Pieminister plans to target evening trade with new-format restaurants

The Bristol-born pie-maker, which also has eight pie and mash cafes in England and a kiosk in Dublin, told BigHospitality it expects to open the 2,000 sq ft fast, casual dining eatery in the next two months.

The move forms part of wider goal to open a further 20 evening-orientated restaurants over the next five years in locations ranging from Manchester and Liverpool to Nottingham and London.

Jon Simon, who co-founded the business with Tristan Hogg in 2003, described the expansion plans as a ‘natural next step’.

“The business has grown and is a real blend of things,” he said.

“We used to be a high end pie and mash shop, now the offer is more holistic, more inclusive.

“It is a place you can go [to] with a group of mates on a Saturday night and there are draft ales, ciders, snacking. It’s broader, more interesting for people, more fun.”

Licensed venues​

Geared towards the 20-35 age group, the concept was first trialled in 2013 when Pieminister opened a restaurant in Bristol before launching a second venue in Cardiff last year.

The restaurants, which use 100 per cent free range British meat, offer an extended menu including British nibbles, topless and pot pies, classic pies, sides and seasonal salads served up with British craft beers and ciders.
According to Simon, the average spend per head is £11.50 in the restaurants as opposed to £7.50 in the cafes.

“Until 18 months ago none of our sites were licensed,” he added. “ People hang around longer and drink more.”

Pieminister also plans to double the number of its pub franchises from 15 to 30 by the end of the year.