The company has been working with publicans to pinpoint the areas that they find most challenging as well as identifying what would help them grow sales. More than 90% of respondents said they would welcome guidance from a major pub food supplier, with under 20% believing they are currently maximising their food offer.
Two in three said they struggle to keep the menu interesting and innovative with one in three keen for advice in attracting diners more frequently. Three in five claimed making their food profitable was a challenge.
The new pub food guide is available at brake.co.uk/pubs and offers advice on food, menus, running a great food business and driving footfall as well as kitchen management tips.
In addition to the guide and available to all Brakes customers, the Brakes Pub Club offers publicans support to maximise the potential of their businesses. Members can log onto the website to access ideas and inspiration on topics including themed night, menu tips, PoS materials and business tools including profit calculators and buying guides as well as tailored promotions.
Mike Park, Brakes’ business unit director for pubs, said: "It has been a tough time for many pubs over the past few years, and we recognise that many publicans don’t have the time or resources to do their own research to identify the food trends in the market or see what other successful pubs are doing.
"Brakes is best placed to play a role in helping publicans with some of the investigation work, and we are in a unique position to work with pubs to bring together shared experiences and take what’s working in one area and tell others about it."