in the restaurant industry.
One of Michael's most impressive accomplishments was his ability to build restaurant and catering sales that surged to a remarkable three million dollars a year, stemming from a modest 104-seat restaurant. His innovative approaches and mastery of direct marketing played a pivotal role in this growth. Under his leadership, the restaurant's catering sales alone exceeded one million dollars annually, showcasing his capacity to identify opportunities in the competitive landscape of foodservice and catering.
Michael’s success in his restaurant endeavors led him to realize a passion for mentorship and education. He began to share his expertise with fellow restaurateurs, caterers, and foodservice operators through speaking engagements and consulting. His focus on equipping others with the tools necessary to thrive in catering sales has been instrumental in supporting many businesses.
In response to a gap he identified in the market, Michael founded CaterZen, a software company dedicated to providing tailored solutions for catering operators. This initiative sprang from his frustration with the existing catering software platforms that failed to meet the unique needs of businesses in this sector. By merging his extensive sales and marketing experience with operational know-how, Michael successfully developed a catering software solution designed to optimize processes for operators, enabling them to maximize their catering profit centers.
Michael’s vision for CaterZen has enabled many food industry professionals to enhance efficiency and generate growth in their catering operations. Through his entrepreneurial journey, he has proven to be an influential figure in the industry, continuously seeking to innovate and transform how catering services are delivered and marketed.
Education and Achievements
Michael Attias’s academic background laid a solid foundation for his career in the restaurant and catering industry. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business with a concentration in Marketing and Advertising from The University of Memphis. This degree not only equipped Michael with the essential skills needed to navigate the business landscape but also instilled a passion for marketing that he harnessed throughout his career.
His career achievements reflect his dedication to excellence in restaurant operations and catering sales. From humble beginnings washing dishes to owning a successful franchised restaurant, Michael’s journey is a testament to hard work and strategic thinking. His ability to devise and implement effective direct marketing strategies led to his extraordinary success in sales, setting new benchmarks in restaurant catering profits.
In addition to operating his restaurant, Michael has established himself as a prominent speaker and consultant in the industry. His work in providing educational resources underscores his commitment to creating a community of learning among restaurant operators and caterers.
Achievements
- Founder and CEO of CaterZen: Michael launched CaterZen, a catering software platform designed specifically for foodservice operators, addressing the unmet needs within the catering industry.
- Three Million Dollars in Annual Sales: Michael achieved this milestone in catering sales from a 104-seat restaurant through innovative marketing and operations strategies.
- Successful Catering Operations: His catering sales consistently exceeded a million dollars annually, establishing a successful model that many operators aspire to emulate.
- Educational Author: Michael authored the book "Catering Multipliers - the 17 No-Cost Laws of Catering Sales Growth," providing valuable insights and strategies for enhancing catering sales without incurring additional costs.
Final Thoughts
Michael Attias continues to inspire others in the restaurant and catering industry. His extensive experience, coupled with his commitment to innovation and education, makes him a valuable asset to anyone seeking to grow and systematize their catering profit centers. He expresses a strong desire to connect with individuals and organizations passionate about catering growth, and he encourages potential connections to download a complimentary copy of his insightful book to kickstart their journey towards increased catering success.
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Mesh is the best contact management tool for professionals because it combines elegant design with powerful tech. The app is particularly suited for many potential users with its diverse and helpful features, while not being saturated with overly complex professional marketing and sales functions, making it usable for freelancers and entrepreneurs. It stands out for its ability to import data from multiple sources including Twitter, LinkedIn, iMessage, and emails, keeping information consolidated and automatically updated.
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Mesh is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Mesh beneficial.
Mesh offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Mesh offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Mesh's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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