Transforming Office Catering at the Empire State Building
"I was so bored of eating sandwiches and wraps every. single. day... so happy to have Fraîche as our lunch option."
The Problem:
Traditional office catering models (e.g. via EZ Cater) have limitations: fixed delivery windows, limited variety, overordering waste, and lack of sustainability. In a high-density office environment like the Empire State Building, these drawbacks become more pronounced as employees demand more flexibility, freshness, and waste reduction.
The Empire State Building’s tenant teams needed a modern, low-lift dining solution—one that matched the pace of their workday, reduced waste, and brought fresh, flexible meals right to the office.
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The Solution:
CookUnity deployed smart fridge solutions within the building to replace traditional catering. The system gives employees 24/7 access to fresh, chef-made meals and offers a rotating menu that caters to a range of preferences, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.
Each fridge is restocked using real-time data, reducing food waste while ensuring the most popular items are always available. All meals come in compostable packaging with reusable utensils, and employees can browse and purchase meals directly through the CookUnity app, choosing exactly what they want, when they want it.
This model eliminates delivery scheduling constraints, cuts down on waste, and provides a more flexible and convenient dining experience for everyone in the office.
Nutrition That Makes a Difference
0
Food Waste
0
Plastic
30%
More Cost-efficient
The Result:
A Better Solution for the Modern Workplace
CookUnity helped the Empire State Building’s tenant teams modernize their approach to employee meals—meeting sustainability goals, improving choice, and saving valuable time throughout the day.
Sustainability
This client has fully aligned with its sustainability goals through CookUnity. Our partnership introduced 100% compostable packaging, implemented compostable bins throughout the office, and transitioned all utensils to reusable alternatives. The result is a cleaner, greener meal experience that reduces waste and supports long-term environmental initiatives.
More Variety, Less Stress
Employees at the Empire State Building value having diverse meal options that cater to every dietary need—something traditional catering services like EZ Cater struggled to deliver. With CookUnity’s rotating menu of chef-made meals, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, employees enjoy more variety and flavor every day. The app adds a layer of personalization, letting employees select meals they truly love and reducing the stress of limited or repetitive choices.
Time-Saving Convenience
Before CookUnity, employees often lost time waiting for scheduled catering deliveries or rushing to eat within narrow time windows. Now, with 24/7 access to fresh, ready-to-eat meals, they can grab what they need—when they need it. This flexibility cuts delivery delays, eliminates lunchtime bottlenecks, and helps employees stay focused and productive throughout the day.
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Provide Employees with Meals They'll Love
