How Brand Collaborations Are Transforming Workplace Dining
Workplace dining is evolving, and expectations are rising just as quickly. Employees want freshness, excitement and variety; clients want engaging experiences that help bring people together. One of the clearest trends shaping that shift is the rise of high-street brand collaborations, and this quarter we saw the power of those partnerships come to life across Compass Ireland sites.
At the heart of this movement are two standout national favourites: Camile Thai and Chimac. Both are well-loved brands, each with a distinct flavour profile, loyal following and strong presence on the urban dining scene. Together, they’re helping us raise the bar for what workplace restaurants can deliver.
Why High-Street Partnerships Work
A strong workplace restaurant is no longer judged solely by menu variety or speed of service: it’s measured by experience.
High-street collaborations offer three clear advantages:
Instant recognition and excitement
Bringing a familiar, well-loved brand on site immediately shifts the energy of the restaurant. Employees know the names, trust the flavours, and feel they’re getting something special, without stepping outside.
Freshness and theatre
These activations bring a sense of movement and momentum into the workplace. From chef-led service to branded counters and live cooking, they turn lunchtime into an experience rather than a transaction.
A proven engagement driver
When people are excited about food, they’re more likely to come to the restaurant, stay on site longer, and feel more connected to the workplace community.
This quarter, both Camile Thai and Chimac demonstrated just how effective that formula can be.
Camile Thai: Fresh, Balanced and Consistently Crowd-Pleasing
Camile Thai launched with one of our strongest activations to date, drawing big interest across various professional sectors. Each activation was shaped as a best of Camile experience, with colourful displays, branded signage and chefs cooking fresh
Menus celebrated Camile’s approach to balanced Thai cooking, featuring dishes such as their fiery Crispy Chilli Chicken, aromatic Vegan Green Curry and comforting Massaman Chicken Curry.
Across sites, feedback was overwhelmingly positive. In several cases, customers sampled more than one main! The combination of freshness, familiar favourites and theatre-style preparation continues to make Camile Thai a standout for our guests.
Chimac: Bringing Dublin’s Cult-Favourite Flavours On Site
Alongside Camile’s success, our collaboration with Chimac added a different but equally powerful dimension to our clients. Known for their Korean-inspired flavours and award-winning sauces,Chimac brings a distinctive high-street identity that resonates strongly with today’s trend-led foodies.
Where Camile offers tradition and fragrant spices, Chimac brings boldness and indulgence, a contrast that keeps workplace dining varied, modern and relevant.
Their pop-ups create the same sense of anticipation guests feel when visiting their Aungier Street hub, making them an ideal partner in elevating on-site experiences.
With both brands operating across Compass Ireland this quarter, we saw firsthand how diverse high-street partnerships appeal to different tastes, moods and moments.
A Strategy That’s Bigger Than a Single Meal
What Camile Thai and Chimac represent goes beyond the excitement of a pop-up. They demonstrate a wider commitment to make workplace dining feel current, surprising and worth talking about.
High-street collaborations help:
- attract employees back into the restaurant
- support client culture and engagement goals
- create shared moments that lift the workday
- provide variety without adding operational complexity
Importantly, they keep Compass Ireland at the forefront of the food at work experience, ensuring an offer that evolves and exceeds the expectations of the people we serve.
Looking Ahead
As we move into 2026, high-street collaborations will continue to play a key role in refreshing the workplace dining landscape. Camile Thai and Chimac have shown what’s possible when trusted brands, talented chefs and strong operational delivery come together.
This is only the beginning. With more collaborations planned for 2026, we’re excited to keep bringing the flavours, energy and excitement of the high street into the places where people work.
