Are you working to craft the right mix of options and amenities for your breakroom? Our comprehensive office kitchen supplies checklist will help you create a kitchen area that is both a productivity and recruiting asset.
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1. FOOD & DRINK
Great Coffee is the Place to Start
Providing employees coffee has shown to contribute to higher morale, productivity and retention. It’s a perk that is both easy to provide and highly appreciated, and is a great return on your investment.
Know Your Employee Preferences
Espresso? Locally-sourced coffee? National brands? All of the above? There are a lot of options when it comes to office coffee. Start by getting an idea of what is a good fit with your employees.
Have a Decaf Option
Whichever mix of coffee is right for your office, be sure to include a decaf option as well for those employees that enjoy coffee but want to avoid caffeine.
Coffee Checklist:
[ ] Caffeinated coffee
[ ] Decaf coffee
[ ] Speciality / flavored coffee – also consider locally roasted coffee
[ ] Cold brew
Think Beyond Coffee
While coffee may be the beverage we think of first when stocking the office kitchen, don’t forget about your non-coffee drinkers.
Tea
Need a caffeine boost, or looking to relax at bit? There’s a tea for every mood. Tea is extremely popular among Millennials who seek it out for its health benefits. Teas include a wide range of caffeinated and decaffeinated types, so be sure to stock a range of caffeinated, decaffeinated, black, green, and herbal varieties.
Hot Chocolate and Cider
Hot chocolate and hot cider are great alternatives to tea and coffee. These are available in many formats to pair with your existing equipment.
Hot Beverage Checklist:
[ ] Tea (caffeinated black & green teas and herbal tea)
[ ] Chai tea
[ ] Hot chocolate
[ ] Hot apple cider packets
Cold Drinks
Keep the fridge stocked with cold beverages like soft drinks, fruit juices, iced tea, and flavored sparkling water. Also consider other trendy options like Kombucha and canned lattes or cold brew.
Cold Drink Checklist
[ ] Water flavor enhancers (like powdered mixes)
[ ] Kombucha
[ ] Soda
[ ] Sports drinks
[ ] Flavored sparkling water
[ ] Fruit juices
[ ] Iced tea
[ ] Canned lattes/cold brew
Filtered Water
Keep your employees hydrated with clean, filtered water. State-of-the-art bottle-free dispensers come in both countertop and floor units and offer hot and cold water, as well as flavored and sparkling options. Explore different office water dispensers to learn more about their features and functionality.
Hot Water
Hot water is a must for tea, cocoa, soups, and oatmeal. Provide it with ease through a filtered water dispenser.
On-Demand Sparkling Water
Sparkling water is an enjoyable, zero-sugar beverage, and has increased in consumption by 42% in recent years. Sparkling water is easier than ever to bring to your employees with modern water dispensers that offer sparkling water options in both floor and countertop models. You can also get water dispensers that dispense still, sparkling, and hot water all in one machine.
Water Offering Checklist
[ ] Still filtered water
[ ] Hot water
[ ] Sparkling water
[ ] Ice
Make Sure You Have the Right Equipment
Choose a brewing machine that fits your office’s size and needs, from single-serve brewers to bean-to-cup espresso machines. To determine the best coffee machine for your office, see our guide for How to Choose the Best Coffee Solutions for Your Office.
[ ] Coffee Machine
[ ] Single-serve coffee machine
[ ] Airpot/thermal brewing machine
[ ] Bean to cup brewer
[ ] Espresso machine
Snacks
Who doesn’t love snacks?! Whether your kitchen is stocked with every imaginable treat or just a few key items, you can boost your employees’ happiness and satisfaction with a snack offering. By building an office snack program that appeals to a range of eating styles, you can give employees variety and allow them to stick to dietary restrictions if necessary. Dietary needs such as low-sugar or gluten free can be accommodated with items like fresh fruit, nuts, or popcorn. Vegan diets also have many options, from granola bars to hummus snacks and dried fruit. For your Keto and Paleo employees you can keep the pantry filled with mixed nuts and meat jerkies. Of course, chocolate is always a crowd pleaser.
