16 Jun Your Breakroom Sends a Message — Is Yours Saying the Wrong Thing?
Is your breakroom sending the wrong message to your employees? Orrin Heubner and Neil Swindale chat about how to turn it into a positive signal.
At one fast-growing tech company in San Jose, the breakroom was supposed to be a little slice of happiness in the workday. You know the drill: grab a cold drink, snag a snack, recharge for a few minutes. Simple, right?
Not exactly.
Instead of being a perk, the breakroom was turning into a low-key battlefield among employees. Why? Because the shelves were consistently understocked — and unpredictably so. One day, there’s sparkling water and protein bars, the next? Crumbs and crushed dreams.
If that sounds a little dramatic, it is — but not by much. When you’re deep in a workday, that bakery item or energy drink can genuinely make a difference. And when it’s not there? It’s more than just disappointing — it’s frustrating.
The Hunger Games: Breakroom Edition
Swindale, a refreshment service strategist (and unofficial breakroom therapist), spotted the real issue: scarcity culture.
The company’s plan to “lightly stock” and let the goods run out early was backfiring terribly. It unintentionally created a morning stampede, where the first 200 employees got snacks, and the other 300? Not even a Diet Coke in sight.
“It’s frustrating for the coder who finally comes up for air at 3 p.m. and finds nothing but a lukewarm LaCroix,” Swindale said.
The Fix? Smarter Stocking + Smarter Spending
The solution wasn’t to blow the budget — it was to be strategic.
Swindale recommends giving employees a daily allowance via a smart kiosk. Think: a reloadable card or app with a modest daily spend limit. Go over? No problem — you just pay the difference. It’s fair, it’s simple, and it removes the incentive to hoard like it’s a snackpocalypse.
Next step? Ditch the chaotic 37-flavor snack buffet, Huebner recommends. Instead, offer fewer options — but keep them consistently stocked. That way, employees know what to expect (and can plan their snack attacks accordingly).
Keep the Perks, Lose the Pain
How do you keep the good vibes without draining the budget?
“It’s about balance,” Swindale explains. “You don’t have to offer everything — just offer the right things, consistently. That’s what makes a breakroom feel like a perk, not a gamble.”
Pro Tip: Service Matters More Than You Think
One of the company’s biggest pain points? Their current vending provider. Delays. Downtime. A Bevi machine out of order for a week (a week!). That’s not exactly a cutting-edge workplace experience.
Swindale’s advice: act fast. “Shameless plug — ZippyAssist can really help with responding quickly!”
Huebner agreed: “Responsiveness is the new luxury.”
Snacks That Build Culture
At the end of the day, the breakroom is more than just a spot to grab a granola bar. It’s a culture cue — a message to employees that they’re seen, appreciated, and supported.
When the shelves are full and the service is dialed in, the breakroom becomes more than just a room — it becomes a vibe.
Want help creating a breakroom that actually works for your people? We’ve got ideas. Let’s talk.