FAQ
Workplace food, answered.
Everything you need to know about bringing fresh, fully managed meals to your team. Still stuck? Send us an inquiry and we'll walk you through it.
What is the minimum headcount for Daily Drop-Off Lunch Buffet? +
Our buffet-style Drop-and-Go program works best when there is real daily on-site demand. We have served teams of 50, 75, 100, and more — what matters is whether the cadence is recurring. Have a specific department or site in mind? Reach out and we will determine the best fit. For smaller, less frequent needs, our Weekly Team Meal Delivery program may be a better starting point.
How long does buffet setup take on delivery day? +
Drop-off and setup typically takes under ten minutes. Your team self-serves, and we do not stay on-site during the meal.
Can we customize the lunch buffet menu? +
To keep quality consistent and pricing predictable, we do not create custom menus for each client. Instead, we offer a rotating weekly menu on a 4 to 6 week cycle, with familiar favorites, lighter options, and high-protein meals represented each week.
What time do you deliver the buffet? +
Most clients choose a 30-minute delivery window that works best for their department and lunch shifts. Need two separate drop-offs? Let us know. For larger teams, we may be able to accommodate multiple delivery windows.
How does billing work for the buffet program? +
Billing is handled through weekly prepayment with net 7 terms, to be paid prior to service. Many clients prefer planning around a predictable four-week budget, and our best per-person pricing is available when paying for four weeks at a time.
Can we cancel the buffet program after the pilot? +
Absolutely. If the pilot does not meet your expectations, there is no obligation to continue. If your team loves the program and would like to move forward, we offer 3, 6, and 12-month agreement options based on what works best for your organization.
What areas do you deliver the lunch buffet to? +
The Drop-and-Go hot buffet is currently Inland Empire only. The Smart Fridge, Weekly Team Meal Delivery, and Remote Delivery programs serve Orange County, Los Angeles, and Temecula as well. Share your worksite ZIP and we'll confirm exact coverage on the call.
How does the Smart Fridge program work? +
MHP Food Service installs a fully managed smart fridge at your location and stocks it weekly with fresh, ready-to-eat meals. Employees can view available meals on the screen, tap their card or phone to unlock the fridge, choose what they want, and go. We handle stocking, product rotation, and ongoing management of the program.
What size workplace is a good fit for a Smart Fridge? +
We recommend the Smart Fridge program for workplaces with consistent on-site traffic. It is especially valuable for offices, hospitals, public agencies, warehouses, campuses, residential communities, and teams with early, late, or mixed shifts. During a discovery call, we review your location, headcount, schedule, and expected usage to determine whether the program is the right fit.
What meals are available in the Smart Fridge, and can we customize? +
Our Smart Fridges are stocked from MHP’s rotating weekly menu calendar. The rotation provides variety throughout the month, giving employees different meals to choose from while bringing back familiar favorites over time. To keep quality consistent and the program reliable, we manage the menu selection rather than building custom menus for each workplace.
How do employees pay for meals, and can our company subsidize them? +
Employees can purchase meals directly at the fridge using a credit card, debit card, or mobile wallet. Employers may also choose to subsidize part or all of the meal cost as an employee benefit.
Subsidies can be structured in several ways. Your company can cover a percentage of every meal, provide employees with a monthly meal credit, or cover meals during specific shifts or hours. We help determine the best structure for your team and handle billing on the back end.
How often is the fridge stocked, and what happens if meals sell out? +
We stock each Smart Fridge weekly and monitor purchasing patterns to understand what your employees are actually buying. If meals consistently sell out or demand outgrows the available space, we can discuss adding a second fridge or an additional weekly stocking day to better support your team.
What if no one uses the Smart Fridge? +
We do not install the fridge and leave you to figure it out. Our team monitors usage, product selection, and purchasing patterns after launch. If participation stays lower than expected, we work with you to improve awareness, adjust the program, or determine whether a lighter food service option would be a better fit for your location.
What does the Smart Fridge need on-site? +
A standard 110V outlet and about two square feet of floor space. No plumbing required. The fridge ships with its own cellular connection, so workplace Wi-Fi is not required. We install it, stock it weekly, and handle service.
Who handles restock and maintenance of the Smart Fridge? +
We do, end to end. Our team handles delivery, restock, expired-item rotation, cleaning, and any hardware service. You don't manage inventory or vendors.
Does the Smart Fridge need Wi-Fi? +
No. The unit ships with its own cellular connection for payments and inventory tracking, so it doesn't depend on your corporate Wi-Fi. If you'd prefer to put it on your network instead, we can do that too.
Is there a setup or install fee for the Smart Fridge? +
Smart Fridge programs include a cost that is discussed during a discovery call based on your location and program needs. For most multi-year programs, install fees are minimal or none. Any costs are spelled out clearly in your quote, with no surprises.
