Managed pub and bar group TCG is set to drive its hot drinks sales with the launch of three new seasonal specials later this month and the roll out of barista training to its pub and bar teams with the help of coffee partner Cafeology.
The new drinks – two flavoured coffees and one hot chocolate – will be available in 40 TCG sites. Created exclusively for TCG by Cafeology, they are:
· Black Forest Mocha: espresso coffee blended with hot chocolate and a shot of cherry syrup. Served with a fresh cherry
· Hazelnut Latte: latte coffee with a shot of hazelnut syrup
· Henry’s Hot Chocolate Orange: hot chocolate with a shot of blood orange syrup, topped with whipped cream and fresh chocolate and orange shavings
At the same time, TCG is taking the coffee skills of its pub and bar teams to a new level with a barista training programme. Staff attend an intensive day of training at Cafeology’s roastery, receiving a masterclass in coffee product knowledge as well as hands on instruction in how to: recalibrate coffee grinds, make and present the different styles of coffee, as well as having the opportunity to roast their own beans!
These Coffee Champions are then charged with delivering training to their colleagues back in their own pub or bar and helping to train teams in other nearby sites.
Chief operating officer Nigel Wright said, “The out of home coffee market is growing fast, but is also very competitive. We want to make the hot drinks in our pubs and bars as good as or better than the offer in specialist coffee bars and the combination of trained baristas and appealing new seasonal hot drinks will help us achieve that goal.
“The new drinks are perfect ‘winter warmers’ and we expect them to be very popular over the Christmas shopping and party season as consumers look to treat themselves with a special hot drink. Combining this with the upskilling of our front of house teams gives us a very strong hot drinks offer for the key autumn and winter trading period.”
TCG selected ethical beverage company Cafeology as its new coffee partner in June this year. According to Wright, their drinks range is proving popular with customers, who are enthusiastic about the great taste, impactful branding and FairTrade status.
Bryan Unkles, Cafeology managing director, said, “Coffee and other hot drinks are a huge opportunity for pubs and bars and we’re delighted that TCG is grabbing it with both hands, and our support. Feedback from TCG sites confirms that consumers are looking for strong ethical credentials as well as great-tasting coffee, and demand for Fairtrade products out of the home is, we believe, set to increase.”
Caption to attached image: team member Nico Piyis at the Hop Poles, Hammersmith, with the new hot drinks range
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Notes to editors
TCG
· TCG operates a diverse estate of 69 managed pubs and bars nationwide.
· The business has a strong foothold in London, with high-profile sites such as the flagship Tattershall Castle floating bar and restaurant on the Embankment.
· The estate stretches across the country from Aberdeen to Newquay, and from Cardiff to Norwich. It includes late night bars, community and sports locals, student venues and quality town centre pubs, as well as a number of trading formats, such as the Henry’s Café Bar brand, Eerie Pubs and the King’s Feast food concept.
Cafeology
· Cafeology is an ethical beverage company, supplying coffee, tea and chocolate to the out of home market in the UK and Ireland.
· The British, independently owned company, was formed in 2003. Cafeology operates in all market sectors, including pubs, bars, hotels, shopping centres, leisure centres, contract catering, travel operators and the independent sector
· Cafeology has unique direct supply agreements in place with Fairtrade audited coffee producers in Central and South America. It chooses its partners carefully and takes pride in developing long term relationships with them.
Issued on behalf of: TCG
By: ShielPorter Communications
Further information: Ros Shiel: ros@shielporter.com / 07841 694137
John Porter:john@shielporter.com / 07734 054389