Tables and wide, white umbrellas are set up outside an All Bar One, where guests are sitting.
Tables and wide, white umbrellas are set up outside an All Bar One, where guests are sitting.

Our History

Since two Midlands families came together to form Mitchells & Butlers in 1898, we've grown to become the leading restaurant and pub company in the UK.

We’ve been at the forefront of the industry since 1898

We've always been pioneers in the pub industry and grew gradually until we were running 7,000 pubs in the 1980s. The landmark Beer Orders in 1989 changed everything, but since then we've evolved rapidly with innovative brands like All Bar One, Browns and O'Neill's responding to the mood of the times. Back in the 1980s beer was by far our biggest seller, but nowadays, 50% of our sales come from food. In fact, we now serve around 135 million meals a year, as well as some 435 million drinks. 

From historic London pubs to modern city centre brasseries, from Liverpool's grand Philharmonic Dining Rooms to the Horseshoe Bar in Glasgow, we have a rich array of restaurants and pubs that reflect all the diversity and antiquity you'd expect from a company well into its second century. You can rest assured we'll be doing everything we can to make the next 100 years every bit as interesting.

Our story

2014

We acquired the majority of the Orchid Pub Group, including 173 predominantly freehold pubs and the Orchid head office. The opportunity to acquire these businesses from Orchid expanded Mitchells & Butlers share of the growing eating out market and reaffirmed our position as the leading restaurant and pub operator in the UK.

2010

The disposal of 333 Town and Community pubs to Stonegate Pub Company is announced. This is quickly followed by the purchase of 22 Ha Ha Bar & Grill businesses, which paves the way for more conversions to the hugely successful All Bar One and Browns brands.

2000s

Bass PLC becomes Six Continents PLC. Three years later, the pub division lists separately to become Mitchells & Butlers once again. We pursue a strategy of operating large, food-led businesses, acquiring 239 pub restaurants from Whitbread PLC and exchanging 44 pub restaurants for 21 Express by Holiday Inn lodges.

1990s

As tastes change, food becomes key to our sales. Our first O'Neill's opens in Aberdeen and our first All Bar One in Surrey. We acquire Harvester, Browns and 550 pubs from Punch, as Mitchells & Butlers grows dramatically.

1980s

We run 7,000 pubs all over the UK, with beer by far our biggest seller. The business splits into separate brewing and retailing divisions called Bass Brewers and Bass Taverns.

1960s

We merge with Bass, Ratcliff and Gretton Ltd then Charrington United, before becoming Bass PLC.

1898

Two Midlands brewing and pub empires merge to form Mitchells & Butlers.

A team member prepares to pour milk into a small jug for a guest while chatting with another member of the team.
A team member prepares to pour milk into a small jug for a guest while chatting with another member of the team.

People & Planet

Our sustainability strategy is designed to address key environmental issues

Sustainability plan
A woman is enjoying a drink with her friend, hands covering her face.

Our Vision & Values

We bring people together through memorable moments and experiences. Our vision is to remain at the heart of the community through our passionate team and continued innovation.

A team member prepares to pour milk into a small jug for a guest while chatting with another member of the team.

Our People

We strive to attract, advance, and retain the best talent. We believe that happy employees make for happy customers, that's why our career development is second to none.

An exterior shot of The Globe pub, angled upwards, contrasting with a modern, glass building and blue sky.

Property & Development

Property management and investment are key to our growth. The Mitchells and Butlers Property Department manage over 1,700 restaurants and pubs all over the UK.

A team member smiles at the camera, holding a glass in their hand. Behind her, the bar twinkles with glasses and bottles.

Contact Us

Need to talk to us? Find out how to get in touch with our Press Office, Guest Care Department, or our Business Incident Helpdesk Team.