Snack Checklist
[ ] Salty snacks: pretzels, crackers, popcorn
[ ] Sweet snacks: chocolate, cookies, candies
[ ] Paleo snacks: nuts, seeds, seaweed snacks, jerky
[ ] Vegan snacks: fruit, granola bars, nut butters
[ ] Gluten-free snacks: hummus, popcorn, dried fruit
[ ] Low-sugar snacks: nuts, string cheese, popcorn
[ ] Breakfast items: yogurt, granola bars, oatmeal
[ ] Protein-packed: Greek yogurt and hard-boiled eggs
[ ] Snack bars and protein bars
[ ] Vegetable chips, protein chips & popcorn
[ ] Nut butters, guacamole & hummus
[ ] Dried fruit and trail mix
Creamers & Sweetners
Creamers
Dairy creamers, non-dairy creamers, seasonal flavors. Help your employees make the perfect cup of coffee with a variety of creamer options.
Sweeteners
Stock both sugar and sugar-substitutes to ensure that there is something for everyone.
Creamer & Sweetener Checklist:
[ ] Dairy creamer
[ ] Flavored creamers
[ ] Non-dairy creamers (almond, coconut, or soy-based creamer)
[ ] Sugar or raw sugar
[ ] Sugar-free sweeteners (Splenda, Stevia, etc)
[ ] Honey
2. SUPPLIES
Dishware/Utensils
An office kitchen supplies checklist wouldn’t be complete without the supplies needed to enjoy everything else. Make lunch and break times easy for your employees by supplying plates, cups and cutlery. Enroll in a subscription service for frequently used items to make sure your breakroom is always stocked and ready to go.
Office Kitchen Supplies Checklist:
[ ] Utensils
[ ] Drinking glasses/cups
[ ] Hot liquid cups/mugs
[ ] Plates
[ ] Bowls
[ ] Serving platters
Paper Products & Cleaning Supplies
Spills happen! A handy stash of paper towels and cleaning products are a must-have. Other items to keep stocked include disinfecting wipes, trash bags, resealable zip-top bags, and dish soap. These are all great office breakroom supplies to add to your monthly subscription so you are never caught without them.
Paper & Cleaning Goods Checklist:
[ ] Napkins
[ ] Paper towels
[ ] Dish soap
[ ] Dishwasher detergent
[ ] Sponges
[ ] Countertop spray
[ ] Hand soap
[ ]Broom/dustpan
[ ] Trash bags
Safety
Let your employees know you care about their well-being with a well stocked first aid kit. More than half of recently surveyed workers said supplies from the office first aid kit allowed them to finish their work shift. First Aid service takes care of everything from installation to maintenance, so you never have to worry about expired or missing items.
Safety Checklist:
[ ] First aid kit
[ ] Fire extinguisher
3. EQUIPMENT & EXTRAS
Additional Kitchen Amenities
What other items should be included in your office kitchen?
A refrigerator is a must if you want to offer perishable items like creamers and yogurt, and it is a nice shared amenities for employees to use. A microwave is always appreciated by those that bring lunch or if you offer items that require heating.
Equipment Checklist:
[ ] Microwave
[ ] Refrigerator
[ ] Ice maker
[ ] On-tap system for cold brew and/or kombucha
Extras:
[ ] Birthday candles
[ ] Wine opener
[ ] Bottle opener
[ ] Cake server
The breakroom is not just a place to get snacks and coffee, but a gathering area for events and a place to relax and socialize with coworkers. Make it a welcoming area with plenty of seating and tables. Extras like magazines and plants are are simple way to make sure your office kitchen is welcoming and enjoyable.
Room Amenities:
[ ] Table
[ ] Chairs
[ ] Magazine subscriptions
[ ] Plants