Pubs can take on JDW with a £2.50 lunch
Independent pubs left reeling by JD Wetherspoon's £2.99 meal deal have been thrown a lifeline by cash & carry group Booker.
The wholesaler has launched a series of deals which will enable pubs to offer three meals at just £2.50 each.
The meals are scampi, chips and peas; steak, chips and mushrooms; and pie, mash and mushy peas. All have a cost price for the ingredients of less than £1.22, allowing pubs to offer the dishes at £2.50 and make more than 100 per cent mark up.
Booker is also offering promotions on bottled beers, mixed drinks and wines which will allow pubs to sell drinks at £2 each, also with at least 100 per cent mark-up.
Wetherspoon has gained substantial coverage in the national media for its New Year deals. Dishes such as ham, eggs and chips and sausages, baked beans and chips are on offer at £2.99 each, with the groups pubs also offering a pint of Greene King IPA at just 99p.
The dishes and drinks featured in Booker's deals will change monthly. "We understand that pubs are operating in a tough market so we've created these solutions to help them beat the credit crunch," said Ron Hickey, director of catering development.
"The consumer still loves to eat out at their local pub - however, money is tight. The independent publican can sell great British pub favourites for just £2.50 each and a drink for just £2. It gives the local pub a real chance to compete with the high street chains."
