ATTRACTING HAPPY FAMILIES

In the wake of the smoking ban, Pub Landlords across the country know that it is essential that they look to attract new and different customers. For many, families have become a key part of the customer mix, but how do you attract families and keep them happy without alienating your current customer base?

Two previously wet-led pubs, working with Moy Park Foodservice as part of its Experts In Pub Food Panel, found the answer and had more families than ever through the door when trialling a new dedicated kids menu, delicious new products and fun, eye catching POS.

Research from the Pub Grub Made Easy report from Moy Park Foodservice showed that over 50% of kids prefer to pick and choose from a menu. In response to these findings Moy Park Foodservice developed a Mix and Match menu – for a set price children could choose from a selection of mains, sides, accompaniments a drink and a dessert, to create any meal combination they wish - the menu incorporated delicious Moy Park Foodservice non-fried products developed specifically for kids, plus other kids favourites already on many pub menus. The menu along with colourful POS was put to the test with two members of the Experts In Pub Food Panel.

The two pubs in question are the Bell and Bear in Rowley Regis and The New Inn in Malvern.
Both pubs trialled the Mix and Match menu featuring Non-Fried Whole Muscle Chicken Mini-Fillet, Non-Fried Vegetable Grill, Chicken Nuggets and Mini Donuts, for two weeks and it was a resounding success.

Stephanie Corcoran from the Bell and Bear has always had a dedicated children’s menu but found it difficult to provide something that kept both the kids and parents happy. The Mix and Match menu provided the perfect solution: Stephanie told us that kids loved that they could pick and choose from the menu, selecting the perfect side order for their favourite main. The most popular part of the menu was the non-fried chicken fillets, not only with the kids but with the parents too; as the product is made with a whole chicken fillet and isn't deep fried (even in the manufacturing process). The donuts were also really popular, surprisingly beating ice-cream as the kids favourite for the week!

The New Inn is a recently re-furbished pub simply and successfully providing a Carvery offering. For landlord John Horsley, families had become a big part of his customer base, but giving kids the food they want and keeping them entertained was a constant challenge. – hadn’t developed and Moy Park Foodservice was there to help.

“At the New Inn the key to our success has been the simplicity of the carvery, whatever we took on for children needed to tick the same boxes. The Mix and Match menu was perfect, we could tie it in with our carvery but also offer children’s favourites like 100% breast chicken nuggets. Kids liked the flexibility and kitchen staff loved how easy the products were to prepare”
John Horsley, The New Inn

Both pubs agreed that the fact that you could get a main with sides, a drink and a dessert for a set price was a huge attraction for parents. The fact that their children could choose healthier options like a jacket potato over chips was also a real bonus.

So overall Mix and Match from Moy Park Foodservice was a hit, with children, parents and even the other customers - as the kids were kept busy (and quiet!) with fun, themed colouring sheets.

Sales increased by around 10% for both pubs as more families were attracted over the two week trial period. Both Stephanie and John are keen to keep Mix and Match firmly on their menu and are sure that as word spreads of this flexible, tasty solution families will become a bigger part of their businesses.

"The Mix and Match Menu from Moy Park Foodservice was a huge success and the kids loved the products too, as did my kitchen staff as they were so easy to prepare. I would advise anyone to give the menu and the Moy Park Foodservice products a go as they gave children the flexibility and food they enjoy, and parents the chance to persuade them to try a healthier option. I know I will be continuing to use Mix and Match at the Bell and Bear as already it has attracted more families through the door"
Stephanie Corcoran, The Bell and Bear

Top tips for serving happy families:

Have a dedicated kids menu
Let children mix and match from a menu – over 50% kids say they would prefer to*
Remember to serve the kids first
Provide older children with smaller portions from the adult menu – more than 50% of adults say their children want this*
Mix healthy options with kids favourites to keep everyone happy –2 thirds of parents say they are looking for healthier options*
Make sure you offer healthier kids favourites like Moy Park Foodservice’s non-fried chicken fillet
Promote your menu offering using posters, show boards and promotional leaflet
Keep kids entertained with colouring sheets

To find out more, create your own bespoke Mix and Match menu and download the free eye catching POS visit www.moyparkfoodservice.com

Notes to editors:
*Pub Grub Made Easy report 2007

Date of issue: 8th April 2008

For further information, please contact:
Proactive Communications
Lisa Webb/SJ Barlow
Tel: 02476 796700
Email: lisa@proactivecommunications.co.uk/ sj@proactivecommunications.co.uk