There are now many alternatives and additions to the traditional company canteen that provide employees with regular, delicious, and healthy meals. Two popular options are a food truck or an online canteen. The optimal solution for your company depends on various factors, such as company size, employee preferences, location, and budget.

In this article, you will find a comparison of both options, including their respective pros and cons, to help you make a decision. It is important to keep in mind that many of these pros and cons also depend on the specific providers, so it is worth comparing terms. If you would like help with your selection, please feel free to contact us!

Food Truck: Flexible, social, and on-site

Food trucks come to you as mobile kitchens, serving meals on-site at a set time, for example, at lunchtime on a specific day of the week. They require some space as well as general access to electricity and water (depending on the size and equipment of the food truck).

Pros:

Flexibility and variety: A food truck can offer different menus and change them regularly. Some providers offer various trucks (e.g., Thai, Mediterranean, vegan) on a rotation basis, which ensures variety.

Experience factor and social interaction: Food trucks encourage employees to meet and interact. They create an experience and contribute to company culture by providing a common meeting point.

Lower infrastructure costs: A food truck does not require a canteen or kitchen infrastructure inside the building; it simply parks on company premises. This saves space and the costs associated with setting up and maintaining a permanent canteen.

Targeted use for events or seasonal needs: A food truck can be used flexibly, e.g., only on certain days, for special events, or seasonally (e.g., in summer), which can be a great supplement to other catering concepts.

Cons:

Weather dependency: A food truck is weather-dependent, which can be problematic, especially in poor weather conditions. Employees may be less motivated to go outside on rainy days. Therefore, a food truck can have disadvantages, particularly during the colder months.

Limited capacity and wait times: A food truck can only serve a limited number of meals within a certain timeframe. In large companies with many employees, this can lead to longer wait times. One solution here is to book multiple food trucks.

Limited menu variety: A food truck kitchen is usually smaller, which may limit the menu. Accommodating specific dietary needs (e.g., gluten-free, vegan, halal) can also be more challenging. If you are looking to book a food truck, it is therefore advisable to ask the staff in advance about their dietary options and allergy accommodations, or to ask your employees what kind of cuisine or meals they would prefer for lunch (street food, Mediterranean, etc.).

Online canteen: Flexibility and a wide selection

In an online canteen, employees pre-order meals from a set menu, which are then delivered directly to the office (or to their home office). Ordering is done via an app or website and can be done daily, on specific recurring days, or irregularly as needed.

Advantages:

Location independence: An online canteen allows employees to order from anywhere, which is a major advantage for hybrid teams or employees working from home. Meals can also be delivered to their homes.

Wide selection and individuality: Online canteens often offer a wide variety of dishes and cater to different dietary needs (e.g., vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free). Menus can be flexibly adjusted and are often selected via an app or website.

Time savings and efficiency: By pre-ordering and having meals delivered to the workplace, employees save time and avoid waiting in line. It also eliminates the need to travel to a canteen or food truck.

Less administrative work: Many online canteens use fully digitized systems to manage orders, billing, and delivery services. This simplifies administration and reduces the organizational burden on the company.

Disadvantages:

Less social interaction: An online canteen does not foster the same culture of connection as a food truck or an on-site canteen. Employees might end up eating their meals alone at their desks. A cozy office kitchen or common areas that invite people to eat together can motivate employees to dine as a group regardless.

Delivery costs and minimum order quantities: There may be additional costs for meal delivery, especially for small companies. Some providers require minimum order quantities, which is less suitable for smaller teams or individual orders. However, the terms always depend on the location and the catering provider; there are also options available that are worthwhile for smaller teams.

Dependence on delivery services: The quality and punctuality of the delivery depend heavily on the respective service provider. Supply bottlenecks can lead to dissatisfaction if the food does not arrive on time. It is worth taking a close look when choosing a provider to avoid disappointment.

Which approach is right for you?

Every company has different needs, and every provider offers something unique. We can provide some general guidance here, but we would be happy to offer you personal, no-obligation advice to help you find the best option for you and your team.

A food truck is a great choice for companies that...

• have a large outdoor area and want to offer employees an attractive space to connect.
• want to add a flexible yet festive touch to their dining options and strengthen their company culture.
• do not need a permanent canteen solution and would prefer to use a food truck only on specific days or for special events.
• have mostly on-site staff and are less reliant on a solution for remote workers.

An online canteen is ideal for companies that...

• want to provide flexible, location-independent meal options for their employees, including those working from home.
• have a large team with diverse dietary needs and want to offer a wide variety of food choices.
• want to manage meal orders and billing easily online and keep administrative effort to a minimum.
• are looking for a highly flexible solution that is available at any time without requiring an on-site presence.

A food truck is ideal for companies that prioritize flexibility, experience, and team building and have the space for on-site catering. An online canteen, on the other hand, offers maximum flexibility—even for hybrid or remote teams—and ensures seamless meal service with no wait times. Some companies combine both approaches to offer their employees a comprehensive and varied dining experience.

heycater! helps you choose and organizes the right provider for you

Are you looking to organize regular meals for your team, such as a food truck or an online canteen? At heycater!, we specialize in business catering and employee meal programs and will find the best solution for you. From selecting an option to finding the right providers from our extensive network of catering partners, we are by your side to help you provide your team with delicious, healthy meals at the office.