How " FELFEL " Brings Regional Flavors to Offices in Switzerland
Published on September 1, 2026, at 6:00 a.m.
French-speaking Switzerland has no shortage of enterprising and passionate individuals ready to reinvent what we eat, driven by a growing demand for more natural and sustainable products. How can these producers reach offices in Switzerland?
That’s wher FELFEL comes in. Founded in 2013 by Emanuel and Daniela Steiner, the company is built on a simple vision: no more mediocre meals at work, no more lunch breaks spent alone in front of a computer. It installs smart refrigerators directly on company premises, which are regularly restocked with fresh meals, snacks, and beverages prepared by partner chefs and artisans throughout Switzerland.
Although FELFEL operates nationwide, it remains firmly rooted in every region where it does business. In French-speaking Switzerland, this means having a team dedicated to the region. With its office in Lausanne, the team is in close contact with local producers who stock the refrigerators, as well as with the businesses where the products are enjoyed every day. This proximity is one of the strengths of its business model.
Regional expertise that finds its way even into the office.
When Regional Flavors Find Their Way into the Office
Behind every product in the fridge, there’s a story. Finding new partners is the job of the Food Scouts. This team travels throughout Switzerland in search of producers, artisans, and chefs who will create the meals, snacks, or beverages of tomorrow. Generally, partnerships arise from an analysis of international food trends, with the goal of offering products that meet consumer expectations—both in terms of taste and nutrition. Sometimes, too, it’s the result of word of mouth or a spontaneous encounter that turns into a shared adventure. In any case, the most important thing is to understand the people behind the product—their expertise and what drives them.
Another feature that sets this model apart is the direct way in which FELFEL connects a terroir to a workplace. The meals are fresh—never frozen—prepared by partner chefs and producers, and travel from their region of origin straight to the fridge FELFEL. The partnership that develops as a result is based on reciprocity. Producers gain new visibility, a stable market, and often the opportunity to develop products tailored to consumers’ specific needs, while FELFEL benefits from the credibility of carefully sourced products rooted in local expertise. This approach is built for the long term. Some partners have been working with FELFEL since day one and have grown alongside the company. As the network expands, a product manufactured in Fribourg may end up in an office in Ticino.
Fondant Genevois is one of those wonderful stories. When Henri was a child, every Wednesday had the same scent: that of the chocolate fondant his mother made in the family kitchen. When he moved to Switzerland, he would always ask visitors to bring him those famous fondants—until the day he decided to make them himself. Together with his father, Richard, he founded a small family business in Geneva, developing recipes using exclusively Swiss ingredients, from Villars chocolate to Bex sea salt. It took just one bite of this dessert—which melts on the tongue—for our Food Scouts to fall in love with it.
Local expertise that spreads throughout Switzerland
This inspiring journey is just one of many, but starting a business as a small producer is rarely without its pitfalls. Whether you’re a market gardener, a chocolatier, or a kombucha brewer, the challenges are similar. The first challenge is making a name for yourself beyond your local area. It’s quite natural to establish yourself in your home region, but expanding your expertise throughout Switzerland is another story. There’s also the question of sales channels. Large-scale retail offers great visibility, but within a framework designed for players on a completely different scale: strict requirements, large volumes, and tight margins. Direct sales give producers more autonomy, but require customers to come to them, which naturally limits their reach.
From regional producers to the refrigerated sections at FELFEL, local expertise travels throughout Switzerland.
The new short-chain models, such as the one offered by FELFEL, fall somewhere in between. They offer small producers greater visibility and a platform to showcase their expertise, while maintaining a direct relationship with the final point of sale. This is where the economic value of the model truly comes into its own.
These partnerships create value that benefits the entire region. According to the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, the local economy “generates added value locally and strengthens regional supply chains.” Money spent with a local producer generates economic benefits, not only for the producer but also for the entire local ecosystem. Supporting local production also ensures fresher products with fewer preservatives, greater diversity, and a direct relationship that promotes traceability and food safety.
"Supporting local production also ensures fresher products and a direct relationship that promotes traceability and food safety."
The benefits extend to businesses as well. Eating well at work has taken on a central role as the quality of life in the office has become increasingly important in employees’ daily lives. Bringing teams together around good food helps strengthen corporate culture through shared experiences. This makes the workday more enjoyable, helps new employees settle in, and turns the office into a place where people enjoy spending time together.
A good meal is also an opportunity to get together, share stories, and build connections in everyday life.
This late summer, FELFEL is organizing its own Tour de Romandie—not by bike, but by showcasing its artisan partners. It’s a way of reminding everyone that behind every product there’s a story, a face, and true craftsmanship. French-speaking Switzerland has great taste, and FELFEL fully intends to share it with the entire country.
Speaking of FELFEL
FELFEL is a Swiss service provider specializing in corporate catering. Its smart fridge is restocked daily with freshly prepared meals, snacks, and beverages and is accessible 24 hours a day. The dishes are prepared in Switzerland by carefully selected partner chefs, with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients and regional partnerships. Today, more than 1,000 Swiss companies rely on FELFEL.