A third of the pubs and restaurants to which Plzeňský Prazdroj supplies beer are not sure of their existence, especially due to the energy crisis. One percent of them decide to quit. This follows from a September survey among 5,500 establishments. The largest brewery in the country supplies its beers to 20,000 businesses, which is two thirds of the total number of restaurants and pubs in the Czech Republic. His spokesman Zdeněk Kovář said today. The brewery launched a consulting and educational program.
“The biggest problem is the rising prices of energy and raw materials, but also the lack of personnel,” said Prazdroj’s commercial director Tomáš Mráz. Prazdroj sought information throughout the country. It showed that 30 percent of establishments are hesitant to continue doing business, 70 percent want to continue. The largest number of businesses that have declared that they will not continue are in cities with 5,000 to 20,000 inhabitants, followed by municipalities with up to 5,000 inhabitants, he said.
The consulting portal of the brewery “První u zdroje” can be used free of charge by all direct customers, of which there are almost 11,000. These are educational video courses devoted to beer care, service, company management, operational economics, marketing and pub appearance. Each section has general blocks as well as specific hints and tips. The courses are accompanied by personalities of the field. “There are simple tips, advice and training on how to move the business forward, attract new guests and succeed in difficult times. They are for owners and staff – from cooks to bartenders and waitresses to those who take care of the economy,” Mráz said.
Plzííínka in Kladno acknowledges the online environment. According to the owner Radomír Kotto, he can introduce the chosen topic at meetings to new employees as well. “For servers, the most important course is about the quality of beer, professional service and who my customer is. For me, on the other hand, courses on the economics of gastro operations and managing people,” said the owner of Radegastovna Aura in Ostrava.
According to Mráz, Prazdroj helps almost every one of the 20,000 businesses to which it supplies beer. This year, over CZK 450 million will be invested in the support and development of pubs, and the same amount next year. We map needs and are in regular contact with pubs, he added.
Source: Plzeňský Prazdroj and CTK
Photo: Plzeňský Prazdroj
