When you’re working shifts, a good break is everything!
As winter approaches and the days get shorter, colder and darker, providing employees with somewhere to grab a quality meal, a proper coffee, a cold drink or a quick snack can make a real difference to their working day.
Recently, we installed a brand-new, fully integrated refreshment solution at a new-build facility for one of the UK’s major transport companies. Designed around the needs of a busy, shift-based workforce, the solution gives employees access to a wide choice of food and drinks throughout the day – and night.
Because when your people are working around the clock, refreshments need to do more than simply fill a gap. They need to make breaks matter.
More than a vending machine
Traditional workplace vending has changed. Today’s employees expect more choice, better quality and greater convenience, particularly when they may be working long shifts and don’t have the option of simply popping out for lunch.
Our latest refreshment solution brings together a complete range of options in one convenient workplace destination.
Fresh food they can make their own
Employees can choose from a selection of fresh paninis and wraps, with the added convenience of being able to toast them for a hot, satisfying meal during their break.
It’s quick, convenient and, importantly, feels like a proper meal rather than simply grabbing a snack from a machine.
High-quality hot meals
And for those working longer shifts, there is the option of something more substantial. Forget the old perception of frozen meals as cheap, poor-quality convenience food.
Today’s frozen meals can be high quality, nutritious and genuinely enjoyable, with a wide range of options designed to cater for different tastes and preferences. From hearty favourites to lighter and more nutritious choices, employees have the flexibility to choose what works for them.
Whether it’s a meal during a night shift, something substantial before heading home or a quick dinner during a late shift, there’s something for everyone.
Chilled drinks – including that much-needed pick-me-up
Sometimes you simply need a cold drink.
The solution provides a wide choice of chilled drinks, including soft drinks, water and energy drinks for those moments when the shift starts to drag. Because everyone knows that mid-shift slump. A quick refreshment can be exactly what you need to reset and get through the rest of the shift.
Snacks for every type of break
There’s also plenty of choice when it comes to snacks. Healthier options sit alongside more indulgent treats, giving employees the freedom to choose depending on what they’re looking for.
Sometimes it’s a piece of fruit or a healthier snack. Sometimes it’s chocolate. It’s about choice.
Proper coffee, whenever you need it
And then there’s coffee.
A quality bean-to-cup coffee machine gives employees access to freshly prepared coffee throughout their working day. For early starts, cold winter mornings, overnight shifts or simply that moment when you need a caffeine boost, having a great cup of coffee readily available can make all the difference.
A smarter way to communicate with employees
The refreshment experience doesn’t stop with the products. The smart fridges feature highly engaging digital screens, providing an opportunity to communicate directly with employees at the point where they’re making their purchasing decisions.
Latest offers, promotions and product messages can be displayed directly on the screens, helping create a more engaging experience while also giving the operator the ability to keep the offer fresh and relevant. It’s refreshment with a digital experience built in.
Designed around the shift worker
For a major transport operation, the workplace doesn’t stop at 5pm. Employees may be starting at 4am, finishing at midnight or working through the night. That means traditional workplace catering models don’t always work. A modern refreshment solution needs to be available when employees need it, offer genuine choice and make it easy to get a quality meal or drink without leaving the workplace.
That’s exactly what this solution has been designed to do.
Fresh food. Hot meals. Chilled drinks. Energy drinks. Snacks. Quality bean-to-cup coffee.
All brought together in one convenient workplace refreshment experience.
Because breaks matter
A break is more than the few minutes spent eating or drinking. It’s a chance to step away from the job.
To recharge. To catch up with colleagues. To have a coffee. To grab something nutritious. Or simply to take five minutes for yourself before getting back to work.
For organisations with large shift-based workforces, investing in the quality of those moments can have a real impact on the employee experience. And as we head into winter, those moments become even more important.
This is what we mean when we say we’re Making Breaks Matter.
