Pub giant considers overhaul of kitchen equipment and technology as it undertakes trial at two pubs in special project seeing it upgrade core kitchen systems

Greene King is trialling new equipment and technology in its kitchens, including cooking, cleaning and communication tools, as part of the pub giant’s new ‘innovation pub’ scheme.

The aim of the project is to test the new kit in real-life pub environments to measure its effectiveness on customers, teams and operational excellence, as well as its money-saving potential.

Teams at two managed pubs in Leicestershire – the Charnwood Arms and the Two Steeples – have relished the chance to work with the latest equipment and gadgets over the past eight months, with further tech to be put to the test in-pub during 2026.

New fryers, grills and extraction equipment, as well as intelligent dispense cellar equipment, team headsets, camera monitoring and cordless backpack vacuum cleaners are among new technology and artificial intelligence (AI) equipment being trialled.

The group is aiming to digitalise administration tasks to reduce paperwork, use AI food waste capture technology, AI gantries and smart vending as part of the trial.

The pub teams are making the most of real-time communication via headsets connecting front and back of house; ‘press for attention’ buttons at reception reduce dwell times for customers, as well as intelligent dispense in the cellars, and new energy efficient grills running off a three-pin plug.

Energy efficient and oil-saving fryers have proved they can handle all the kitchen demands from day to night.

Additionally, a new intelligent airflow system adjusts extraction depending on the current level of cooking.

Oil can be used for three times longer in the new fryers without impacting on quality of the food served.

Cleaning has been made less cumbersome and more user-friendly thanks to cordless vacuum backpacks which are lightweight and easy to manoeuvre.

Further trials are underway with AI-camera technology which has enhanced the existing pub cameras, allowing for remote monitoring of CCTV footage.

Greene King’s chief operating officer, Clair Preston-Beer, said: “We are pleased to be capturing the power of artificial intelligence and innovation in our pubs. We are putting this equipment through its paces in busy, live pub environments to really measure the positive impact and scalable potential in the wider business.

“Today’s customers rightly expect an outstanding pub experience – it is key to all we do – and we want our teams to have the best tools to work with. At the same time, we must be operationally efficient given the current costs of doing business. Operational savings give us the opportunity to invest further in our pubs and our people.

“Unlocking the potential of AI and innovation will enhance service levels, customer and team member satisfaction. We are seeing cost savings through, for example, reduced energy usage, less travel costs with more AI and digital information management, and we can use our cooking oil for longer – all this without affecting quality or service.”

The in-pub test and trials are part of Greene King’s ongoing multi-million-pound investment in innovation and efficiency, bringing in digital and emerging technologies and building on the successes of the new customer loyalty app and the Internet of Things devices.

There will be a wider rollout dependent on the learnings at the two innovation pubs.

Source https://www.foodserviceequipmentjournal.com/greene-king-trials-new-kitchen-kit-and-ai-technology-at-two-innovation-pubs/