Lead of the Week: One Email, Two Holiday Events

Most restaurants treat old contacts as spent. The connection happened, nothing came of it, and the name sits in a list.

This week's cold email lead came from that list. One cold email to past LinkedIn connections, and one reply with plans for two holiday events.

Catering Funnels runs done-for-you lead generation for restaurants with active catering operations.

Situation

The client is a BBQ caterer. Its outreach had been paused for two months, and we restarted it ahead of the holiday season.

Part of the restart was a cold email to people the restaurant had connected with on LinkedIn in the past. The subject line was "Holiday catering for your team?"

The email was short. It mentioned that they had connected on LinkedIn a while back and that holiday catering was booking now for team lunches, office parties and end-of-year events, with full drop-off service. Then it asked whether anything was coming up this season and offered to send the menu.

What Happened

A past LinkedIn connection replied. They plan to do something for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, had just started floating ideas the week before, and have a headcount of about 40.

Then the two questions every buyer asks: what does it cost, and what do you offer?

What the Restaurant Did

It replied with options for both events.

The reply included the full catering menu with pricing and online ordering. Then it translated the headcount into something the buyer could act on: a brisket package feeds 8 to 10 people with sides, so 40 people is about four packages.

It closed by asking for the dates so it could quote each event, with call or text offered as an alternative.

Result

Two potential holiday events from one reply, both with a known headcount.

This post covers the lead. Quotes for each event are the next step, and no revenue figure is claimed here.

Why Do Old LinkedIn Connections Respond?

Because they already know who you are.

A cold pitch has to earn attention from zero. A note that says "we connected a while back" starts from familiarity, and a seasonal reason to reach out gives the email a purpose a generic pitch does not have.

A two-month pause does not erase those past conversations. Restarting outreach can begin with people who already know you.

When Should Holiday Catering Outreach Start?

Before the buyer starts planning, which is earlier than most operators think.

This buyer had started floating ideas only the week before, in early October, for Thanksgiving and Christmas both. Holiday outreach that waits until December misses that window. The pattern matches what we cover in when companies book holiday catering and the holiday catering planning timeline. Same timing as a September message that became a holiday party quote.

What Made the Reply Work?

It did the buyer's math.

"About 40 people" became "about four packages." The buyer no longer has to work out how much food to order. They only have to send dates.

One answer, one next step. For more replies like this, see the catering follow-up email templates.

What This Means for Other Operators

Your next lead may already be in your network.

Before buying a new list, look at who you have already connected with. Give them a short, timely reason to hear from you again, and answer their questions in terms they can act on.

See the plans on the pricing page, and follow Catering Funnels on LinkedIn for weekly wins.

Common questions

Should a restaurant email old LinkedIn connections about catering? Yes, with a specific reason. Here, a short email that mentioned the past connection and the holiday season drew a reply planning two events. A generic pitch gives the reader no reason to answer now.

When do companies start planning holiday catering? Often earlier than restaurants expect. This buyer started floating ideas for Thanksgiving and Christmas in early October. Outreach that starts in December arrives after many plans are set.

How should a restaurant respond when a buyer asks about catering pricing? Send the menu with pricing, then translate the headcount into an order size. Close with one next step, such as asking for the event dates so you can quote.