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.
Seasonal specials
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
Barista training: coffee champions
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.
As good as specialist coffee bars
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.”
Cafeology
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.