It’s Just Lunch Reviews 2025: Cost, How It Works, And More!
With so many matchmaking services on the market today, finding which firm is truly worth your time can feel impossible. To say this industry is crowded would be an understatement; the matchmaking market is expected to reach $4.42 billion by 2029 alone.
If you’ve been searching for top-rated matchmaking services, you’ve surely come across It’s Just Lunch. Having been around for over 30 years and arranged more than 2 million first dates, they’re one of the biggest firms in the industry. That said, how can you be sure it’s the right option for you?
But industry standing and presence don’t always guarantee quality results. While the firm promises a personalized dating experience for professionals, It’s Just Lunch reviews tell a different, more complicated story; reviews range from beautiful love stories to serious complaints and even lawsuits.
At LUMA, we’ve taken the time to review most of the top matchmaking services to help you decide which firm is the best choice for you. In this blog, we’ve compiled all It’s Just Lunch reviews for 2025, success rate, how it works, cost, and whether or not it’s worth it for singles looking for a lasting, meaningful connection.
If you’re considering It’s Just Lunch or weighing it against other matchmaking firms, here’s everything you need to know before you make a decision.
What Is It’s Just Lunch?
It’s Just Lunch is a personalized matchmaking service designed for busy professionals seeking quality introductions without dating apps. Founded in 1991, It’s Just Lunch claims it was created to “simplify the dating process by arranging casual, low-pressure dates” so that their clients can make connections easier.
Unlike some other matchmaking firms, It’s Just Lunch does not use algorithms or dating apps in their matchmaking process and centers their approach around intuition and human expertise. The company operates in nearly every major US city and also has an international presence. Interestingly, each branch is independently owned and operated, meaning that client experience varies more depending on the branch they work with.
Who Owns It’s Just Lunch?
It’s Just Lunch was founded in 1991 by Andrea McGinty, an entrepreneur who saw a need for a dating service that caters to busy professionals who didn’t have the time to navigate the dating scene. McGinty’s ultimate goal was to take the stress out of first dates by scheduling them at more casual venues than what was the norm. Over the years, the company grew rapidly and has since expanded internationally.
McGinty has since sold It’s Just Lunch. Today, it’s owned by the Riverside Company, a private equity firm. Although It’s Just Lunch still markets itself as a personalized matchmaking service, it’s now a franchise instead of a boutique firm. Their model has led to some inconsistencies in service and quality, as each office has different matchmakers and procedures.
How Does It’s Just Lunch Work?
Like most matchmaking firms, It’s Just Lunch requires an interview process before accepting candidates as a client. Depending on the branch, interested singles will first need to schedule an in-depth phone or video interview with a branch matchmaker. The matchmaker will ask questions about their background, preferences, relationship goals, and dealbreakers.
From there, the matchmaker will extend an offer to join one of their matchmaking packages. After the client has joined, the matchmaker begins the match search based on the criteria the client sets. It’s Just Lunch boasts a large internal database of matches to pool from. Their matchmakers also schedule and coordinate all first dates, and fitting to their name, is usually over a casual lunch, drink, or coffee.
After each date, both the client and their match provide feedback to the matchmaker to see what worked and what didn’t. This helps to fine tune the process and ensure future matches are more compatible. It’s Just Lunch is entirely confidential; clients do not have access to photos or profiles of their matches beforehand, making trust imperative during the process.
It’s Just Lunch Reviews 2025
It’s Just Lunch Reviews on Yelp
As of 2025, It’s Just Lunch has an overwhelmingly negative reputation on Yelp. Currently, the firm has a 1.2 out of 5-star rating with over 164 reviews. It’s Just Lunch has also not yet claimed their business profile.
The few positive reviews appreciate It’s Just Lunch’s personalized approach to matchmaking, how convenient the service is, and how much safer they felt using the service compared to dating apps. The negative reviews share how disappointing their matches were, how expensive the service is compared to the quality of matches received, and the lack of communication from the matchmakers.
It’s Just Lunch Reviews on BBB
Unfortunately for It’s Just Lunch, its reputation on the Better Business Bureau isn’t much better. As of 2025, the firm has a 1.26 out of 5-star rating on the BBB with over 30 client reviews. They have also not claimed their BBB profile, despite having been in business over 30 years.
The one positive review shares their success using It’s Just Lunch, having found a relationship through their matchmaker. The negative reviews mention feeling “scammed” by the service, as their matches did not meet the relationship criteria they set. Many reviewers also state that It’s Just Lunch matchmakers did not communicate with them after signing up and were even rude.
It’s Just Lunch Reviews on Consumer Affairs
Luckily, It’s Just Lunch does have a better reputation on Consumer Affairs. It currently maintains a 3.9 out of 5-star rating with over 6,970 reviews. they have also claimed their profile on Consumer Affairs.
