Free meals are becoming a more prominent part of employers’ efforts to increase office attendance, with 93% of hybrid companies focused on bringing employees back saying meal benefits help drive participation, according to a report from DoorDash.
The company’s 2026 Meal Impact Report found that 47% of those employers consider meal benefits a major part of their return-to-office strategy. Employers are also evaluating food alongside more traditional workplace perks, with 46% comparing meal programs against commuter benefits, wellness offerings and phone stipends.
Employers Use Meal Benefits To Make Office Days More Appealing
Meal programs are increasingly being used to encourage employees to spend time in the office. Three-quarters of companies also extend meal credits or reimbursements to hybrid and remote employees, allowing them to offer the benefit across different work arrangements.
The approach gives employers another way to make in-person attendance more appealing while maintaining benefits for employees who work remotely.
Workplace Dining Expands Beyond Individual Lunch Orders
Lunch remains the most common employer-sponsored meal, covered by 76% of companies that provide meals directly. Group dining is also widespread, with 66% covering meals for meetings, training sessions or team events.
Dinner remains less common, with just 35% of companies providing meal benefits covering it. Meanwhile, 96% of companies see value in managing everyday and travel meals through one platform.
DoorDash Adds AI Tools And Expands Catering Options
DoorDash is expanding its catering services to additional U.S. markets, giving businesses and consumers access to group orders for 10 to more than 150 people. Restaurants can use their existing catering menus while setting their own order minimums, lead times and availability.
For recurring workplace meals, DoorDash offers Meal Manager to organize team orders. It has also introduced an ordering connector that allows companies to integrate DoorDash with compatible internal AI tools.
