Workplace training sessions are crucial for keeping employees’ skills up to date, and while they can be enriching (and even entertaining), not all employees look forward to them. Maybe they’ve sat through long, compliance refreshers too many times at previous jobs, or maybe they’re shy and new hire orientations remind them of awkward first days at school. Whatever the case, half-empty rooms and disengaged audiences aren’t an uncommon sight.
That’s bad news for business leaders. After all, trainings are an opportunity for workers to expand their knowledge and build skills. And for companies, they’re essential for employee development, onboarding, and uplifting morale.
The good news is that free food could turn things around. From boosting attendance to keeping employees engaged and beyond, catered meals can make trainings more productive (and successful).
How catered meals cater to better workplace training
Employees consistently rank free lunches as their top work perk, so why not provide nourishment at company-wide workplace trainings, too? Some employers are doing just that. Let’s dig into the facts and explore the benefits of feeding trainees.
Increase attendance
Nothing brings employees into the office like delicious food. Warm pastries, refreshing açaí bowls, a build-your-own taco bar — you name it. Knowing there is a satisfying meal awaiting them is often enough to earn the commute. Employers have taken notice: 88% of business leaders who invest in workplace meal solutions say attendance increases by at least 50% when food is served, according to the latest ezCater data.
Keep employees engaged
Once trainees arrive, how do you keep them engaged? While many employees come into trainings with an open mind willing to learn, some may not feel thrilled about attending. They may see compliance sessions as more of a chore instead of an opportunity for professional development, for example. As a result, they may not take the training seriously and walk away without learning much
Of course, that’s a scenario business leaders want to avoid. Fortunately, catered meals can earn companies goodwill, as nearly 90% of surveyed employees say that free food makes them feel more positively about their company. And when trainees are in a good mood, they’re also more engaged and productive.
Break the ice
Food is also an easy conversation starter, and it can be an effective tool for breaking the ice between trainees. During new hire training, especially, sharing a meal with colleagues helps new employees feel more at ease. It also encourages them to socialize with coworkers, strengthening their connection to the workplace. Everyone benefits when employees bond, including businesses: according to one Cornell study, teams who eat together work better together.
Improve focus
Beyond making workplace training sessions more social and engaging, catered meals also enhance their effectiveness. That’s because hunger can have some pretty significant impacts on the brain, minimizing attention spans and making it difficult to switch between different tasks. And as ezCater research has shown, employers shouldn’t assume their workforce is getting the nutrition it needs for breakfast or lunch.
To avoid the pitfalls of rumbling stomachs during trainings, employers can provide a wholesome meal for workers to enjoy. Even something as simple as a coffee bar and fresh fruit may be enough to improve concentration and performance, allowing employees to engage with the training session and fully absorb the information they’re learning.
3 tips for crowd-pleasing workplace training catering
Catered meals bring clear value to workplace training sessions. What isn’t so obvious is how to handle the logistics. How can modern companies incorporate food into training sessions without overburdening admin professionals with complex requests? It’s possible. Consider these three best practices for serving catered meals during training sessions.
1. Order individually packaged trainee meals
Individually-packaged meals are the latest trend nationwide — and they’re here to stay. It’s easy to see why. For starters, employees get the variety they crave. Instead of everyone eating the same dish (and likely not feeling satisfied with what’s on the menu), trainees can choose exactly what they want to eat. That’s something 71% of employees say they prefer, and it’s possible thanks to ezCater’s Group Ordering feature.
Admin professionals are happy with individually packaged meals, too. Because they come labeled with each employee’s name, they’re easy to serve. No need to bother with tray warmers and stacks of plates, thank you very much.
2. Source brain-healthy foods
Trainees are what they eat, so consider serving something healthy. A nourishing meal rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants can help trainees focus, think clearly, and feel energized.
Finding brain-healthy food options doesn’t have to be a time-consuming task. Instead of spending hours reading menus and customer reviews online, ordering professionals can use ezCater’s “Healthy” filter to quickly find local restaurants serving wholesome meals.
For morning training sessions, for example, food ordering professionals could choose Greek yogurt parfaits, savory avocado toast, or açaí bowls. For a lunch and learn, they could opt for soups, whole-grain wraps, and leafy green salads.
3. Streamline workplace training meals across different locations
No matter if your company hosts training sessions in two locations or 12, offering the same (or similar) meals in each office is a good idea. Maintaining a consistent menu across locations ensures each trainee feels the same level of appreciation.
For example, companies could make pizza parties the standard for new hire trainings. It’s a popular pick with employees and it makes food orderers’ lives easier. Instead of spending valuable time curating unique menus, they can place multiple orders — each with a different delivery address — with a restaurant chain. ezCater makes things even simpler by allowing users to view past orders, reorder crowd-favorite meals, and schedule deliveries with just a few clicks.
Better workplace training sessions start with catered meals
Serving a satisfying meal at trainings is a win-win for everyone. Employees feel supported and energized, while employers reap the perks of a more engaged workplace. Whether you’re looking to transform new hire training into team-building events or turn company-wide workshops into highly-anticipated occasions, ezCater can help. Explore ezCater’s corporate solutions to start fueling trainees for success.
