Brewhouse & Kitchen, the 22-site national brewpub group, has reported that sales have grown by 115% during the first 6 days in which the Eat Out to Help Out scheme has been running.
Following its staggered reopening, the group had already achieved growth of 6.1% during its first 4 weeks of trading; this growth accelerated to an astonishing 29.4% for the week ending on the 8 August.
The group attributes this strong start to the considerable amount of engagement and development with the team during the lockdown period, as throughout lockdown, the team at Brewhouse & Kitchen worked incredibly hard to ensure that they were 'battle-ready' for a strong reopening.
This was not simply a return to business for the brewpub group rather, it was a time to give thought to the safe restabilising of the hospitality sector overall, keeping staff, guests and the wider community safe. As such, it became a priority to show their guests that the brewpubs were ready to invite their guests back safely and with the confidence that the Brewhouse & Kitchen experience would be as great as ever.
One way the brewpub group has taken this experience to new heights is through their phenomenally successful order and payment at-table platform, 'B&K On Tap'. Carrying a large range of craft beers, gin and ciders, Brewhouse & Kitchen has seen a significant uptake in guests buying from the entire portfolio, as they are now able to browse through the range at their convenience.
The South coast presence of the group has been a particular advantage, whereas London has been more challenging; despite this, the Highbury and Islington sites that are open are trading ahead of forecast.
Furthermore, following a successful series of trials throughout the summer months, autumn will see the launch of Brewhouse & Kitchen's food and beer being delivered locally, and the expansion of the current offer to deliver the Gift of a Mini Keg of Brewhouse & Kitchen-brewed beer to anywhere in the UK. The group now has 17 out of its 22 pubs open and trading, with plans to open the remaining in the coming weeks.
CEO Kris Gumbrell said, 'Food sales have been very strong through the week and we saw growth continue every day through Thursday, Friday and Saturday across the group. To have been showing growth prior was really pleasing, but the Eat Out to Help Out scheme has been the icing on the cake for our business.'