Makenzi Rockers, Operations Manager at Scratch Gourmet Catering, oversees staffing for a fast-growing, full-service custom catering company serving Kansas City and the broader Midwest. From intimate in-home private chef dinners with an in-house sommelier to 400-person galas and large-scale golf tournaments feeding thousands, Scratch Gourmet Catering handles a wide range of events with precision and creativity.
As the company expanded, so did the complexity of scheduling, coordinating, and managing staff. Makenzi knew the team needed a more structured system to support continued growth while maintaining the high-touch service Scratch is known for.
Transforming Staffing for a Custom, High-Touch Catering Business
Scratch Gourmet Catering prides itself on doing things differently. The team cooks on site at nearly every event, bringing mobile kitchens, flat tops, fryers, and ovens to deliver restaurant-quality food fresh to guests. They also specialize in highly customized menus, with roughly 60 percent of events built from scratch to match client vision.
That level of customization requires clear communication and strong organization behind the scenes. Before implementing Nowsta, scheduling was handled through a free sign-up app that quickly became chaotic as the business scaled.
“I would post events and people would sign up, but it didn’t mean they were the best fit,” Makenzi explained. “There were no reminders, no detailed event information, and no real structure.”
In addition to managing sign-ups manually, Makenzi was responsible for:
- Sending repeated group texts with event details
- Answering the same questions multiple times
- Tracking staff time through individual text messages
- Maintaining large spreadsheets for payroll accuracy
The manual workload was significant and time-consuming, especially during busy event weeks.
The Nowsta Solution: Organization, Automation, and Clarity
After previously using Nowsta as a worker at another job, Makenzi knew firsthand how effective the platform could be. Implementing it at Scratch Gourmet Catering immediately created structure and efficiency.
Centralized Event Details and Communication
Nowsta allowed Makenzi to input all relevant information directly into each event, including:
- Exact location and parking instructions
- Uniform requirements
- Event type and expectations
- Shift times and roles
Instead of sending multiple group messages before every event, staff now receive automated notifications and can access all details directly within the app.
“I can put exactly where it is, the parking information, the uniform, what kind of event it is. It’s all right there,” she said. “It’s significantly easier for my staff.”
Automated Time Tracking and Reduced Administrative Work
One of the most immediate wins was eliminating manual time card tracking. Previously, staff would text their clock-in and clock-out times, leaving room for confusion and extra reconciliation work.
With Nowsta’s clock-in and clock-out feature:
- Staff log their hours directly in the app
- Makenzi no longer chases down time cards
- Payroll preparation is cleaner and faster
- Event-week text volume has dropped dramatically
“I don’t get a thousand text messages anymore,” she shared. “That alone has been really nice.”
Improved Staff Experience and Engagement
The team quickly adapted to the platform and responded positively.
Staff members appreciate:
- Setting their availability directly in the app
- Accepting or declining shifts without long back-and-forth conversations
- Receiving automatic reminders for upcoming events
- Seeing new shifts posted in real time
“They love that it’s an app and that it’s easy to use,” Makenzi said. “They don’t feel like they even have to text me as much anymore.”
By reducing repetitive communication and simplifying scheduling, Nowsta has improved both operational efficiency and staff satisfaction.
Measurable Impact on Operations
Since implementing Nowsta, Scratch Gourmet Catering has experienced:
- Dramatically reduced manual scheduling work
- Fewer repetitive staff questions
- Automated and accurate time tracking
- Improved event communication
- Increased internal organization
The platform has allowed Makenzi to focus more on delivering exceptional events and less on administrative logistics.
A Strong Endorsement for Growing Teams
When asked what she would tell other organizations considering Nowsta, Makenzi was direct.
“At first, I thought it was a big monthly cost. But it is worth the price. From someone who was using a free system, just pay for Nowsta. It’s worth it on the administration side and it’s worth it on the worker side.”
Her recommendation is clear for any organization managing recurring staff schedules.
“If you’re scheduling staff multiple times a week, just get it. It’s 100 percent worth it.”
With Nowsta supporting its staffing infrastructure, Scratch Gourmet Catering is positioned to continue expanding its hospitality footprint across Kansas City and beyond, while maintaining the flexibility and creativity that define its brand.