Like-for-like food growth in the year-to-date is 9.5%, Orchid said, with covers up 10% year-on-year. The division sold 3m carveries last year and the proportion of food sales from carveries in the venues increased to 70%.
The company said there was an average 20% increase in covers in the past two periods at pubs targeted with mid-week price reductions to £5.95 and improved external signage.
Orchid also said it reduced wastage, cutting the gap between actual and theoretical margin in 2013 to 0.1%.
“We’re absolutely delighted with these results, as it shows what a joined-up strategy between operations, commercial and training can deliver,” said Simon Dodd, commercial & HR director at Orchid Group.