Business Lunch Etiquette: 7 Tips for Attending a Business Lunch

A business lunch is a business meeting that takes place during lunchtime. Otherwise known as a working lunch, lunch meeting, or business luncheon, a business lunch involves discussing business while eating lunch. It might take place at a sit-down restaurant where each person orders off the lunch menu, or it could be a catered lunch in a conference room. In some cases, a business meal may feature a guest speaker giving a presentation as their colleagues eat. Whatever the format might be, a successful business lunch is about more than just ordering the right entree—it’s about being productive, polite, and personal.

Consider these etiquette tips when planning your next business lunch.

• Be clear about your intentions. A business lunch can be an effective networking tool. But it’s essential to be upfront about the purposes of the lunch, especially if you’re meeting for the first time. Whether you’re looking for information or want to propose a collaboration, state your intentions clearly. This will help ensure that the lunch is productive and accomplishes a mutually beneficial goal for all the involved parties. For example, use clear language like, “I’d love to learn more about your business’ pricing strategies,” or “I’m interested in discussing a potential collaboration between our departments.
• Extend a kind and thoughtful invitation. Before setting up a business lunch, ask your guest about what day, time, and location works for them. Offer a few options, and be willing to work with their schedule. If it’s a casual one-on-one lunch, you may want to call instead of sending an email, thus extending a more personal invitation.
• Ask about preferences and dietary restrictions. When deciding on lunch options, be sure to consider your guests’ food preferences and whether or not they have any food allergies.
• Establish who will pay for lunch beforehand. Expect to foot the bill when you extend the invitation for a business lunch. If you’re an entrepreneur or small business owner, consider creating a budget item for lunches with business contacts.

Here are some tips for having a successful lunch meeting.

1. 1. Give your guest your full attention. Avoid interruptions during the meal. Answering calls, texts, or emails during a business lunch breaks the flow of the conversation and may be distracting or considered rude. Give your host or guest your full, undivided attention.
2. 2. Order modestly. It's best to order both food and drinks in moderation. If you can, allow the host to take the lead. If they order a full entree, you may as well. However, if their order is lighter, mirror that decision. Keep alcoholic drinks to a minimum, even if others at the table are indulging. You want your wits about you to be able to make a good impression.
3. 3. Dress appropriately. Let the restaurant or your guest inform how you dress. If you’re going to a nice sit-down restaurant, consider dressing business formal. Business casual attire should suffice if you’re meeting in a conference room or at a casual restaurant. However, if the person you’re meeting with seems more relaxed, try not to overdress. When in doubt, dress a little nicer than you think you need to.
4. 4. Take small bites. Small bites will help you keep the conversation moving without having to speak with your mouth full of food. It also comes across as polite and professional.
5. 5. Be kind to the waitstaff. Regardless of whether you’re at a fancy steakhouse or a fast-casual restaurant, be kind to the employees of the establishment. This behavior can go a long way in making a good first impression.
6. 6. Avoid ordering finger foods. Chicken wings, pizza, and hamburgers are delicious but can be messy. You don’t want to be worrying about whether or not you’ve got food all over your face as you’re talking with a colleague or potential customer. Instead, choose something you can cleanly eat with a fork and knife.
7. 7. Stick to talking about relevant topics. Small talk is fine if it helps you get to know one another. Otherwise, stick to relevant topics that move the meeting towards a more productive end.

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