The most positive reviews appreciate the attention they received from their matchmakers, sharing how supported and safe they felt during the process. Some reviewers also state that they found relationships through the service. The most negative reviews felt that It’s Just Lunch matchmakers didn’t pay attention to their match criteria and were unhappy with their matches. Many also state that membership pricing is too high for the service.
It’s Just Lunch Reviews on Trustpilot
It’s Just Lunch has a fairly negative reputation on Trustpilot as well, with a current 3.2-star rating and over 600 total reviews. They have claimed their Trustpilot profile and reply to 85% of all negative reviews.
The most positive reviews praised how convenient the service, how much safer they felt using It’s Just Lunch instead of dating apps, and how supported they felt by their matchmakers. The most negative reviews share that they had no communication with their matchmaker after signing up, how disappointed they were in match quality, and how overpriced the service is.
It’s Just Lunch Reviews on Medium
In 2023, Jennifer Bonfrisco shared an article on Medium detailing her experience with It’s Just Lunch. After signing up for a $2,800 matchmaking package that included 12 dates, she soon realized that there was no real timeline for her match search or introductions. One of her matches even shared that he’d been using his 12-date package for over a decade.
Bonfrisco was left questioning the overall value and legitimacy of It’s Just Lunch. She also shared that her experience felt more like a transaction than a genuine path to finding true love. This article definitely raises concerns about It’s Just Lunch’s follow-through and client success.
It’s Just Lunch Reviews on Reddit
It’s Just Lunch reviews on Reddit are also overwhelmingly negative. Although Reddit is a social media platform and doesn’t offer star-ratings, all of the posts about It’s Just Lunch on Reddit share disappointing experiences.
Most negative reviews were disappointed in the quality of their dates. Some users even shared that their matches failed to show up at the date at all. Most reviews also felt the service is overpriced for the level of care and support received. Others also echo that It’s Just Lunch employs aggressive, predatory sales tactics to lure in clients.
It’s Just Lunch Complaints And Lawsuits
It’s Just Lunch Complaints
Over the years, It’s Just Lunch has faced significant scrutiny from clients, from complaints to class-action lawsuits. This certainly raises concerns about its business practices and service quality. As of 2025, It’s Just Lunch has numerous complaints on the Better Business Bureau and PissedConsumer, plus multiple major lawsuits.
It’s Just Lunch has received 19 total complaints on the Better Business Bureau in the last 3 years and have only resolved 3 complaints in the past 12 months. In general, most complaints mention It’s Just Lunch’s high-pressure sales tactics, feeling misled about what’s included with membership, and refund or cancelation issues.
The oldest complaint reported paying over $1,000 for a 3-date package, but only received one date in 6 months. Despite reaching out to the company multiple times, the client received no response for many months. When It’s Just Lunch did respond, they denied the client a refund. Overall, the client said that It’s Just Lunch is untrustworthy and misleading.
The newest BBB complaint states that they joined It’s Just Lunch under the assumption that there were available, compatible singles in her area. However, none of her matches fit the relationship criteria she outlined to her matchmaker. She went on to claim that It’s Just Lunch doesn’t care about match preferences and simply sets clients up on dates to fulfill their quota.
On PissedConsumer, It’s Just Lunch has over 150 client reviews and a star rating of 1.5, showing just how unhappy many of its previous clients are. In general, these complaints echo what other reviews have mentioned: subpar match quality, no real timeline for introductions, infrequent communication with matchmakers, and sketchy sales tactics.
The oldest complaint argues that the matchmakers “promise you everything but deliver very little.” They claim that they were charged a hidden $98 monthly fee on top of the $3,200 they originally paid for membership, and that It’s Just Lunch preyed on the clients’ insecurities and fears to convince them to join.
The latest complaint is from a client who claims to have not been on a single date since signing up 9 months ago. They do mention that they were paired with one match, but their match stood them up at the venue. The client requested a new matchmaker, who then gave her a new timeline for introductions, only to ghost the client a month later.
it’s Just Lunch Lawsuits
As mentioned, It’s Just Lunch has been in several legal disputes over the past 30 years. As of 2025, It’s Just Lunch has been the defendant in 2 class-action lawsuits, at least 1 civil lawsuit, and 1 EEOC lawsuit for sex discrimination. Unfortunately, we simply cannot list all of It’s Just Lunch’s lawsuits in this blog, so we’ve included their most concerning legal battles.
In 2013, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a lawsuit against It’s Just Lunch, alleging that the company was discriminating by refusing to hire men as dating directors and retaliating against a manager who fought the discrimination. It’s Just Lunch lost this suit and paid nearly $900,000 to settle, including a near $130,000 payment to the manager. the remaining settlement funds were paid to an account that was distributed to qualified male applicants who were turned down for roles at the company.
In 2007, a major class-action lawsuit was filed against It’s Just Lunch by some former clients. The plaintiffs alleged that matches were made by employees without real matchmaking training, and that the company ignored clients’ match preferences. In 2016, the suit was settled, and It’s Just Lunch agreed to pay $60 million in date vouchers and $4.75 million in cash to the plaintiffs. It’s Just Lunch also agreed to revise its contracts to be more transparent about what’s included with membership.
