At ezCater, food is our love language, and treating your team to a free, catered meal (or snack) is a simple yet powerful way to say, “Job well done!” In fact, an ezCater survey found that 67% of workers feel appreciated when their company provides a catered meal. 

So, when you need a thoughtful way to thank your team for their hard work, these eight ideas are sure to please. Whether it’s the official Employee Appreciation Day or just time for a catch-up, few things say “Nice work!” better than a free feast.

1. Plan a DIY taco bar

Sure, everyone loves the zest and spice of Mexican cuisine, but why not make it easier to craft the perfect bite with a DIY taco bar? Decked out with proteins, toppings, and sauces, this appreciation idea gives your team’s get-togethers an inventive culinary twist. 

With the whole office sharing in great cuisine – expect passionate opinions over what makes the best taco – this feast makes your team feel more valued. After all, ezCater’s Food For Work Report revealed that 52% of employees said free or subsidized food was the most appreciated company perk.

2. Share an employee appreciation breakfast

Let’s face it – some of us simply aren’t morning people. However, you can help put a smile on your employees’ faces first thing with a breakfast order that will have the entire team arriving with bells on. With more energy fueling the day, get ready for your office’s productivity to skyrocket.

So, what should your employee appreciation breakfast feature? Bring it all on and build a jam-packed spread with menu items spanning everyone’s favorites, from eggs and donuts to breakfast sandwiches and vegan options. The sun might be barely up, but your team will surely feel more appreciated after dining on this eye-opening banquet.

3. Rise and shine with coffee and donuts

Maybe a full-blown breakfast buffet isn’t right for your team, but you could still surprise them with a special delivery of coffee and donuts to lift their spirits. With this perfect pairing of energizing caffeine and delightful sweetness, trust the atmosphere to hit a high note as the idea of spreadsheets and stand-up meetings becomes a distant memory – at least for the moment. 

Then, elevate the experience by offering a thoughtful selection of flavored syrups, creative toppings, and perhaps a few artisanal donut varieties. If driving attendance is a top priority, keep in mind ezCater’s research found that 88% of employers that provide food said it increased attendance by at least 50%.

4. Surprise them with a smoothie (or smoothie bowl) selection

Showing appreciation for your team doesn’t always have to involve a veritable feast with knives and forks. Sometimes all it takes is a straw (or spoon) and a surprise smoothie. When the team needs a lift, this nutritious treat not only hits the spot, but will help refresh their focus when the heat is on.

With cafes and dedicated juice bars capable of whipping up a wonderful creation, fruity combinations and protein-powered inventions will rejuvenate your workplace while highlighting how you value their commitment to the cause. Give it a go – this healthy treat never goes amiss.

5. Treat the team with a dessert bar

Most of us realize dessert isn’t the main event, but that doesn’t mean we can’t look forward to rounding out a meal with a sugar hit. Treating your team to a dessert bar is a sweet way to repay their efforts with decadent muffins, donuts, cookies, fruit, and more.

Be sure to offer a wide selection so that those who prefer a lighter option can relish a refreshing watermelon skewer or bowl of fruit sorbet. If you get the sense a morale boost is required, serving up a stack of unexpected goodies reliably levels up the feel-good factor.

6. Impress with a charcuterie snack board

Offering your gratitude through food comes in all shapes and forms. Rather than a full-fledged feast, a charcuterie snack board welcomes people to socialize as they graze at their leisure, picking and choosing from fancy breads, cheeses, crackers, fruit, spreads, and nuts.

As your team mixes and matches flavors and textures, the result is an endless variety of sumptuous bites. Consider adding a few high-end elements – like burrata, jamon iberico, or smoked Gouda – to make the team’s contributions feel all the more worthwhile.

7. Mix things up with a sushi platter

Sushi platters are a dependable office hit for more than a few good reasons. Healthy, delicious, and featuring myriad bite-sized pieces, these elegant arrangements bring a touch of culinary sophistication to any team gathering that resonates with appreciative vibes.

With cheerful colors and artful presentation, a diverse selection of rolls and sashimi transforms an ordinary lunch into something special. Take your platter to the next level with popular Japanese side dishes like edamame and wakame salad to leave an even better impression.

8. Serve an employee appreciation lunch (or lunches)

Saying thanks with a free meal always goes a long way. Yet, a thoughtfully planned employee appreciation lunch celebrates what makes your team special. Bringing the staff together for a relaxed feast will have gratitude ringing through the office not only on the day, but into the future too.

You can even go one step further and organize a week of free lunches. Relish by ezCater makes ordering recurring meals a breeze with a detailed delivery schedule, saving orderers time and energy throughout the week. Best of all, this gesture motivates far beyond the meal itself.

Show your appreciation with lunch from ezCater

Ready to show your team how much you appreciate them? These employee appreciation ideas for lunch will help keep your team engaged and drive the organization to greater heights.

No matter how you show your appreciation, the right food helps. Place an order today with ezCater to arrange catering for your next staff appreciation event.