The pandemic has changed the world of work.

Despite declining incidences, many employees still work from home - especially since they also save travel costs and time in view of the high fuel prices.

This is a problem for companies that offer company catering.

The caterer Aramark reacts to this situation with various innovations in its canteen offer.

Patricia Andreae

Editor in the Rhein-Main-Zeitung.

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"Eat & Meet" is the name of the concept, which is based on the fact that after two years with a lot of home office and few encounters, many employees long for social exchange at work, but at the same time want flexible working options in the future.

The classic canteen, which offers various warm meals in the company building at lunchtime, is often no longer up to date for these needs, according to the analysis of the caterer based in Neu-Isenburg, who catered to an average of 250,000 guests a day before the Corona crisis.

40 percent fewer guests in the service sector

During the pandemic, the number of guests fell sharply, the company announced on request.

There are differences depending on the industry and region.

"In companies with production operations, for example, the decline was smaller, but for customers from the service sector, company restaurants were also completely closed for a time due to the home office obligation," reports Dirk Geyer, Marketing Director of Aramark.

Given the different regulations, the situation would have varied from state to state.

Aramark doesn't believe that things will go back to the way they were before Corona.

"We estimate that many of our customers will permanently implement a home office rule," says Geyer.

“We currently expect that two days of home office a week will become a normal pattern for many customers for office work.

You want to take this into account with the new concept.

It can be implemented at both existing and new locations.

The canteen of the future would consist of several zones.

The catering area, which is also intended to serve as a place for employee meetings, a lounge for relaxed exchange and a workspace then merged.

"We have been working flat out on a concept that is based on the wishes of the employees," says Jürgen Vogl, CEO of Aramark.

Anyone who only comes to the office once or twice a week should then be able to look forward to interacting with colleagues, flexible working and a gastronomic offer with the kitchen open all day.

A "feel-good atmosphere" is aimed for

They work together with well-known manufacturers of design furniture for the furnishings, it is said.

Smart lighting design and a coordinated acoustic concept should also ensure a "feel-good atmosphere" - in addition to trained service personnel.

It should be possible to work in the company restaurant with various counters and different seating areas as well as in the workspace, which offers space for co-working.

Separate boxes are available for telephone calls or more confidential discussions.

According to Aramark, longer opening hours for an extensive breakfast, live cooking at lunchtime and snacks are guaranteed.

The focus is on healthy and tasty cuisine, which is also available in the afternoon.

There will also be take away offers.

Orders are made via a separate app, which can also be used to pay.

With additional offers such as cooking courses and kitchen parties, the caterer, who claims to be the second largest service provider of this type in Germany with 6,000 employees and 500 customers, also wants to promote the sense of community in the customer companies.

Events can strengthen team spirit, especially if not all employees are on site every day.