Other venues might suit us exiles

https://www.wowcher.co.uk/deal/birmingh ... 5CE0A54177

Mitchells & Butler also run the Toby Carveries, where there is a Monday-Saturday offer on the carvery

https://www.wowcher.co.uk/deal/birmingh ... 5CE0A54177

Bit pricey and of course no drinks included!

More so for pub grub, probably frozen, deep fried and microwaved, few drinks which aren’t the cheapest in either pub on top and it’s not a cheap meal.

Best place for me is the Hartlepool railway station cafe.
No nonsense good grub at a very reasonable price.

plus by going into a pub you feel obliged to buy drinks even non alcoholic ones that you would not bother with in a cafe. all i want is a cup of tea or instant coffee when i have finished.

Meals in pubs used to beva loss leader and they made their money through drinks, not sure what the case is now ?

I believe the gross profit on food is higher than drinks but then you have staff/fuel/equip depreciation costs directly associated with the food side.
It really depends on the type, size and complexity of the operation.

I used to run a venue and was the licensee, though there was a bar and catering manager to do the real work on that side of things.

The biggest profit margin is on soft drinks - especially anything that comes out of a nozzle as opposed to a bottle or can. Post mix is a couple of pence a squirt so the profit is enormous.

There's a lot more risk associated with stock ordering for food sales unless you can count on high sales and turnover. I'm sure a lot of landlords would prefer to run pubs like they used to be, with just crisps, nuts and pork scratchings. The smoking ban did for that type of pub in most situations, so now most have a food offer (including kids' meals) just to do a decent trade.

not a prude, however i always thought of pubs as somewhere to go to get away from sodding kids and not have em around for a few hours.

Drinks not included???? This is what the Bottomless offer is:-

Bottomless: Deal includes ‘bottomless’ prosecco.
Perfect for: Some quality weekend dining with a special someone.
Location: Choose from one of 150 locations.
Valid: Sat and Sun 10am-2pm.
Deal bonus: Pay £5 directly to the restaurant on the day to upgrade your deal to include ‘bottomless’ Peroni, Aperol Spritz, or Ember Inn’s signature Sex on the Beach cocktail.