Admiral Taverns has launched a dedicated website to help its licensees develop the food side of their businesses.
The expanding tenanted and leased pub operator, which owns around 1,800 pubs nationwide, has gone live with mypubfood.com.
Parts of the site are freely accessible, but Admiral lessees can obtain a login password which wiill enable them to access exclusive premium content.
Among the features on offer are
- a menu creator which allows pubs to create and customise menus
- leaflet, poster and banner creators to help promote pub food
- food safety information including details of the latest hygiene regulations
- hints and tips on marketing
- contacts for recommended suppliers
The launch of the site has been prompted by the general growth of pub food sales over recent years, as well as the need for pubs to find new sources of trade in light of the smoking ban. Although the group's tenants are not tied for food sales, Admiral sees offering menu support as key to helping its licensees compete in a changing market.
Admiral Taverns head of food Sam Pedder said: "We know that many of our licensees are looking for practical support and advice in developing a food trade." She added: "Clearly, part of our thinking is that with the smoking ban looming in England and Wales, now is a good time to launch."
Founded in 2004, Admiral has grown through the purchase of packages of pubs from operators such as Punch Taverns, Greene King and Enterprise, and last year acquired the Pyramid Pub Company. These packages often include smaller pubs sold in the wake of major industry deals, which are likely to be those needing most support to develop a food operation.