Menus that Spark Joy
Today’s senior living leaders know that dining is more than a service; it’s a strategic differentiator. Residents increasingly expect culinary experiences that feel modern, meaningful and individualized. Sodexo’s new Joyous program was built precisely with those expectations in mind, using market research and insights from seniors across the country to enhance everyday dining through flexibility, flavor exploration and choice.
Our researchers surveyed hundreds of residents across both self-operated communities and those that outsource dining services. The findings reveal a striking disconnect: while four out of five residents dine on-site every day, satisfaction with the dining experience lags behind. In fact, only one-third of residents reported being extremely satisfied. Variety appears to be a key issue — just 41% rated the selection of healthy options as “very good,” and even fewer felt the same about indulgent choices.
Balancing Comfort and Culinary Adventure
At its core, Joyous reimagines menus not simply as lists of meals, but as pathways to comfort and delight. With inspirations from culinary partner, Chef Gabe Kennedy, the program showcases modern culinary trends, locally inspired cuisines and familiar high street favorites — ensuring residents always have both heartening classics and opportunities for “safe adventure.” This balance between the known and the new is central to resident satisfaction, particularly for communities aiming to foster engagement and connection through dining.
Sam Blackburn, Sodexo’s Director of Culinary Development, emphasized this philosophy when developing the Joyous recipe portfolio.
When we crafted the Joyous menu, we approached every recipe with an important goal: give residents the freedom to choose how they want to experience food each day. That meant creating dishes that feel familiar but still spark curiosity — meals that respect tradition while celebrating fresh, exciting flavors.
Limited time offers curated by Celebrity Chef Gabe Kennedy are a special part of the Joyous program
Programming That Enriches the Daily Experience
For executives focused on programming and resident engagement, Joyous also brings a robust experiential layer. With 52 themed weekly pop-ups, reservation-only special events, and charming everyday moments like Cookie & Coffee Hour, the program fills the year with opportunities for connection — addressing a significant gap, as many seniors desire more dynamic dining experiences than most communities currently offer.
Designing Dining Around What Seniors Value Most
Ultimately, Joyous is designed around the values seniors say matter most: connection, comfort, freedom and inspiration. By empowering residents with real culinary choice — and pairing it with hospitality-forward execution — Sodexo enables communities to differentiate themselves, boost satisfaction and create dining environments that feel vibrant and alive.
Learn more about how Sodexo celebrates the joy of living and eating.
The Joy of Dining: Insights into Senior Living Hospitality
This Insights Report reveals what today’s and tomorrow’s residents value most — and offers key learnings as to how you can enhance your hospitality, deepen engagement and help your community thrive.
