新宿中村屋 has launched “Office Stand By You,” a permanently installed workplace meal service. Full-scale service will begin in November 2025, with the aim of improving employees’ access to meals and supporting corporate health management.
To improve the workplace lunch environment, 新宿中村屋 launched a workplace meal service called “Office Stand By You.” The corporate service provides office-only soups made using cooking expertise dating back to the opening of its restaurant in 1927, with full-scale service beginning in November.
As employees return to the office after the COVID-19 pandemic, nearby restaurants have become more crowded and higher prices have worsened access to meals. The service aims to support employees’ health and improve workplace satisfaction by providing soup as a form of living support referred to as a “third pay raise.”
Key features include companies covering part of the monthly service fee and subsidizing product costs, soup deliveries based on the number of monthly contracts, shelf-stable retort packaging, and cashless purchases. Installation requires only a microwave and product shelf, allowing the service to be introduced in offices nationwide using a small amount of space.
The service launched with 4 varieties, with soup curry and onion soup scheduled to be added in December. Expansion of seasonal products is also being considered to support warming in winter and improve nutritional balance.