Business Breakfasts: Why Working Breakfasts Are on the Rise – and Where to Find the Best Ones

The Business Breakfast – also known as the Working Breakfast – is becoming a go-to for professionals across the UK. But why are these Breakfast Meetings booming, and how do you go about hosting your own?

What is a Business Breakfast

A Business Breakfast is a professional meeting held during the typical Breakfast hours of 7:30AM and 9:30AM, where colleagues, clients, stakeholders, or industry peers gather to discuss ideas, share updates, or network – all over a morning meal. Unlike a formal boardroom session, these Working Breakfasts aim to foster a more relaxed, open environment, to encourage collaboration, relationship building, and fresh thinking.

Origins of the Business Breakfast

The concept of a Working Breakfast can be traced back to the early 20^th century, particularly in North America and parts of Europe, where professionals in industries like law, finance, and journalism would meeting hotel restaurant or diners before heading to office, trading floor, or editorial room.

They grew in popularity through the 1980s and 1990s, alongside the rise of networking organisations, which encouraged early-morning meetings to share referrals and to build connections. By the early 2000s, Business Breakfasts became a fixture in many corporate calendars, especially in the bustling global cities and financial powerhouses, such as London, New York, and Sydney.

Today, the format has adapted to the modern hybrid work styles, with hospitality venues and cafes aiming to cater to professionals who want to meet in person before the working day begins.

Why are Business Breakfasts Becoming More Popular

Over the past decade, the Business Breakfast has seen a marked resurgence. Not only are these pre-work meetings growing thanks to logistical convenience, but thanks to a strategic, culture-driven shift in modern working life, aligned with the growth of networking and personal branding. Some of the reasons for the surge in popularity of the Working Breakfast include:

Time Efficiency in a Demanding Work Culture

With increasing workloads, and packed diaries, Breakfast meetings help professionals make the most of their day, in a manner they enjoy. Starting early for some, allows for important conversations, decision-making, and networking before the workload of a busy day at the office kicks in. Some feel these early morning meetings are often quicker, more focussed, and less prone to overrunning.

In fact, Britain generally seems to be trending toward this use of the early morning hours, as nearly one in two Brits eat Breakfast while working, and one in three hold meetings during Breakfast hours (As of 2023).

Greater Mental Clarity in the Morning

Some studies show that we’re at our “cognitive best” in the early part of the day. A report by Scientific American highlights that many people experience their “peak alertness” between 8am and 11am, making a Business Breakfast an ideal time to handle important business discussions, meetings, or networking. In fact, according to Boutique Hotelier, 67% of workers say that they are more likely to pay attention during Breakfast hours.

Cost-Effective Alternative to Lunches or Dinners

Hosting a client over Breakfast is usually much cheaper than arranging a Business Lunch or Dinner. Menus are often simpler, with fixed-price Breakfast packages, smaller menu items, and inclusive packages. This affordability has no doubt made the Business Breakfast particularly more appealing to startups, small businesses, and individual professionals.

Where to Go for a Business Breakfast

This is where Bruncher.com comes into play. As the UK & Ireland’s favourite Breakfast, Brunch, and Sunday Lunch guide, Bruncher is your go-to platform for finding a Business Breakfast venue near you.

With over a thousand venues across the UK & Ireland, we have everything from city-centre bistros to boutique world-class hotels. Bruncher lets you:

• Filter by location, amenities, and cuisine
• Explore Photos and Menus before booking
• Make Quick, Straightforward Online Bookings, for free!

How to Book a Business Breakfast via Bruncher

Booking your next Working Breakfast is simple:

1. Visit Bruncher.com
2. Enter your location or browse by city
3. Use filters to find a suitable venue
4. View venue details, menus, and available times
5. Book instantly for free via integrated booking engines

Ps. Just remember to make sure the venue is  able to accommodate for your party size or expected noise levels.