Healthy Office Catering Reimagined: Schrankerl vs. Food Delivery Services
Applications for Modern Office Catering
Both food delivery services and Schrankerl can be used under similar conditions.
For example, when a company:
- is too small for its own company cafeteria
- wants to supplement existing cafeteria food
- wants to offer more variety or all-day office catering
- has only limited space available
Both options are therefore suitable as an alternative or supplement to the classic cafeteria.
Time Expenditure in Office Catering
Ordering food via delivery services is often associated with a high time expenditure. Deciding what and where to order, as well as coordinating with colleagues, takes time and usually needs to be planned in advance. As a result, valuable working time is lost.
With Schrankerl, this effort is completely eliminated. Depending on the agreement, the office catering is delivered several times a week. During the lunch break, the desired products can simply be taken from the Schrankerl. Payment is automatic, and depending on the dish, the food only needs to be briefly reheated.
Wait Times for Food Delivery Services and Schrankerl
With food delivery services, meals must be ordered in advance. Wait times for delivery vary greatly depending on the provider.
In contrast, the dishes in the Schrankerl are ready at any time. Delivery takes place on delivery days before 12:00 PM, so that the office catering is available right on time for the lunch break—with no wait time at all.
Comparison of Dish Selection
The selection of food delivery services depends heavily on the company’s location. In cities, the range is usually large, while it can be significantly more limited on the outskirts or in rural regions.
In the Schrankerl, there is always a large selection of different dishes:
- Bowls
- traditional dishes
- desserts
- snacks
The dishes vary weekly and cover everything that is important for balanced office catering. This ensures there is something for everyone.
Costs of Office Catering
Costs for food delivery services vary greatly depending on the provider. Often, the minimum order value is around $10, plus delivery costs. With several orders per week, these costs quickly add up.
At Schrankerl, the dishes cost no more than $10, with the average price ranging between $5 and $7. Additionally, office catering is often discounted through an employer meal allowance.
Healthy Cafeteria Food vs. Healthy Office Catering
If the selection of food delivery services is small, it is often difficult to find healthy and balanced dishes for the lunch break. The result: the food makes you tired and focus drops significantly.
Due to the variety, Schrankerl always includes healthy dishes. These are filling but not heavy—and support a concentrated and productive second half of the day.
When are Food Delivery Services Suitable for Office Catering?
Both Schrankerl and food delivery services are good solutions for office catering—however, with different areas of application.
Food delivery services are particularly suitable:
- when employees work from home
- when a company has fewer than 30 employees and is too small for a Schrankerl,
In these cases, food delivery services can be a sensible way to still offer catering.
Conclusion: Finding the Right Office Catering
Whether food delivery service or Schrankerl—both solutions have their place. However, those looking for structured, time-saving, and healthy office catering without the daily organizational effort will find a modern alternative to classic cafeteria food with Schrankerl.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! In Austria, employee catering provided directly at the company is not subject to any monetary limit. Employers can cover 100% of the costs for high-quality office catering — like Schrankerl — without creating a taxable benefit for employees.
Yes. Especially for SMEs without their own cafeteria, flexible concepts without fixed cost risks are attractive. Providers like Schrankerl provide the unit without a setup fee – the risk lies with the provider, not the company.
This depends heavily on the chosen model. Meal vouchers typically cost 4–8 € per workday, which amounts to 80–160 € monthly per person. Smart fridge meals usually range between 5 and 10 € per portion. With tax optimization, the effective costs for the employer are significantly reduced, as ancillary wage costs are eliminated.
Employee benefits are all additional services that employers offer beyond the agreed salary. These include, for example, meal allowances, remote work, professional development, public transport passes, occupational pension plans, health programs, and flexible working hours.
Modern office catering includes flexible, always-accessible meals made from fresh, high-quality ingredients. It takes various dietary styles into account—from classic to vegetarian and vegan—and helps employees eat healthily and conveniently. In this way, office catering becomes an indispensable part of a modern workday.
Employee catering encompasses all organized measures by which a company provides its employees with access to meals or snacks at or near the workplace. This ranges from meal vouchers and catering services to refrigerator systems offering fresh food.
The most important alternatives to a classic company cafeteria are: meal vouchers (e.g., Edenred), smart fridges (e.g., Schrankerl), external catering, delivery services, and well-equipped office kitchens. The best solution depends on team size, location, budget, and the eating habits of the workforce. In many cases, a combination of a smart fridge and a meal allowance is chosen.
In addition to the traditional cafeteria, more and more companies are turning to smart alternatives such as food vending machines, meal vouchers, or digital catering solutions. Schrankerl combines fresh, regional dishes with smart technology – entirely without the need for dedicated cafeteria staff.
By collaborating with over 20 passionate chefs, we are able to offer a wider variety and superior quality. Our partners work without flavor enhancers or preservatives, and many provide organic quality. The dishes are freshly prepared—no frozen meals. The benefit of Schrankerl: 87% of Schrankerl users report that Schrankerl contributes to their long-term well-being.
Our Marketing and Event Manager ensures that everyone at Schrankerl loves their lunch. Efficient, creative, and exceptionally organized, she brings a breath of fresh air to every lunch break!
