13th May 2019
Keeping the music industry fed, Rockpool Tour Catering have catered for the likes of Madonna, Queen, Red Hot Chili Peppers, AC/DC, and Oasis. From stadiums and festivals, they cater individual artists’ needs with private chefs and huge audiences via their pop-up café. They are also venturing into the rental of specialist equipment as a bolt-on to the main business.
Having now completed three successful raises with Crowd2Fund, making a combined total of £250,000, Pete Bailey spoke to us about his international business plans.
What was your inspiration for starting your enterprise?
I’ve always loved being a chef and working in the music touring industry. I soon realised that the equipment and level of service available for artists was a little lacklustre, so embarked on setting up Rockpool Tour Catering to deliver a consistent and quality service to fill that gap.
What steps are you taking to grow your business to the next level?
We’re growing in the US market with our new facility in Burbank, California. This is a great opportunity, allowing us to expand our range and preferred catering venue list across the US. We’re also looking at recruiting a Business Development Manager this month to help deliver the rental arm of the business and push for new clients across the board.
Why did you decide to internationalise?
We’ve always maintained a really good relationship with US-based bands and management companies, so starting a US operation was important to open new doors for client expansion. Now, we’re looking to establish a presence in venues like the Staples Centre and the Forum in LA. It’s a tough and competitive market, however, we’ve found our quality of staff and set-up is far beyond what is on offer currently.
What are some of your proudest achievements so far?
Other than my marriage and kids, seeing the company grow year on year is very rewarding as we hit our goals. Also, knowing that we provide jobs and grant stability to our workforce is a fantastic feeling.
What do you see in the future for your business and industry?
We plan to establish another hire operation, and open a headquarters in the south of England to complement our existing base in West Yorkshire. Our long-term aim is to have multiple venues in Europe and the US markets. We want to be known as the go-to company for event hire and catering across the world, and believe we can make this a reality.
Why did you choose crowdfunding? How did it benefit your business?
The simplicity and delivery of funds that enable us to take each step forwards has been pivotal in our growth. Using the money from our last round, we invested heavily in new equipment and flight cases to use at large-scale events and functions. Adding this to our range enabled us to maximise revenue by hiring out this equipment when not in use. We therefore see Crowd2fund as an important part of how we progress and manage our business.
For more information, visit Rockpool Tour Catering's website: http://www.rockpooltourcatering.com/
