Greene King trials carvery

Greene King is trialling a number of different carvery concepts in its managed division.

One such trial is being undertaken at a pub in Dunstable, Bedfordshire. The Highwayman's food offer is now branded Giant Carvery, with price points rivalling Mitchells & Butlers' blue collar carvery offer Pub & Carvery.

The pub is selling a carvery meal before 5pm between Monday and Saturday, for £3.50. After 5pm, the price goes up to £4.50. On a Sunday, the pub charges £6.50. The new Greene King carvery offers a choice of gammon, beef or turkey, with limitless vegetables.

A spokesman for Greene King said: "We've got a number of carvery trials

going on, of which the Highwayman is one."

The spokesman said the trial had produced a positive sales performance at the Highwayman.

The carvery concept has had a resurgence in popularity in the past two years with several major managed pub companies launching a carvery offer.

Orchid Group, the operator backed by a private equity firm, has launched what it is describing as a "contemporary carvery", while Marston's has launched Taverner's Carvery and Herald Inns & Bars launched its first carvery site earlier this year.

Mitchells & Butlers operates more than 100 Toby Carvery sites and is believed to have around 50 Pub & Carvery venues now.

News of Greene King's carvery offer comes as the company reported profits

will be in line with expectations despite the terrible summer weather and the smoking ban.

Like-for-like sales in its managed pubs are up 2% on last year, excluding the World Cup, and up 1% in its tenanted pubs.