Stonegate Group’s Social Pub & Kitchen has launched a major menu refresh across its 62 venues, introducing smash burgers, new exciting weekly offers including Wing Wednesday with brand new crispy coated chicken wings, and healthier food options as the brand evolves its food and drink offering in line with changing consumer trends.
Supporting the rollout, Stonegate Group has invested £50,000 in new kitchen equipment across the estate, enabling chefs to introduce smash burgers to menus throughout the brand’s pubs and further enhance food quality and speed of service.
Arguably the burger of the 2020s, smash burgers have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, becoming a viral sensation across TikTok and Instagram Reels. Their striking appearance makes them ideal for social media, while their juicy flavour and crumbly texture deliver the rich, indulgent taste guests are seeking.
The new equipment allows chefs to achieve the perfect ‘Maillard reaction’ – the chemical reaction between amino acids and reducing sugars that occurs when food is cooked at high temperatures – creating the signature deep flavour and caramelised crust that smash burgers are known for.
To support the rollout, Stonegate has also invested in training its teams across all Social Pub and Kitchen sites to ensure staff are fully equipped to use the new equipment and consistently deliver the new menu items.
Alongside the smash burger launch, Social Pub and Kitchen has introduced a series of new exciting offers designed to drive midweek and evening trade. These include a new Smash Burger & Drink Tuesday offer across all venues, as well as a Sip & Slice Friday deal, offering guests two drinks and two pizzas at a special price, including all cocktails and premium pints, available from 4pm – kitchen close, reigniting that Friday feeling.
The brand has also expanded its popular bottomless brunch, with the addition of Birra Moretti, Cruzcampo, a wider range of spirits and the new smash burgers, further strengthening one of the sector’s most in-demand hospitality experiences.
Reflecting growing consumer demand for lighter and healthier options, the refreshed menu also introduces a range of lower-calorie bowls, offering a source of protein without compromising on flavour. Packed with grains, soya beans, vegetables, meats, or plant-based protein, the bowls provide guests with a balanced option alongside the brand’s more indulgent dishes.
Paul Fitzpatrick, Head of Food Development at Social Pub and Kitchen, said: “We are constantly reviewing and evolving our menus to ensure we’re keeping pace with the latest trends shaping the hospitality sector and meeting the expectations of our guests.
“Smash burgers have become one of the defining food trends of recent years, driven by both social media and consumer demand for bold, flavour-led dishes. By investing in new kitchen equipment and training our teams across the estate, we’re giving our chefs the tools and skills they need to consistently deliver high-quality dishes while continuing to innovate across the menu.”
Stephen Cooper, Head of Marketing at Social Pub & Kitchen, added: “In such a competitive market, it’s vital that we continue to innovate across our food and drink offering while delivering great value and memorable experiences for our guests.
“Our latest menu refresh reflects that approach, combining on-trend dishes like smash burgers with new drinks options, refreshed bottomless brunch packages and experience-led weekly offers. We are always looking at how we can evolve our menus, drinks range and promotional calendar to ensure Social Pub and Kitchen remains an exciting and relevant destination for our guests.”