Insights from Ann Roebuck and Sojo Alex
The dining programs that serve college students today are shaping the workplace expectations of tomorrow's corporate employees. As campus innovations migrate to corporate environments, understanding this pipeline has become essential for workplace dining directors looking to stay ahead of evolving employee demands.
The COVID-19 Acceleration
The pandemic created an unexpected laboratory for dining innovation, forcing both sectors to rapidly adapt their service models. "I think that when we were in the COVID era, we saw higher ed adopt the use of an app," explains Ann Roebuck, noting how mobile ordering systems emerged across both sectors simultaneously.
However, the implementation and adoption patterns revealed key differences between the environments. "I think higher ed uses the app technology, as more of a convenience. And I typically see corporate dining using the app as a method to manage lines," Ann observes. While campus dining leveraged apps primarily for student convenience, corporate environments focused on operational efficiency and service flow management.
The generational divide also became apparent during this transition. Campus dining programs, serving primarily tech-native 17-21 year olds, experienced faster and more comprehensive adoption than corporate environments managing multi-generational workforces spanning from Baby Boomers to Gen Z.
Community Building Takes Center Stage
One of the most significant trends from campus environments involves the strategic use of dining spaces for community building. "One of the most significant shifts I’ve noticed on campus, something corporate is also striving toward, is the intentional focus on building a sense of community," notes Sojo Alex. This shift recognizes dining areas as more than food service locations. They become innovation hubs where ideas are shared and relationships are built.
Corporate clients, particularly traditionally cubicle-focused organizations, have been adopting campus-style gathering spaces where employees can have conversations around meals. This programming of space around food creates natural opportunities for the kind of community building that historically has been a cornerstone of campus dining programs.
Generational Expectations Drive Change
As Gen Z students transition from campus to corporate environments, they bring specific expectations shaped by their college dining experiences. "One trend we’ve all been noticing is the rise of ‘meals with a cause’. Gen Z is especially willing to spend when there’s a meaningful purpose tied to their purchase," explains Sojo Alex. This willingness to pay premium prices for food that supports social causes represents a significant shift in dining value propositions.
The concept of value itself has evolved beyond simple price-to-portion ratios. "In corporate dining sometimes we see the creation of a combo meal" says Ann, noting how corporate dining has adapted familiar retail restaurant concepts to meet changing expectations for both convenience and perceived value.
Technology Innovation Flows Both Ways
While campus dining often leads in technology adoption, the innovation pipeline isn't unidirectional. "One innovation that is not making its way into higher ed is the rise of self-checkout kiosks and tech-driven retail experiences," observes Sojo Alex. This reverse flow demonstrates how corporate dining's operational efficiencies can inform campus programs.
The difference often lies in implementation approach and user engagement. Campus environments benefit from having customers who "live on their phones" as part of their daily experience, while corporate environments must navigate varying comfort levels with technology across different generational cohorts.
Labor Model Revolution
Perhaps one of the most innovative developments emerging from campus dining involves workforce scheduling flexibility. "We've seen a lot of our higher ed clients that have shifted their mindset to scheduling labor. Instead of scheduling someone for a six or an eight hour shift, they've gone to what they call a gig schedule," explains Ann.
This gig economy approach, developed to accommodate student workers balancing classes and activities, offers potential solutions for corporate dining programs struggling with labor challenges. The shorter shift model may align with changing workforce preferences across generations and could address staffing issues in corporate environments.
Ready to Transform Your Corporate Dining Strategy?
The intersection of campus and corporate dining offers opportunities for innovation and employee engagement. Whether you're adapting campus-proven technologies, implementing community-building strategies, or preparing for the next generation of workforce expectations, the right strategic approach can transform your dining program from cost center to competitive advantage.
Join us at the SHFM Conference 2025 to dive deeper into these trends and explore how your organization can leverage campus dining innovations for corporate success. Let's connect to discuss your specific challenges and opportunities.
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