Is providing employee meals worth it? A comparison of " FELFEL " versus no meal plan at all
Is employee meal service worth it if there’s no cafeteria at work? Offering meals at the workplace saves your team the trip and waiting time during breaks and shows that the employer cares. With FELFEL , you don’t need a kitchen or on-site staff. The FELFEL refrigerator takes up just one square meter, is accessible around the clock, and requires no cash or administrative effort. New menus are available every week.
In our article on employee meals. This article addresses a practical question: What changes in everyday life when a company offers employee meals, and what happens when it doesn’t?
Lunch break at the office: With the FELFEL refrigerator, the team eats together instead of going out.
A lunch without a special, a lunch with a special FELFEL
Imagine a typical Thursday. With no food available at work, some team members bring lunch from home. Others head to the nearest restaurant, wait in line, and return with barely any break time left. Those working the late shift sometimes can’t find anything at all.
With FELFEL , the team goes to the fridge at home, selects a meal, and pays without cash. There’s no line and no trip out. The food is fresh, never frozen, and prepared on-site in Switzerland by partner chefs. FELFEL is a Swiss family-owned business that works with local family-run farms.
Comparison at a Glance
| Criterion | With the " FELFEL " Refrigerator | No food service available |
|---|---|---|
| Dining In | Fresh meals anytime, new menus every week | Bring it yourself or pick it up from somewhere else |
| Break | No path, no line | Travel time and waiting time |
| Location with no restaurants nearby | Dining right in the building, regardless of location | Eating out is hardly possible or takes a lot of time |
| Shift Work and Night Work | Available 24/7 | Often, there are no open offers at night |
| Payment | Cashless | Depending on the restaurant |
| Costs for Employers | No on-site operations or billing | No effort, but no offer either |
| Employer Brand | A Visible Offer for Your Team | No additional incentive |
| Place | One square meter | No space required |
| Team Culture | A group break indoors, a space for interaction | The team eats separately or on their own |
| Efficiency | Employees stay on-site; short distances | Trips outside and waiting time count toward the break |
New menus from our partner chefs every week, available 24/7 in the FELFEL fridge.
Is providing employee meals worth it for the employer?
That depends on what you want to achieve. Here are five reasons to make an in-house offer:
Appreciationthat’s visible. An offer that’s available every day is a tangible sign of appreciation for the team.
One reason to choose your employer brand. When speaking with applicants, you can demonstrate workplace dining options rather than just describing them.
Little effort. You provide the space. We’ll take care of the product selection and operations.
A office culturethat brings people together. When teams eat together, conversations arise across departments and shifts. A refrigerator in the office gives your team a place and a reason to do just that.
More Efficiency in your daily work routine. Your employees don’t have to leave the building for their break. They save time on the trip and waiting, and are back at work faster.
When an offer is particularly appropriate
Locations without their own cafeteria. Where there’s no kitchen, space, or staff, FELFEL needs just one square meter and no on-site staff.
Remote Locations. If your business is located on the outskirts of town, in an industrial park, or away from the city center, there’s often no alternative nearby for your lunch break. With the FELFEL refrigerator on-site, your food is always within reach—no car and no long break required.
Shift Work and Night Work. Those who work at different times receive the same benefits as day shift workers, even at night.
Multiple Locations. Multiple locations, different times: The offer is the same everywhere. FELFEL is available at approximately 1,000 locations throughout Switzerland.
About FELFEL
FELFEL is the alternative to the cafeteria: Since 2013, this Swiss family-owned company has been delivering freshly prepared meals from local partner chefs to workplaces. Over 1,000 companies rely on FELFEL.
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Try it out for yourself, and talk to us about how FELFEL works in your workplace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is providing employee meals a worthwhile investment for companies?
Offering on-site dining saves the team travel time and waiting time and shows appreciation. For the employer, it’s a tangible selling point for the employer brand. Teams eat together, and employees stay on-site for their breaks. The effort involved depends on the model. With FELFEL , it’s minimal: one square meter, no on-site staff.
How do I provide meals for employees without a cafeteria?
With a refrigerator like the one at FELFEL. It takes up one square meter, requires no on-site staff, is accessible around the clock, and offers new menus every week. This is true even if there are no restaurants in the area.
How do I organize meals for the night shift?
The FELFEL refrigerator is accessible 24/7. You can get fresh meals even at night—no staff and no cash required.
As an employer, what do I need to arrange?
We'll take care of finding a spot for the refrigerator, as well as the selection and operation.
Are employees required to pay with cash?
No. FELFEL doesn't require cash.
How can I try out FELFEL ?
With a free sample meal. We'll show you on-site what it could look like at your place.