For many employees, the return to the office means getting used to a different routine. After years of greater flexibility, asking people to spend more time in the office can take some adjustment.

And there's an irony to the new office reality: employees can spend an entire day surrounded by colleagues yet still siting at their own computers in online meetings, barely interacting face-to-face.

So, if you're asking your team to come into the office, give them a reason to enjoy being there.

Food has a way of bringing people together, and a great lunch can turn an ordinary office day into something a little more enjoyable.

1. Welcome them back with lunch

A catered lunch is an easy way to show employees that you appreciate them. Whether it's a first day-back celebration, a team meeting or simply a midweek treat, bringing lunch into the office sends a simple message: we're glad you're here.

2. Make the office feel like a place people want to be

If you're asking employees to spend more time in the office, create reasons to enjoy being there. A shared meal gives colleagues a chance to step away from their desks, connect and catch up — something that's easy to miss when everyone is working remotely.

3. Give everyone something they can enjoy

Today's teams have different tastes and dietary needs. Chopped Leaf catering offers fresh salads, wraps, bowls and other options that make it easier to find something for everyone — including vegetarian and other dietary preferences.

4. Take one more thing off everyone's plate

Planning lunch for a team shouldn't become another project on someone's to-do list. Chopped Leaf catering makes it easy to order for meetings, team lunches, office celebrations and other occasions, so you can focus on your people rather than the logistics.

Make the Change a Little Easier

The return to the office doesn't have to be all about what employees are giving up. It can also be about creating new reasons to connect, collaborate and enjoy being together.

A good lunch won't solve everything. But it can give employees a reason to put the laptops down and connect, which is the real value of being in the office together. Make your next office day one worth looking forward to with Chopped Leaf catering.