From TGI Fridays to Feeding Thousands: Caitlynn's Catering Journey
Copeland's Restaurant might be familiar to many in Louisiana, but few know about their extensive catering capabilities that are transforming events across Shreveport. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Caitlynn Traylor, Catering Banquet Sales Manager at Copeland's, who shared insights about their newly acquired caterer liquor license and the impressive scope of services they offer.
This new license is a game-changer for Copeland's catering division, allowing them to serve both food and liquor at off-site events regardless of whether the venue has its own license. The flexibility this provides is extraordinary, enabling them to handle everything from intimate office gatherings of 10 people to massive corporate events like the Thanksgiving celebration they catered for Amazon last year with over 2,000 attendees. This range demonstrates their remarkable versatility and logistical capabilities in the catering space.
What many locals might not realize is that Copeland's has deep Louisiana roots despite having multiple locations. Founded over 40 years ago by Al Copeland Senior and now run by Al Copeland Junior, the restaurant remains family-owned and operated with only seven locations throughout Louisiana. This local connection sometimes gets overlooked as people may mistakenly categorize Copeland's as a typical restaurant chain rather than the Louisiana institution it truly is. Caitlynn sees educating the community about this heritage as an important part of her role.
Caitlynn brings impressive credentials to her position, having worked in the food service industry for over 15 years. Her career path includes substantial experience at TGI Fridays, where she worked her way up to management, and bartending at Chicago's in downtown Shreveport. Her tenure at Copeland's now stretches to eight years, providing her with deep institutional knowledge and expertise. She works closely with local business partners including The Squire Group for various community events, emphasizing the importance of local business connections and collaborations.
What stands out about Caitlynn's approach to catering is her commitment to exceptional service regardless of event size. She emphasizes that whether handling a small birthday gathering or a 200-person wedding, every client receives the same meticulous attention to detail. This consistency, combined with timeliness, professionalism, and of course, delicious food and drinks, has made Copeland's a trusted catering partner for everything from corporate functions to bridal showers and graduation celebrations.
The underlying message throughout my conversation with Caitlynn was her passion for using food and drink to bring the Shreveport community together. At a recent event featuring poetry, live music, and a DJ, she observed how these gatherings create much-needed camaraderie. Her hope is that more residents will participate in these community celebrations, supporting local businesses while connecting with their neighbors. This vision of using culinary experiences to strengthen community bonds reflects the deeper purpose behind Copeland's catering services—it's not just about feeding people, but about creating meaningful shared experiences that enrich the fabric of Shreveport society.
Kimberly S.
Business Coach, CEO, Author, Fashion Designer, Influencer
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