To paraphrase an old saying, the way to their hearts is through their stomachs. In this case, we’re talking about your team and their tummies.
As employers work on their “return to the office” initiatives, many in the NYC and NJ area are finding that office catering is one (delicious) way to provide a satisfying team perk to attract and retain employees.
What is office catering?
Office catering takes on various iterations. At Corporate Essentials, office catering means providing delicious, freshly prepared meals to teams throughout NYC, Manhattan, and New Jersey.
In general, we are talking about catering lunch or breakfast on demand for a team meeting or training session, a regularly scheduled workplace meal as an employee benefit, or providing fresh meals as a reward for jobs well done. In short, we bring the food to your NYC metro location for your employees to enjoy.
Office catering can be individually wrapped meals, sandwiches or salads, a buffet setup, or platters plus side dishes and beverages.
How office catering benefits employees
Ah – let us count the ways!
1 – Employees enjoy a nutritious, delicious meal that supports their physical well-being and enhances their productivity and engagement. According to the World Health Organization, proper nutrition can improve productivity by about 20%.
2 – They save money and time – there’s no need to spend money at the local deli or coffee shop, get takeout, or bring lunch from home when a free catered meal is provided, nor do they have to leave just to get something to eat when workplace meals are on site.
3 – Opportunities for socializing and camaraderie over a communal meal, which can promote stronger team relationships and boost morale (try doing that over a spreadsheet at a desk).
4 – Workplace satisfaction guaranteed! Employees are happier when they get food at work. Who doesn’t appreciate being appreciated with food that says, “We care about you?”
How office catering benefits employers
Investing in office catering shows you are creating an employee-centric workplace (and a positive workplace culture), which pays benefits to employers in several ways. Here’s some food for thought from ezcater.com as you consider office catering to ease employees back to your NYC or NJ location:
- 93% of leaders say that more employees show up to the office on days when free food is provided.
- 81% of leaders agree that offering free meals and snacks to employees is the best way to incentivize attendance.
- 70% of employees indicated that free meals made them more likely to return to onsite work.
- 29% of employees say they enjoy their work more if their employer offers free lunch.
Additionally, 67% of employees are happier when there’s food at work, and companies that have the highest employee engagement are 22% more profitable. (fooda.com)
Among the benefits of providing office catering to employers include:
1 – Better team performance – the break away from their desks and fueling up over a good meal will do that!
2 – A higher level of employee satisfaction – providing workplace meals makes for happier employees who feel valued and are more engaged with each other and your business.
3 – Fuels a positive company culture – a catered meal gives your team something fun to look forward to and brightens up any work or training session. (And think of the great social media posts about your team enjoying a catered lunch together, and the positive word of mouth this office perk generates).
4 – A talent magnet – office catering gives you a competitive advantage over other NYC or NJ companies that don’t offer workplace meals. If a candidate is deciding between two companies and jobs that are similar, and one provides meals and the other doesn’t, which do you think they’ll choose? In fact, an ezCater study showed that employees are 64% more likely to consider a new employer if free meals are offered.
NY/NJ office catering from Corporate Essentials
Corporate Essentials caters meals to businesses throughout the NY/NJ area, enabling companies to elevate their office catering options. No more boring working lunches with soggy sandwiches and wilted salads. With our workplace catering, you’ll order meals from eclectic menus that feature globally inspired cuisine prepared with fresh, seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
We can customize your catering menu to include team favorites, and we accommodate many dietary preferences and needs such as gluten-free and vegetarian. You can choose from individually wrapped plated lunches or a buffet, and order meals for a team meeting as needed or on a regularly scheduled basis as an enticing employee perk.
Aside from mouthwatering variety and quality, you’ll always be assured of the highest level of safety in food handling, from our prep kitchen to your office.
Elevate your office catering with Corporate Essentials
Treat your team and clients to something special with office catering from Corporate Essentials. Contact us to see our innovative menus and to discuss your catering needs. We’re eager to create something special for your team!
