Employers are using free meals to lure employees back to the office — franchises catering to this market are winning big.
Here’s a number that should get every food franchise owner’s attention: 96% of workplaces tried a new restaurant in 2025 through catering orders.
Workplace catering is becoming a customer acquisition machine for franchises. New data from ezCater shows 91% of workplaces are spending the same or more on food in 2026, with one in five bumping budgets by over 25%. Daily meal programs jumped 26% year-over-year as companies use free food to lure hybrid workers back to offices. Brands like Five Guys and Mission BBQ are capitalizing fast.
The real bonus? Sixty-two percent of employees who try a restaurant at work end up ordering personally later, and 67% recommend it to friends and family. Menu design is make-or-break—franchises with detailed menus, photos and dietary options get twice as many bookings.
Here’s a number that should get every food franchise owner’s attention: 96% of workplaces tried a new restaurant in 2025 through catering orders.
Workplace catering is becoming a customer acquisition machine for franchises. New data from ezCater shows 91% of workplaces are spending the same or more on food in 2026, with one in five bumping budgets by over 25%. Daily meal programs jumped 26% year-over-year as companies use free food to lure hybrid workers back to offices. Brands like Five Guys and Mission BBQ are capitalizing fast.
The real bonus? Sixty-two percent of employees who try a restaurant at work end up ordering personally later, and 67% recommend it to friends and family. Menu design is make-or-break—franchises with detailed menus, photos and dietary options get twice as many bookings.
${reply?.comment_author}${reply?.eln_tier_label ? `${reply.eln_tier_label}` : ”}
•
${reply?.comment_relative_time}
${reply?.comment_content?.trim()}
`;
}
function createComment(comment, replies, isLastComment) {
const commentListDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.LIST);
if (!commentListDiv) {
return;
}
const borderClasses = isLastComment ? ” : ‘tw:border-b tw:border-slate-200’;
const currentUser = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
const currentUserInitials = currentUser
? getInitials(`${currentUser?.firstName ?? ”} ${currentUser?.lastName ?? ”}`)
: ”;
const repliesHTML = replies.length ? `
${replies.map(buildReplyHTML).join(”)}
` : ”;
const replyButtonHTML = allowsComments ? `
` : ”;
const replyFormHTML = allowsComments ? `
` : ”;
const commentDiv = `
${comment?.comment_author}${comment?.eln_tier_label ? “ : ”}
•
${comment?.comment_relative_time}
${comment?.comment_content?.trim()}
${replyButtonHTML}
${repliesHTML}
${replyFormHTML}
`;
commentListDiv.innerHTML += commentDiv;
}
function displayComments() {
// Empty out the comment list container before refreshing comments.
const commentListDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.LIST);
commentListDiv.innerHTML = ”;
const comments = state?.comments ?? [];
if (!comments.length) {
return;
}
// Build a threaded structure: separate top-level from replies.
const repliesByParent = {};
const topLevelComments = [];
comments.forEach(comment => {
if (comment.comment_parent === 0) {
topLevelComments.push(comment);
} else {
const parentId = comment.comment_parent;
if (!repliesByParent[parentId]) {
repliesByParent[parentId] = [];
}
repliesByParent[parentId].push(comment);
}
});
// Apply top-level sort order. Server returns DESC; reverse for oldest-first.
if (state.sortOrder === ‘oldest’) {
topLevelComments.reverse();
}
// Replies always show oldest first within a thread (server returns DESC, so reverse).
Object.keys(repliesByParent).forEach(parentId => {
repliesByParent[parentId].reverse();
});
topLevelComments.forEach((comment, index) => {
const isLastComment = index === topLevelComments.length – 1;
const replies = repliesByParent[comment.comment_ID] ?? [];
createComment(comment, replies, isLastComment);
});
createCommentAvatars();
}
function updateCommentCount() {
const countDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.COMMENT_COUNT);
const sortControls = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SORT_CONTROLS);
if (!countDiv) {
return;
}
const count = state?.comments?.length ?? 0;
// Do not display if there are no comments.
if (count === 0) {
return;
}
countDiv.innerHTML = `${count} Comment${count > 1 ? ‘s’ : ”}`;
if (sortControls) {
sortControls.classList.remove(‘tw:hidden’);
sortControls.classList.add(‘tw:flex’);
}
}
function displayLoader(show) {
const loader = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.BUTTON_LOADER);
const text = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.BUTTON_TEXT);
if (!loader || !text) {
return;
}
// Show or hide the loader.
if (show) {
loader.classList.remove(‘tw:hidden’);
text.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
} else {
loader.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
text.classList.remove(‘tw:hidden’);
}
}
function displayError(error) {
const errorDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.ERROR);
if (!errorDiv) {
return;
}
if (error) {
errorDiv.classList.add(‘tw:block’);
errorDiv.classList.remove(‘tw:hidden’);
errorDiv.textContent = `Comment submission error: ${error}`;
} else {
errorDiv.classList.remove(‘tw:block’);
errorDiv.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
errorDiv.textContent=””;
}
}
function clearCommentInput() {
const commentField = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.INPUT);
if (!commentField) {
return;
}
commentField.value=””;
}
function updateComments(comments = []) {
state.comments = comments;
displayComments();
updateCommentCount();
}
function runCommentProcess(type) {
if (type === ‘postComment’) {
const comment = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.INPUT);
if (!comment || !comment?.value) {
return;
}
// Hide errors, show loader.
