It has adapted its 54-strong managed house estate in southern England to the demands of modern times and demonstrating a genuine commitment to and investment in quality.
The company set itself some tough targets, but with smart efficiency and planning it has continually come up with initiatives to make the operation better and more agile. Though it has shifted the business model significantly, it has kept a great sense of its own heritage.
Strong emphasis
It has also taken good care of its team and placed a strong emphasis on developing its people to make sure they give guests the best possible experience and drive spend per head.
Its estate has been quietly enhanced over the past decade through churning and lifting the quality of its existing pubs and partnering with developers to establish large venues on new housing estates that offer an all-round all-day service to residents.
General managers are supported in taking initiatives to continuously improve their business. Famously, Hall & Woodhouse directors tour every pub in the run-up to Christmas checking on the quality of the roast potatoes. It’s a bit of fun – but reflects a serious purpose.
Impressive story
Menu development has been a special focus in the past year with the total number of dishes streamlined and the skills required to produce them reduced, improving efficiency and easing pressures on kitchen staffing.
While on the bar, its Badger ales are now joined by beers from the company’s craft arm, Outland.
Hall & Woodhouse may be a traditional company, but it is harnessing those traditional values to show how pubs can successfully evolve in the 21st century. It’s an impressive story that has got further to run.
