Limited dining options
Previous menus lacked fresh, healthy choices and variety.
Case Study: Kitchen Works Elevates Employee Dining at CAE USA’s Tampa HQ
Overview
CAE delivers cutting-edge training, simulation and critical operations solutions to prepare aviation professionals and defense forces for the critical missions ahead. CAE USA is part of CAE's Defense and Security business unit serving the United States and allied nations.
When CAE decided to build a new location in Tampa, Florida in early 2024, they turned to Sodexo as a trusted partner to elevate the facility’s dining experience and support its operational goals. With approximately 700 employees, and growing, CAE faced various challenges to meet the expectations of employees and customers. The facility operates 24/7 to accommodate various shifts and training schedules creating unique challenges for employee food services and amenities.
When CAE built its new Tampa location in Spring 2024, it faced several challenges.
Physical Space Transformation
Modern, clean design with abundant natural light
Strategic layout featuring distinct service areas like Grab-and-Go
Communal dining spaces designed to foster collaboration and networking
Kitchen Works Elements
Fresh, chef-led specialty stations: Fully branded grill, pizza
Large salad bar: Featuring diverse proteins and extensive fresh toppings
Signage: Comprehensive, clear and intuitive wayfinding throughout
Technology Integration
Self-service kiosks: Reduces checkout lines and wait times during peak periods
Mobile ordering app: Allows employees to order ahead when time is limited
QR code access: Provides nutrition information and menus
Service Enhancements
Extended hours options: Fresh grab-and-go items available outside standard café hours
Take-home meal options: Prepared foods employees can purchase to bring home
Special event meals: Themed days like Earth Day, Cinco de Mayo and St. Patrick's Day
Menu enhancements: Special dishes crafted by celebrity chef Michael Symon
Seasonal offerings: Special items like pre-made Thanksgiving sides that employees can take home
Employee recognition program: A voucher system for leaders to recognize employees
Enhanced catering program: High-end options for executive visits and client meetings
Menu displays: Showcases upcoming specials and nutritional information
The Results
Month-over-month growth in café usage and employee adoption has driven a noticeable uplift in employee throughput, reflecting the impact of enhanced dining experiences and service innovations.
We love teaming with Sodexo. It's definitely a success story.
The Kitchen Works transformation has reshaped how CAE's employees interact and experience their workplace. The results speak for themselves: 63% of people use the café regularly, with near-perfect café ratings at 4.8 out of 5 stars. But what's really happening is bigger than those numbers — the café has turned into the heart of the office where people connect with each other every day.
"People break bread together. It's a social, inviting, and comfortable environment. In many cases employees work with colleagues online, but now they're connecting in person. There's a lot of deliberate networking taking place in the café," says Susan Gehrig, Vice President of Operations for CAE USA.
The Kitchen Works implementation has helped forge a deeper sense of community. The café staff — who remember names, preferences and dietary needs — have become an extension of the CAE family. “The café staff is just so generous, kind and helpful” adds Gehrig.
The impact extends far beyond the café walls. CAE USA's leadership team can now use the dining experience to improve employee engagement through the company’s new voucher system. This simple innovation recognizes employees while introducing more employees to the café experience.
The café is an added benefit to encourage employee satisfaction on site. During orientation, new employees are provided a voucher to the café, encouraging them to experience the quality of the dining program. Employees working non-core shifts can enjoy the variety of selections and fresh grab and go items.
Collaboration That Delivers
The cafe’s transformation — from site improvements, technological advancements and service enhancements — was successfully mobilized in just six weeks, highlighting the strength of expertise and the trusted collaboration between CAE USA and Sodexo. Through daily on-site operations and quarterly business reviews, the relationship continues to evolve, with data-driven decisions guiding menu development and service improvements. The Kitchen Works implementation proves that thoughtfully designed dining experiences not only elevate employee satisfaction but also strengthen company culture.