Food sales will continue to be a key driver in making pubs profitable in 2011 according to findings in The Publican's Food Report 2010.
Around 400 licensees completed this year's survey and 43 per cent said that despite the backdrop of pub closures and recessionary gloom they had seen food sales rise.
Seven out of 10 said food was important to their business. And on top of that more than half - 58 per cent - expect to make more money on food next year.
Of those surveyed only 21 per cent have reported a drop in food sales over the past 12 months.
The comprehensive survey asks licensees how they have fared and what is working for them when it comes to food.
Results indicate that targeting the right market and getting the offer right are essential to making money with food.
A total of 63 per cent of pubs offer meals for less than a tenner and the vast majority (87 per cent) sell desserts for under £5.
Catherine Hinchcliff, 3663's national accounts manager, said: "In today's economic climate pubs offer great value for money compared to other venues and we know that this is a key factor encouraging people to eat out."
The need to attract a wide range of people to your pub was also highlighted in the findings with 70 per cent stating that retired people were important to trade.
Couples are also big drivers of food, with 62 per cent of pubs noting their importance.
But some things, it seems,remain the same. Bar snacks are as popular as ever and are stocked by 85 per cent of pubs.
And the most popular meals are the classic pub dishes, pies, steak and chips and fish and chips.
For the full report see this week's Publican magazine.