At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the food and beverage strategy for Premier Inn, shaping menus and operational excellence.
- Company: Whitbread, a historic leader in UK hospitality with ambitious growth plans.
- Benefits: Annual incentives, private healthcare, generous holiday, and up to 60% discount on stays.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with flexible working options and strong career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the dining experience for millions of guests at Premier Inn.
- Qualifications: Proven F&B leadership experience and strategic thinking in multi-site hospitality.
The predicted salary is between 11.7 - 14.3 £ per hour.
For nearly 300 years, Whitbread has helped shape hospitality in the UK.
We’ve evolved and adapted many times along the way and we’re entering another important chapter now – focusing our business around our hotels, with big ambitions for growth in the UK and Ireland.
But one thing isn’t changing: food and drink remains a huge part of the Premier Inn experience, enjoyed by millions of our guests every year.
The question now is what that experience should look like in the future – what we serve, how we serve it and how we make it work brilliantly across a growing hotel estate.
That’s where our new
Head of Food & Beverage comes in.
This is a chance to lead our end-to-end F&B strategy and help create a simpler, stronger Premier Inn-led offer that takes everything we’ve learned from decades of serving guests and shaping what comes next.
What you’ll do
- Own and develop our long-term F&B strategy, helping shape what a Premier Inn-led food and drink offer looks like.
- Lead the development of menus and propositions that respond to changing guest needs while being practical to deliver brilliantly at scale.
- Build and lead our new approach to F&B operational excellence, moving more capability into the field and giving hotel teams the coaching, skills and support they need to deliver brilliantly.
- Bring together food development and operations, from kitchen design and equipment through to systems and the successful introduction of new menus and initiatives.
- Shape how we bring our F&B offer to life for guests, from our promotional calendar and on‑site experience to how food and drink shows up across the Premier Inn digital journey.
- Use insight and strong commercial judgement to grow F&B performance, improving conversion, guest spend, menu contribution and margin.
- Lead and develop a multi‑disciplinary F&B team, while shaping the capability we’ll need for the future.
What you’ll bring
- You’ll be an experienced F&B leader who understands what it takes to make great food and drink work across a large, multi‑site hospitality business.
- You’ll have led significant change before, whether that’s evolving menus, transforming an operating model or taking an F&B proposition in a new direction and you’ll be equally comfortable thinking strategically and getting close to how things actually work in hotels and kitchens.
- You’ll bring strong commercial judgement, an understanding of the levers that drive F&B performance and the ability to bring people with you across Operations, Procurement, Marketing, Finance and Property.
- Most importantly, you’ll see the opportunity that’s right here right now: to take an F&B business already serving millions of guests and help define what food and drink at Premier Inn looks like next.
Why you’ll love it here
- Annual incentive up to 50%
- Private healthcare up to family cover
- Up to 10% matched pension
- Sharesave Scheme
- 25 days holiday plus the option to buy up to 5 additional days per year
- Up to 60% discount on Premier Inn stays
- Employee Assistance Programme
At Whitbread, we believe everyone is unique and there should be no barriers to entry and no limits to ambition.
We’re committed to being an inclusive organisation that values diversity and welcomes applications whatever your background or situation.
We’re also open to flexible working and, wherever possible, will try to support this.
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Head of Food & Beverage in Houghton Regis employer: Premier Inn
Premier Inn is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture where you can thrive as a Kitchen Team Member in Glasgow East Kilbride. With opportunities for career growth in hospitality, competitive pay, and benefits like a pension scheme and discounts, you'll find a rewarding environment that values your contributions and well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Food & Beverage in Houghton Regis
✨Get a Taste of the Scene
Try visiting local eateries and asking if they have any full-time positions available. Many hospitality jobs aren’t advertised online, so popping in for a chat can give you an edge and show your enthusiasm!
✨Network at Food Festivals
Food festivals and culinary events are buzzing with industry connections. Attend these to meet restaurateurs and other food service pros; you never know who might be looking for their next star employee!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a short video showcasing your cooking or customer service flair. Post it on social media or even send it directly to places you want to work at, like Premier Inn. It’s a fun way to stand out and demonstrate what you bring to the table!
✨Reach Out Directly to Premier Inn
Don't be shy about reaching out to Premier Inn directly through their website. Express your interest in available roles and attach your CV, showing your genuine eagerness to be part of their team. Personal touches can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Food & Beverage in Houghton Regis
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Service Experience:In the hospitality-food-service world, your experience is key! Make sure to highlight any previous roles you've had in restaurants, cafes, or catering. We want to see your customer service skills shine, so include specific examples where you went above and beyond for clients.
Certificates Matter:If you’ve got any relevant certifications, like food safety or bartender training, flaunt them! They can really set you apart from the crowd and show us your dedication to the industry. Just make sure to mention them clearly in your CV or cover letter!
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Take the time to write a personal cover letter that reflects your passion for hospitality. Share why you’re excited about Premier Inn and how your skills can contribute to our team's success. We're after that genuine connection!
Highlight Your Team Spirit:In full-time roles, teamwork is everything! Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively in busy environments. Mention any experiences where you’ve effectively collaborated with colleagues or managed conflicts — it's just as important as your technical skills!
How to prepare for a job interview at Premier Inn
✨Show Your People Skills
In hospitality, customer service is everything! Be ready to showcase examples of how you've engaged with customers positively. Maybe you turned a tough situation around or went that extra mile for a guest—let’s hear those stories!
✨Know Your Menu Inside Out
Expect some technical questions about food and drink, especially if you're applying for a kitchen or service role. Brush up on the menu items, including ingredients and any potential allergens. If you’ve got any favourite dishes or cocktails, have a little something prepared to discuss, too!
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Hospitality thrives on teamwork, so think of examples where you've worked well with others in a fast-paced environment. Be prepared to discuss what makes a great team member and how you contribute to a positive working vibe. They’re looking for that 'good fit!'
✨Get Ready for a Practical Test
In full-time food service roles, don’t be surprised if they want to see your skills in action. Whether it's serving a table or prepping a dish, be mentally prepared for a practical test during the interview. Practice makes perfect—a little dry run with friends could give you the edge!
