In the world of construction, it’s essential to have the right tools for the job. For Clune Construction, a general contractor with locations across the United States, this also applies to its employee catering needs. With 119 employees in the mid-Atlantic region, keeping everyone on the team well-fed and satisfied is no small task.

The challenges of ordering for construction-sized appetites

Clune Construction’s D.C. office has long embraced “Free Lunch Mondays,” an incentive to reward its hard-working staff. In addition, they also provide buffet-style breakfast trays for morning meetings and training sessions. While free meals are always well-received among the team, Keelee Armor,  Clune D.C.’s office manager, is very familiar with the challenges involved in sourcing a variety of meals to meet everyone’s needs.

“I was spending a lot of time each Monday doing my own research,” she said. “It was challenging to find a different restaurant, offer a variety of options, and  be familiar with the food everyone liked.”

Knowing how much food to order was also a challenge.

“Sometimes the catering portions were great, and the staff loved being able to take leftovers home,” Armor explained. “Other times, it was really wasteful.”

Why lunch is important to the construction crowd

Lunch is a critical part of every work day, but even more so in the demanding field of construction, where days start early. On a busy construction project, lunch is not just about food; it’s a vital break in the day. Construction teams put in long hours, so it’s important that workers get the proper food to fuel them through the day.

“We know our teams work very hard,” Armor said. “Providing lunches even once a week really goes a long way. It’s an important way for us to show our appreciation.”

For office managers in charge of team food orders, getting everyone’s lunch just right can be tricky. When you’re dealing with a group as large and diverse as Clune’s D.C. office, ensuring each meal is appealing, nutritious and satisfying requires a good deal of time and planning.

Those plans include catering to unique dietary preferences  and ensuring  enough food to satisfy a crew of hungry construction industry pros, avoiding a lot of wasted food. “Originally we ordered food through other delivery services,” says Armor. “Because a restaurant’s primary focus is not on deliveries, meals didn’t always arrive on time, and often the food wasn’t labeled.” 

Things changed when Clune started feeding its workers with Relish by ezCater, which allows employees to choose their own meals from a list of restaurants selected by the company.

“So far, our team has enjoyed all of the restaurants, the timing has been great, and everything is going well,” she says.

Feeding the crew the right way

With ezCater and Relish, Armor found that instead of spending hours researching restaurants, coordinating orders and dealing with logistical hassles, she could now easily manage its corporate catering needs through user-friendly online platforms.

“Now, I don’t have to do any research,” she said. “I can just hop on once a week and see that a new restaurant has been picked. Then, I can choose my own order and check the list to see if I need to remind any of the crew to place their orders.”

The simplicity and efficiency of using ezCater and Relish transformed weekly food ordering from a tiresome chore to a smooth and manageable task. This allowed Clune Construction to keep providing these well-deserved perks without taking undue time away from other important responsibilities.

Food choices for all occasions

One of the primary advantages of using ezCater is the versatility it provides. For the weekly “Free Lunch Mondays,” Relish’s individual meal selection feature was a game changer.

Beyond lunches, Clune turned to the ezCater Marketplace for a wide range of bulk options to meet their broader catering needs.

Those attending early morning training sessions were treated to breakfast trays. Special events and meetings were catered with a variety of options that satisfied everyone on the team. Thanks to the vast selection available on these platforms, Clune could meet all their catering needs without compromising on quality or variety.

The selection of restaurants and caterers on ezCater’s platform also helped Armor find a local caterer she trusted to meet her needs.

“Clune uses ezCater for all of our breakfasts,” she said. “We trust them to deliver the food at 7:30 am and make sure everything is ready.”

Construction-sized meals on a budget

Affordability is another critical aspect where ezCater and Relish proved their worth. Providing quality, enjoyable meals for a large team can be a significant expense. However, with these platforms, Clune found a cost-effective solution. By setting a per-meal budget, Clune was able to keep spending in check while ensuring everyone got a satisfying meal.

“We’ve currently set a per meal budget  that is realistic for our needs,” Armor says. “But I also like the fact that it can be changed depending on our needs.”

The individual meal selection feature on Relish also helped to drastically reduce food waste. Since employees ordered for themselves, there was no risk of over-ordering or ending up with unwanted leftovers. Ultimately, ezCater and Relish enabled Clune to deliver excellent meals to its team without straining its budget.

More engagement, more fun

Apart from meeting practical needs, Clune also found that its partnership with ezCater had a significant impact on its company culture. The weekly “Free Lunch Mondays” became more than just a meal. It has become a tradition that boosted morale and built stronger relationships among the team by creating a time for workers to come together, share experiences and learn about each other on a more personal level. 

By allowing the team to experience dishes from a variety of local restaurants, the impact also extended beyond the office.

“I’ve had people in the office tell me, ‘Wow, I’ve lived in the area for 10 years, and I had no idea that these restaurants existed,'” Armor said. “Often, an employee will tell me they enjoyed a restaurant so much, they took their spouse there for dinner. So, it’s sticking with them. They’re very appreciative of the experience and the opportunity to learn more about local restaurants.”

Ultimately, “Free Lunch Mondays” not only improved the workday but also had an impact on the personal lives of the staff, making these meals a cornerstone of Clune’s company culture. The positive influence on employee engagement was clear, and Clune credits ezCater and Relish for playing a pivotal role in this transformation.

Workplace catering reimagined

Clune Construction’s journey with ezCater is about more than a simplification of the meal ordering process. It is about how food can fuel productivity, build connections, and enhance company culture.

If you’ve been tasked with feeding a hungry construction team, you need a food delivery service you can count on. ezCater and Relish offer a variety of options designed to meet your company’s unique needs. Learn more about how easy it is to build a custom food program for your construction business.