At SAS, we pride ourselves on fostering a world-class work environment that energizes our people and promotes creativity and innovation. We know creativity doesn’t happen on demand and that nutritious meals are important fuel for a good workday – and for bringing people together for collaboration and community.
That’s where our Food Services team comes in.
A little history
Food Services at SAS Headquarters began the same way as many of our other onsite perks and offerings: organically and centered around our people. In the early days, there were no restaurants close to the SAS campus, and many employees enjoyed volleyball, racquetball, or a brief swim in the lake at lunchtime. Those folks needed a quick meal before going back to the office, and after an entrepreneurial employee began selling sandwiches to hungry coworkers, the decision was made to create a Food Services space in the basement of Building B (now the site of The Umstead Hotel and Spa). What started as a small operation serving just one entrée and sandwiches eventually evolved into our first onsite cafeteria, Pennies Café, which opened its doors in July of 1985.
![Employees enjoy lunch outside at Pennies Café](https://blogs.sas.com/content/efs/files/2024/07/pennys-1024x685.jpg)
Today, Food Services at SAS is a large operation that partners with third party vendors to provide employees, customers, and guests with delicious, high-quality breakfasts and lunches with a side of hospitality. On our busiest days, over 1500 delicious lunches are served at our headquarters in Cary alone, and we’re proud to subsidize these offerings to make life a little easier for employees.
![Building C Marketplace Café | SAS Headquarters](https://blogs.sas.com/content/efs/files/2023/12/DSC04676-Large-1024x682.png)
Hungry yet? Take a scroll through a day in the life at our onsite cafés.
![Building C Marketplace Café | SAS Headquarters](https://blogs.sas.com/content/efs/files/2024/07/CampusCulture-20Sept2017_CW__6422-1.jpg)
Start the day off with a delicious hot breakfast! From pancakes and protein to overnight oats and fruit, there’s something for everyone.
![Building C Marketplace Café | SAS Headquarters](https://blogs.sas.com/content/efs/files/2023/12/D4D3EC54-6829-4E07-80BE-A1293EC1697A-Large-576x1024.jpeg)
Need a boost? Swing by our in-house coffee shop, serving up Starbucks coffee drinks and house-made pastries.
![Building C Coffee Shop | SAS Headquarters](https://blogs.sas.com/content/efs/files/2024/07/Image-14-Large-1-1024x768.jpeg)
![The author's drink of choice - a vanilla iced latte! | Building C Coffee Shop at SAS Headquarters](https://blogs.sas.com/content/efs/files/2024/07/Image-12-1-1024x768.jpeg)
If you're in need of a pick-me-up, fro-yo from the Building T Overlook Café is the perfect day-brightener.
![Building T Overlook Café | SAS Headquarters](https://blogs.sas.com/content/efs/files/2024/07/Image-19-1.jpeg)
Lunchtime menus never disappoint!
![Local, red wine braised beef short ribs with buttermilk mashed potatoes and steamed green beans | Building C Marketplace Café](https://blogs.sas.com/content/efs/files/2024/07/IMG_0196-Large-768x1024.jpeg)
From wood-fired pizza in the Building R Atrium café…
![Pizza](https://blogs.sas.com/content/efs/files/2024/07/Image-17-Large-1.jpeg)
...to fan-favorite sushi rolled right in front of you in the Building C Marketplace Café...
![An employee is handed a plate of sushi](https://blogs.sas.com/content/efs/files/2024/07/C-sushi-station-2-1-1024x683.jpg)
... and a fresh, colorful salad bar with delicious house-made dressings...
![Employees making salads at the salad bar](https://blogs.sas.com/content/efs/files/2024/07/DSC04655_photoshop-Large-1024x682.jpeg)
There’s something for everyone to enjoy. 🙂
![A child smiles and points to a cupcake](https://blogs.sas.com/content/efs/files/2024/07/IMG_5303-Large-1-768x1024.jpeg)
The dessert round has a variety of options that satisfy even the most discerning sweet tooth.
![Buffet of desserts](https://blogs.sas.com/content/efs/files/2024/07/Image-16-Large-1024x768.jpeg)
Tight on time? Grab-and-go lunches are the perfect quick bite.
![An employee smiles and holds a to-go lunch in front of the "grab and go" area.](https://blogs.sas.com/content/efs/files/2024/07/IMG_7217-Large-1-1024x768.jpeg)
If you need a mid-day energy boost, our break rooms have options for everyone – from fan-favorite M&Ms to gluten-free seed crackers to veggie chips and more.
![Containers of snacks](https://blogs.sas.com/content/efs/files/2024/07/Image-13-Large-1-1024x768.jpeg)
And it’s not all about lunch! SAS Food Services has been jarring the honey from our SAS Apiaries since 2019. To date, they’ve packaged and sold over 1700 jars.
![Small jars of honey](https://blogs.sas.com/content/efs/files/2024/07/Honey-1-1-1024x580.jpg)
Around the world, our employees, customers, and guests enjoy delicious lunchtime eats that delight and inspire. Take a look at just a few of the cafés, canteens and restaurants at our offices around the world:
From lush garden-side views in Heidelberg, Germany…
![SAS café in Heidelberg, Germany](https://blogs.sas.com/content/efs/files/2024/07/Germany4-1-1024x576.jpg)
… to sleek, light-filled seating in the Orangerie cafeteria of the Huizen Netherlands office…
![SAS café in Huizen, Netherlands.](https://blogs.sas.com/content/efs/files/2024/07/Netherlands-Large-1-1024x683.jpeg)
… to sunny outdoor space at our Sweden office that’s the perfect spot for a mid-day meal.
![SAS café in Stockholm, Sweden.](https://blogs.sas.com/content/efs/files/2024/07/IMG_3755-Large-1024x768.jpeg)
It’s safe to say that our Food Services teams deliver an exceptional experience around the globe!
![SAS employees eat lunch together](https://blogs.sas.com/content/efs/files/2024/07/DSC04958-Large-1-1024x682.jpeg)
Of course, it all goes back to our mission: to be the most trustworthy analytics partner on the planet. Food unites people, and sharing a meal fosters connection, boosts morale and strengthens trust. Engaged employees are more productive and form lasting relationships with each other and our customers, ultimately leading to greater success for our company.
This quote from a customer says it all:
“The thing that was a standout was your cafeteria. We sat there and watched. The fact that you had a place to come and engage with each other. We thought, ‘we’re in good hands.’ That’s why we chose SAS.” – SAS Customer