What is the smallest team you'll serve for Weekly Meals? +
Roughly 25 meals per week on a recurring cadence. If you need fewer than that, we usually recommend ordering directly from our consumer site (myhealthypenguin.com) instead of setting up a workplace program.
How are the Weekly Meals packaged? +
Each meal is individually portioned in a sealed container with a clear label that includes the dish name, ingredients, and use-by date. No buffet pans, no shared serving setup, no group plating.
Do Weekly Meals need to be reheated? +
Yes. Meals are delivered chilled and made to be reheated in a standard microwave. We build the menu around options that hold up well after delivery and reheat properly at work.
What does the Weekly Meals menu look like? +
We run a rotating weekly menu. Each week, we release a new lineup of entrees, lighter options, and high-protein dishes.
Your company coordinator chooses which meals (and how many of each) you want from that week's menu for your delivery.
This is not an individual custom-order program where every employee picks their own meal through a portal.
How does billing work for Weekly Meals? +
Billing is weekly pre-pay on a per-meal basis.
We confirm your meal count for the upcoming week before production, then invoice you so the spend is clear ahead of delivery.
How much does a weekly meal program cost? +
Pricing is per meal. Your total weekly cost depends on how many meals you order and which items you choose.
Your company is the one purchasing the meals from us. From there, it's up to you whether you resell them to employees, offer them at a discount, or cover them completely as a benefit.
Is there a minimum commitment or contract for Weekly Meals? +
No long-term contract. The program is built around weekly pre-pay, so you can start with a short pilot, see how your team responds, and then scale up if it's working.
You're free to skip a week when needed. If there are 4 weeks in a row with no orders, we assume the program is paused and may release your spot. You can always reach back out to restart.
Do you deliver Weekly Meals to home offices or just the workplace? +
We deliver to your worksite. For hybrid teams, we recommend scheduling meals around your in-office days so the program supports the days you actually want people together.
What areas do you deliver Weekly Meals to? +
We deliver across the Inland Empire, Orange County, Los Angeles, and Temecula.
Where do you deliver Remote Employee Meals? +
We deliver to homes across the Inland Empire and the surrounding Southern California area from our Rancho Cucamonga kitchen. Send us your team's ZIP codes and we'll confirm coverage.
How does billing work for Remote Delivery? +
One simple invoice for your whole team. You can fully cover meals or set a monthly per-employee credit. Employees never have to expense or track anything.
Can remote employees choose their own meals? +
Yes. Each employee picks from our weekly rotating menu of freshly-prepared meals.
Is there a contract or minimum for Remote Delivery? +
No long-term contract. Programs are month-to-month, and minimums depend on your team size. Most teams start with a short pilot.
How do we launch a Remote Delivery program? +
Send us an inquiry with your team size and ZIP coverage. We'll reach out to set up a quick call, lock your headcount and budget, and onboard your team. Most programs are running within a couple of weeks.
Is there a minimum order per location per week for Wholesale? +
Yes. We set a per-delivery minimum per location during onboarding so it fits your routes and the format of your business. The minimum is per location, not pooled across all your locations.
How does Wholesale delivery scheduling and the order cutoff work? +
Each approved location gets one scheduled delivery day per week. Orders for that delivery have to be placed before our weekly cutoff. After the cutoff, the order goes into production and ships on the scheduled day. Anything submitted after the cutoff rolls to the following week.
How does billing work for Wholesale accounts? +
Weekly pre-pay is the standard. Once you have a few delivery cycles under your belt, established accounts can request approved billing terms.
Can we resell wholesale meals or give them away free to employees? +
Yes. Once delivered and signed for, the product is yours. You can resell in your market or fridge, offer at a discount, or cover the meals fully as a benefit for your team or members. That is your call.
Is the Wholesale portal for individual home orders? +
No. The wholesale portal is for business accounts, operators, and workplaces only. For individual home orders, visit myhealthypenguin.com.
How exactly do wholesale volume discounts work? +
Pricing is per meal, per delivery to a single location. The more meals on a single drop to a single location, the lower the effective per-meal price on that drop. Discounts apply per drop-off, per location, not across all your locations combined. The cart calculates this for you automatically once you are logged in.
Where do you deliver Wholesale orders? +
Across the Inland Empire, Orange County, Los Angeles, and Temecula Valley. Share your locations during the application and we will confirm route coverage and delivery days.
How long does Wholesale approval take? +
Most applications are reviewed within one business day. We follow up to confirm fit, walk through onboarding, and set up your minimums and routes.
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Testimonials
Real teams, Real partners.
Real words from our partners we prepare for every week.
★★★★★
“Thank you for your assistance with this service! I continue to receive positive feedback every day about your services.”
★★★★★
“We're on our second agreement with MHP. The team adapts to our headcount changes, works with us on menu adjustments, and shows up consistently every week. One of the easier vendor relationships we've had.”
★★★★★
“The fridge seems like a hit here! Everyone loves it and it's such a great option for staff to have a healthy meal on site.”
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