displayError();
displayLoader(true);
}
const data = {
type,
postId: 427689,
};
// Get a fresh nonce and either fetch comments or post comment.
fetch(`${adminAjaxUrl}?action=ep_get_public_comment_nonce`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: {
‘Content-Type’: ‘application/json’,
},
body: JSON.stringify(data),
})
.then((r) => r.json())
.then((response) => {
// Handle errors.
if (!response.success) {
displayLoader(false);
console.error(‘Error getting nonce: ‘, response?.data?.message);
return;
}
const nonce = response?.data?.nonce;
// Get comments.
if (type === ‘getComments’) {
getComments(nonce);
return;
}
// Post comment.
if (type === ‘postComment’) {
postComment(nonce);
}
})
.catch((e) => {
displayLoader(false);
console.error(`Error running comment process ${type}: `, e);
});
}
function getComments(nonce) {
const data = {
nonce,
postId: 427689,
};
// Fetch comments.
fetch(`${adminAjaxUrl}?action=ep_get_public_comments`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: {
‘Content-Type’: ‘application/json’,
},
body: JSON.stringify(data),
})
.then((r) => r.json())
.then((response) => {
// Handle errors.
if (!response.success) {
displayLoader(false);
console.error(‘Error getting comments: ‘, response?.data?.message);
return;
}
updateComments(response?.data?.comments);
displayLoader(false);
})
.catch((e) => {
displayLoader(false);
console.error(‘Error getting comments: ‘, e);
});
}
function postComment(nonce) {
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user || !user?.uid) {
console.error(‘Error posting comment: Unauthorized. Submission aborted.’);
return;
}
const comment = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.INPUT);
if (!comment || !comment?.value) {
return;
}
const data = {
nonce,
comment: comment.value,
commentParent: 0,
postId: 427689,
uid: user?.uid,
};
// Post the comment.
fetch(`${adminAjaxUrl}?action=ep_create_public_comment`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: {
‘Content-Type’: ‘application/json’,
},
credentials: ‘include’,
body: JSON.stringify(data),
})
.then((r) => r.json())
.then((response) => {
// Handle errors.
if (!response.success) {
displayLoader(false);
displayError(response?.data?.message, true);
console.error(‘Error posting comment: ‘, response?.data?.message);
return;
}
// Handle success.
clearCommentInput();
runCommentProcess(‘getComments’);
})
.catch((e) => {
displayLoader(false);
displayError(e);
console.error(‘Error posting comment: ‘, e);
});
}
function toggleReplyForm(commentId) {
// Close any other open reply forms.
document.querySelectorAll(‘.ep-reply-form’).forEach(function(form) {
if (form.dataset.parentId !== String(commentId)) {
form.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
}
});
// Toggle the targeted reply form.
const targetForm = document.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-form[data-parent-id=”‘ + commentId + ‘”]’);
if (targetForm) {
targetForm.classList.toggle(‘tw:hidden’);
if (!targetForm.classList.contains(‘tw:hidden’)) {
targetForm.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-input’)?.focus();
}
}
}
function setReplyLoading(formEl, isLoading) {
const btn = formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-submit’);
const btnText = formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-button-text’);
if (!btn || !btnText) {
return;
}
if (isLoading) {
btnText.textContent=”Posting…”;
btn.disabled = true;
} else {
btnText.textContent=”Post Reply”;
btn.disabled = false;
}
}
function displayReplyError(formEl, error) {
const errorDiv = formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-error’);
if (!errorDiv || !error) {
return;
}
errorDiv.textContent=”Reply error: ” + error;
errorDiv.classList.remove(‘tw:hidden’);
errorDiv.classList.add(‘tw:block’);
}
function clearReplyError(formEl) {
const errorDiv = formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-error’);
if (!errorDiv) {
return;
}
errorDiv.textContent=””;
errorDiv.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
errorDiv.classList.remove(‘tw:block’);
}
function postReply(nonce, parentId, replyText, formEl) {
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user || !user?.uid) {
setReplyLoading(formEl, false);
return;
}
const data = {
nonce,
comment: replyText,
commentParent: parentId,
postId: 427689,
uid: user?.uid,
};
fetch(`${adminAjaxUrl}?action=ep_create_public_comment`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: {
‘Content-Type’: ‘application/json’,
},
credentials: ‘include’,
body: JSON.stringify(data),
})
.then((r) => r.json())
.then((response) => {
setReplyLoading(formEl, false);
if (!response.success) {
displayReplyError(formEl, response?.data?.message);
console.error(‘Error posting reply: ‘, response?.data?.message);
return;
}
formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-input’).value=””;
