'Magnet Space' strategy gains attention amidst return to office. How bento sales create a new form of internal communication across departments
Wao Corporation, operator of 'Shashoku DELI', reveals that bento delivery spaces are being utilized as 'magnet spaces' to boost office communication, with 48% of surveyed companies reporting improved interactions.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 2, 2026 at 19:37
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 04:51 (441h 14m after Collected)
Wao Corporation, which operates the corporate bento delivery service 'Shashoku DELI,' announces a rapid increase in companies utilizing 'bento sales spaces' as a measure to revitalize internal communication amidst the ongoing return to the office from remote work. We will introduce case studies where it is implemented as a 'magnet space' where employees naturally gather, going beyond simple meal provision.
## Background: Return to Office and Communication Issues
In recent years, many companies have adopted a hybrid work style of remote and office work, or have returned to working in the office in principle. However, an increasing number of companies are facing communication issues such as 'employees just silently working at their desks even when they come to the office' and 'reduced small talk with other departments.' Companies are required to take new measures to enhance the 'value of coming to the office.'
## Trend: Bentos Become 'Conversation Hooks'
In response to these issues, a growing movement among companies introducing Shashoku DELI is to utilize the bento sales space as a 'magnet space' (a place where people naturally gather).
The greatest feature of Shashoku DELI, 'abundant menus with dozens of varieties daily,' serves as a trigger (hook) for natural conversations such as 'What are you getting for your bento today?' and 'That looks delicious,' creating opportunities for employees from different departments, who do not usually interact, to meet face-to-face.
## Highlights of Survey Results
### 1. About half of adopting companies feel 'revitalization of internal communication'
Of the 35 companies that introduced Shashoku DELI, 17 (about 48%) cited 'revitalization of internal communication' as a post-introduction effect. We received many comments such as, 'Conversations occur naturally when choosing a bento,' and 'Opportunities to see employees from other departments who we usually do not interact with have increased.'
### 2. Abundant menus act as 'conversation hooks'
The biggest reason Shashoku DELI is chosen (answered by 27 companies) is its 'overwhelming menu variety,' which functions not only to improve meal satisfaction but also as a trigger (hook) for conversations such as, 'That looks delicious,' and 'What did you eat yesterday?'
### 3. Former cafeteria spaces evolve into 'multi-purpose lounges'
In companies (14 companies) that abolished their corporate cafeterias with kitchens and switched to Shashoku DELI, the vacant kitchen spaces were renovated into refreshment lounges and meeting spaces. They are being effectively utilized as 'magnet spaces' (places where people naturally gather) to buy bentos and eat them on the spot.
## Case Studies: Bentos as a hub for natural communication
**UZABASE, INC.:**
'Since you can easily buy a bento, some employees come to the office even when they hadn't planned to, making it perfect for creating daily communication.'
**Viking Co., Ltd.:**
'We are glad that lunch has become an opportunity for communication among employees. They buy them while chatting, saying things like, "What are you getting today?"'
### Representative Comment
'Now that the "value of coming to the office" is being questioned, an attractive lunch environment is an important factor. Shashoku DELI does not just fill stomachs but creates a "communication inf...
## Background: Return to Office and Communication Issues
In recent years, many companies have adopted a hybrid work style of remote and office work, or have returned to working in the office in principle. However, an increasing number of companies are facing communication issues such as 'employees just silently working at their desks even when they come to the office' and 'reduced small talk with other departments.' Companies are required to take new measures to enhance the 'value of coming to the office.'
## Trend: Bentos Become 'Conversation Hooks'
In response to these issues, a growing movement among companies introducing Shashoku DELI is to utilize the bento sales space as a 'magnet space' (a place where people naturally gather).
The greatest feature of Shashoku DELI, 'abundant menus with dozens of varieties daily,' serves as a trigger (hook) for natural conversations such as 'What are you getting for your bento today?' and 'That looks delicious,' creating opportunities for employees from different departments, who do not usually interact, to meet face-to-face.
## Highlights of Survey Results
### 1. About half of adopting companies feel 'revitalization of internal communication'
Of the 35 companies that introduced Shashoku DELI, 17 (about 48%) cited 'revitalization of internal communication' as a post-introduction effect. We received many comments such as, 'Conversations occur naturally when choosing a bento,' and 'Opportunities to see employees from other departments who we usually do not interact with have increased.'
### 2. Abundant menus act as 'conversation hooks'
The biggest reason Shashoku DELI is chosen (answered by 27 companies) is its 'overwhelming menu variety,' which functions not only to improve meal satisfaction but also as a trigger (hook) for conversations such as, 'That looks delicious,' and 'What did you eat yesterday?'
### 3. Former cafeteria spaces evolve into 'multi-purpose lounges'
In companies (14 companies) that abolished their corporate cafeterias with kitchens and switched to Shashoku DELI, the vacant kitchen spaces were renovated into refreshment lounges and meeting spaces. They are being effectively utilized as 'magnet spaces' (places where people naturally gather) to buy bentos and eat them on the spot.
## Case Studies: Bentos as a hub for natural communication
**UZABASE, INC.:**
'Since you can easily buy a bento, some employees come to the office even when they hadn't planned to, making it perfect for creating daily communication.'
**Viking Co., Ltd.:**
'We are glad that lunch has become an opportunity for communication among employees. They buy them while chatting, saying things like, "What are you getting today?"'
### Representative Comment
'Now that the "value of coming to the office" is being questioned, an attractive lunch environment is an important factor. Shashoku DELI does not just fill stomachs but creates a "communication inf...