A staple of deal-making, networking, and company culture, the business lunch has held a sacred place in the professional world for a century.
Executives clink glasses over steak and salad, founders pitch proposals between bites, and careers could be lost or made over shrimp cocktail.
Hollywood has mastered the theatrical dramatization of business lunch dynamics, from the over-the-top antics in Wolf on Wall Street to the lighthearted dining scenes in Ratatouille.
Presently, significant economic changes, confusing trade deals, tighter budgets and the aftermath of a global pandemic, have all shifted cultural norms.
Remote and hybrid work models have decentralized workers from concentrated corporate hubs.
While the business lunch alone is surely not the reason why so many large companies are enforcing RTO, it’s worth examining this evolving ritual and it’s impact on the professional world
The business bunch boom
Business lunches gained serious momentum in the mid-to-late 20th century, particularly in concrete jungles like New York, Chicago, and Toronto.
It combined relationship-building with status signalling and the bonding power of breaking bread with others.
Business lunches branched off into different caterogies and a hierachy depending on the purpose of the lunch and the attendees.
In many professional contexts, where you went, what you ordered, who you brought mattered. High-end restaurants doubled as informal boardrooms, and a successful business lunch could often lead to contracts, partnerships, or promotions.
In many ways, it was an art form. It wasn’t just about the meal—it was about reading the room, negotiating with finesse, and creating a sense of mutual respect and camaraderie outside the office.
Breathing room
The business lunch is so effective and important in the corporate world because it:
Builds trust: Sharing food and connecting with others over a meal humanizes people. It softens business transactions and encourages genuine rapport — it also helps facilitate amazing conversations and storytelling.
Creates informal negotiations: Away from fluorescent lights, computer screens and meeting agendas, people tend to feel freer to speak candidly.
Sitting with someone around a table also eliminates physical power lines, such as sitting across from a large desk, increasing confidence and diminishing room for intimidation.
Is a networking powerhouse: Business lunches offer neutral ground to explore new opportunities, referrals, and ideas without immediate pressure.
Additionally, being in a setting outside of a branded corporate office can limit distractions and the need to conform or contort to a different business’ culture.
Is this really a fading trend or is have business lunches simply become an extension of remote work — or possibly even a co-working space, verses just a place to discuss business.
Let’s take a closer look.
Yes, traditional business lunches are dead
Remote & hybrid work culture The rise of remote work has made face-to-face meetings optional—if not rare. With Zoom calls and Slack threads replacing physical presence, the need to “do lunch” has significantly diminished.
Time efficiency and hustle culture: In an era where every minute is monetized and inboxes never sleep, the idea of spending two hours over a meal can feel indulgent or inefficient. Professionals now prefer quicker coffee chats or virtual catch-ups.
Changing cultural and dietary norms: Today’s workplace is more inclusive and globally minded. Alcohol is often off the table, dietary restrictions are common, and generational shifts have created more reserved boundaries between personal and professional lives.
It’s not dead, just evolving
Relationships always matter: In industries where trust and long-term partnerships are key—like real estate, finance, or PR—the business lunch still holds value. People want to know who they’re working with beyond LinkedIn profiles and email threads.
Selective but strategic: Instead of a daily or weekly habit, business lunches are now more intentional. When used wisely, they become powerful tools for closing big deals, onboarding key hires, or celebrating major milestones.
Personal touch: In a digital-first world, physical presence is now a luxury. Taking the time to meet someone in person—especially over a good meal—can stand out more than ever and leave a lasting impression.
A shift, not a funeral
The traditional business lunch, as it once was, may indeed be fading. But it’s not dead—it’s simply being redefined. As workplaces become more flexible and digital, our rituals adapt too.
Whether over ramen in a downtown spot or lattes in a cozy café, the essence remains: People do business by connecting as people first.
So no, the business lunch isn’t extinct. It’s just less Mad Men, and more mindful.
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