Catering Companies Eager for Office Return

Is anyone as eager for your return to the office as Cindy from HR? Yes—catering companies. As the remote vs. in-person work debate continues to flow through the airwaves (and email threads), caterers are vying for a seat at the table. Quite literally.

Lunchbox Dilemma

When the world hit the pause button in 2020, catering companies saw their client list shrink faster than an ice cream cone in July. Office lunch services, once a staple for many companies, saw declines of over 70% as kitchens across the globe took over the traditional sandwich and salad lunch.

Data from Market Research Club indicates that U.S. business catering revenues plummeted from $6 billion in 2019 to well below half that figure in 2021. This sudden nosedive sent shockwaves through an industry long intertwined with corporate routines.

Luckily, as companies gradually welcome employees back into offices, the catering sector sees a glimmer of hope. While many firms explore hybrid working models, the craving for communal meals is palpable. Catering companies are betting on this nostalgia, ready to spruce up your Monday morn with muffins or make Friday a fiesta with nachos.

Pivot or Perish

With the resurgence of in-office work, the catering industry is in no mood to repeat history. Many companies are finding innovative ways to stay relevant, engaging in partnerships, diversifying menus, and integrating with digital platforms to streamline the ordering process.

Take ezCater for instance, who’s been cooking up digital solutions to accommodate anything from small meetings to major corporate events. They've cultivated a reliable online marketplace connecting businesses with local caterers, significantly broadening service accessibility. Another savvy player in the field, Cater2.me, has upped their game by offering highly customizable options, recognizing that diverse dietary needs are not just a trend but a standard.

Global catering company Sodexo has also adjusted focus by expanding their offerings to include office equipment sanitization and wellness solutions. Talk about multitasking!

So, what's simmering on the future menu? Industry insights suggest a shift to more sustainable, localized sourcing and an increased emphasis on nutrition. Expect plant-based meals to start nudging out the traditional meat-heavy options.

As employees begin to mull over a gradual return to office life, catering companies stand poised to redefine the break room experience, one boxed lunch at a time. With some cheese and a bit of carrots, who says office life can't be appetizing?

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