34.5%
increase in colleague satisfaction score
11 point
increase in Happy Index during the first year
160,000+
feedback responses collected
Over 2,500
feedback responses collected weekly
A fresh approach to colleague experience
Natures Way Foods is one of the UK’s top fresh prepared food manufacturers, supplying major retailers and food service businesses with ready-to-eat meals, and salad. With over 1,000 colleagues across multiple sites, their success is built on strong values and a people-first culture.
Keeping colleagues engaged and empowered isn’t just good business — it’s how they deliver quality every single day. To excel in this area, they were looking for a better way to understand how their teams truly felt and support their well-being at scale.
Annual surveys weren’t enough
Before implementing HappyOrNot, Natures Way Foods faced a challenge common to many large organizations: they had very limited visibility into how their people were really feeling. Despite a strong people-first culture and a commitment to being the “Best at Fresh” in both product and colleague experience, there was a growing disconnect between leadership’s understanding and the daily realities on the ground.
Their primary tool for gauging colleague sentiment was an annual survey. But low response rates sparked concern and the team began to question whether people felt disengaged or simply didn’t see the value in sharing their voice.
“We were relying on an annual engagement survey, and we found that approach frustrating as we didn’t want to wait a whole year to understand our colleague’s sentiment,” said Armelle.
Natures Way Foods had just launched its Deep Engagement Programme, a key pillar of their Passionate People strategy, and while the ambition was high, their existing approach to feedback wasn’t keeping up. The timing was right to explore a new way forward, one that could empower the program with real-time insights and bring the Passionate People strategy to life in a tangible, measurable way.
“We needed something real time and accessible. HappyOrNot stood out for its simplicity and inclusivity,” told Armelle.
160,000 voices heard and rising satisfaction across every site
Natures Way Foods introduced HappyOrNot Smiley Touch devices across five sites in late 2023, integrating the tool into daily routines. Backed by enthusiastic support from the executive and leadership teams, HappyOrNot quickly became a foundational part of the company’s culture. They adopted a clear performance model, using two thresholds to measure success: a “Green” target of 70% positive feedback, and a “Blue” North Star of 80% or above, aligning directly with their aspiration to be “Best at Fresh” in colleague experience.
Each week, a detailed insights report is shared with executive leaders, site managers, and the ACT (Action Communication Team), Natures Way Foods equivalent to a ‘Colleague Voice Forum’, summarizing the feedback received that week. These insights feed into a weekly news roundup, where the company celebrates wins, shares feedback volumes, and highlights “You Said, We Did” moments that show direct action has been taken. A period summary is also presented to the Board, tracking site performance over time and reinforcing accountability.
“HappyOrNot is fully embedded in our culture,” said Armelle. “It’s supported by our executive and leadership teams and has become a key part of how we listen to our people.”
While the rollout initially met some skepticism, consistent visibility and responsiveness transformed perception. Over time, people began to trust the process, realizing the Smiley Touches weren’t a surveillance tool, but a safe and anonymous space to share their feelings.
More than a feedback tool, HappyOrNot is helping Natures Way Foods bring its Deep Engagement Strategy to life. The company’s five long-term pillars – “Open Managers who listen, care and act,” “Communication that is easy to understand and matters to me”, “I know what’s expected of me and I have the tools to do my job”, “A community where I have moments of joy”, and “My benefits and rewards are meaningful” – are now being reinforced through real-time feedback and transparent action. The result is a shift in culture: from data collection to dialogue, from hesitation to trust, and from assumptions to authentic, daily connection with the people who power the business.
34.5% increase in colleague satisfaction (and stronger leadership alignment)
Since adopting HappyOrNot, Natures Way Foods has collected nearly 160,000 real-time feedback responses, averaging over 2,500 each week. The results speak volumes: a 20-point rise in their Happy Index, representing a 34.5% increase in colleague satisfaction.
But behind those numbers is a deeper transformation. HappyOrNot now provides a reliable, real-time pulse on colleague morale, helping leaders stay grounded in the everyday experiences of their teams. The platform’s anonymity empowers honest feedback, while the shared visibility of results through huddles, scorecards, and leadership reports keeps the entire organization focused on what matters most: their people.
For example, when colleagues raised concerns about restroom conditions, the company acted with a full site-wide refurbishment. When they asked for healthier food options, vending machines were stocked with fresh, cost-price salad bowls. Every touchpoint reinforces that colleague voices aren’t just heard – they shape action.
“HappyOrNot has helped us build a culture of listening. People now have trusted, anonymous way to express how they feel, and they see their feedback lead to real change. It isn’t about just collecting data. It’s about showing that we care, every single day.”
About Natures Way Foods
Natures Way Foods supplies fresh, convenient food to the UK’s leading retailers and foodservice customers. Their focus on quality and colleague engagement has earned them a reputation for innovation and operational excellence. With HappyOrNot, they’ve made colleagues voice a core part of how they grow, listen, and lead. Learn more about Natures Way Foods.