The delivery platform’s offices are a space filled with splashes of Foody’s now-iconic orange, blended with green and white. It’s an environment that feels open and effortless, an easy-going vibe dominating the place, oozing with a calm, relaxed energy that somehow still hums with quiet purpose. “Growth at Foody has always been people-first,” says Celia Ierodiaconou, Senior Operations Manager. “We scale thoughtfully, making sure our culture grows with us.”
Founded in 2015, Foody is celebrating its first decade – 10 years of ideas and deliveries by the people who turned a start-up dream into a Cyprus-wide movement. Around 100 “Fooders” now make up this vibrant ecosystem, each one part of the pulse that connects customers to over 3,500 restaurants and stores across the island. The company’s evolution has been steady but spirited, grounded in purpose and powered by its people.
“Our culture is built on trust, collaboration and genuine care,” says Ierodiaconou, her words carrying the calm conviction of someone who truly lives the values she describes. “We care for our users, our partners and each other,” she elaborates. If you asked the team, she adds, they’d probably say that Foody feels like a community where you can be yourself, grow fast and make a visible impact.
Within the company, personnel development has never been treated as a separate initiative or a box-ticking exercise. “It’s built into how we work,” says Ierodiaconou. The approach is organic yet intentional: digital resources blend with role-based training and mentoring, while employees are encouraged to take ownership of their personal growth. Opportunities unfold naturally through internal moves, cross-functional collaborations and stretch projects – all woven into the rhythm of everyday work. “Managers play a hands-on role,” Ierodiaconou explains, “coaching their teams, identifying growth opportunities and ensuring that each development path supports both individual aspirations and organisational needs.”
A sense of connection that extends to the workspace itself
That sense of connection extends to the workspace itself, which is bright, warm and unmistakably "Foody". Designed with care, corners invite conversation and open areas breathe creativity. “We wanted to create an environment that supports focus when needed but also encourages collaboration and spontaneous exchange,” she says. Every inch of it, she notes, was shaped through feedback from the team – proof that the company’s design, like its culture, is built on listening.
Indeed, listening has become a quiet art form at Foody. Employee engagement is measured twice a year through structured surveys and open feedback channels. “It’s a continuous loop: listen, act, reflect and improve.” The result? A workplace that feels alive, responsive and human, explains the Senior Operations Manager.
When asked about the elusive work-life balance, she smiles. “At Foody, balance means trust and flexibility.” It’s not about fixed hours or rigid boundaries, she tells GOLD, but about respect – the freedom to manage time responsibly and the understanding that life and work are intertwined. “We care more about outcomes and collaboration than strict hours and that autonomy is something our people really value.”
Of course, the tangible perks are there: competitive benefits, medical and life insurance, a pension plan, the ever-popular 13th salary and even a free Foody Pro subscription. But what people treasure most isn’t a benefit you can list. It is the sense of belonging and of shared purpose. The company’s wellness initiatives, flexible work options and community-focused programmes are extensions of that spirit, reflecting what Foody truly stands for.
“Foody stands out because of its authenticity,” Celia Ierodiaconou concludes. “We care deeply about our people and the impact we create.” In Cyprus, where the tech scene is fast expanding, Foody remains distinct – a company that grows with warmth and purpose, never losing its human touch. Ten years after its foundation, Foody’s anniversary feels less of a corporate milestone and more of a celebration of connection among colleagues, customers and communities. It’s a story written in orange and filled with kindness and ambition. Those who work there are, indeed, in good company.
This article was published in the November issue of GOLD magazine. Click here to view it.
