October 7, according to the Chosun Ilbo reported that in order to attract talent, the competition between Samsung and SK Hynix has even shifted to the staff meal, and both sides hope to improve employee satisfaction by constantly refining the dishes. The improvement in the quality of meals is not just about meeting basic dining needs, but is also an important reflection of the company’s culture and care for its employees. In order to retain talented people, these companies are willing to invest more resources in employee meals.
According to the latest report, Samsung Electronics’ “Semiconductor Business and Device Solutions Division” (DS) is even equipped with billions of dollars worth of food processing equipment, such as instant noodle machines, which can help employees cook instant noodles similar to those provided by convenience stores. Such innovations not only enhance the convenience of food and beverage, but also reflect a concern for the daily needs of employees. Employees are able to enjoy a quick bite to eat in between their busy schedules, increasing their productivity and satisfaction.
In April of this year, Samsung’s DS department launched the “Well-fit To-Go Zone” for health-conscious employees, offering daily choices such as low-sodium chicken rice with black bean sauce (420 kcal) and lotus root rice with pork (510 kcal) for diabetics. Healthy eating is gradually becoming a consensus among employees, and Samsung’s initiative coincides with this trend, reflecting the company’s emphasis on employee health. In addition, Samsung will also offer popular meals such as bagels from Seoul’s super popular cafe London Bagel Museum, the hottest donut Knotted, and New York’s best burger Shake Shack at least once or twice a week, in addition to providing take-out meals two to three times a month. This variety of dining options not only enriches the staff’s dining experience, but also promotes team cohesion.
During lunch time, employees can choose from up to 12 different menus at the Samsung restaurant, ranging from Korean and Western meals to burgers and boxed lunches. Such choices not only satisfy different tastes, but also allow employees to feel relaxed and happy in the midst of their busy schedules. The diversity of meals also allows employees to enjoy the cuisines of different cultures during their meals, enhancing the company’s international image.
There are currently about 77,000 employees in Samsung’s DS division, providing about 208,000 meals per day, using 6.7 tons of rice and 4.6 tons of kimchi per day, and providing three meals per day free of charge. This high-frequency food service is not just a pile of numbers, but also a care for every employee, showing Samsung’s responsibility and accountability as an industry leader.
In fact, Samsung’s emphasis on meals is due to competition for talent from rival SK Hynix. SK Hynix, which currently employs 32,000 people, has partnered with five in-house buffet suppliers, including CJ, Shinsegae, Samsung, Whoneed and Jinpoong Food Service, with the aim of improving the quality of meals through diverse cooperation. Competition among suppliers has brought more choices to employees and stimulated the innovation of each supplier, resulting in a continuous improvement in the quality of employee meals.
Healthy eating and variety of choices: a guarantee of employee satisfaction
In order to avoid losing out in the bidding process, the supplier has continued to introduce popular choices to the restaurant, such as a cooking class on Dubai Chocolate, which is popular throughout Korea, and popular dishes such as Lee Sung Dang Bread, the famous tofu hot pot Bukchangdong Soondubu, and the highly popular Seoul curry Abiko Curry. These unique dishes and activities not only make dining fun for employees, but also become part of the company’s culture and enhance their sense of belonging.
SK Hynix employees pointed out that staying at a large semiconductor plant makes it inconvenient to go out to eat, so employees eat at the employee cafeteria, and given the hours of work, the level of meal satisfaction has a significant impact on daily life. In order to enhance the dining experience of employees, SK Hynix is also making innovations, such as setting up comfortable dining environments and offering a variety of dining hours, so that employees can enjoy delicious meals and relax after a busy work day.
Family day program: enhancing employees’ sense of belonging and company culture
Every year, Samsung and SK Hynix organize a family day, inviting employees’ families to visit the company and enjoy a meal. Such activities not only allow employees’ families to understand their work environment, but also enhance the family members’ sense of identification with the company. Industry insiders reveal that employees feel proud when they introduce the restaurant to their family members, and their family members’ interest and goodwill towards the company increases, which helps to retain good talents. By doing so, companies are able to make a positive impact in the family lives of their employees, further enhancing employee loyalty.
In fact, a fierce “food competition” is taking place across a wide range of industries, from advanced semiconductor companies to low-cost airlines, where quality meals help attract top talent and foster customer loyalty. As the competition for technology, talent and customers intensifies, companies are putting a lot of effort into their food. This emphasis on food and beverage is no longer just a simple matter of dining, but an important part of corporate culture and employee care that directly impacts a company’s competitiveness in the talent market.
