In his new role as brand research and development chef Fletcher will be responsible for capitalising on the ongoing public appetite for steak by innovating the menu across the chain’s nationwide estate.
With over 16 years’ experience, including stints at Scott’s of Mayfair and Harvey Nichols 5th Floor, he joins the company after six years working at Gaucho.
Beefeater faces competition from a proliferation of quality steakhouse offerings currently occupying the market, including Hawksmoor, Goodman, and American import Smith & Wollensky.
Fletcher said the company was ‘dedicated’ to developing its food offering, with steak remaining a key focus of the menu.
"This role is the perfect platform to develop the new exciting ideas myself and the team has planned.
"I am extremely excited to expand the future menus and offerings. It's very important to me and the brand to continue serving our guests with a traditional Beefeater offering, but at the same time challenge every dish on the menu to make it better and give our quests an overall better dining experience,” he said.
Ron Lento, director of food and beverage for Whitbread Restaurants, said he was ‘delighted’ to bring Fletcher on board as part of an ongoing development of the brand.
"Paul is an incredibly talented chef, proven by his strong track record and fantastic credentials and understands how to deliver a quality menu across a multi-site estate.
"[His] appointment at Beefeater is one of the many changes across the restaurant brand as it continues to grow and evolve," he said.
Founded in Britain in 1974, Beefeater now operates over 140 restaurants nationwide serving more than 12m customers a year.