Guest Post by Paul Fairhead, Chief Executive Officer, Guckenheimer (part of the ISS family)

Before employees even set foot in the office, their minds are already on what’s for lunch — a small detail with a big impact on how they feel about their workday. This natural focus on food makes chef-crafted meals a secret ingredient in encouraging employees to embrace your workplace strategy, whether it’s fully in-person or a flexible, hybrid approach.

As businesses continue to navigate the shift to hybrid work, data shows employees aren’t exactly eager to show up on days when they have freedom to work elsewhere. According to Grace Hill’s Kingsley surveys, optional office attendance dropped by 3% from 2023 to 2024. Meanwhile, many companies are seeing attendance peak midweek only to dip on Mondays and Fridays.

All this begs the question: how can elevating the in-office experience inspire employees to make the trip more often?

One answer: it’s all about taste. Grace Hill’s survey found that seven out of the top 25 most-requested amenities were in fact food-related. Creative food planning can foster FOMO on shoulder days, driving in-person engagement without increasing costs compared to the rest of the week.

Thoughtful food planning can do even more than fill plates (and seats). It can bring workplace experience roaring to life with creative activation. For example, imagine an aromatic Pho, the Vietnamese soup, is being served today. In addition to providing something unique and delicious to eat, this dish can be an opportunity to bring people together when you also offer a chef-led class complete with handy, digital recipe cards.  

Regardless of the menu du jour, the reality is that transformative food programs create opportunities for people to refuel, recharge and enjoy work as whole humans — the ultimate key to a flourishing workplace.

Food = care, or the role of food in whole-person health

Research shows that most employees aren’t thriving in the workforce — they’re stressed, burned out, and don’t feel employers play an active role in supporting them. Gallup polls found that 44% report daily stress, 30% experience regular burnout, and only 24% feel their organization prioritizes well-being.

The good news: many companies are turning the tide with thoughtful food offerings that tap into the power of connection. Food builds rapport breaks down barriers, and creates a sense of belonging. It isn’t just fuel, after all — it’s a love language that supports the whole human. This begins with physical well-being in the form of nutritious, plant-rich meals, and extends to mental and emotional wellness, reducing stress and fostering resilience.

Socially, good food creates moments for community and can span into financial well-being when offered at reasonable prices. Environmentally friendly food programs also give employees more reason to take pride in their work.

Five strategies for building a food program that excites and engages employees

By providing innovative culinary solutions through flexible food programs, your company can fuel their connection to work. This calls for food-obsessed teams to step beyond traditional cafeterias and develop unique menus that embrace the seasons, honor the environment, and celebrate community.

Looking for inspiration? Here are five ways to do just that:

1. Design functional-foods menu planning: Make dishes intentionally crafted to support mood, energy and focus. How so? Many plant-forward, nutrition-centered dishes deliver particular benefits. For mood, for example, you might sample indulgent (vegan) avocado chocolate mousse, rich in “feel-good” hormones like serotonin and dopamine from the cacao, while avocado brings stress-reducing Vitamin B and mood-regulating magnesium. Or, spark employee energy with cinnamon apple energy bites, loaded with fiber and protein from flaxseeds and chia seeds. For focus, try a refreshing beet smoothie to help with blood flow to the brain (thank you, nitrate).
2. Make it social: Offer opportunities for shared learning and connection through cooking demonstrations, lunch-and-learn workshops, communal dining pop-up events, and meditation and movement sessions. Unique experiences like these add joy and novelty to the workday, a potent blend for return-to-office purposes, while sparking curiosity about healthier choices and strengthening workplace relationships.
3. Prioritize sustainability: Implementing waste-reduction programs and sourcing locally are just some ways to show your teams your company is committed to environmental responsibility — a good thing, considering research shows most employees, including a lion’s share of 96% of Millennial and Gen Z workers, want their company to do more about sustainability. ISS is proud that in 2024, our Guckenheimer brand became the first major U.S. food services provider to cut food waste by more than half.
4. Celebrate your community: Partner with local farmers, artisans and restaurants to showcase regional specialties, local favorites and culturally timely staples. Tailoring food strategy to your community helps create a more authentic experience for employees, part of the key to enticing them to show up on a Friday.
5. Engage beyond the menu: Great food shouldn’t just be eaten — it should be marketed, too. A well-rounded content strategy begins with creative signage that promotes mindful eating. Keep employees engaged with regular wellness-themed content, like online newsletters complete with crowd-pleasing recipes and photos or videos from food events.

Get a competitive edge with food that cuts above the rest

Chef-driven food programs deliver invaluable business benefits: improved morale, stronger team connections, and ultimately, motivation for people to show up each day. Like they say, if you want people to come to the office, you’d better give them a reason to stay.

The future of workplace engagement is about more than healthy snacks — it’s about supporting the whole human experience. By harnessing the true power of food, you can help foster a culture where everyone is eager to show up, both at the table and at work.

Banner image courtesy of Judd Demaline