The Secret Behind Chicago’s Office Comeback

In 2025, top Chicago workplaces are leaning into hospitality; not as a perk, but as a strategy. The result? A more intentional, connected, and energized return to the office.

The Loop has long been the nucleus of Chicago’s professional world. Pre-pandemic, it thrived with packed trains, buzzing coffee shops, and bustling high-rises. But when remote work took over, the vibrancy of the area waned—offices emptied, businesses shuttered, and downtown lost its momentum.

As we’ve moved through years of uncertainty and change, 2024 marked a pivotal shift: the “return to office” conversation became less about mandates and more about meaning. And now in 2025, forward-thinking companies have landed on a clear takeaway: the office must serve as a Connection Catalyst: a space that sparks daily interactions, builds relationships, and helps people do their best work together.

Instead of flashy perks from the 2010s—like nap pods and rock climbing walls—today’s workplaces are focusing on high-impact essentials, starting with corporate food and beverage programs designed to bring people together in small, everyday moments.

How Chicago Workplaces are Approaching this Shift

Chicago companies are at the forefront of this shift. Traditional vendors struggled to meet the new needs of flexible workplaces, which led many of the city’s top employers to partner with us—a technology-backed food-service provider built for the way we work now.

“We specialize in streamlining food and beverage programs that breathe life into the office environment, foster a sense of community, and show employees a level of appreciation that only the best places to work offer,” said Nate Rosenstock, Co-Founder and CEO of Crafty. “Our expertise enables organizations to turn the office into a destination that employees look forward to and achieve the larger objectives of talent attraction, retention, and productivity.”

Our roots in tech gave us an edge during the pandemic when we invested heavily in building an office pantry inventory software. Our platform provides workplaces with consumption insights, budget tracking, and operational visibility, allowing companies to scale personalized, inclusive programs that work for fluctuating headcounts and flexible schedules.

Between 2020 and 2023, Crafty saw office pantry spending increase by 466% across Chicago companies, and that trend continued into 2024 with the average Chicago office spending 40% more. This is a powerful sign that corporate food service isn’t just a benefit; it’s part of the workplace infrastructure.

Chicago Office Pantry Trends Across Crafty-Powered Pantries

Chicago workplaces are investing in food and beverage programs that align with the needs of the modern workforce. Spending is focused on five key categories that reflect today’s values: connection, wellness, and intentionality.

Office Snacks: 35% of the Pantry Budget

Break rooms have evolved into curated experiences that reflect employee values, wellness goals, and moments of connection.

• Sales of B-Corp-certified products grew by 115% year over year, reflecting a shift toward more ethical, sustainable snack brands.
• Shelf-stable favorites like popcorn and pretzels doubled in demand (100% YoY growth), while jerky saw an 82% increase, pointing to a growing interest in high-protein, better-for-you snacks.
• The pantry is no longer just about convenience—it’s a core part of company culture, creating opportunities for microbreaks, interaction, and inclusivity.
  
  

Office Coffee: 10% of the Pantry Budget

‍Coffee bars have become modern-day watercoolers—spaces for spontaneous conversation and creative recharge.

• Cold brew is the fastest-growing coffee category, with a 78% surge as offices increasingly install cold brew kegs year-round. It’s a cost-effective, sustainable option that keeps teams energized and cuts down on single-use packaging.
• Whole bean coffee came in second, growing 71% year over year—reflecting both the rising demand for quality and the increased accessibility of bean-to-cup coffee machines that deliver barista-level coffee with minimal effort.
  
  

Office Drinks: 25% of the Pantry Budget

Hydration stations now support both performance and wellness, and they’re getting a flavorful, sustainable upgrade.

• Energy drinks jumped 144% year over year, showing demand for functional beverages that align with busy, hybrid schedules.
• Still and sparkling water remain staples, continuing to serve as the foundation of any well-stocked beverage lineup.
• The new kid on the block is flavored and infused water, like Hint, which saw 90% growth as employees look for healthier, more enjoyable ways to hydrate without added sugar or artificial ingredients.
• Offices are also prioritizing innovative and sustainable equipment, like Bevi machines, which can save a 200-person office $15,673 per year and eliminate more than 35,000 plastic bottles annually.

Perishables: 23% of the Pantry Budget

Flexible work needs flexible food. Perishables are on the rise as employees seek satisfying, healthy snack options they can grab between meetings.

• Deli products saw an 81% increase, highlighting demand for grab-and-go snacks that can be turned into meals.
• Yogurt experienced a 41% year-over-year increase, emerging as a go-to office breakfast choice. It’s cost-effective, protein-packed, and easy to stock in single-serve formats—making it ideal for teams easing into the workday.
• Honeycrisp apples, oranges, and bananas now rank as the top three office snacks in Chicago, with over 5,000 units of fresh fruit delivered across the city—proving that fresh, familiar options remain a powerful staple in the workplace.
  
  

Office Supplies: 4% of the Pantry Budget

Sustainability has become non-negotiable, especially when it comes to office kitchen supplies.

• In Chicago, 73% of all dining supplies for the office are now compostable, reflecting a broader commitment to reduce waste and support environmentally responsible workplaces.

Conclusion

This shift in workplace food service reflects a broader cultural evolution. As outlined in our 2025 Workplace Trends Report, the office is no longer defined by attendance—it’s defined by intentionality. The most successful organizations are those that use their workplace pantry program to spark connections and foster employee well-being.

“Workplaces have entered a new era of hospitality,” says Nate Rosenstock, Crafty CEO & Co-Founder. “Employees are the guests, and the in-office experience is intentionally designed to deliver convenience, care, and connectivity.”

Meaningful connections don't happen by accident—they are fueled.