How Dublin Teams Can Use Food to Bring People Back to the Office

A practical guide for HR, workplace and operations teams in Ireland

TL;DR

Hybrid work is staying in Dublin, but getting people into the office consistently is still a challenge.

One of the most effective levers? Food.

Not just any food, but food with purpose: a good lunch, healthy options, or a social meal that makes the office feel like the better choice, without pressure.

This guide shows how Dublin-based companies use catering to improve attendance, build connection and support wellbeing.

Definitions: What We Mean by “Office Catering”

To avoid confusion, here’s how workplace teams in Dublin typically define key terms:

Office Catering: Food and drink provided for employees at the workplace , either regularly or for planned events.

Individually Labelled Meals: Meals with employee names and dietaries clearly marked. Reduces admin work and prevents food waste.

Shared Platters / Buffet Style: Communal meals where teams serve themselves. Works well for team-building and collaboration.

Pantry Fills: Snacks, breakfasts and healthy grab-and-go items stocked in the office kitchen to support wellbeing and flexible work schedules.

One-Time Event Catering: Catering arranged for strategy days, workshops, client visits or “back-to-office” initiatives.

Why Dublin Teams Aren’t Coming In as Often

Across multiple workplace surveys and conversations, the same reasons come up again and again:

• Travel time isn't worth it without real value
• The office feels transactional, not social
• Meeting-heavy schedules make lunch an afterthought
• Nearby food options are limited, or expensive
• Remote days feel easier, healthier and more flexible

The solution is not stricter policies: it’s making the office feel better than staying home.
Food can do exactly that.

The Psychology Behind Food & Office Attendance

Catering isn’t just a perk, it influences behaviour.

When workplaces provide good meals, teams are more likely to:

• Feel welcomed and included
• Start the day with routine and structure
• Make time for breaks and reduce burnout
• Collaborate more naturally
• Feel valued, not just managed

And in Dublin’s competitive job market, perks that support mental health, belonging and wellbeing carry real weight.

Office Catering Formats That Work in Dublin

Choose the format based on how your team works, not what’s easiest to order.

Individually Labelled Meals: Great for hybrid teams, dietary preferences and time constraints. Reduces admin and food waste.

Shared Platters / Buffet: Ideal for team-building days, brainstorming sessions and in-office Thursdays.

Pantry & Snack Solutions: Encourage informal connection instead of solo lunch breaks. Works well with wellbeing programmes.

Flexible A-La-Carte Ordering: Supports autonomy when teams arrive at different times or work across floors.

One-Time Event Catering: Perfect for planning days, workshops, town halls or “back-to-office” campaigns. One well-timed meal can shift sentiment more than an email ever could.

What Dublin Teams Say Works Best

From workplace teams across Dublin, three strategies consistently increase attendance:

1. Anchor Days: Pick one or two days per week where people are encouraged to come in, and support those days with food.

2. Better Than What’s Nearby: The average lunch in Dublin costs €11–€14 and involves a queue. If office food is better, attendance often rises naturally.

3. Food With a Social Purpose: People don’t return for policy, they return for connection. Food is one of the simplest ways to create it.

How Feedr Supports Dublin Companies

Feedr provides flexible formats that work with hybrid schedules and budget limits, including:

• Individually labelled meals for hybrid teams
• One-time catering for workshops, onboarding and strategy days
• Pantry fills and healthy office snacks
• Seasonal menus and theme days (Back-to-Office, Pride Month, International Food Week)
• Dietary requirement tracking and compliant invoicing
• Seamless integration with HR and finance processes

Built to match how modern Dublin teams actually work.

Final Takeaway

Food is no longer a perk - it’s a workplace strategy. If employees feel the office is worth the commute, they’ll come in by choice. Food is one of the clearest signals that the office isn’t just a workspace - it’s a shared space.

Ready to Bring Your Team Back In?

Explore catering options built for modern Dublin workplaces: Feedr Corporate Catering Dublin

We help teams choose the right format, not just the right menu, and make the office a place people genuinely want to return to.

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