In 2021, yet another lawsuit accused It’s Just Lunch of operating a “massive scheme to defraud tens of thousands of single professionals throughout the country.” The lawsuit alleged that the firm overcharged clients and that matches were driven by monthly quota requirements instead of real client compatibility. In some cases, It’s Just Lunch employees reportedly went on dates with clients to meet these quotas. The suit was settled in 2019, resulting in It’s Just Lunch promising to provide more dates per month to clients.
Is It’s Just Lunch Legit Or A Scam?
it’s Just Lunch is one of the oldest matchmaking firms in the industry and has maintained a strong presence in over 150 cities. On paper, It’s Just Lunch is a legitimate, legally operating business, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have a great experience as a client.
With hundreds of client complaints, negative reviews, and a long history of lawsuits, we can’t help but question whether It’s Just Lunch can truly deliver on its promises of helping find singles lasting relationships.
Yes, tons of clients have left positive reviews and found meaningful connections, but so many others have described a truly terrible experience. From mismatched introductions, infrequent communication from matchmakers, high-pressure sales tactics, and lack of pricing and refund policy transparency, it’s difficult to say what kind of experience you’d have as a client.
It’s Just Lunch definitely is not an outright scam, but their results and quality is incredibly inconsistent depending on the branch location and matchmaking team.
If you’re considering joining an It’s Just Lunch franchise, we strongly recommend thoroughly researching your local office, reading their recent reviews, and asking questions around hidden fees and refund policies before signing a contract. With the right expectations and serious research, It’s Just Lunch might be a good fit, but it’s far from a guaranteed path to finding true love.
It’s Just Lunch Cost
Unfortunately, there’s no set price range for working with It’s Just Lunch. Matchmaking package costs vary depending on your city, the number of matches you’d like to receive, and any promotions offered by the branch you’re working with. That said, most client reviews suggest packages range anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000.
Some lower-tiered packages seem to include as few as 3-6 dates, but it higher-end options include up to 12. Pricing is rarely listing publicly on each branch’s website, and most clients receive quotes during their interview process.
According to client reviews, It’s Just Lunch seems to include hidden fees and administrative charges for things like pausing membership or extending the timeline for matches. Since each branch is independently owned, refund policies seem to vary significantly.
It’s Just Lunch Success Rate
Unfortunately, It’s Just Lunch does not publicly share any specific success rates or percentage of clients who find relationships through the service. They seem to focus more on sharing positive client reviews. However, we were able to find a vague mention of client success; according to their main website, It’s Just Lunch has arranged over 3 million first dates, leading to “thousands” of relationships and marriages.
Although these figures are impressive, it’s important to note that It’s Just Lunch does not share any verified statistics or detailed breakdowns of how they’re tracking client success. In their defense, it’s likely very challenging to compile datasets among 150+ branch locations. Still, for none of their branches to share their independent success metrics is cause for concern.
Is It’s Just Lunch Worth It?
As with any matchmaking firm, whether It’s Just Lunch is worth it depends on your expectations, budget, and the level of service you’d like. It’s Just Lunch stands out as one of the most affordable firms in the industry, and its known for its convenience and formalized structure.
The firm mainly caters to busy professionals who are tired of dating apps and want a more personalized dating experience. If you’re a young professional interested in trying matchmaking for the first time, It’s Just Lunch may work for you.
That said, It’s Just Lunch isn’t a one-size-fits-all service. If you’re looking for a more white glove, concierge-style, luxury dating journey, a more high-end matchmaking firm could offer better results. If you’re concerned about consistency, transparency, and a high-quality process, It’s Just Lunch seems to fall short based on their reviews, complaints, and lawsuits. Other firms with stronger track records and client reviews may be a better fit.
Conclusion
It’s Just Lunch is one of the most recognizable names in the industry, offering a personalized dating journey without apps or algorithms. Its clients tend to see success working with well-run local franchises, but many branch locations seem to underdeliver. Widespread complaints, lawsuits, and inconsistent match quality certainly leave us skeptical of the company’s overall value.
If you’re considering working with a matchmaking service, it’s crucial to do your homework. Read all reviews, ask specific questions about their process, and be sure to clarity pricing and fees up front. While It’s Just Lunch may work for some singles, others might have more success with a firm that prioritizes quality over quantity, transparency, and real, lasting relationships.
At LUMA, we believe in doing just that. If you’re seeking a highly personalized, luxurious, and relationship-focused approach to dating, we’re ready to be your guide. We have matchmakers who specialize in nearly every demographic, from Jewish matchmakers, LBGTQ matchmakers, and Muslim matchmakers, we’re confident we can help you find true love, no matter your preferences.
Schedule a call with one of our certified matchmakers below to start your journey to finding your forever person.
