NJ Corporate catering service may be among the most valued perks for modern-day employees. Seventy-five percent of employees who have access to meals and snacks at work are “happy” or “very happy” with their employer, according to data cited by AllWork. Sixty percent of talent consider complimentary food offerings to be among the top three possible perks they can receive from an employer.
In 2018, the state of employee engagement is among the greatest risks employers must face. Recent studies reveal that disengaged workers could cost organizations as much as $550 billion annually, and up to 70 percent of the U.S. workforce is actively disengaged. With 40,000 unfilled job openings statewide and a shortage of qualified applicants, New Jersey is suffering from the talent crunch. Organizations that are wise consider offering perks to their employees in return for dividends in employee morale and engagement. A great way to do this is through NJ corporate catering.
NJ Corporate Catering: 6 Things to Know
1. Corporate Catering Isn’t Just for Events
Forget everything you think you know about NJ corporate catering. As the popularity of food-based perks increases among employers, catering services are becoming more flexible and offering more variety than ever before.
“Corporate catering” simply refers to any type of event in which a catering service is provided, whether it be in a corporate office or during a work-related event. Increasingly, organizations are relying on catering for:
- Daily or weekly meal service
- Breakroom refreshments
- Formal and informal office parties
- Breaks during meetings
- Entertaining clients
Organizations worldwide are embracing new and innovative uses for corporate catering services to reap the benefits of shared food in the workplace. LinkedIn, Airbnb and Eventbrite are three companies with a weekly catering “delivery day”.
2. Some Caterers Offer Full, Boutique Services
NJ corporate catering providers offer much more than the delivery or pick-up food you may be expecting. Leading providers can act as a full-service boutique agency for corporate events, providing support through venue assistance and negotiation. These providers can also supply equipment, decor and event branding. Additional services offered by some NJ catering providers can include photo shoots and staffing for large, full-service wait staff events.
3. Catering Can Be Innovative
When it comes to catering for both events and daily lunch service, leading providers are raising the bar for fresh and creative cuisine. A recent brief by Bonnie Fedchock of the National Association for Catering and Events acknowledged that “Caterers [are] becoming more creative as customers look for unique and personalized foods and events.”
Some of the hottest trends in nationwide and NJ corporate catering include:
- Fresh, seasonal and vegetable-centric dishes for vegans and meat-eaters alike
- Classic comfort foods revamped as modern finger foods
- Street food and food truck-inspired fare
- Elegant and artful arrangements of locally-sourced, sustainable cuisine
- Brunch foods recast as appetizers and main courses
- Fun, option-filled dessert displays filled with decadent sweets
4. Food Can Be an Important Branding Tool
Food is more than just sustenance. It’s an opportunity to communicate brand values like health, sustainability, corporate social responsibility and wellness. These concepts matter to millennials, who are a health-conscious and values-driven generation. 92.1 percent of millennials feel that it’s important to work for a socially responsible employer.
Utilizing a corporate catering service is an opportunity to nurture community and employee-practiced values by choosing healthy fare, locally-sourced ingredients and prioritizing organic foods. These options combined with break room design can foster community by creating space for employees to relax, recharge and socialize with colleagues. A catering service provides an opportunity for employees to be fed. At the same time, it’s a way for NJ organizations to communicate that they care about their staff.
5. Corporate Catering May Carry an ROI
Feeding employees daily or weekly is a cost that must be taken into consideration. However, it may provide returns on investment for employers. Frank Han estimates the return-on-investment of corporate catering and other food perks could be as high as 150 percent. It’s a bold statement, but perhaps not so far-fetched when you consider that corporate wellness initiatives can yield returns of up to 300 percent.
NJ corporate catering services can save employers money in surprising ways, including:
- Better employee health and wellness through wholesome food options
- Supporting team collaboration and interpersonal relationships
- Improving employee morale and engagement
- Assisting in recruitment and retention efforts
6. NJ Corporate Catering Service Can Be Flexible
Regardless of whether you’re considering catering service for regular employee lunches or a significant corporate event, there should be no such thing as one-size-fits-all catering service. Catering options have evolved significantly beyond yesterday’s boxed lunches and rigid, fixed menus.
Today’s caterers are capable of accommodating a wide range of dietary needs, palates and budgets. They can act as full-service event support for finding venues, rentals and hiring event staff. Food in the workplace is no longer a rare perk. A recent SHRM data indicates that more than one in three employers offer some kind of complimentary food service on a regular basis. As demand for catering service in NJ has increased, the best providers have adapted to meet employers’ varied needs.
Investing in NJ Corporate Catering
As NJ employers face a tough talent market in addition to the nationwide engagement crisis, corporate catering services could be the solution. This offering has been shown to improve employee morale, wellness and workplace collaboration. With flexible and varied options for providing daily lunch service and exceptional event catering, today’s corporate food service options are more innovative and exciting than ever before.
Corporate Essentials has been a leading provider of corporate refreshments in New York and New Jersey since 1996. With the acquisition of Martin + Fitch, Corporate Essentials is now offering a full range of corporate catering services, from daily lunch service to full-service boutique event planning. Martin + Fitch’s chefs and dieticians are out to “disrupt food service in the workplace” with locally-sourced ingredients and thoughtfully-curated menu selections featuring recipes from award-winning chefs.
