Pub chefs urged to capitalise on Britain's appetite for burgers

Pub chefs are being urged to put added-value burgers on the menu to cash in on the growing success of the favourite.

CGA Strategy research revealed burgers have overtaken fish and chips as people’s favourite pub meal with pubs selling an average 160 a week.

Jayne Hall, marketing manager at Moy Park Foodservice, said: "The popularity of burgers is soaring largely because they are a very good value offering at a time when people are feeling the impact of the economic downturn.

"Pub-goers are increasingly choosing burgers instead of traditional pub favourites such as fish and chips so there is a real opportunity for licensees to exploit this opportunity by maximising the appeal of their burger menu. Burgers are classic pub food because they have universal appeal, can be prepared rapidly in the kitchen and are extremely versatile because they are suitable for meat lovers and vegetarians alike."

Moy Park Foodservice offers a range of burgers including a battered chickwich steak, hot and spicy chickwich steak and wholemeal steak with chicken breast in breadcrumbs. It also offers vegetarian burgers for non-meat eaters.