The way we eat lunch at work has changed dramatically in recent years. Pre-pandemic, we relied heavily on traditional caterers to provide in-house cafes, restaurants and dining rooms. Then, as we hurtled into a global pandemic, we realised that this traditional formula just wouldn’t cut it for all businesses because not all were returning five days a week, and tastes had changed.
A switch needed to happen. In came the on-demand food platforms to send orders directly to the office or at home as and when needed, and have since continued to help businesses serve their employee needs.
Food platforms have plugged the gaps traditional catering couldn’t reach, though traditional catering still keeps a service going for those who rely on regular mealtimes and social occasions.
Therefore, it would be reductive to pit them against each other - and both methods of catering should now be viewed as symbiotic, providing a 360-degree solution to eating at work. In order to ensure both catering approaches combine successfully, you can follow the below steps:
Play to supply partners’ strengths
Matching your business to the type of catering required is essential. For example, caterers are exceptional at creating ‘in-person’ experiences through food and service. If it’s an office party you’re after, or creating a real sense of community and routine, this is a strong route to take.
Delivery platforms, on the other hand, are logistic experts, specialising in getting food to people from their choice of restaurant in an efficient manner. If it’s a quick business lunch where many people are coming from different locations, perhaps allowing them to choose what they order and offering them a lunch allowance (through services like Just Eat Pay) are favourable.
Collaboration is key
It’s still possible to get the best of both worlds. At Just Eat for Business, we work with a contract caterer where clients enjoy breakfast, coffee and hospitality services prepared on-site and flexible delivered-in food at lunch daily. This gives the client a dedicated onsite team, as well as all the benefits that come with it and the ability to offer their team a range of 600-plus restaurants delivered to the office every lunchtime.
The best of both worlds
Establishing a relationship between traditional catering and food delivery platforms ensures that employers are able to continue rewarding their team with food, whether that be in-office or remotely for their hybrid workforce. Collaboration between teams and the two types of office food is the key to giving employees the best of both worlds, creating a solution that covers all bases, flexible or traditional. Forming a symbiotic relationship between the partners delivers maximum value to the employee experience.
If we’ve learned anything from recent years, it’s that we need to be ready to adapt at the flick of a switch. It’s time to embrace new ways of looking at foodservice. At Just Eat for Business, we’re always searching to work with caterers who focus on innovation and creative problem-solving because they emphasise the ability to adjust, adapt and work successfully. It’s this adaptability we need to work on when thinking of what’s best for business when it comes to the office lunch.