Catering 2.0: The future of company catering with modern canteen concepts and mobile canteens
Canteens have a bad reputation when it comes to the quality and diversity of the food. And often wrongly so! There are now numerous modern canteen concepts that are enjoying great popularity. One of these is the mobile canteen. We present this and other modern canteen concepts in our blog article and show you how you can use them for your food truck.
The canteen landscape has changed significantly in recent years. There are now numerous modern canteen concepts that pick up on trends such as sustainability or veganism. Bland flavours and poor quality are a thing of the past. Culinary creations and superfoods can now be found on canteen plates. Food truck owners can capitalise on this trend and win over potential customers with freshness, creativity and that certain something. In this blog article, we show you how modern canteens are putting an end to boring lunch breaks.
Nouvelle Cantine: the modern canteen with an innovative approach
The new innovative concept of company canteens of the future is often referred to as the “Nouvelle Cantine”. But what does that actually mean? The French word literally translates as “new canteen”. It refers to company canteens that are used by employees for more than just eating. Modern canteens offer delicious food and a pleasant atmosphere that invites you to relax. Nutrition and food experts are also observing a shift from traditional canteens to more open concepts. Company restaurants are being opened up so that people outside the company can also eat here. In the past, company catering tended to be practical, cheap and simple. Nowadays, the trend is towards healthy, sustainable and experience-orientated. Internet giant Google is leading the way: There are 18 cafés at the headquarters in Mountain View, all of which serve free and exquisite food to their employees – using regional products sourced no more than 150 kilometres away from the headquarters.
New requirements for company canteens
With the new concept of a canteen, there are of course also new requirements to make it attractive for internal and external customers. These include the design of the menu, the rooms and the equipment. The most important requirements for a canteen include
- Ffriendly and inviting interior design of the canteen.
- Opportunities for co-working thanks to sufficient power sockets, a good Wi-Fi connection and enough seats for groups.
- A menu that caters to different eating habits. Be it vegetarian, vegan or religious. Nevertheless, the food should be able to be prepared in the shortest possible time and fit into the establishment’s budget. It is important to find a balance between quality and efficiency. Delicious, fresh and innovative dishes will win over your customers and give you a competitive edge over the competition.
- Flexible room design: The room should not be static. Instead of fixed tables and chairs, a free seating concept with chairs, armchairs and couches should be chosen. If possible, mobile canteens should also provide high tables or seating furniture to create a more cosy atmosphere.
- Mobile canteens in particular must focus on an appealing presentation, because first impressions count and if they are modest, there is little chance of attracting regular customers.
Efficient equipment is the be-all and end-all. Thanks to table-top units, mobile canteens can only use the equipment that is actually needed. Efficient utilisation of space can also increase productivity as work steps are eliminated.
Operational benefits of modern canteen concepts
Companies that actively opt for this contemporary company canteen concept have a number of major advantages over their competitors. Here is a brief overview of what these are:
- Employer branding: A modern canteen with fresh and regional food or an unusual concept can serve as a figurehead for the company in the application process. Many employees prioritise a balanced diet, which can be easily combined with the working day thanks to a modern canteen.
- Improved productivity: A study by the Oxford Institute found that satisfied and happy employees perform better and are therefore more productive. And workplace satisfaction naturally includes an appealing working environment and a balanced range of food.
- Appreciation of employees: The corporate food culture is an expression of appreciation. A company that takes an active interest in what goes on the plate creates appreciation and ensures happy colleagues.
- Interdepartmental communication: Innovative canteen concepts are an open space that is not just for consuming food, but can also be used as a workspace. This ensures good communication and a lively exchange of ideas between colleagues. And even across departments!
Advantages of a mobile canteen for founders and restaurateurs
A mobile canteen is not only a real advantage for companies, but also for entrepreneurs who run such a canteen or plan to do so. We present some of these advantages here:
- By cooperating with a company, the choice of location is not so difficult and the income is secured.
- Food planning is simplified as the number of people only changes marginally each day.
- As a mobile canteen, you are the meeting point during breaks and promote social interaction within the company.
- Cost-efficient: By saving on rental and heating costs, you are cost-efficient when travelling and can invest the budget saved in the quality of the food.
Best practice in modern canteen concepts
There are already some pioneers of modern canteen concepts around the world who are setting themselves apart from their competitors with creative ideas. Here are some best practices:
The mobile canteen
A mobile canteen is a flexible and innovative solution for anyone who likes to be on the move, doesn’t want to be restricted to one location and wants to treat different companies to delicious lunches.
Company meals on wheels
To do this, you usually need either a food truck (a motorised vehicle) or a food trailer (a trailer for your car). The choice of mobility and equipment for your mobile canteen is of course entirely up to you and depends on your individual requirements.
In order to prepare your food freshly, you usually need refrigeration facilities and kitchen appliances that match your food truck concept and hygiene system. Thanks to the flexible equipment options and table-top appliances of a food trailer, you can offer your customers daily changing dishes and a customised menu plan. Everything is possible, from seasonal dishes to exotic combinations.
Successful examples of mobile canteens
As a company, you can also implement a mobile company canteen as a flexible and often cheaper alternative to a stationary canteen. YouTube demonstrates this innovative concept of a company canteen: The streaming giant has a huge headquarters in California. Here, YouTube uses an American-style food trailer as a meeting space and café. Colleagues can come together and exchange ideas, enjoy a coffee or simply work together on a project.
BuddyStar has also already implemented a mobile canteen: One of our biggest projects is the university canteen of the Studierendenwerke Ulm. It is a Silver Buddy with a length of 7.40 metres. The trailer’s diverse interior design is particularly special: the Buddy was fitted with a wood-look floor, which was supplemented by underfloor heating, has extractor bonnets along its entire length, a TV for the menu overview, various types of deep fryers and upbeat illuminated letters in retro design on the roof.
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