Revolution vodka bar chain aims to increase diner numbers

The company’s head of food operations Ioan Eyton-Jones wants to ‘significantly increase’ the number of customers coming to eat in the bars, known for serving 30 different flavours of vodka, with the aim of increasing food sales by 25 per cent in the next six months under a move the company calls its 'Food Revolution'.

“Traditionally, our research has indicated that customers rate our food offering highly in terms of quality, service and the overall dining experience. The challenge now is to build on this strong base and affection for our brand by significantly increasing the volume of customers who visit Revolution bars purely to dine out,” he said.

Food Revolution​

Over the last year food has become more of a focus for Revolution, which has served it in selected bars since 2001, with all branches now serving food from a 'simplified' yet extensive menu.

The updated menu which has been rolled out to all branches now features a range of dishes for different occasions, from starters and sharing plates, to wraps, sandwiches, burgers and mains such as Chicken Katsu, Fish & Chips, and Revolution Pie.

A separate menu featuring dishes with a Cuban twist will be served in Revolution's 12 Revolución de Cuba bars.

“Food Revolution is about establishing a much stronger identity for our food proposition and raising greater awareness of those areas where we continue to innovate,” said Eyton-Jones.

Training​

The company, which recently opened a food development kitchen in Manchester, is also planning to put more than 600 kitchen and waiting staff through an in-house training programme, to ensure the brand's new values are met. Kitchen staff are also encouraged to gain an NVQ while working.

Eyton-Jones said: “Currently, 300 members of our management team and all our head chefs have been put through a nationwide training programme which consists of a one day course focusing mainly on food preparation, safety, speed of service and enhancing overall levels of food knowledge and expertise.

“This programme is ongoing via our new training centre in York and is a major commitment for the business, to ensure all kitchen staff and managers are equipped with the right skills needed to deliver our new Food Revolution proposition."