Solving the Lunch Dilemma of Returning to Office Amid Soaring Prices! 'Weekly In-House Dining' Sees Triple Adoption vs. Previous Plans with Zero Setup Cost, No Kitchen, and Flexible Weekly Implementation

BONDISH Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda City, Tokyo; CEO: Shuichiro Uwakata; hereinafter 'BONDISH'), which plans and operates employee cafeterias, office cafes, and catering under the mission of 'connecting people through delicious meals,' announces that the adoption of its 'Weekly In-House Dining' service—a kitchen-free corporate dining solution available from once a week—has tripled compared to its previous plan within one month of launch.

(Comparison: May 10 – June 10, 2026: Orders for previous 'Full-Time Dining' plan; June 10 – July 10, 2026: Orders for 'Weekly In-House Dining' plan)

'Weekly In-House Dining' is a new corporate dining model that delivers hot, buffet-style meals of restaurant quality, designed by nutritionists, directly to offices via catering—no kitchen equipment required. Even in space-constrained office environments due to return-to-office trends, the service can be implemented anywhere with just a table and power outlet.

75.5% Respond 'Increased Office Attendance in 2026 Compared to Last Year'

According to Job Soken's '2026 Survey on Office Attendance,' 75.5% of respondents said their office attendance frequency will 'increase' in 2026 compared to the previous year.

The top reason for the increase was 'change in company policy' at 39.7%, indicating a company-led return-to-office trend. Meanwhile, the most preferred ideal attendance frequency was 'three days per week,' showing demand for flexible work arrangements rather than full-time office return. (※1)

※1 Source: Job Soken ('2026 Survey on Office Attendance')

The Pressing Challenge of Returning to Office: Average Lunch Budget for Dining Out is ¥1,338

Growing Interest in 'Weekly In-House Dining' to Reduce the Burden of Higher Lunch Costs on Office Days vs. Remote Work

As return-to-office accelerates, a pressing issue for employees is the rising cost of lunch on office days. According to a survey by Hot Pepper Gourmet Dining Research Institute, the average budget for a weekday lunch eaten out is ¥1,338—¥899 more per meal than home-cooked meals or packed lunches at ¥439 (※2). Compared to remote work, where meals are easier to prepare at home, increased office days lead to accumulating lunch expenses, adding financial strain amid rising prices. Against this backdrop, interest is growing in 'Weekly In-House Dining'—a zero-setup-cost, kitchen-free solution that companies can use to support meal costs on days when employees gather.

※2 Source: Hot Pepper Gourmet Dining Research Institute ('Lunch Habits of Employed Individuals')

Visit the Weekly In-House Dining Website

Meal Allowance Systems Supporting Corporate 'Meal Support' Needs

Meal Allowance

The cost environment for food has changed significantly in recent years. Over 90% of food price hikes in 2025 were due to 'rising raw material costs,' and 'logistics costs' accounted for 78.6%, the highest level since 2023 (※3). According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' Consumer Price Index, average restaurant meal prices in 2025 rose 4.0% year-on-year, worsening the lunch environment for business professionals (※4).

Against this backdrop of inflation, starting April 2026, the tax-free limit for corporate-provided meals has been raised, making it easier for companies to utilize meal allowance systems.

※3 Source: Teikoku Databank ('Price Revision Trends Survey of 195 Major Food Companies — 2025 Full Year / 2026 Outlook') ※4 Source: Statistics Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (Consumer Price Index)

Another Challenge of Returning to Office: Creating a 'Reason to Come to the Office'

Monthly Twice-Weekly Staff Meal Event Menu

As return-to-office progresses, the office's value as a space for employees to meet face-to-face and foster spontaneous conversations and cross-departmental connections is being re-emphasized.

However, simply setting office days does not create clear benefits for employees, making it difficult to generate buy-in or excitement about returning.

'Weekly In-House Dining' can be introduced on days when employees gather—such as company-wide office days, team office days, or all-hands meetings. Sharing warm meals creates enjoyment in coming to the office and fosters natural communication across departments and roles.

A New Corporate Dining Model Starting from Just One Day a Week: 'Weekly In-House Dining'

'Weekly In-House Dining' is a new implementation plan leveraging BONDISH's expertise in kitchen-free corporate dining.

Meals are prepared at a central kitchen and delivered to offices, served warm—so even without kitchen facilities, employees can enjoy restaurant-quality lunches.

Unlike daily-operated employee cafeterias, this service can be introduced from just one day a week, making it ideal for companies with limited office attendance or those wanting to trial corporate dining on a small scale.

Features of 'Weekly In-House Dining'

Kitchen-Free Corporate Dining

1. Zero Initial Cost, No Construction Required

No kitchen equipment or major construction is needed. The service can be implemented using existing office spaces such as meeting rooms, break areas, or lounges.

2. Start from Just One Day a Week

Instead of full-time operation, it can be introduced on weekly office days, company-wide events, or team office days. This enables corporate dining operations aligned with hybrid work models.

3. Dietitian-Designed × Restaurant Chef Quality

Meals prepared at BONDISH's central kitchen are delivered via catering to offices. We provide warm, satisfying lunch experiences.

4. Compliant with Expanded Tax-Free Meal Allowance Limits

With the April 2026 increase in tax-free meal allowance limits, corporate meal support initiatives have become easier to implement. 'Weekly In-House Dining' is ideal for companies reviewing their employee benefits in light of regulatory changes.

5. Creates Enjoyment in Coming to the Office and Boosts Internal Communication

Meals naturally spark conversations across departments and roles. Use the weekly meal not just as lunch, but as a time to build organizational connections.

Recommended for These Companies:

· Want to energize weekly company-wide office days · Want to promote return-to-office but face challenges in gaining employee buy-in · Want to strengthen meal support for employees amid rising lunch costs · Want to review employee benefits with the expanded tax-free meal allowance · Want to introduce a corporate cafeteria but face high barriers in upfront costs or kitchen construction · Operate in areas with few nearby restaurants, facing lunch environment challenges · Seeking initiatives that naturally foster internal communication · Want to trial corporate dining on a small scale

Executive Comment

BONDISH Inc. / CEO Shuichiro Uwakata

BONDISH Inc. / CEO Shuichiro Uwakata

Amid ongoing price inflation, the burden of lunch costs has become a real and pressing issue for workers. Additionally, with the return-to-office trend and the spread of hybrid work, companies face a new challenge: 'How can we make employees want to come to the office proactively?'

Meals are not only an employee benefit but also a starting point for human connection and communication.

'Weekly In-House Dining' offers a new option for companies that find it difficult to operate a daily cafeteria—enabling them to start effortlessly from just one day a week. With the expanded tax-free meal allowance limit, corporate meal support has become more flexible and strategic.

We believe that 'through one delicious meal,