Guckenheimer, the food service division of ISS, has earned the top position on the Humane World for Animals’ 2025 Food Service Industry Protein Sustainability Scorecard for the fourth consecutive year. The annual report, published by the organization formerly known as The Humane Society of the United States, evaluates food service companies on their animal welfare practices and plant-based menu offerings.
According to the report, Guckenheimer’s ranking reflects its commitment to offering majority plant-based meals in corporate dining programs, with 55% of meals being plant-based this year. The company has also established targets for reducing animal protein purchases annually through 2027.
Climate impact beyond animal welfare
Guckenheimer’s plant-forward strategy aligns with parent company ISS’s broader climate initiatives. The food service provider has signed the Coolfood Pledge, committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with its global food service operations by at least 25% by 2030.
The company has also made significant progress in waste reduction, reporting a 64% decline in waste from its 2022 baseline. This multi-faceted approach addresses several environmental impact areas simultaneously.
“Our mission has always been to serve food that nourishes both people and the planet,” said Paul Fairhead, CEO of Guckenheimer. “By putting plant-based ingredients at the heart of our menus, we’re not only reducing environmental impact, we’re helping our clients meet their sustainability goals while creating nutritious meals their teams genuinely enjoy.”
Implementation tools and training
To operationalize its sustainability goals, Guckenheimer has developed a proprietary toolkit called PowerPlant, which guides menu design with plant-based foods as the foundation. The system emphasizes seasonal and regional vegetables to reduce reliance on animal proteins.
The company has also expanded its sustainability training programs. In 2024, Guckenheimer chefs completed two pilot training programs with Humane World for Animals, increasing the number of Plant-based Ambassador certifications throughout the organization.
Additionally, ISS and Guckenheimer are launching a Zero Waste Cookbook featuring climate-friendly recipes developed by Guckenheimer culinary staff. This resource aims to support the company’s broader sustainability initiatives while providing practical implementation tools.
Guckenheimer provides dining, catering and workplace experience services in commercial facilities across North America, serving thousands of meals daily in nearly 250 facilities. As part of ISS, the company contributes to food service operations that span more than 60 countries.
The full Protein Sustainability Scorecard is available at humaneworld.org/FoodReport.
