Lunch wheel

A shortlist beats a long list

The wheel only works when the options are real. Narrow the group chat down to places that are open, deliver to you, and fit the budget. Five to eight options is the sweet spot; too many slices and the labels become unreadable.

Use cuisine names for a casual lunch and restaurant names when the group has already agreed on the shortlist. You can also add a "Cook at home" slice for the honest option.

Make lunch decisions faster

Set a two-minute timer for suggestions, add every serious option to the wheel, then spin. The rule is simple: the result is final unless someone names a real constraint, such as an allergy or a closed kitchen.

For recurring team lunches, keep the same wheel and enable Remove winner. Everyone gets a turn without repeating the same restaurant two weeks in a row.

Dietary and budget notes

A random pick cannot know who is vegetarian or who forgot their wallet. Before spinning, remove options that do not work for the group. The wheel is a decision tool, not a dietary filter.

If the group is large, add a short label that includes the price range, for example "Ramen ($)". It keeps the wheel honest without adding a spreadsheet.

Use it beyond lunch

The same wheel handles dinner, coffee runs, Friday drinks, and the eternal "what should we watch" debate. Rename the entries and keep the shortcut on your phone's home screen.

On a phone, the wheel stacks above the entry list, so the spin button stays within thumb reach. Focus mode works well on a tablet propped up in a meeting room.