UK operator Mitchells & Butlers is to reinvest as a business driven by serving food rather than alcohol and will expand its six food-led mid-market brands Harvester, Toby Carvery, Crown Carveries, Sizzling Pub Co, Premium Country Dining Group and Vintage Inns.
The operator has said it envisaged taking the number of sites trading under these names from 913 to 1,900 - while withdrawing from more price-sensitive drinks-led businesses.
John Lovering, who took over as chairman, added that M&B had previously identified a number of businesses that were not central to its future strategy - there were too many small brands increasing costs - but the company had made only slow progress in getting out of them.
"We have some gold bricks which will leave the business once we have planning consent, a buyer and the right price," said Lovering.
