9 Reasons To Switch From Catering to a Micro Market.

Traditional catering companies rely on dedicated kitchen staff, cashiers, and cleaning personnel, creating large labour costs that quickly rack up. With a micro market, these expenses are eliminated by the seamless self-service kiosk that provide quick and easy contactless transactions, enabling a scan-and-go system that significantly reduces waiting times.

And that’s not all. Removing the dependency on catering staff not only reduces costs but also improves flexibility—an essential benefit as workforce numbers fluctuate. With 24 hour accessibility, additional dinner and breakfast office catering are easily available.

Fixed office lunch catering hours often leave shift workers, overtime employees, and late-night teams with limited or no options. Micro markets solve this by staying open 24/7, providing constant access to food and beverages. From the early risers grabbing a quick coffee and croissant to night owls looking for a wrap or ready meal, everyone is covered.

This accessibility means no one feels left out—a key factor in fostering an inclusive workplace environment. But convenience doesn’t stop at availability; it extends to how quickly employees can grab what they need.

We’ve all been there: queuing with tray in hand, waiting with rumbling tummies to be served canteen food before shuffling a few more micro-steps towards the cashier. This sustained process eats into valuable break time, leaving employees feeling frustrated and unrefreshed by the time they need to return to their desk.

The alternative paints a very different picture. It’s lunch time. You make your way to the micro market. You choose your meal and you pay at the kiosk. Tuck in and enjoy! A process that is so efficient there is no time for a queue to form, leaving plenty of time for that lunch-time stroll around the block.

This trend mirrors the retail sector, where 67% of UK shoppers now prefer self-checkouts for their speed and efficiency. Employees spend less time waiting and more time enjoying their break—an instant morale booster. But what about scaling up this solution for a changing workforce?

It’s easy to scale your micro market to meet the demands of your workforce. As your business grows or adapts to new working models, catering requirements can change drastically. Perhaps you’re onboarding a large team, adjusting to hybrid work schedules, or even moving to a larger office space. These changes, while exciting, can make traditional catering a logistical headache.

A micro market eliminates these issues with its inherent flexibility. Whether your workforce expands or contracts, scaling up (or down) is straightforward. Increasing stock levels, adding new product categories, or integrating additional self-service kiosks can be done seamlessly without interrupting operations. Likewise, if your needs decrease, scaling back orders is just as simple—ensuring that resources are never wasted.

Even during an office relocation, a micro market’s modular design makes it easy to transport and reassemble in the new space. There’s no need to coordinate complex kitchen installations or worry about losing valuable time. With its adaptability, a micro market ensures your workforce is always supported, regardless of how your business evolves.

Ultimately, this scalability means you can confidently plan for growth or changes, knowing your food solution will grow right alongside you.

Kitchens and canteens for daily office catering can take up a lot of valuable office space, space that could be better used for collaborative areas, quiet zones, or additional meeting rooms. Micro markets are compact, modular, and designed to fit seamlessly into your office layout.

This flexibility ensures you can maintain a modern, open-office design without sacrificing amenities. But space efficiency doesn’t come at the cost of variety—quite the opposite.

Producing a diverse range of catering and food options from a single kitchen can be challenging, so traditional canteens often stick to a limited, repetitive menu of items that are easy to prepare in bulk. While convenient, this approach frequently overlooks the dietary needs of employees, leaving vegetarians, vegans, coeliacs, and individuals with allergies or specific preferences with few satisfying choices.

In contrast, a micro market sources its products wholesale, distributing an unparalleled selection to meet the unique demands of every client. From gluten-free snacks and vegan meals to high-protein options and indulgent treats, employees are empowered to make choices that suit their dietary preferences and lifestyles.

This expansive variety doesn’t just enhance satisfaction; it fosters inclusivity by ensuring no one feels left out or underserved. Of course, providing choice is only part of the equation. Ensuring every item meets the highest standards of safety and hygiene is equally critical, creating a food experience employees can trust and enjoy.

Operating an on-site canteen catering kitchen comes with a range of health and safety risks that require constant attention and meticulous management. From cross-contamination during food preparation to improper storage of perishable items, the potential for mishaps is significant. Add to that the risks of injuries such as burns, cuts, or slips in a bustling kitchen environment, and it’s clear that maintaining a safe and compliant operation is both time-consuming and resource-intensive.

By outsourcing fresh food preparation to our trusted network of suppliers, you can eliminate these challenges entirely. Our suppliers adhere to rigorous health and safety standards, ensuring that every meal or product is prepared, packaged, and stored under optimal conditions. This not only reduces the risk of contamination but also provides you with peace of mind, knowing that safety compliance is being handled by professionals with specialised expertise.

Moreover, this approach frees up your team to focus on other priorities, from enhancing employee satisfaction to streamlining facilities management. With the health and safety burden lifted, you can provide a food service solution that is not only safe and efficient but also reliably high-quality—ensuring the wellbeing of your workforce without the operational headaches.

Micro markets aren’t just functional, they’re visually appealing. With sleek shelving, modern kiosks, and branded displays, they enhance the overall look and feel of your office. Our partnership with Nebrak, specialists in designing and building catering interiors, allows you to reflect your company’s branding and bring your interior design ideas to life.

This polished setup leaves a lasting impression on visitors while making employees feel proud of their workplace. And when employees feel valued, their satisfaction, and productivity, skyrockets.

Happy employees are productive employees. Giving your workforce access to a micro market that provides a diverse variety of food and beverages shows you value their convenience and well-being. This not only fosters goodwill but also leads to tangible productivity gains. According to the University of Warwick, happy employees are 12% more productive.

The combination of variety, convenience, and aesthetic appeal transforms break times into something employees look forward to, improving overall morale and engagement.