Quick&Eat in Cholet: food truck for Thales

Sodexo and Thales in Cholet: When Corporate Food Services Seek to Reinvent Themselves

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At the Thales industrial site in Cholet, in the Maine-et-Loire department, Sodexo’s teams faced a challenge that has become common in large companies: how to make the lunch break more appealing without increasing fixed costs or undertaking major renovations?

As is common at many industrial sites, employees had gotten into the habit of leaving the premises for lunch, seeking something new and a change of pace. This phenomenon, though often underestimated, represents a real HR challenge: longer commute times, accident risks, delays in returning to work, fatigue… Not to mention the growing pressure on management to improve quality of life at work (QLW) and retain talent.

Sodexo therefore wanted to offer an alternative to the traditional cafeteria— something more dynamic and modern, capable of capturing employees’ attention and whetting their appetites right on-site. They needed a solution that was quick to deploy, flexible, and original enough to generate enthusiasm. It was in this context that they contacted LocaCuisines to learn about Quick&Eat.

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Quick&Eat: The Solution Deployed at the Thales Site

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A mobile kitchen trailer for a new themed menu every week

LocaCuisines’ Quick&Eat has been set up directly on the Thales site in Cholet, complementing the existing dining options. The concept is simple and effective: thanks to its modular design and the flexibility of a professional kitchen container, Sodexo can now offer a different themed cuisine each week: Mexican street food, gourmet burgers, Asian cuisine, Mediterranean snacks…

As a result, employees in Cholet no longer eat the same thing from one week to the next. This rotation of culinary themes turns lunchtime into a real event and makes employees want to stay on-site for lunch.

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The Practical Benefits of Quick&Eat in the Institutional Food Service Sector

Quick&Eat’s street food format is perfectly suited to the constraints of a corporate lunch break. Service is fast, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the menu stands in stark contrast to the traditional self-service cafeteria experience. For employees who only have 30 to 45 minutes for lunch, it’s an ideal alternative that avoids long lines and the hassle of driving back and forth.

For Sodexo, the Quick&Eat container makes it possible to diversify the menu without duplicating fixed equipment. The unit is equipped with professional-grade equipment and is ready for use as soon as it is installed. It can be placed in an outdoor area or under a canopy on the premises without requiring major construction work.

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Renting: No upfront investment, total flexibility

One of the major advantages of this project is the leasing model. Sodexo did not have to purchase the container or tie up capital in fixed equipment. By leasing the Quick&Eat, the container is set up for the desired duration—whether it’s a few weeks, several months, or an entire season.

This model is particularly well-suited for testing a new restaurant concept without taking on any financial risk. If the concept proves popular, it’s possibleto adapt the business model, extend the duration, or modify the container’slayout. Conversely, if needs change, returning the unit is simple and involves no hidden fees. That’s the LocaCuisines promise: a turnkey professional kitchen with no capital outlay, no long-term commitment, and no surprises.

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Do you manage food services at a large industrial or commercial site? Quick&Eat is the perfect solution for you

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A strategic tool for HR managers and site managers

If you are an HR Manager, Site Director, Facility Manager, or foodservice manager, this case study will likely resonate with you. The challenge faced by Thales in Cholet is far from unique: throughout France, large industrial and service companies are seeking to build employee loyalty through an attractive foodservice offering, without incurring disproportionate infrastructure costs.

Quick&Eat directly addresses this challenge. It helps keep employees on-site, reduces the risks associated with traveling during lunch breaks, and makes a tangible contribution to quality of life at work. These benefits are measurable and serve as strong arguments in a quality-of-life-at-work policy or a CSR report.

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Maintaining quality while introducing something new: the right balance for corporate dining

Quick&Eat does not replace the existing company cafeteria; rather, it complements and revitalizes it. The goal is not to compromise the usual service, but rather to diversify the dining options. By offering a high-quality, rotating, and themed street food menu, you provide employees with a new culinary experience every week, without compromising the standards of hygiene, traceability, and quality inherent to professional institutional food service.

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A kitchen container for rent—to test, adapt, and grow

You can rent a Quick&Eat kitchen container as soon as you have a project. No need for an investment proposal approved by the finance department, no construction to plan, and no delivery delays lasting several months. LocaCuisines installs the container, connects it, and helps you get started. You can begin serving your employees quickly, gauge their feedback, adjust the concept, and decide on the next steps with complete peace of mind.

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Would you like to offer your employees an innovative dining solution without a major investment? Contact our team today so we can discuss your project together. We’ll provide you with a customized solution tailored to the size of your facility, your logistical constraints, and your budget. Fill out our contact form or call us directly —our experts will get back to you within 24 hours.

👉 Request your free quote for Quick&Eat at your workplace

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