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Business managers looking to hire food service companies often have to make tough decisions for budget and food options. However, the bottom line is that they must decide to hire a company that caters to what their employees require. These catering companies also have to make money and must come up with measures that ensure that they do. This article will provide you with some of the factors to consider when hiring a corporate catering company.
Hiring Cost:
Some food companies are known to charge exorbitant prices charge for their services. They usually draft a contract requiring you to pay for additional services such as distribution and management. By agreeing to sign it, you also accept to use their food service companies for any culinary-related needs. If employees fail to eat the food provided, it’s the company that has hired them that suffers. Therefore, you must ensure that the food offered is favorable to your employees.
Sometimes, these food enterprises may force you to adhere to conditions that will reduce costs, and since you have signed the contract, you have no option but to accept them. These may include; the hiring of minimum wage workers, establish self-checkout lanes, and the provision of fewer food options. Consequently, it is the employees who suffer as they receive inferior services.
Food Options:
Catering companies are mostly interested in making profits. As a result, they may maintain a consistent menu that can be quite boring. Consequently, you will expose your staff to limited options with a menu that rotates every three weeks. These employees start to crave for variety of food alternatives in the cafeteria that is often not forthcoming. Menu fatigue is a crucial challenge in the food market, and it can contribute to the lack of morale in the workplace. To solve this issue, negotiate with the culinary service to provide you with a range of food options. Consequently, it will make a difference in the nutrition of your staff.
Changing Food Trends:
Look for a culinary service company that is ready to adapt to changing food trends. For instance, fast-food chains and restaurants have been quick to adapt to changing consumer behavior to cater to the meatless craze. Big companies such as KFC have established a partnership with Beyond Meat to offer plant-based chicken.
Unfortunately, some of these large food companies have delayed the adoption of meatless options. Although they have started to offer this alternative, they are lagging behind other catering providers. This lack of flexibility may affect your company in a big way.
Company Size:
The hiring of catering services is recommended for companies with many employees to reduce the cost. With a large staff, a firm can negotiate for a better deal by requesting a discount. It may not be reasonable for smaller companies to hire these services. It will force them to pay high rates because they lack the power to negotiate.
On-Site Facilities:
Some culinary companies may also require you to have on-site facilities to procure their services. It means that your firm must have a cafeteria or a kitchen for them to offer you their culinary facilities. If it is lacking, they may require you to build one, and this can be costly. In such a case, you must decide to either forgo their service or subscribe to their demands.
Tips on how to select a food service company:
Finding the right food service to nourish your staff can help you achieve higher output and develop your company’s culture. Always emphasize the provision of services that motivate your staff as this can contribute to employee satisfaction.
Here are a few tips that you can use when selecting a catering firm:
• Select a company that offers a variety of meals to avoid monotony. Employees should get a chance to select what is favorable to them without sticking to the same preferences every week.
• Hire a culinary service that adheres to new food trends.
• Go for a company that also offers affordable and flexible pricing.
• Settle on a firm that can utilize the amenities that you have in your company.
Conclusion:
If you decide to go for a catering company, be wary of what may be ahead of you. Sign the contract after you have ironed out issues that are likely to crop up. Always emphasize food variety and negotiate on pricing. Know what can work for you according to your company size. Let the food service company work for you and not the other way round.