Digital expectations don’t end at the canteen door 

Digital services have long been an integral part of everyday working life. But when it came to lunch breaks, the reality in many workplace restaurants was very different: employee ID cards, cash, manual processes and little transparency for users.  

Sodexo recognized this disconnect early on. Rita Illigen, Digital Director Germany at Sodexo, sums it up:  

“We want to make the company restaurant an integral part of a modern, digital workplace.” 

The goal was therefore to create a user-centered, efficient and always-available payment experience – flexible enough to be adapted to a wide variety of locations and needs.  

The solution: digital payment  

With Everyday Pay, Sodexo worked with qnips to develop a central digital payment module that is seamlessly integrated into the Everyday app. This not only digitises the payment process, but also simplifies it significantly. In addition to payment solutions, the app offers menu displays, allergen information, customer feedback, and content and news feeds.  

The focus is on the integrated payment solution in the app, which allows employees to: 

• Top up or refund credit at any time in the app or at the checkout 

• Open the QR code in the app, which is then scanned at the checkout and the credit is automatically deducted 

• Pay in the app, at the checkout or at the vending machine 

• Use modern payment methods such as credit card, Apple Pay and Google Pay  

• Enjoy a smooth payment process at the checkout thanks to contactless payment 

• View transactions in the app at any time 

The focus was never on technology for its own sake. Rather, it is about creating real added value in everyday life. 

Rita Illigen describes this approach as follows:  

“Technology is not an end in itself. It should really make everyday life easier for users.”

Implementation & rollout: step by step towards scaling  

The introduction of Everyday Pay was deliberately phased. Initially, the solution was piloted in selected company restaurants. User feedback played a central role and was continuously incorporated into the optimization of the application.  

This test phase was followed by a rollout to other locations – with a clear focus on scalability, stability and easy integration. To accompany this, Sodexo relied on:  

• Targeted on-site training  

• Clear communication measures for employees  

• Technical standardisation for smooth operation  

The modularity of the solution proved to be a decisive factor for success.  

“Not every location is the same – our digital modules adapt to the requirements of the location, workforce and culture. Our task is to offer modular, scalable and, above all, well-thought-out solutions – such as Everyday Pay. ” says Illigen.  

The advantages of Everyday Pay for Sodexo – and for everyone involved  

The introduction of Everyday Pay brings several strategic advantages for both guests and the kitchen team:  

More efficient processes  

Significantly reducing cash handling cuts down on administrative effort. At the same time, digital checkout processes speed up payments, with waiting times noticeably reduced. 

Higher user satisfaction  

An intuitive, modern payment experience significantly increases the attractiveness of the company restaurant. Companies also benefit from this on the employer side: digital services such as Everyday Pay strengthen employer branding.  

Data-based optimisation  

Digital payments provide valuable insights, for example into visitor frequencies, peak times and food preferences. This data forms the basis for more precise planning, optimised menus and more efficient processes.  

Successful digitalisation through user focus  

A clear focus on the needs of employees makes digital transformation effective and sustainable. Understanding how employees want to experience their breaks allows digital solutions to be selected and implemented in a targeted manner. This means that digitalisation is not an end in itself, but increases acceptance, usage and satisfaction – creating real added value for both companies and employees alike. 

Conclusion: Everyday Pay is more than just payment 

Everyday Pay not only digitises the payment process – it transforms the entire experience in the communal dining. Processes become faster and more efficient, users benefit from greater convenience and transparency, and companies establish another digital touchpoint in everyday working day. 

For Sodexo, this means greater efficiency, higher customer satisfaction and clear differentiation in the market. 

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