How to Write an Email for a Successful Lunch Meeting: Tips and Templates

Are you struggling to write a compelling email for a lunch meeting invitation? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many people find it difficult to strike the right tone and say just enough to get their point across without sounding overly pushy or needy.

Luckily, there are some tried and tested strategies that you can use to write an effective invitation email and ensure a successful meeting. In this article, we’ll explore some tips and tricks for crafting an email that gets results. We also provide you with examples that you can use or edit as per your requirement.

So, if you’re ready to wow your invitees with an email that practically begs them to accept your invitation, read on!

The Best Structure for an Email Requesting a Lunch Meeting

If you’re looking to set up a lunch meeting with someone, crafting a well-written email is essential. A clear and concise message is necessary to get the meeting on the calendar without appearing pushy or overwhelming. Follow these steps to create an email request that will get you a positive response:

1. Begin with a personalized greeting

Address the recipient by name with a warm opening. Use the appropriate salutation depending on the level of familiarity with the person. For instance, “Dear [recipient’s name],” if it’s a professional contact, or “Hi [recipient’s name],” if it’s a more casual acquaintance.

2. State the purpose of the email

Communicate the reason for your email clearly from the start. Let the recipient know that you’re interested in organizing a lunch meeting to discuss a specific topic. You can add a sentence or two about why you think the recipient would be interested in the meeting.

3. Suggest a date and time

Avoid leaving this topic open-ended, which can lead to back-and-forth emails. Provide a few different options as you suggest dates and times for the meet-up, preferably within the coming weeks. If the recipient is too busy during the proposed time, they may counteroffer with dates that work better for them.

4. Include location details

Indicate the location of the meetup specifically. Provide a few restaurant suggestions with addresses and links or leave them the freedom to choose their preferred venue if they know the area well. Consider choosing a location that’s convenient for both parties.

5. End with a call to action

Close your email with a polite and professional request for a response. Encourage the recipient to set the date and time that works best for them. Provide your contact information and express your excitement for the opportunity to connect and discuss the topic further.

Following these steps increases the likelihood of getting a positive response from the recipient. Keep the email concise, avoid jargon and typos, and remain professional throughout. A well-crafted request for a lunch meeting can help build relationships and expand your network.

Email Templates for Lunch Meeting

Inviting a Prospective Client to a Lunch Meeting

Dear [Prospective Client],

I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to reach out and invite you to have lunch with me next week, on [date and time], at [restaurant name] to discuss in more detail our services and how they can benefit your business. This will be a great opportunity for us to get to know each other better and for you to ask any questions you may have about our company.

Please let me know if you are available and interested in this meeting. I look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Requesting for a Lunch Meeting with Your Boss

Dear [Boss’s Name],

I hope this email finds you doing well. I wanted to request a lunch meeting with you to discuss a few topics pertaining to my work and progress in the company. I believe a face to face meeting will be the best way to go over these issues without interruptions.

Please let me know if there is a time which will work for you and we can schedule a date and a location. I appreciate your time and look forward to meeting with you soon.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Inviting a Colleague to Lunch to Discuss a New Project

Dear [Colleague’s Name],

I hope this email finds you doing great. I wanted to invite you to have lunch with me at [restaurant name] sometime next week to discuss a new project that we will be working on together. This will be a great opportunity for us to go over the details of the project and to set up a timeline for it.

Please let me know if you are available for this meeting and we can decide on a mutually convenient date and time.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Scheduling a Lunch Meeting for an Interview

Dear [Interview Candidate’s Name],

I hope this message finds you doing well. I would like to invite you to come in and have lunch with the hiring team on [date and time] at [restaurant name]. This will be a great opportunity for us to get to know each other in a relaxed atmosphere and discuss further the position you applied for and how you can fit in the company.

Please let me know if you are available during this time and confirm if you wish to attend this meeting. We look forward to meeting you soon.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Requesting for a Lunch Meeting with a Mentor

Dear [Mentor’s Name],

I hope this email finds you doing well. I wanted to request a lunch meeting with you to discuss my career and get some advice from you as a mentor in my field. I greatly admire your expertise, and I believe you would have some valuable insights that would help me grow in my career.

