Hertfordshire-based brewer and pub operator McMullen’s has revealed plans to convert three more managed outlets to its Chicken & Grill concept this year as it eyes five more developments over the next 12 months.
The company also revealed that it wants to add four or five freehold sites to its managed estate each year. It comes as McMullen’s reveals a £300,000 investment at its Windsor pub, which has been renamed The Duchess of Cambridge after Kate Middleton.
McMullen’s currently operates two Chicken & Grill sites, the Nag’s Head in Bishop’s Stortford and the Bull’s Head in Turnford. The next conversion is to take place at the Plough in Cuffley, with a further two conversions planned for unnamed sites.
These five conversions represents an average investment of around £450,000 per site.
Chicken & Grill offers pub favourites, specialising in chicken dishes such as rotisserie chicken, at reasonable prices. There’s a separate menu for lunch and dinner.
Another development will be at a converted department store in Bishop’s Stortford, which is to open before Christmas as a Baroosh, McMullens’ high street cafe bar concept. A site for another Baroosh in Marlow has been secured and is due to open next year.
A final conversion this year, at an unnamed pub, will be to McMullens’ upmarket Destination concept.
The company plans to buy four or five freehold sites for its managed estate each year. Managing director Peter Furness-Smith told M&C Report: “We have been trying to get as many prime sites as we can for retail; we won’t buy tenanted pubs. It makes it more difficult but we like a challenge.”
The 1,600 square foot Duchess of Cambridge pub, which opens to the public this week, will have 100 seats in the restaurant and bar area and will feature historic company artefacts dating back to the early 19th century, including an original pub price list. It will employ 30 full and part time staff.
