Skip to content
CATERINGMULTICHANNELHR & OFFICE

Cold email campaign for corporate catering — 35% response rate

8 stages over 19 days. 6 emails, 1 phone call, 1 LinkedIn message. 260 prospects contacted.

Charles Perret, founder of devlo

Charles Perret

Founder of devlo.ch · March 2026

260
Prospects contacted
76%
Open rate
35%
Response rate
10
Interested prospects

The 8 keys in the sequence

6 emails, 1 phone call, 1 LinkedIn message — over 19 days.

EmailDay 1Email #1
Subject: Our call - {{FirstName}} & {{salesRep}}
Hello {{firstName}}, Here you can see my colleague {{salesRep2}} delivering our homemade meals to our customers. How about enjoying our balanced and varied meals, made with local produce, for your lunch break? I’m writing to you because we’re a Geneva-based company offering a ‘canteen 2.0’ service for businesses. Should I contact you, or your colleague {{colleaguename}}? Via our website, your employees can easily order their lunch, which will be delivered the same day at midday, all in recycled or recyclable packaging. As an employer, this also has benefits for you. Firstly, you are investing directly in your employees’ wellbeing. Secondly, this service is affordable – much more so than a company canteen, for example. Finally, we could create a bespoke menu tailored to your employees’ preferences. Would you like to find out more? I’d be delighted to discuss this with you over the phone to provide further details. Thank you in advance for your reply, Have a lovely day, {{salesRep}} {{signature}} --- Hello {{firstName}}, Here you can see my colleague {{salesRep2}} delivering our homemade dishes to our customers. How about enjoying our balanced and varied meals, made with local produce, for your lunch break? I am writing to you as we are a Geneva-based company offering a corporate catering service. I was wondering whether I should contact you or your colleague {{colleaguename}}? [...] (full content available on request)
Email3 days laterEmail #2
Hello {{firstName}}. I imagine you’re probably very busy – my to-do list below reminded me to get in touch 😉 I’d like to know if we can help you improve your staff’s benefits package. If you’d like to find out more about how we support our partners, would you be available for a call in the next few days so I can give you more details? If so, please feel free to book a slot in my calendar. Have a great day, {{salesRep}} {{signature}}
LinkedIn4 days laterLinkedIn login
[Message sent from our client’s LinkedIn profile] Hello {{firstName}}, I hope you’re well. My colleague {{salesRep}} sent you an email a few days ago regarding our corporate catering services. I look forward to getting to know you and keeping up with the latest news from {{companyName}}. Kind regards, [Client_FirstName]
Email3 days laterEmail #4
Hello {{firstName}}, I hope you are well. I am writing to follow up on my previous email regarding [ClientCompanyName], the ‘canteen 2.0’ initiative. I was wondering if you have already set up a similar service? I’m asking because we offer our partners the opportunity to contribute financially towards providing healthy, fresh and gourmet meals. What’s more, we take care of all the logistics for them. Depending on the benefits you’d like to offer, this is something we could explore together. If so, I suggest we discuss this over the phone as soon as possible. I’ve attached my calendar, where you can book a slot that suits you directly. Have a great day, Kind regards, {{salesRep}} {{signature}}
Email3 days laterEmail #5
Hello {{firstName}}, I hope you are well. Would you be available for a brief phone call to discuss our services offering fine dining for your staff? If that suits you, here is my calendar where you can book a slot of your choice directly. Thank you in advance for your reply. Kind regards, {{salesRep}} {{signature}}
Call4 days laterPhone call
Cold call Date sent: 4 days after the last message Call script: If the prospect answers: Hello {{firstName}}, this is {{salesRep}} from [ClientCompanyName]. I contacted you by email regarding our corporate catering services for your employees. Would you be interested in discussing how our services could benefit your business? [...] —---—---—---—---—---—---—---—---—---—---—---— -------------—---—---—---—---—---—---—-----—---—--- —---—- ------------------------- If so: As an employer, the well-being of your employees is a priority. Our company offers daily canteen services featuring fresh, healthy produce, delivered to your offices at lunchtime according to your orders. Furthermore, as with many companies, sustainability must be one of your concerns. Indeed, all our products are packaged in recycled and recyclable materials. This initiative may be of interest to you as you are investing directly in your employees’ wellbeing, the lunch break will be better organised and, finally, you will be able to reduce your costs. If they are interested, ask these questions to qualify the prospect: __________________________________________________________________________________. __________________________________________________________________________________. __________________________________________________________________________________. If they are qualified, ask these questions to personalise the demonstration: [...] (full content available on request)
Email1 day laterEmail #7
Hello {{firstName}}, I hope you are well. I have been trying to get in touch with you to discuss our offer of fine dining for our staff. Would you be available at another time for a brief phone call? Thank you in advance for your reply. {{salesRep}} {{signature}}
Emailthe day after the last messageEmail #8
Hello {{firstName}}, Although I would have liked to hear from you, I understand that you have a very busy schedule. If you have a little free time and would like to discuss how we might be able to help you, please do let me know :) This email is my final attempt to contact you, and I’d be delighted to hear from you. I wish you all the best for the future. Have a great day, Kind regards, {{salesRep}} {{signature}}

