The business lunch is back on the menu midweek, somewhere in the suburbs, close to the new local office….

The business lunch is back in favour and once again rising in popularity as business leaders increasingly use it as an opportunity to network and build key professional relationships. New research from International Workplace Group sheds light on the trend and reveals that business lunches are increasingly taking place in the suburbs closer to where workers live..

A study among more than 500 business leaders found two thirds (68%) said they were going on more business lunches than they were two years ago. This rises to 80% among 25-34 year olds, demonstrating the value that Gen Z and Millennial executives place on in-person collaboration in a hybrid world.*

IWG’s research shows that business lunches, once the exclusive preserve of city centre business districts are now also taking place in the heart of local neighbourhoods. Four in five (80%) executives said they now host lunches closer to the suburbs and towns close to where they live, facilitated by increased use of flexible local workspaces, which remove the need for long commutes.

Previous analysis by IWG and Arup found that hybrid working could add up to £327m to rural and suburban economies, with increased local spending on food and drink a major contributor** ​

The latest research highlights ​ that on ​ average business leaders attend four and a half lunches per month, with nearly seven in 10 (69%) viewing them as crucial for deal-making and four in five (82%) acknowledging their significant impact on business outcomes.

In an era increasingly dominated by technology, 87% of executives agree that face-to-face meetings are vital. Moreover, lunches have become more intimate affairs, with 81% reporting that gatherings tend to be smaller and more focused, a shift from the larger meetings typically held before the pandemic.

Mark Dixon, Founder and CEO of International Workplace Group, said: “This latest research highlights that the business lunch is alive and well and continues to play a crucial role in building and strengthening professional relationships. Much like the office itself, the practice is far from dead with professional get-togethers and networking increasingly taking place in the suburbs, in the heart of local communities, close to where people live.”

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Notes to editors ​

*Research among 500 business leaders participants in May 2025 by Mortar. Mortar is Market Research Society (MRS) accredited and the research adhered to MRS guidelines. ​

**Study undertaken by International Workplace Group and global consultancy, Arup in 2021. ​

About International Workplace Group PLC ​ ​ ​

International Workplace Group is the global leader in hybrid work solutions and workspace brands. We create personal, financial, and strategic value for businesses of every size. From some of the most exciting companies and well-known organisations on the planet, to individuals and the next generation of industry leaders. All of them harness the power of International Workplace Group’s hybrid working platform to increase their productivity, efficiency, agility, and market proximity. ​ ​ ​

International Workplace Group’s unrivalled network coverage includes approximately 4,000 locations across more than 120 countries and 83% of Fortune 500 companies are amongst our growing customer base. ​ ​ ​

Through our brands including Regus, Spaces, HQ and Signature, we help millions of people and their businesses to work more productively. We do so by providing the world’s leading hybrid work platform with professional, inspiring and collaborative workspaces and digital services all available via the International Workplace Group app. ​ ​

For more information visit www.iwgplc.com ​ ​