ALL DAY DINING

There are a number of tools available on the Moy Park Foodservice website for publicans wanting to enhance or introduce a food offering, such as access to the Pub Grub Report, free point of sale material and Menu Makers, where it has never been easier to compose, design and print professional looking menus. In addition, Moy Park Foodservice works very closely with its customers to trial new products and test new concepts.

Kelly Crawford from the Elm Tree in Farnham, Surrey, is constantly seeking ideas to drive additional sales from her limited kitchen and Moy Park Foodservice thought she would be an ideal candidate to try out a 'late night take away menu' as the food offer at the Elm Tree is only available at lunchtimes. Kelly was a little apprehensive at first when it was suggested but was reassured by the support that Moy Park was able to offer.

"The most popular dish on our lunchtime menu was sausage and mash and during sporting events we’d sometimes put on a limited evening menu such as sausage and chips," explains Kelly. "In the vicinity of the pub there’s a Chinese takeaway, a fish & chip shop, which closes early, and a pizza delivery, which is open until late. Usually customers will either leave the pub early to get food on their way home or they will phone to get a pizza delivered to the pub. They will then either eat it on their way home or I usually allow them to eat it here as it keeps them drinking for longer."

Kelly ran the "Time to Takeaway" trial menu for Moy Park Foodservice which was available all day, right up until half an hour before closing; 11pm weekdays and 12pm at weekends. The menu was supported with POS and takeaway bags and proved very popular with customers, especially at the weekend. "We served over 30 people during the week long trial," Kelly explains. "Our customers have been very supportive by trying out the new menu and giving us honest feedback. We had repeat purchases and plenty of positive comments."

Consequently, Kelly is convinced that she will attract more people to the Elm Tree by keeping the menus from Moy Park Foodservice as a regular feature and spend per head increased by as much as £4.50 in the evenings, some of which can be attributed to an increase in wet sales, as customers stayed longer to enjoy the late night menu and purchased a drink to go with their food.

The images on the posters and POS material provided by Moy Park Foodservice showed exactly what the customers could expect and Kelly found the products were simple to prepare. "It couldn’t be easier! The bar staff all pitched in to help as we don’t have a chef but they found it easy and learnt very quickly. We will definitely keep it going!"

Following the trial Kelly will continue to use the "Time to Takeaway" menu, "Everyone was happy; staff and customers. There was a good price range, the products were just right for my customers and quick to cook. We will definitely be buying from Moy Park Foodservice again."

Kelly's top tips for pubs wanting to offer a take away food offer are to ensure you have good POS to advertise the fact, put some tasters on the bar to encourage customers to try, do leaflet drops in the local area and ensure you have the right packaging for takeaway food.

To find out more about the range of Moy Park Foodservice products, create your own bespoke menu and to download your free eye-catching POS, visit www.moyparkfoodservice.com or call the Prime Line on 01480 445900.