In the tech industry, food perks aren’t a bonus; they’re a baseline. With top talent in high demand, tech companies that offer free food have an advantage when it comes to attracting and retaining the best. And in today’s hybrid workforce, food is more than fuel — it’s a reason for employees to come in, connect, and collaborate.
But as budgets tighten, facilities leaders have begun rethinking how to deliver standout amenities without overspending. That’s where smart, scalable solutions come in. ezCater surveyed decision-makers at leading tech companies to understand what’s working (and what’s not) when it comes to workplace meals.
Here’s what the data reveals about optimizing food programs without compromising on quality or employee satisfaction.
Food as a competitive advantage in tech
Staffing pressures are rising in tech: 55% of leaders say talent shortages will impact their priority projects, and nearly half have responded by increasing pay. However, as economic pressure grows, that approach isn’t always sustainable.
So, the majority of tech firms are leaning into food benefits. They’re more likely than other industries to provide food in the form of employee lunches, grab-and-go options, and recurring meal programs — not just for employee convenience, but as a recruitment and retention tool.
The data backs it up. According to ezCater research, 66% of companies include food perks on job listings and career pages, while more than a quarter of tech decision-makers say food helps them remain competitive in a tight hiring market.
Food perks also deliver where other benefits fall short. They’re cost-effective, highly visible, and offer a strong return on investment, especially as companies look to stretch every dollar without sacrificing the employee experience.
Hybrid work and the value of on-site meals
As tech companies look to maximize the value of every workplace investment, food plays a key role in encouraging on-site engagement. With tech employees 30% more likely to work hybrid schedules than those in other industries, leaders are rethinking how to make in-office time more meaningful.
Meal perks help fill that gap. According to ezCater’s 2024 Food for Work report, 92% of employers say shared meals strengthen collaboration, culture, and team connection — all critical in remote-first environments.
Data from an ezCater survey of decision-makers also reveals that tech firms are more likely to use food to celebrate cultural holidays than other industries, working with more minority-owned restaurants and reinforcing a sense of inclusion and belonging when teams gather in person.
Employee feedback shapes food program success
Fostering belonging through food starts with listening to employee preferences. Fortunately, tech organizations place a higher value on employee feedback than other industries, ranking it above ease of use, customer service, and even expense management when selecting a food vendor.
That priority tracks with employee preferences: 71% prefer to pick their own meals over traditional tray-style catering. Giving employees a choice over what they eat each day not only infuses their feedback into the food program but also boosts participation, so meals are truly enjoyed.
Collecting feedback through quick surveys helps ensure meals reflect employee preferences — and customizable solutions make it easier to meet diverse tastes without adding complexity. The result is a food program that feels personal, purposeful, and aligned with how tech teams actually eat.
Balancing cost efficiency with high-value perks
Employee feedback may take priority over expense management when selecting a food vendor, but 2025 will likely bring tighter budgets for tech organizations. As a result, facilities leaders must think more strategically about which workplace perks deliver the most value.
While many companies plan to increase food spending, tech firms are more likely to consider budget cuts — even with food’s proven return on investment. To stay competitive, leaders must prioritize efficiency over excess: delivering the right perks to the right people at the right time.
One clear opportunity is to optimize for demand. Recurring meal programs that allow employees to order individual meals only when they’re in the office help reduce waste and keep costs aligned with real usage. It’s a smarter way to do more with less.
Smarter workplace food solutions for tech companies that offer free food
For tech workplaces, flexibility is vital — not just in meal variety, but in how food programs adapt to real-time demand. That means accommodating diverse tastes, supporting cultural holidays, and honoring dietary needs, while also scaling up or down with fluctuating hybrid headcounts.
Solutions like Relish by ezCater make this simple. On-site employees choose and customize meals from a rotating list of local restaurants, so companies only pay for what’s actually needed. It’s a personalized experience that meets employees where they are, without overcommitting resources.
Likewise, a corporate account with a vendor like ezCater helps streamline ordering, simplify delivery, and super-charge budget tracking, making it easier to manage food programs at scale. It’s a modern solution built for the speed, agility, and high standards of today’s tech workplaces.
Keeping food perks strong in a cost-conscious era
Tech leaders know food perks are integral for attracting top talent, keeping hybrid employees engaged, and building a collaborative workplace culture. Yet, as budgets tighten, it’s more important than ever for facilities leaders to design food programs with purpose.With the right vendor, it’s possible to maintain the perks employees expect while maximizing impact and minimizing waste. ezCater is the business tool for food that helps tech teams offer high-value meals without overspending. Explore how ezCater can support your food program.
