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Google Cuts Back on Its Food Perks

Problems in the kitchen will send employees home for dinner

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 25, 2008 12:43 PM CDT

(Newser) – Life at the Googleplex just got a little less delicious. Google is cutting back on its famously generous food benefits, taking free dinners and free snacks off the menu, Valleywag reports. It’s a surprising change, since Google has milked its cafeteria for publicity, and recently told shareholders to expect more perks for employees, not fewer.

The change is due in part to a disastrous partnership with an outside restaurant management company, which led to the departure of Google’s star chefs. But it could also signal a change of heart from Google’s founders. Sergey Brin reportedly complained recently of his employees’ growing sense of entitlement to “bottled water and M&Ms,” though Brin denies that report.

Front desk of Google headquarters is shown in Mountain View, Calif., Tuesday, May 15, 2007.
Front desk of Google headquarters is shown in Mountain View, Calif., Tuesday, May 15, 2007.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Aerial view of solar carports constructed by EI Solutions at the Google headquarters campus in Mountain View, CA.
Aerial view of solar carports constructed by EI Solutions at the Google headquarters campus in Mountain View, CA.   (AP Photo)
In this May 8, 2008 file photo, a Google worker rides a company bike in front of Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif.
In this May 8, 2008 file photo, a Google worker rides a company bike in front of Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, file)
A Google sign inside Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., June 18, 2007.
A Google sign inside Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., June 18, 2007.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
A Google security guard rides a vehicle in front of Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., Wednesday, May 7, 2008.
A Google security guard rides a vehicle in front of Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., Wednesday, May 7, 2008.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
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