Business lunch is not a new employee benefit, but it has recently attracted a lot of attention. To show employees they care, many employers offer to pay for a portion of their employees’ lunches. However, there are a lot more advantages to corporate dining, such as better company culture and higher productivity.
We have everything you need right here, whether you want to start a corporate dining program, want to enhance your existing one, or are just curious about how corporate dining functions.
What is a business lunch?
A business lunch typically refers to a meal or a gathering that takes place during the workday and is hosted by a company or organization for its employees or business partners. The purpose of a corporate lunch can vary depending on the context, but it is often used as a way to build relationships, discuss business matters, celebrate achievements, or provide training or information to attendees. Corporate lunches can be held on-site at the company’s premises or at a nearby restaurant or event venue.
Even though they offer similar options, corporate dining services can look very different from one employer to the next. One business might, for instance, order boxed lunches for staff members so they can eat lunch on the go while others can take the employees out to a restaurant. For an internal cafeteria, large businesses might hire a corporate cafeteria management company. They might also bring a food truck in on a regular basis.
Suggested Read: How To Get A Frequent Flier Number And Its Benefits?
Benefits of corporate lunch
More than just the occasional celebration of a job well done, corporate lunch catering is a growing industry. It benefits your workplace culture and even your bottom line to provide lunch to your employees every day or a few days per week. Here’s how:
1. Improved meetings
A meeting over lunch produces excellent results. In addition to forcing the meeting to be brief and get right to the important topics, it first creates an incentive for attendees. Additionally, lunch meetings result in more active participation. By allowing employees to work during lunch, you can prevent them from checking their phones or working on laptops, which is problematic because 65% of workers multitask while on a conference call.
2. Cooperation between coworkers
Having personal connections with people tends to make working relationships stronger. Corporate lunch is a good solution because it can be difficult to make these connections when we are busy all day. Employees frequently chat over lunch about topics other than work. Additionally, they’re likely to establish connections with staff members from various departments, enhancing teamwork.
3. Reduced staff turnover
The leading factor in employee churn in a company is job dissatisfaction. By giving employees the benefits they want, you can lower yours. In actuality, more workers would choose new or supplementary benefits over pay increases. Further, going out on lunch with the team is surely going to boost the morale.
Corporate meeting lunch ideas
1. Individual lunches in boxes
This is one of the best business lunch-catered working lunches. Sometimes it is simpler to distribute lunch boxes that include a serving for each meeting participant and are both wholesome and delicious. This not only enables you to meet everyone’s dietary needs, but it’s also a great way to guarantee that everyone gets an appealing option.
Lunchbox suggestions:
- Bowls of poke
- Noodle trays
- wholesome salads
- A side box and gourmet sandwiches or wraps
- Chicken roasted with salad
- Singles of cheese and antipasto
- Boxed meals for people on the go
According to the meeting and the event, it is recommended that you offer the option of boxed lunches and food that your guests can grab and go. Modern and new workplaces can be incredibly mobile and flexible. You might pack a sandwich, muffin, pasta salad, fruit skewer, drink, or noodles with spring rolls in your lunchbox. Bento boxes, which are incredibly popular in Japan and are yet another lovely and entertaining way to present lunch, are yet another choice for a packed lunch. The cutlery and boxes can be easily disposed of afterward, so cleaning is not necessary.
2. Platters and small plates
A beautiful display of platters and finger foods in the boardroom will keep everyone full all day. Consider grilled skewers of tender, flavorful meat and vegetables, fresh cheese and crackers, mini sandwiches, rice paper rolls, and flaky pastries for good measure. As there is enough food for everyone without you having to set up a full buffet, this is a great option for a smaller-scale working lunch.
3. Restaurants and cafes
To lighten up the mood of the employees, companies can offer lunch at top restaurants. Additionally, a lunch in such setting can pave ways to new business partnerships and healthy work relations with one another.
Conclusion
Business lunches can be a valuable tool for building relationships and conducting business in a relaxed setting. By choosing the right location, being mindful of time constraints, and following proper business dining etiquette, a business lunch can be an effective way to network and close deals.
Suggested Read: Everything You Need To Know About Flexible Flights
Business Lunch FAQs
What is a business lunch?
A business lunch is a meal typically shared by two or more professionals during the workday with the goal of networking or discussing business-related topics. A restaurant, coffee shop, or another appropriate location may be used to host it.
What is business dining etiquette?
Being on time, dressed appropriately, and choosing an appropriate location for the meeting is all part of proper business lunch etiquette. When placing an order, it is important to pick a dish that is simple to eat and would not make a mess. Additionally, it is crucial to abstain from alcohol unless it is appropriate for the situation. Also, one should maintain a professional tone and refrain from talking about subjects unrelated to business.
Who covers the cost of a business meal?
Typically, the meeting organizer or someone in a position of greater authority pays for lunch. To avoid any misunderstanding or awkwardness, it is crucial to make clear who will be paying for the meal in advance.
