Ei Group licensees to take on coffee chains

The campaign has been specially designed to support publicans with all aspects of running a profitable coffee offer. Under the initiative, publicans will benefit from a full audit of their coffee requirements and receive a tailored coffee solution recommendation.

The package includes a suitable coffee machine to meet a pub’s specific needs, training support for the machinery provided, price structure guidance, 100% Arabica coffee, and crockery and quality control measures.

'Not trying to reinvent the wheel'

Ei Group head of food Paul Farr said: “Unlocking the potential of every pub in our estate is something we’re passionate about and dedicated to achieving. Helping our publicans construct the right coffee offer gives them the opportunity to tap into different day parts and take on the high street coffee chains that have been challenging the traditional UK pub’s position as the community hub.

“We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel and have focused on doing the simple things right.  This doesn’t mean wholesale changes, just a few little tweaks that make a big difference to quality when you add them up, such as supplying the 100% Arabica coffee we use in 250g bags, so that it doesn’t have chance to go off in low-volume scenarios.

“As well as offering Beerista Coffee Company to our leased and tenanted estate, we will roll it out across our Bermondsey Pub Company portfolio. As ever, Beerista is an evolving offer, so being able to take key learnings from our managed estate and share best practice with publicans across our wider portfolio adds value to the entire business.”

To support the rolling out of the programme, Ei Group’s regional managers have undergone extensive training and will be in a position to offer ongoing advice and conduct quality control tests.

Founded in 1991, Ei Group counts 4,300 pubs across England and Wales in its managed estate.