ThirstLink have reviewed the impact of Covid-19 on the Workplace Refreshment Sector. Our prediction is that the approach to catering, vending and hospitality within the workplace in the future will need to be more fluid and flexible when assisting clients to re-evaluate their workplace staff refreshment strategies.
Based on our conversations with clients and supplier/operators, the future workplace will focus on the office being the centre of Culture, Collaboration, Creativity, Coaching and Connection, with the current pandemic accelerating the shift towards the workplace becoming a destination with spaces that centre on meaningful employee experiences.
ThirstLink have identified the key drivers behind an organisation’s requirement for change, together with the hierarchy of an employee’s needs. This has driven our view that the future of food, drink, reception, and ancillary services in a corporate environment will need a rethink of the physical environment to embrace the principles of flexibility, social interaction, wellbeing, and convenience.
Roy Girt, ThirstLink Executive Director said “As our clients gradually reopen their workplaces and with many Covid-safe new appliances available, now is the time to be thinking about what virus-protection practices to put in place. Whilst the pandemic has had a devastating impact on the hospitality industry and its employees, it is a catalyst for change and with a variety of exciting new opportunities available it is time for a new approach to the world of work.
My team and I have been considering how our sector need to adapt to meet the future needs of a flexible workforce. The overall view is that moving forward, ‘work is not somewhere you go, but something you do’, and ThirstLink have identified which concepts and services we believe will work best for our Clients, as they consider the practical and cultural shifts brought about by recent events.”
These concepts include but are not limited to, building-wide catering delivery for activity-based working, call-order and table service, flexible dual-purpose catering areas with work-free zones, experiential events, and team gatherings.
The need for employee convenience including micro markets, mini fridges, enhanced vending services, improved payment systems, contact-less ordering, touch-free vending, and other ‘one stop shop’ services are all topics and options that the ThirstLink team can discuss with you.
For an independent review of your workplace refreshment service, please contact ThirstLink the UK’s leading Refreshment Consultancy.
