Innovative Coffee Solution for a Modern Modular Workplace Experience
While just about everything in the work environment is changing, one thing has stayed the same: people want their coffee to be convenient and prepared well. Companies are also keenly attuned to what their employees experience in the workplace and are taking advantage of new, innovative solutions to bring people together. Through our exclusive partnership with For Five Coffee, a premium coffee roasting and retail company, we were able to bring our New Jersey-based client an innovative solution to enhance their employees’ workplace experience.
Our client wanted to provide a premium coffee experience for employees but faced a significant challenge. The existing space lacked the necessary plumbing infrastructure to support a traditional coffee bar.
The Sodexo client team along with our partner, For Five Coffee got to work on a solution that not only met the client’s needs but created a dynamic service offering. A self-contained, modular barista bar was designed that only required electricity and used a system of soft-sided plastic containers to manage water and wastewater. The result was a vibrant, popular offering that routinely draws colleagues in for a cup and a conversation.
“We have a lot of guests saying how great it is that they do not have to leave the office, and we are seeing a lot more meetings taking place in the barista area,” says Ronnie Licata, Sodexo’s general manager at our client's location. The bar has been a success despite competing with a shopping mall food court across the street from the office, as well as nearby chain coffee shops and is busiest during lunchtime and mid-afternoon, as people grab their second cup of the day around 2 or 3 p.m.
But the barista bar isn’t just about coffee: it’s also about building company culture. Our client is taking steps to create a bustling social culture within their company, and the bar is an essential part of in-person events. Licata’s team recently worked with our client to put together a networking event at the bar where colleagues could chat over tea and snacks.
The bar offers more than lattes and cappuccinos; chai lattes, hibiscus iced tea, hot chocolate and more are on the menu to ensure there’s something for everyone. In the evenings, the bar serves wine and gives employees a convenient option for a happy hour location.
Our client has embraced this innovative modular coffee concept and plans to install more barista bars at other locations. These growth plans demonstrate the success of the project and the growing demand for agile, interactive dining experiences in the corporate world. The modular barista bar is a prime example of how creativity and innovation from Sodexo and For Five are transforming corporate dining in a rapidly changing work world. Is your organization ready to see what Sodexo can reimagine for your workspace? Contact our team to begin the conversation.
