Felfel pairs smart fridges with and fresh, chef-prepared meals to deliver workplace meals

Tapping into the opportunities provided by smart coolers, the Swiss food-tech company has expanded to New York City with its self-service fridges filled with fresh, locally prepared meals, snacks, and drinks for workplaces. While Felfel seeks to capitalize on the broader trends toward better food, design and technology for breakroom services, the subscription-based service seeks to provide boutique food service for corporate workplaces.

Felfel was founded in 2014 in Zurich, Switzerland, by Daniela and Emanuel Steiner. Felfel CEO and co-founder Emanuel Steiner shared insights into the company’s business model with VendingMarketWatch.com.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

VendingMarketWatch.com: Tell me briefly how Felfel got started.

Emanuel Steiner: Years ago, while working in a corporate setting, I found myself eating alone at my desk every day, which sparked the idea for Felfel. Food is more than just sustenance — it’s an opportunity to fuel great work, spark conversations and strengthen workplace connections. I saw a chance to transform office dining. We started by personally serving our first clients, then built a team that shared our vision. Over the years, we’ve expanded our client base and partnered with more food providers, but our mission has always remained the same: to make high-quality, fresh meals easily accessible in the workplace.

VMW: Tell me about your move to New York.

ES: Following a decade of success in Europe, we launched Felfel in New York City and the Tri-State area in 2024. As someone who grew up and studied in New York City, this expansion felt like a homecoming — both personally and professionally.

New York, one of the world’s most dynamic business hubs, offers an incredible opportunity for Felfel to help companies enhance workplace culture, attract top talent and bring employees back to the office with exceptional food options.

We’ve partnered with renowned brands like Glossier, Equinox and General Electric. We’re proud of the impact we’ve made and the relationships we’ve built, and we remain committed to evolving our offerings in real time to meet our clients’ changing needs. Our goal is to foster workplace camaraderie through great food and revolutionize office dining across the region.

VMW: What services do you offer to corporate workplaces?

ES: The Felfel Fridge provides employees access to fresh, healthy and delicious meals and snacks through exclusive collaborations with acclaimed chefs, local farms, small businesses, and neighborhood favorites. Felfel helps make things easy for both the companies we work with and their employees. Employees can walk right up to the fridge, pay with the Felfel app, and grab their meal quickly. Leveraging Felfel’s internal technology, the Felfel Fridge also tracks consumption trends, ensuring offices are always stocked with the most popular items while minimizing food waste.

VMW: How does Felfel’s approach differ from traditional convenience services offerings?

ES: With smart technology, an emphasis on health and freshness, and customizable meal options, the Felfel Fridge not only solves the common problems and limitations of vending machines but also adds significant value to employee wellness and satisfaction. Unlike standard vending machines that primarily offer non-perishable snacks and drinks, the Felfel Fridge provides a range of dining options, from a hearty breakfast to a satisfying dinner, right in the workplace. Additionally, Felfel caters to individual dietary needs, including vegan, gluten-free and allergy-friendly options, with a rotating, seasonally inspired menu.

VMW: Tell me about the Felfel Fridge technology and user experience. What types of meals and snacks are typically stocked in the Felfel Fridge?

ES: The Felfel Fridge uses intelligent monitoring capabilities to adapt to workplace needs — whether hybrid or full-time —ensuring fresh quality meals are available while minimizing food waste.  

An assorted selection of healthy snacks, meals and drinks, including fresh bowls, salads and gourmet sandwiches [are stocked], to ensure employees have a full range of dining options that cater to all dietary needs and preferences.

VMW: How often is the menu updated?

ES: The menu changes weekly, meaning employees could go for a full year without repeating the same lunch! Certain Felfel favorites make regular returns while classic items are offered a bit longer.

VMW: How is inventory managed?

ES: The Felfel team restocks fridges each morning before employees arrive, ensuring freshness and seamless service. Our smart technology continuously tracks consumption trends, allowing for optimized stock levels that align with employee preferences.

VMW: Is this service offered as a breakroom amenity or as a traditional vending machine where employees select and purchase their own items?

ES: Felfel offers flexible pricing models. Companies can fully or partially subsidize meals as a workplace perk, or employees can purchase items individually, allowing businesses to tailor the experience to their team’s needs.

VMW: Does Felfel serve as the operator as well as the foodservice provider? Or do you work with local operators to service Felfel locations?

ES: Yes, we do both. Felfel Fridges are stocked daily by our internal team with fresh, chef-curated meals and snacks sourced from local restaurants and food partners.

VMW: How does the fridge’s technology monitor inventory levels and ensure product freshness? How does Felfel ensure compliance with local regulations regarding food vending?

ES: Each product has a unique QR code, which allows us to track inventory and freshness of the product. The users open the fridge with their account and then scan the product at the POS of the fridge when they decide to purchase it.

VMW: How are you managing payments and monitoring inventory?

ES: We’ve developed our own software, called Namak, in-house. It’s run with the help of our engineering team in Switzerland.

VMW: Who is the target customer, and what is an ideal location for your company?

ES: Felfel is designed for companies of all sizes across industries — from consumer goods to legal and financial services firms and beyond. We serve companies that work hybrid or in-office completely, with a current focus on offices in the NYC metropolitan area. Whether it’s busy executives with no time to leave the office or cost-conscious employees seeking a high-quality, affordable meal offering, Felfel meets diverse workplace needs while maintaining premium quality.