How breakfast is shaping the future workplace

Changing breakfast habits are being driven by a new foodie generation, especially Gen Z, who crave exciting and healthy options that go beyond the traditional Full English. While they still appreciate a classic breakfast as an occasional treat, they seek out meals they can’t easily prepare at home, looking for a culinary experience that is both healthy and better for the planet. This demand for variety is reshaping breakfast trends, with contract caterers experimenting with innovative recipes to cater to these tastes.

This trend of adventurous breakfasts is making its way into the workplace, challenging employers to replicate the trend-led, mobile breakfast options that Gen Z love. Furthermore, the rise of plant-based diets, driven by health and environmental concerns, is influencing breakfast menus. As a result, workplace restaurants are adapting by offering a wider variety of enticing, plant-based breakfast choices, ensuring that employees start their day with meals that are both delicious and good for their performance.

As breakfast trends evolve, businesses face the challenge of keeping up and predicting future shifts. With enticing employees back into the workplace being a top priority, understanding breakfast habits is essential. A January 2023 YouGov poll revealed that only 49% of UK residents eat breakfast daily, with this figure dropping to 34% among 18-24-year-olds. Additionally, 13% of adults and 14% of those under 65 skip breakfast entirely.

The reasons are multifaceted, including cultural shifts, a hectic and flexible work environment, the rising popularity of fasting diets and the need to cut food costs amid a cost-of-living crisis.

To attract and retain employees and boost productivity, businesses must adapt to these changing breakfast trends and preferences, particularly among Gen Z, and find innovative ways to encourage office attendance despite the stronger-than-ever remote culture.