formEl.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
runCommentProcess(‘getComments’);
})
.catch((e) => {
setReplyLoading(formEl, false);
displayReplyError(formEl, ‘Network error. Please try again.’);
console.error(‘Error posting reply: ‘, e);
});
}
function submitReply(parentId, formEl) {
const input = formEl.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-input’);
if (!input || !input.value.trim()) {
return;
}
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user || !user?.uid) {
openLoginModal();
return;
}
setReplyLoading(formEl, true);
clearReplyError(formEl);
const data = {
type: ‘postComment’,
postId: 427689,
};
fetch(`${adminAjaxUrl}?action=ep_get_public_comment_nonce`, {
method: ‘POST’,
headers: {
‘Content-Type’: ‘application/json’,
},
body: JSON.stringify(data),
})
.then((r) => r.json())
.then((response) => {
if (!response.success) {
setReplyLoading(formEl, false);
displayReplyError(formEl, response?.data?.message);
return;
}
postReply(response?.data?.nonce, parseInt(parentId, 10), input.value.trim(), formEl);
})
.catch((e) => {
setReplyLoading(formEl, false);
displayReplyError(formEl, ‘Network error. Please try again.’);
console.error(‘Error getting nonce for reply: ‘, e);
});
}
function setupCommentListDelegation() {
const commentListDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.LIST);
if (!commentListDiv) {
return;
}
commentListDiv.addEventListener(‘click’, function(e) {
// Reply button: toggle the inline reply form.
const replyButton = e.target.closest(‘.’ + PublicCommentSelectors.REPLY_BUTTON);
if (replyButton) {
const commentId = replyButton.dataset.commentId;
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user) {
openLoginModal();
return;
}
toggleReplyForm(commentId);
return;
}
// Reply cancel: hide the reply form.
const replyCancel = e.target.closest(‘.ep-reply-cancel’);
if (replyCancel) {
const parentId = replyCancel.dataset.parentId;
const form = document.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-form[data-parent-id=”‘ + parentId + ‘”]’);
if (form) {
form.classList.add(‘tw:hidden’);
}
return;
}
// Reply submit: post the reply.
const replySubmit = e.target.closest(‘.ep-reply-submit’);
if (replySubmit) {
const parentId = replySubmit.dataset.parentId;
const form = document.querySelector(‘.ep-reply-form[data-parent-id=”‘ + parentId + ‘”]’);
if (form) {
submitReply(parentId, form);
}
}
});
}
function setupUserAvatar() {
const usernameDiv = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.USERNAME);
const userAvatar = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.USER_AVATAR);
if (!usernameDiv || !userAvatar) {
return;
}
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user) {
return;
}
const fullName = `${user?.firstName ?? ”} ${user?.lastName ?? ”}`;
usernameDiv.innerHTML = fullName;
userAvatar.innerHTML = getInitials(fullName);
}
function openLoginModal() {
window?.tp?.pianoId?.show({ displayMode: ‘modal’, screen: ‘login’ });
}
function setupCommentSubmitButton() {
const submitButton = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SUBMIT);
if (!submitButton || state.submitCommentButtonRegistered) {
return;
}
// Register a single click handler that checks auth state at click time.
submitButton.addEventListener(‘click’, function() {
const user = window?.tp?.pianoId?.getUser() ?? null;
if (!user) {
openLoginModal();
return;
}
runCommentProcess(‘postComment’);
});
state.submitCommentButtonRegistered = true;
}
function setSortOrder(order) {
state.sortOrder = order;
const newestBtn = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SORT_NEWEST);
const oldestBtn = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SORT_OLDEST);
if (newestBtn && oldestBtn) {
const activeClasses = [‘tw:font-bold’, ‘tw:text-blue-800’];
const inactiveClasses = [‘tw:font-normal’, ‘tw:text-slate-500’];
if (order === ‘newest’) {
newestBtn.classList.add(…activeClasses);
newestBtn.classList.remove(…inactiveClasses);
oldestBtn.classList.add(…inactiveClasses);
oldestBtn.classList.remove(…activeClasses);
} else {
oldestBtn.classList.add(…activeClasses);
oldestBtn.classList.remove(…inactiveClasses);
newestBtn.classList.add(…inactiveClasses);
newestBtn.classList.remove(…activeClasses);
}
}
displayComments();
}
function setupSortControls() {
const newestBtn = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SORT_NEWEST);
const oldestBtn = document.getElementById(PublicCommentSelectors.SORT_OLDEST);
if (newestBtn) {
newestBtn.addEventListener(‘click’, function() {
setSortOrder(‘newest’);
});
}
if (oldestBtn) {
oldestBtn.addEventListener(‘click’, function() {
setSortOrder(‘oldest’);
});
}
}
runCommentProcess(‘getComments’);
listenForPianoLogin();
setupCommentSubmitButton();
setupCommentListDelegation();
setupSortControls();
});






