A company cafeteria requires a kitchen, staff, and fixed operating hours. The employer covers most of the costs. For businesses without kitchen space, the FELFEL refrigerator (Smart Fridge) is an alternative: It requires about 1 m² of space and a power outlet, and food is available around the clock. Here you’ll find the relevant figures from Switzerland and a sample calculation for your business.
How much does lunch cost at the staff cafeteria?
According to a survey by Blick (May 2025), employees at most of the staff restaurants surveyed pay around CHF 10 for a meal. All of the companies surveyed subsidize the prices, at least in part. At Swiss Re, a meal costs CHF 19. The price listed on the tray therefore says little about what the meal actually costs, since the company covers the costs of the kitchen, staff, and subsidies.
| Number | Source | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| About CHF 12 | Swiss Interest Association | Average cost per lunch at an outside restaurant |
| About CHF 10 | Blick, May 2025 | What employees pay at the staff cafeteria. The employer covers the difference. |
| CHF 19 | Blick, May 2025 | Catering at Swiss Re: About 1,600 meals per day at two locations |
| CHF 6 to 7 | Swiss Interest Association | Total cost per meal in a simple company kitchen with 15 employees (ingredients: CHF 2.50 to 4.50) |
What does a company cafeteria need?
Renovation and, depending on the situation, a building permit
Kitchen, Ventilation, and Connections
Kitchen Staff and Scheduling
Purchasing and Inventory
Furnishings and Dining Room
Fixed Hours of Operation
If you work early shifts, late shifts, at night, or on weekends, you won't have access to a cafeteria with set hours. Read more about this in the article " Meals During Shift Work and Night Shifts."
How much does a subsidy cost per year?
Assumptions (excluding " FELFEL" prices): 100 employees, 60% eat one of the meals offered each day, 220 workdays. This amounts to 13,200 meals per year.
CHF 2 subsidy per meal: CHF 26,400 per year
CHF 4 subsidy per meal: CHF 52,800 per year
CHF 6 subsidy per meal: CHF 79,200 per year
If you have your own cafeteria, you’ll need to manage the kitchen, staff, and day-to-day operations. With FELFEL , a subsidy is optional and can be set at your discretion. In addition, there’s a monthly service fee that depends on team size, location, and services.
What are some alternatives to the cafeteria?
The options include catering, delivery services, vending machines, or a staffed refrigerator. You can find a detailed comparison with a table in the article Alternatives to the Company Cafeteria. When comparing, don’t just look at the price per meal, but also consider everything else involved: renovations, staff, hours of operation, and contract duration.
How does the FELFEL refrigerator work?
FELFEL 's refrigerator brings meals prepared by Swiss partner chefs to the workplace. It requires neither a kitchen nor on-site staff nor any investment.
No renovation required: about 1 m² of space and an electrical outlet; installation is free.
Freshly cooked, never frozen: meals from partner chefs and small-scale producers, freshly prepared every weekday.
Plenty of choices: The menus change every week, with 10 new dishes each week—vegetarian, vegan, or with meat.
Around the clock, no advance order required: Employees open the refrigerator using an app or badge and pay automatically—for example, with a credit card, TWINT, or Lunch-Check.
No extra work: FELFEL handles installation, filling, cleaning, maintenance, and recycling.
Trial: The tasting at your workplace or in our showrooms in Zurich and Lausanne is free of charge. This is followed by a six-month trial period.
Companies without their own cafeterias can offer their employees freshly prepared meals without any additional work for HR or office management. Read more about this under " Employee Meals."
What questions should you ask every provider?
How much does the plan cost per month for a team of our size, including all flat-rate fees?
How much space and electricity are needed, and what permits are required?
Who receives meals outside of lunchtime?
How long is the contract?
How are allergens and dietary types labeled?
How do subsidies and Lunch-Check work?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a company cafeteria cost?
That depends on the size, kitchen, staff, and concept. Public figures are available only for certain aspects, such as menu prices or the costs of a small commercial kitchen. Get quotes for your location.
How much does lunch cost at the staff cafeteria?
According to *Blick*, employees at most of the staff restaurants surveyed pay around CHF 10 for a meal, with the companies subsidizing the prices. At Swiss Re, the price is CHF 19.
Is there an alternative to the cafeteria?
Yes, for example, catering, delivery services, or the FELFEL Smart Fridge. The FELFEL refrigerator doesn't require a kitchen or on-site staff—just about 1 m² of space and a power outlet.
At what size does the FELFEL refrigerator become a worthwhile purchase?
The FELFEL refrigerator is typically suitable for employers with 50 or more on-site employees. You can receive a personalized quote for your location.
Where can I see which dishes are currently available?
You can find the current weekly menu at felfel.ch. The menus change every week.
Would you like to try out FELFEL at your workplace?
FELFEL is the alternative to the cafeteria: a Swiss family-owned business that delivers freshly prepared meals from partner chefs and small-scale producers to the workplace via the FELFEL fridge. The meals are available around the clock, with no advance order required and no need for an on-site kitchen. Since 2013, over 1,000 companies throughout Switzerland and Liechtenstein have relied on FELFEL.