Discussion: Consumer Behavior Model

Gary Miller, Catering Director and Retail Location Manager here at Delta State University in Cleveland Mississippi for Aramark, will be the guest speaker in class. He has been with Aramark for 9 years, has 35 years of experience in the food and beverage business, has catered in 31 states, has spent 20 years as a chef, and spent 15 years as the Front of the House Director. He owned several restaurants and bars in New Orleans until Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. He is very passionate about customer service and satisfaction.

Conduct background research on the catering services industry. Use at least one source for your research and cite it.

Part 1 include your source on it

Explain with examples what service characteristics (chapter 2) discussed in class apply to this industry?

Explain with examples what type of internal and external influences from the Consumer Behavior Model (chapter 3) influence the customers of this industry?

Explain with examples what some of the current trends in this industry are? This should not be your opinion but facts found in your research.

Explain with examples what some of the current challenges in this industry are? This should not be your opinion but facts found in your research.

Explain with examples what opportunities for growth are in this industry?

Part 2

Find at least one news article pertaining to this industry and provide a URL to it in the text entry box. Discuss anything interesting you read about the article.

Develop at least two questions to ask the speaker based on your research

part one each question can be answered with 2-3 sentences

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