Pub Food in Focus: How have they managed that?
Price changes in the top six pub dishes
Average price and price change Sep 08 - Jan 09
Burger: £6.67 -12p
Pizza: £7.34 -3p
Chicken breast: £6.92 -4p
Fish & chips: £6.77 -15p
Sunday lunch: £7.46 -38p
Sirloin steak: £10.81 -24p
Source: Menurama
Consumer intentions
In March 1,000 people were asked: Thinking about the year ahead, would you say you are likely to eat out more, less or about the same as you did this year?
- 4% said they would eat out more often in the coming year than they had in 2008
- 63% said they would eat out as often
- 32% said they would eat out less often
We asked consumers how much they last spent on a meal in a pub. The results compared with the previous three years were:
- March 2009: £13.50
- March 2008: £17.10
- March 2007: £13.90
- March 2006: £12.30
Source: QuickBite
New dishes
This is a selection of new dishes launched by pubs between August 2008 and February 2009, with menu description and average price Boerie Burger: Barracuda Group/Smith & Jones. "All burgers are served with chips and a rocket and Parmesan garnish, drizzled with a balsamic dressing." £6.95
Grilled Halloumi and Red Pepper Skewer (V): Orchid Pub Company/Modern British. "Served on toasted Greek pitta bread with rocket, dressed in an olive oil and balsamic reduction." £4.50
Confit Of Duck & Butterbean Cassoulet: Greene King/Wayside Inns. "Slow-cooked tender leg of duck served on a green lentil, butterbean & seared cherry tomato cassoulet." £9.50
Salmon & Broccoli Fishcake Salad: Town & City Pub Company/Yates's. "Flakes of salmon and broccoli, in a light breadcrumb coating, served with mixed leaves, tomato, cucumber and tartare sauce." £5.35
Chicken & Prosciutto Ham Tostada: Bay Restaurant Group/Slug and Lettuce. "Toasted soft flour tortilla, topped with melted Cheddar cheese, char-grilled chicken, prosciutto ham, sun -blushed red pepper tapenade and basil & pine nut pesto, with seasonal salad leaves, melted mozzarella and Parmesan." £7.80
Beef & Coriander Burger With Organic Goat's Cheese & Peppers: Mitchells & Butlers/All Bar One. "With fries & tomato salsa. We make our beef and lamb burgers in our kitchens everyday, using fresh ingredients." £8.45
Posh Bacon & Eggs: Mitchells & Butlers/Scream & Goose. "Two grilled 4oz gammon chops served with two fried eggs, peas and chips on the side." £4.75
Salt Beef Baguette: Marston's/Pitcher & Piano. "Classic Brick Lane-style with creamed horseradish and gherkins. All available with a gluten-free bread alternative. Served with chips." £6.95
Beef & Oyster Pudding: Mitchells & Butlers/O'Neill's. "Served with peas and either colcannon or chips and a rich gravy." £7.20
Source: MenuramaHead to Head: Beefeater v Harvester
Average UK Price Jan 2009
Harvester: Starter £2.99; Main Course £8.24; Dessert £3.56
Beefeater: Starter £3.98; Main Course £9.82; Dessert £3.94 £0.38 10.7%
Heavyweight promotions are different:
- Beefeater promotes meal deals across the board - one course for £5.95, two for £7.95, three for £9.95
- Harvester promotes higher cost dishes - for example Harvester Select Premium dishes are heavily promoted at an average of a £1 more than other dishes in the relevant menu sections.
Differences in important selling messages:
- Beefeater publicises the 'home of chargrilling' and emphasises the many new dishes on offer
- Harvester plays on its healthy eating options, using special symbols to highlight lower in fat and calories, and by offering unlimited free salads with every meal.
Similar menu ethnicity:
- Beefeater dishes tend towards traditional English grills, steaks, roasts and American burgers with a sprinkle of other cuisines such as Chicken Tikka skewers, Quesadilla wrap, Koftas & Chimi Churi Spiral Pasta
- Harvester also has an assortment of steaks, roasts and burgers with 'Flamed Chicken' spit-roasted dishes replacing Beefeater's chargrilled options. American dishes dominate (Caribbean Curry, Bourbon BBQ Glazed Spitroast, Plantation Platter) but little evidence of other world cuisines.
