The challenge is that too many organisations are still wrestling with poor data quality, siloed systems, and manual reporting. Different sites use different codes, formats, or definitions, meaning the numbers never quite match up. Valuable insights about customer demand, supplier reliability, or food waste are buried in disconnected systems that don’t talk to each other. For the C-suite, this creates a constant problem: decisions are delayed or based on incomplete information, leaving opportunities missed and risks unmanaged.

Being data-driven in catering doesn’t just mean collecting information; it means having a single, trusted version of the truth that informs every decision from the kitchen to the boardroom.

Moving to a data-driven model requires investment in integrated systems and strong governance. Middleware can play a key role, ensuring that procurement, finance, HR, and EPOS systems all share the same information. Once the data flows freely, organisations can introduce dashboards that provide real-time visibility into costs, sales, and margins, and predictive analytics that forecast demand or highlight risks before they become problems. The impact is transformative: less waste, tighter cost control, more accurate invoicing, and better client reporting.

The industry is already seeing evidence of this shift. Reports from The Access Group highlight that advanced analytics and AI in hospitality only work when data foundations are reliable and well-integrated (Access Group, 2025). Similarly, Hospitality & Catering News has shown how predictive models can support menu planning, stock control, and operational efficiency when fuelled by consistent data (Hospitality & Catering News, 2023).

For C-suite decision makers, becoming data-driven is no longer optional. It is a strategic priority that drives competitive advantage, builds client confidence, and creates the agility to respond quickly in a volatile market.