Please let me know if you have free time this week, and we can schedule a date and a location that is convenient for you. I appreciate your time and look forward to meeting with you soon.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Inviting a Business Associate to Lunch to Celebrate a Partnership

Dear [Business Associate’s Name],

I hope this email finds you doing great. I wanted to invite you to have lunch with me at [restaurant name] next week to celebrate the new partnership between our companies. This will be a great opportunity for us to get together and discuss our plans for collaborating and working together in the future.

Please let me know if you are available and interested in attending this meeting. I look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Requesting for a Lunch Meeting to Discuss HR Policies

Dear [HR Manager’s Name],

I hope this message finds you doing well. I wanted to request a lunch meeting with you to discuss some HR policies and procedures that I have been concerned about. This will be a great opportunity for us to chat in a more relaxed atmosphere and come up with new solutions that could help improve overall employee satisfaction.

Please let me know if you have any free time this week and we can schedule a date and a location convenient for you. I appreciate your time and look forward to meeting with you soon.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Tips for Writing an Effective Email for a Lunch Meeting

If you are looking to schedule a lunch meeting with someone, it is important to make a great impression and effectively communicate the purpose of the meeting. Here are some tips to help you write an email that will get a positive response:

1. Keep it concise: In today’s fast-paced world, people have limited attention spans and little time to spare. Try to keep your email short and to the point. Outline your objectives and why you are requesting a meeting. This will help the recipient understand the purpose of your email and respond quickly.

2. Use a clear and professional subject line: The subject line sets the tone for your email and is the first thing the recipient will see. Make sure your subject line is clear and professional, highlighting the purpose of the meeting. Avoid using vague or misleading subject lines that might cause your email to be ignored or deleted.

3. Show respect and appreciation: Remember that you are asking for someone’s time and that they may have other engagements. Show respect for their time by being specific about your availability and willingness to work around their schedule. Express appreciation for their consideration and remind them of the benefits of the meeting.

4. Provide all relevant details: Be clear about the date, time, and location of the meeting. Provide any additional information that may be necessary, such as the agenda, purpose of the meeting, and who will be attending. This will help ensure that the meeting goes smoothly and that everyone is on the same page.

5. Use proper grammar and spelling: Poor grammar and misspelled words can make a bad impression and cause your email to be disregarded. Take the time to proofread your email before sending it out. Use proper grammar, punctuation, and capitalization, and make sure you spell the recipient’s name correctly.

6. Be flexible: Be open to suggestions and willing to work around the other person’s schedule. If the recipient suggests a different time or location, be open to it and make it work if possible. Being flexible shows that you value their time and are committed to making the meeting happen.

By following these tips, you will increase your chances of getting a positive response and scheduling a successful lunch meeting. Remember that the key to a great meeting is effective communication and mutual respect.

FAQs on Writing an Email for a Lunch Meeting


What is the first step in writing an email for a lunch meeting?

The first step in writing an email for a lunch meeting is to determine the purpose of the meeting and then create a list of attendees. Then, decide on a date, time, and location that works for everyone.

How do I start the email?

Begin the email with a greeting followed by a brief explanation of the meeting purpose. Then, provide the date, time, and location details along with a request for confirmation of attendance.

What information should I include in the email?

In the email, include the purpose of the meeting, date, time, location details, and an agenda if necessary. Also, make sure to request a response from all attendees and provide contact information.

How formal should the email be?

The level of formality should depend on the relationship between the sender and the recipients. If the recipients are colleagues, a more informal tone can be used. However, if the recipients are senior executives or clients, a more formal tone is appropriate.

What should I do if I need to reschedule the meeting?

If you need to reschedule the meeting, send an email as soon as possible apologizing for any inconvenience and propose an alternative date and time. Ensure that all attendees are available before sending out the final meeting invitation.

How do I follow-up after the meeting?

Send a follow-up email thanking attendees for their time and recapping any important points that were discussed. If there are any action items that arise from the meeting, include them in the email as well.

What is the appropriate timeline for sending out the email?

Send the email out at least one week in advance of the meeting to give attendees enough time to respond. If it is an urgent meeting, send the invite as quickly as possible, ideally at least two days before the meeting.

Wrap It Up

Well, there you have it, folks – how to write an email for a lunch meeting in a casual and professional manner! Hopefully, this guide has eased your anxiety on crafting the perfect email. Remember to keep the email concise, clear, and straightforward. You wouldn’t want your contact to misunderstand the purpose of the email, right? Before you go, I just want to say thanks for reading, and I hope to see you again soon for more writing tips and guides. Have a great day, and happy emailing!