Dining at a restaurant used to be seen as something of an everyday non-event, however spiralling inflation and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis is impacting people's dining habits. A popular pub, sharing what could be an unpopular statistic, says that the average family meal out now costs a whopping £90.
Greene King say their research shows nearly half (46%) of Brits said they are unable to treat their family as often, due to rising costs. Over a quarter of families (28%) can only eat out when there is a meal deal on.
Family meal deal for £15 from Greene King
Greene King's Feed The Family deal allows customers to buy two selected adult main meals and two children meals for just £15 or £20 at their local pub, location dependent. Additional children can then eat for just £1 as part of the deal.
Andrew Gallagher, marketing director at Greene King Local Pubs said: “Our research shows that the average family meal out now costs around £90. Given the current climate, it is unsurprising that families are struggling to justify [that amount].
“Local pubs are a great place for families to get together, enjoy good food and escape an environment that is often consumed with distractions such as TV and work. To ensure we don’t miss out on the importance of family meals and to support our customers during these difficult times, we have launched Feed The Family.
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"This will enable a family of four to enjoy a meal out for just £15-£20, with additional kid’s meals available for just £1.” Those wanting to take advantage of the Feed the Family meal deal can do so every weekday until February 26 2023 at participating pubs.
Dishes to be enjoyed include a selection of pub classics such as fish & chips, lasagne and mac 'n' cheese. To find your local participating pub visit greeneking-pubs.co.uk/feed-the-family-deal.
Greene King's research paints a wider worrying picture for the hospitality trade during a tough economic climate. The pub chain say when they surveyed people about dining habits, a quarter of respondents (25%) deliberately choose the cheapest items on the menu when eating out, in order to keep costs low.
One in five also ordered tap water instead of purchasing a drink (23%). One in five Brits now share a family meal less than once a month, whilst a third (34%) admit that they only eat together on special occasions.
A lack of consumers have a knock-on effect on the pubs that they are reportedly frequently less. According to Big Hospitality, nearly 400 pubs 'disappeared' across England and Wales in 2022.
The relationship between pub landlord and consumer is symbiotic, where each provides conditions necessary for the other to continue to exist. Greene King's latest meal deal could help families navigate the cost-of-living crisis, whilst also looking at ways to bolster the hospitality trade and keep pubs open that double up as important spaces in the community.
