Deliveroo for Work Shares New Data on the UAE’s Changing Office Food Culture

15 July 2025 As the modern workplace continues to evolve, so do employees’ expectations. Deliveroo for Work (DFW), Deliveroo’s corporate solution, is reshaping how businesses in the UAE approach food at work, offering tailored services designed to boost employee well-being, foster workplace culture, and help retain top talent. In a market where health, cost-of-living, and workplace flexibility dominate conversations, food as an employee perk has never been more relevant.

Health-conscious choices leading the way

DFW data shows a clear shift in UAE workplace food preferences toward healthier options. Salads have become the most-ordered items among corporate clients, with favourites including chicken salad with teriyaki, corn and kale salad, chicken avocado bowls, tuna wraps, and shish tawook. Popular restaurant partners such as KCal, Bowlful, Salata, Joe & The Juice, Kababji Grill, and Common Grounds reflect employees’ growing appetite for fresh, quality-driven meals.

Food as a key workplace perk in the UAE

A DFW survey revealed that 60% of employees rank free or subsidised meals as one of the top drivers of workplace satisfaction, just behind medical and dental benefits, and slightly higher than gym subscriptions. In the UAE, where living expenses on essentials like rent, groceries, and dining out continue to impact daily life, office food provisions deliver a dual benefit: they’re both a meaningful perk and a practical cost-saving support.

Gen Z driving the shift in workplace expectations

Globally, the rise of Gen Z, now making up 25% of the workforce, is transforming office culture. Having entered the workforce during a period of remote working and global uncertainty, this generation values purpose, wellbeing, and inclusion more than ever. AON, a global professional services firm specialising in risk, health, and human capital solutions, highlights in a recent survey that 81% of employers believe they must adapt their benefits to stay competitive, with food emerging as one of the most sought-after offerings.

Francis Henderson, Head of Deliveroo for Work Middle East, said, “Salads have become a go-to for today’s office crowd, not just because they’re healthy, but because they strike the right balance between nourishment, convenience, and satisfaction. In a work culture where people want to eat clean without compromising on flavour or time, salads have evolved into vibrant, filling meals that fuel focus and productivity. At Deliveroo for Work, we’re seeing this shift firsthand: a growing appetite for food that’s good for the body and fits seamlessly into the rhythm of a busy day. We're proud to help businesses across the UAE offer food options that energise teams and make workplace wellbeing part of everyday culture.”

A wellness-centric workplace

Beyond meals, offices are increasingly stocking wellness-focused grocery items such as fresh fruit baskets and low-sugar, low-trans-fat snacks. Humantra electrolyte sachets have become particularly popular, underscoring the UAE’s growing interest in wellness-centric workplace offerings.

As workplace flexibility remains a key priority, especially for younger employees, DFW is helping companies foster inviting office environments that support both personal and professional well-being. By offering tailored meal solutions, from customised allowances and seamless group ordering to catering for events, DFW makes it easy for businesses to bring teams together, reward employees, and simplify admin with one streamlined corporate account. In a competitive talent market, food is proving to be one of the simplest, most effective ways to build culture and keep people coming back.