In today’s fast-paced work culture, food delivery giants like Uber Eats and DoorDash have become the go-to for busy employees. According to Statista, the U.S. online food delivery segment is expected to reach $33.7 billion in revenue in 2024, with corporate workers among the top users.

But for companies invested in maintaining vibrant in-house dining environments, there is a growing opportunity to reclaim the lunch hour. With digital ordering and modern payment solutions like badge pay, corporate cafeterias can not only stay relevant but also become the preferred choice for employees.

By leveraging your cafeteria’s digital edge—including mobile ordering and badge pay—your corporate dining program can deliver a faster, fresher, and more convenient experience than third-party apps like Uber Eats and DoorDash, encouraging employees to stay on-site for meals.

The Challenge: Competing with the Convenience of Food Delivery Apps

Food delivery apps offer convenience, variety, and personalization. Employees can browse menus, place orders, and pay in seconds. For corporate dining to compete, it must match or exceed this ease-of-use while leveraging the inherent advantages of an on-site food program: speed, cost savings, and community.

The Solution: Digital Ordering Systems for Corporate Cafeterias

Digital ordering platforms tailored for workplace cafeterias offer the same convenience as delivery apps but with significant perks:

• Pre-ordering and Scheduled Pickups: Employees can order meals ahead of time and pick them up without waiting in line.
• Personalized Menus: Algorithms can recommend meals based on dietary preferences or past orders.
• Real-time Updates: Notifications for order readiness or daily specials keep employees engaged.
• Mobile and Desktop Access: Accessibility across devices ensures ease-of-use whether you’re at your desk or on-the-go.

Seamless Payments with Badge Pay

Integrating badge pay into the ordering system simplifies transactions. Employees can pay with their company badge, linking directly to payroll deduction or a pre-funded account. This frictionless experience removes the need for credit cards or cash and speeds up checkout.

Promoting In-House Dining Options

To compete with off-site delivery, companies must actively promote their cafeteria offerings:

• Highlight Freshness and Speed: Emphasize faster fulfillment and fresher meals compared to delivery.
• Offer Exclusive Perks: Loyalty points, discounts, or surprise upgrades for digital orders.
• Feature Local and Healthy Options: Showcase ingredients and nutritional benefits to attract health-conscious employees.
• Gamify Engagement: Reward frequent diners and run cafeteria challenges or themed weeks.

A survey by Technomic found that 64% of employees prefer having healthy food options available at work, and 71% said convenience was key to choosing workplace dining over delivery

The Bigger Picture: Boosting Culture and Reducing Costs

Encouraging in-house dining can foster team bonding, reduce food delivery fees reimbursed by employers, and support sustainability goals through reduced packaging waste and emissions.

Conclusion: A Win-Win for Employees and Employers

With the right digital tools, corporate cafeterias can offer a modern, convenient, and cost-effective alternative to food delivery apps. By enabling digital ordering and badge pay, employers not only enhance the dining experience but also keep food dollars within the organization. It’s time to bring employees back to the cafeteria table.

Volanté’s in-house digital ordering tool is called Volanté Eats, and find itself in app or web-based form. Learn more about Volanté Eats here.