Poor coffee sends pub punters packing
Almost half (44%) of consumers would be put off returning to a pub that serves poor quality coffee according to new research by UCC Coffee UK & Ireland.
However, the report highlighted significant opportunities for pubs to increase trade through an improved coffee offer.
The survey of 750 consumers by Allegra World Coffee Portal revealed that more than a third (33%) of consumers are buying coffee out of home at least four times per week and almost two-thirds are willing to pay £2.99 for a great cup. Other findings include
• More than a quarter (28%) of those surveyed stated that, if it opened earlier, they would visit a pub or bar for their morning coffee rather than a high-street coffee shop
• Almost two-thirds (63%) of respondents believe that a high-quality cup of coffee at the end of a meal makes the difference between a good quality experience and a truly great one
• Almost a third of diners (31%) often order coffee instead of a dessert when eating out
• Almost half (44%) of consumers eat out at least once a week
Phil Smith, head of category & insight for UCC Coffee UK & Ireland, said: "Lots of pub operators are doing coffee well but there's still significant room for improvement across the market. For pubs with a strong food offer, coffee quality significantly impacts on customer satisfaction. It's an integral part of eating out, with three-quarters of diners valuing coffee quality as an important part of the overall experience.
Anthony Pender, chairman of the British Institute of Innkeeping, added: "Coffee is the on-trend drink of today - of that there can be no doubt. More than a third of consumers buy coffee out of home at least four times per week. This isn't a fad - coffee is here to stay. For pub and bar operators looking to invest in their future, their business, and grow their customer base, coffee is a revenue generator like no other. The findings in this report highlight key opportunities that operators should pay attention to if they are going to take advantage of this revenue stream."
Videos from The Caterer archives