The modern pub visit is about more than just a drink – it is a place to linger, connect and enjoy small moments of indulgence that elevate the experience.
Research from Tyrrells, KP Snacks’ premium hand-cooked crisp brand, shows that pubs remain firmly at the heart of British social culture, with 49% of people favouring their local pub over any other venue.1
And what are they looking for in a great pub visit? Well, the research revealed that great food, quality drinks and excellent service are the top three factors that define a great pub experience, and snacks have a key role to play as part of the food offering.
Joe Buckley, owner of award-winning pub The Tollemache Arms in Northamptonshire, known to the locals as ‘The Tolly’, recognises the important role snacks serve: “Snacks give people something to enjoy alongside their drinks, and they’re especially good for groups as they’re easy to share,” he says.
“For us, getting the snack offering right actively helps create a more relaxed, sociable atmosphere that means guests staying longer.”
The social and event role of the bar snack
With 51% of consumers saying they go to a pub to catch up with friends and family, the snacking opportunity is a great opportunity for pubs to upsell.1 A quarter of consumers identify premium snacks as a core element of making a pub visit feel like a proper social occasion, with 38% purchasing a snack specifically to share with family and friends.1
The Tolly makes the most of this opportunity: “Customers mostly buy snacks when they’re out for drinks with friends, during live music or events, or if they want a quick bite without a full meal. For music nights and community events, they’re a simple way to feed larger crowds quickly and keep service moving when the kitchen is busy,” Buckley explains.
The premiumisation of the pub snack
Consumers are increasingly seeking out more premium experiences, with half of pub-goers saying they are more likely to buy a bar snack from a premium snack brand, with pubs stocking premium ranges successfully trading up their demand.1
There has been a clear shift in expectations that rewards pubs who invest in their snack range. Joe from the Tolly explains that “there’s definitely more demand for premium options now as customers want better quality and more interesting flavours rather than just the standard bar snack offer.”
Tyrrells is perfectly positioned to meet this demand, with 73% of consumers view stocking the brand as a sign of a quality establishment.1 The Tolly reports seeing a clear positive response to stocking Tyrrells: “Tyrrells is a recognised, premium brand and customers like the quality and the flavour range”.
Visibility and trade-up opportunities
Maximising snack sales often comes down to the simplest of operational wins: visibility and proactive service. The Tollemache Arms embraces this as a core principle, noting that “if snacks are placed well and are visible at the bar or till, it definitely helps drive sales and reminds people to add them to their order”. Beyond simply displaying the range, there is a substantial opportunity to trade up drinks-only visits through well-timed team engagement.
The team at The Tolly excels at this by deploying a natural, low-pressure approach. “Our team will often suggest snacks when people are ordering rounds or settling in for a drink – but it’s more soft upselling than anything pushy,” says Buckley. Ultimately, a simple suggestion at the bar can seamlessly convert a standard drinks order into a higher-value transaction.
Raising the bar: Support for operators
Pubs and bars can give themselves the best possible opportunity to maximise snack sales by following a few simple tips:
- Credibility: Stock a range of best-selling snacks and new products to meet all customer needs. Consumers will be looking for something new – from ‘hunger fill’ to ‘treat’ to ‘better for you’
- Availability: Ensure your range is always available to purchase
- Visibility: Position your snacks with high visibility - 85% of consumers are more likely to buy a packet of crisps if they are on display.2
Sam Trabelsi, Out of Home Controller at KP Snacks, highlights the opportunity: “Our research shows that consumers are continuing to visit pubs regularly to create quality social experiences with family and friends.
“As a market leader in snacking, it’s important for us to support the hospitality industry to drive sales, whilst also using our popular, well-loved snack brands to help pubs increase visitor spend.”
Now in its third year, the Tyrrells’ League of Tyrrellbly Good Taste initiative is continuing to support pubs to drive bagged snacks sales by offering free point-of-sale materials, plus the chance to win a year’s worth of free stock worth over £5,000 between now and the end of October 2026.
With more than 90 Great Taste Awards across its range, Tyrrells is a name consumers actively recognise and reach for. Stocking it is not just a ranging decision; it’s a sign of a quality establishment.
Would your pub like to take part in the League? Register for free at Tyrrells to become a Tyrrellbly Tasteful Establishment, receive your free POS kit and enter for the chance to win a year’s supply of Tyrrells crisps.
References
1. Censuswide 2025
2. Toluna - Feb 2024
