New-look menus roll out across JDW’s estate tomorrow (8 March). They will feature two 100% British beef 'gourmet' burgers: the New York Deli, with pastrami, mustard mayo and gherkin; and the Empire State, which features two beef patties, American cheese and maple-cured bacon.
Two hot dogs have been added: the State Dog, with Monterey Jack cheese and pepper sauce, maple-cured bacon, gherkin and crispy onion; and the Bombay Dog, with curry sauce, tomato, onion, coriander and crispy onion.
Bagels and salad
JDW has also introduced a pastrami bagel with mustard mayo and gherkin and a smashed avocado bagel with tomato, onion and coriander as well as a quinoa salad aimed at more health-conscious customers.
The quinoa salad includes quinoa, rice, avocado, adzuki beans, grilled peppers, red cabbage, chia seeds, kale and dressing. It can be served as a single portion or with pulled chicken or halloumi.
JDW’s head of food Jameson Robinson said he was confident the new dishes would enhance the menu and prove popular with customers.
Further decline
JDW chairman Tim Martin warned last month that pubs were destined for ‘further decline’ without progress on both business rates and tax equality with supermarkets.
Martin, whose business is expected to be hit with a bill of millions when new rateable values are introduced next month, told The Morning Advertiser (MA) the two issues were "inextricably linked".
He said: “That’s the overriding point. Before the rates rise, pubs paid about 16p per pint in rates – if a pint is £3.50, take off the VAT and it’s about 5% or 6% of ex-VAT on the cost of a pint.
“Ours have gone up by about 16%, so it’s another 2p a pint. I haven’t got an exact figure but the increase is about £7m or £8m.
“The main point is supermarkets only pay about 2p per pint in business rates and, on top of that, they pay no VAT on food.”