All I can say is that you are never going to satisfy everybody, but all you can do is do the best job that you can. I hope this information is beneficial to you. I own and operate two restaurants in Mid-Michigan. I have a very liberal meal policy for my employees. In our employee handbook I highlight this policy as an employee benefit.
Beverages are available to employees at no change while they are working.
This includes pop and coffee only. Depending on which state you do business in you must be careful how you provide employee meals because the meals could be subject to a Use Tax. We operate 3 fast food Mexican eating establishments. They may feed whomever they wish as long as they are paying for it and they do not sell or directly trade for goods or services. They do not pay cash and it all of the discounted tickets are deducted from their checks.