This will include a menu development workbook and training guide, training for new licensees and one-day masterclasses for existing licensees, as well as investment of £20k in free menu production for 100 pubs.
The company’s business development managers would be upskilled in food development with a two-day course to accompany these investments, it said.
Quality
Lawson Mountstevens, managing director of Star Pubs & Bars, said: “Customers expect great quality food as well as value for money when they step inside a pub.
“They are also spoilt for choice when eating out so menus have to be brilliantly designed and delivered.”
The new materials were created by a range of pub food professionals including chefs and licensees. Masterclasses will be delivered by “similar specialists”.
Significant
Mountstevens added: “With 30% of sales on average coming from food in Star pubs, professional menu development can generate significant extra footfall, sales and profits and boost sales of beer, cider and wine too.”
This is the latest in a series of investments from the company designed to help licensees develop their food offers, which already includes specialist food workshops on meat and poultry, fish and shellfish, menu development, and healthy eating and allergens.
Mounstevens previously told The Morning Advertiser these initiatives were in aid of creating “long-term, sustainable leased pub businesses”.
Star has also launched pricing agreements with national food suppliers, including Direct Seafoods and Russell Hume meat, game & poultry specialists, which it said would aid licensees struggling with pricing by allowing them to sell food at a competitive RSP.