Why this sequence works

260 prospects and a 35% response rate over 19 days — this fast-paced 8-step sequence is tailored to the short decision-making cycle typical of the corporate catering sector. The photo of a colleague delivering meals in the first email immediately makes the communication more personal.

The two A/B versions of the first email test different angles: “canteen 2.0” versus “corporate catering service”. This A/B testing approach, which focuses on positioning rather than just the subject line, helps to identify which messaging resonates most strongly with HR decision-makers at SMEs in Geneva.

The three-pronged value proposition — employee wellbeing, lower costs than a company canteen, and recycled packaging — addresses the three key concerns of an HR director: engagement, budget and CSR. This comprehensive coverage of all decision-making factors maximises the chances of a positive response.

What you can learn from this campaign

  • Add a personal touch with photos of the team in action. The delivery photo in Touch #1 makes the service tangible.
  • A/B test the positioning, not just the product. "Canteen 2.0" versus "catering service" explores completely different approaches.
  • Three-pronged value proposition. Well-being, cost reduction and corporate social responsibility are the three key areas of focus for an HR director.
  • A short 19-day cycle. Choosing a catering service is a quick decision — there’s no need to drag it out.

When to use this sequence

Catering services for businesses

Meal delivery, canteen 2.0, corporate catering — this session is aimed at HR decision-makers in SMEs.

Targeting SMEs in the Lake Geneva region

Companies with between 9 and 249 employees in the cantons of Geneva and Vaud are the sweet spot.

Wellbeing solutions in the workplace

If your offering improves the quality of life in the office — nutrition, health, work-life balance — the model applies.

Services with daily delivery

The day-to-day operational aspect (same-day ordering and delivery) is a key selling point.

Who can use this sequence?

Corporate caterers

If you deliver daily meals to businesses using fresh, locally sourced produce.

SDRs aimed at HR managers in SMEs

The tone and approach are tailored to HR decision-makers in companies with between 9 and 249 employees.

Well-being solutions in the workplace

Nutrition, health and work-life balance — tailor the value proposition.

B2B FoodTech Startups

If your business model combines technology (online ordering) with food service.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the decision-making process for corporate catering?

Usually 2 to 4 weeks, hence the 19-day cycle. The decision is often made by the HR manager or office manager, with a relatively small budget compared to IT purchases. The key is to offer a trial (test delivery) so that the decision-maker and their teams can sample the meals.

Why is A/B testing important for the restaurant industry?

Both versions of Touch #1 test “canteen 2.0” versus “corporate catering”. Depending on the prospect’s profile (start-up vs traditional company), one positioning resonates better than the other. Testing both allows you to identify which approach generates the most responses within your target segment.

How can you stand out from the competition in the restaurant industry?

The three-pronged value proposition (well-being, lower cost than the company canteen, and recycled packaging) addresses all three key decision-making factors. The photo of the colleague delivering the meals adds a personal touch to the communication. And the mention of a "menu tailored to your employees’ preferences" adds a unique service dimension.

Want a customised sequence for your industry?

devlo designs and executes bespoke B2B cold email campaigns. ICP, buying signals, multi-channel sequences — we take care of everything.

View all 25 sequences

Last updated: March 2026