Its recent move to drop steak, mixed grills and gammon from menus as of 14 May will see the managed operator of about 800 pubs will conversely see a number of new food items added.
The operator told The Morning Advertiser: “A new range of gourmet burgers will be introduced: The Big Smoke, Buffalo Burger and Cheese Meltdown. There will also be a range of Korean-style chicken meals added.”
A spokesperson for JDW added despite some journalists stating the move is down to meat prices, this is “100% incorrect”.
It is not the first time steaks have been dropped from its menus but, in 2018, this was down to a sourcing problem.
At the time, JDW cancelled its contract with Russell Hume after the supplier recalled its products. JDW changed its meat supplier and apologised to customers after its famed Steak Night had to be cancelled temporarily.
Late last year, the Tim Martin-chaired pub business announced it would be changing its core draught beer range, which would see San Miguel lager dropped in favour of Angelo Poretti.
A spokesperson said at the time: “Our relationships with beer suppliers are usually very long-term.
“In this case our San Miguel contract came to an end, and after much thought we decided to make a change to Poretti.
“San Miguel and Poretti are both excellent products, so the choices are never easy.”
In April 2022, JDW brought 14 new food items to its menu including chicken dishes, curries and healthier options.
JDW senior food development manager Matt Elsdon said at the time: “We are always looking to offer our customers the best possible choice of meals.
“As always all meals will be of the highest quality and available at value-for-money prices.”
Another drinks disposal was made in early 2022 when the pubco joined others in the on-trade in refusing to stock Russian products as it began its war on Ukraine.
Sales of Baltika Lager were halted and JDW returned all bottles of the beer back to supplier Carlsberg.
In late 2021, JDW ended a 41-year-old tie with Heineken UK as its major supplier to move to a 20-year deal with Budweiser Brewing Group UK &I (BBG).
BBG would go on to install Budweiser, Corona and Leffe Blonde to JDW pubs at the expense of Heineken, which manufactures the likes of Heineken lager, Foster’s and John Smith’s.
There were also long-term supply deals made with BrewDog, Westons Cider, Carlsberg and Molson Coors announced at the same time.
Back in May 2019, JDW introduced a ‘gourmet’ vegan burger to its menus using plant-based patties from The Meatless Farm.
Despite the UK electorate saying ‘no’ officially to the European Union in 2016, it was two years later when JDW said ‘auf wiedersehen’ to Jagermeister and ‘au revoir’ to French brandies Courvoisier VS and Hennessy Fine de Cognac.
Their replacements were American drink E&J Brandy, Australian brandy Black Bottle and Strika – a herbal liqueur produced in England.
Two months prior to this, drinks from France and Germany were ejected by JDW in the form of Champagne and wheat beers, respectively.
Champagne was set to be replaced with sparkling wines from the UK – Denbies’ Whitedowns Brut and Whitedowns Rosé Brut as well as Hardys’ sparkling Pinot Chardonnay from Australia.
Meanwhile, wheat beers from the UK including Blue Moon Belgian White, Thornbridge Versa Weisse Beer and SA Brain Atlantic White were brought on board.
Earlier in 2018, JDW mixed up its food menu by dropping a number of ‘favourites’ including an ice cream sundae, 8oz rump steak, all cheesecakes, half roast chicken, New York deli burgers, Tandoori chicken and all hotdogs.
However, there were plenty of new dishes added such as a gourmet burger, and a mushroom Benedict breakfast dish – all of this coincided with the managed operator dropping all of its social media accounts.
It is almost 10 years since JDW scrapped Sunday roasts in 2016, which were as cheap as £6.75 – including a drink.
The move was met with a chorus of disapproval by customers online.
