WETHERSPOONS are cutting steak, mixed grills and gammon from menus across the country in a cost-cutting shake-up.
The pub chain’s top brass John Huston told staff on Friday that the popular dishes would be disappearing in May after an increase in meat costs made them the company’s “biggest loss-makers”.
A major shake-up to the Wetherspoons menu will see certain dishes axed and new items introduced[/caption]
The chain is scrapping steak, mixed grills and gammon from the menu[/caption]
Confirming the news to The Sun today, the popular chain said the beloved items will drop off the menu on May 14.
The “high steaks” move comes as Wetherspoons prepares to “tighten belts” amid Labour’s National Minimum Wage increases coming into effect on April 1, as the chain bids to return to its pre-COVID profit levels.
In an email sent to staff on Friday, Wetherspoons chief executive John Huston confirmed that the meats were being ditched “after much debate”, as part of a planned menu change, but supplemented the news by announcing a new “gourmet burger” which will be served up in May.
He said: “Following the drinks launch, in May we will be making changes to the food menu.
“The main addition will be a new gourmet burger range and the introduction of a 6oz burger patty as the standard size burger.
“After much debate, steaks, mixed grills and gammon are being removed from the menu.
Thanks for your attention, and good luck over the St Patrick’s Day festivities.”
It is not yet known if the pub chain intends to publicly announce the move to its customer base.
Insiders said the costly meats had become “big loss-makers”, due to the amount that end up on specials, but warned the move will spark complaints from punters who “still enjoy a steak with a pint”.
A source told The Sun: “It’s been a rumour for a while, but the chief exec [John Huston] said in May we were getting rid completely and bringing in new gourmet burgers.
“They’re the biggest loss makers, in terms of food items, in the whole of Wetherspoons. There’s been a downturn on the amounts of steaks and mixed grills sold across the country.
“Certainly the last three or four years the price has gone up year on year – but they’re still good value.
“I wouldn’t imagine they’ll want to sing and shout about it – Tuesday steak nights are going too.
“Whether that will be replaced with something else across the board I don’t yet know.
“I can’t see it going down quite well – a lot of customers do still love a steak and a pint and it’s one of the best value places to get them.
“It’ll make things easier for the kitchen staff – but steaks are high with this decision.
“They’ve struggled since COVID – the big push is getting every pub to record profitability, but with the wage increase coming in April they’re certainly trying to tighten belts.”
Steak, mixed grills and gammon fans have two months to snap up as many dishes as they can as the beloved items will drop off the menu on 14.
While Wetherspoons staff “appreciate that some customers will be disappointed,” the decision is fully confirmed.
However, those impartial to some pub grub won’t have to wait before a new set of gourmet burgers will be introduced.
The Big Smoke, Buffalo Burger and Cheese Meltdown are rolling into Wetherspoons joints on the same day along with a range of Korean-style chicken meals.
A spokesperson for the popular chain said: “Wetherspoon is making changes to its menu in May.
“This includes the removal of steaks, mixed grills and gammon on May 14.
“A new range of Gourmet Burgers will be introduced; The Big Smoke, Buffalo Burger and Cheese Meltdown, on Wed 14 May.
“There will also be a range of Korean style chicken meals added.
“Wetherspoon is confident that its menu provides a variety of choices and value-for money meals.
“We appreciate that some customers will be disappointed with the decision to remove steaks and grills.”
