Hankki Employee Day 2025: More Than a Meal, A Moment of Gratitude

We believe that More Than a Meal begins with the people who make that meal happen
— HANKKi

What Is Hankki Employee Day & Why It Matters

Hankki Canada team celebrating 1st Employee Day with a group photo, holding branded signs and smiling at the camera

On July 30, 2025, we celebrated our very first Hankki Employee Appreciation Day, one of the most symbolic and people-first moments in our brand’s story.

To make space for this, participating stores closed early — voluntarily stepping away from peak-hour sales and giving up a significant portion of their revenue (in many cases, close to two-thirds).

Some might call that a loss. We see it as something else entirely. An investment in our people. In culture. In trust.

Before closing, each store shared 50% of its same-day revenue directly with the team. Not as a bonus — but as a statement of appreciation and ownership.

This wasn’t just a celebration — it was a decision that reflects our values. Employee Day is now one of two cultural cornerstones at Hankki:

  • Employee Day (Summer): Celebrating our people.

  • Hankki Day (Winter): Thanking our customers with heartfelt giveaways.

Together, they represent what we believe at Hankki. When we care for our team and our community, the brand grows stronger — from the inside out.


Celebration Done the Hankki Way

At Hankki, we don’t just say thank you — we show it.

Employee Day wasn’t about stepping away from the kitchen. It was about stepping into something more meaningful: gratitude, connection, and culture. Over shared food, heartfelt laughter, and a few unforgettable moments, we honored the people who make Hankki possible.

The evening began with a short video — not just a highlight reel, but a two-minute reminder of how far we’ve come, and who got us here. From there, it turned into what Hankki does best: Creating warmth. Building together. And recognizing heart.

Hankki CEO giving a heartfelt speech to thank the team during Employee Day celebration.

Our CEO’s short but powerful message of thanks set the tone — not just for that night, but for the culture we’re building every day. We cheered as team members received their first-ever Hankki Awards, celebrating MVPs, quiet heroes, and those who embody our core values.

Then came a bit of organized chaos — the now-iconic Team Post-it Challenge, where teammates raced to wrap one another in sticky notes before time ran out. It was ridiculous, competitive, and very, very Hankki.

And with over $4,000 in prizes, including generous support from Skip the Dishes, DoorDash, and Sysco, we ended the night with dancing, photos, and a shared sense of something bigger than business.

Because at Hankki, celebration isn’t a bonus. It’s part of how we grow.


A Brand That Grows With Its People

Hankki team members smiling together after a joyful Employee Day dinner, embodying brand unity.

Hankki’s growth has never been just about opening more locations — it’s always been about growing with our team. From our early days to today’s multi-location footprint, one thing has stayed constant: When you care for your people, your people care for the brand.

That’s what Employee Day represents — a living expression of our belief that culture comes first. Our values aren’t just words on a wall. They’re how we grow — store by store, person by person.

Head office team at Hankki sharing smiles and celebrating growth and teamwork during Employee Day.

At Hankki, career growth isn’t limited by titles or starting roles. Even those who began as part-time team members have earned opportunities to grow into store leadership or even join key head office teams — not because of time served, but because of their insight, initiative, and alignment with our values.

As we continue expanding across Alberta and beyond, we’re doing so with the same intention: To build a brand that prioritizes people, celebrates effort, and stays rooted in its core beliefs.


One Night. A Year of Meaning.

Full team photo of Hankki staff during Employee Day, celebrating unity, culture, and people-first values.

This wasn’t just an event. It was a commitment — to our people, our purpose, and our promise.

We paused operations, shared our profits, and chose gratitude over gains — all to say thank you, in the most meaningful way possible. Because Hankki isn’t just built on Hankki Bowls.

It’s built on people who care. And a culture that reflects it.

At Hankki, “More Than a Meal” starts with how we treat each other — and moments like this are how we prove it.


What Makes Hankki Special? Here’s What People Ask

Still curious about how we do things differently at Hankki?
Here are a few questions we get asked all the time — and how we proudly answer them.

Q1. What is Hankki Employee Day all about?

It’s our annual celebration of the people behind the brand — the heart and hands of Hankki. Once a year, we pause operations early and gather to reflect, celebrate, and say a heartfelt thank-you to our incredible team across all locations.

Q2. Do Hankki team members really get a share of the store’s revenue that day?

Yes — and it’s one of the boldest ways we show our appreciation. Each store shares roughly half of its same-day revenue with the team, even though the store closes early. It’s more than a thank-you — it’s a recognition of their role in building Hankki.

Q3. How does Hankki thank its customers?

We host Hankki Day near the end of each year — a heartfelt giveaway event offering free Hankki Bowls and corndogs across select stores. It’s our way of giving back to the community that’s supported us all year long.

Q4. Where can I experience Hankki?

Hankki is proudly growing across Alberta, with locations in Calgary, Banff, Lethbridge, Cochrane, and more. Whether you're downtown on 17th Ave or strolling through Banff on a weekend, there’s likely a Hankki nearby serving bold, heartfelt Korean street food. But we’re just getting started — Hankki is on a mission to bring More Than a Meal to communities across Canada.

📍 Find a location near you


Want to See More of the Hankki Story?

Follow us as we grow across Canada — with more stories, more stores, and more ways to connect.

Instagram 👉 @hankkicanada

Read more on our blog 👉 LINK


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