Eating at Work Report Outlines Five Trends Reshaping Workplace Dining

Compass Group UK & Ireland has published its latest Eating at Work report, revealing five major shifts redefining how UK employees eat, break and experience food and wellbeing at work.

Drawing on insights from Compass Group’s global research study, developed in partnership with Mintel and based on responses from 30,000 workers worldwide, the UK version of the report highlights a workforce seeking healthier habits, better food experiences, and workplaces that value their time, health and ambitions. It is clear that expectations are higher than ever of the workplace, alongside the experience, facilities and culture that are created there.

The report highlights key findings from each of the five themes and shares actions that organisations can take to support the future of the workplace experience.

The five themes include -

1. Balanced Worklife

Break culture in the UK is declining, impacting wellbeing and productivity for colleagues across the country.

Break frequency has dropped from 68% to 60% (taking breaks 3-5 times per week).
1 in 5 employees now take a break of under 15 minutes.
54% feel breaks are undervalued, with hybrid workers significantly more likely to engage in self‑care than fully onsite teams.

2. My Food at Work

Employees increasingly expect workplace restaurants to mirror the high street in variety and atmosphere.

Only 3 in 10 UK workers have access to a workplace restaurant.
63% want onsite dining that matches high‑street standards.
Snacking is surging, with 32% of Gen Z snacking three or more times per day, up from 20% in 2023.

3. Ease & Efficiency

Technology is reshaping the dining journey, but the insights show that people still value human connections as a vital part of their experience.

Value for money is the number one driver of choice.
Most people prefer a human greeting - 52% vs 10% digital.
Digital tools such as loyalty programmes and kiosk ordering are seen as enhancing the experience.

4. My Healthy Lifestyle

Employees increasingly view the working week as a platform for long‑term health.

UK workers average just 6 hours 49 minutes of sleep per night - among the lowest globally.
54% say eating a nutrient rich diet is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
3 in 5 believe movement is vital to health, yet activity levels remain low.

5. Sustainability & Social Value

Employees expect organisations to lead on sustainability and show visible action.

· 38% cite cutting food waste as the most impactful sustainability action.

75% of UK employees agree it is the responsibility of restaurants to make menu options more sustainable.
However, only 11% of Brits prioritise ethical or sustainable credentials when choosing where to eat.

Michelle Sanders, Chief Growth Officer, Compass Group UK & Ireland:

“This report offers useful insights into what people want and expect from food at work - what is clear is that this is no longer just about sustenance - it’s about experience.

The workplace is changing, as are the workforce. By understanding these shifts and responding with creativity and purpose, we can transform workplace dining into a driver of wellbeing, engagement and sustainability.

At Compass, we are committed to leading these innovations, partnering with our clients to create experiences that matter - helping people to be happier and perform at their best.”

The full report can be found here