How the Office Lunch Suddenly Became a $5,600-a-Year Expense

"To determine the cost of lunch, the study used BLogic System's Lunch Cost Model, which compares the actual cost of a meal purchased during a day at the office, a meal packed at home, along with weekly spending patterns, and annual totals associated with them all. Using this model, the company found that if you're a "daily diner," someone buying lunch every day at the office, you could spend about $5,664 a year."

""For a lot of workers, being back in the office feels like taking a pay cut. Lunch, commuting, and even the small 'sweet treats' people buy to get through the day have turned into real financial pressure points," a spokesperson for BLogic Systems shared in a statement via email. "These everyday costs now shape how motivated employees feel at work.""

In August 2025, in-office attendance reached a five-year high. A 2024 American Staffing Association survey found 32% of American workers prefer fully remote work and 39% prefer hybrid schedules. BLogic Systems reported the average office lunch costs $23.60 in major urban areas, exceeding typical minimum hourly wages. Everyday expenses such as lunch, commuting, and snacks reduce the effective value of in-office work and affect employee motivation. BLogic's Lunch Cost Model shows daily diners can spend about $5,664 per year, while hybrid workers average about $55 per office day, totaling roughly $3,398.40 annually for three in-office days per week.

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