Wimpy News
Read all about what’s new
in the world of Wimpy!
Wimpy Strood re-opens after makeover
Wimpy Strood re-opened its doors this November, after a major refurbishment to Wimpy’s smart new SHIFT interior design.
The restaurant, which can seat up to 62 diners, is under new management and employs six staff. Work has included completely revamping the customer seating area with new furniture, the new colour scheme and lighting, and redeveloping the toilets.
Among the improvements are the installation of USB charging points in the new booth areas and the introduction of a new till system to speed up ordering times.
To coincide with the opening, Wimpy Strood is also launching a new home delivery service, working with Just Eat, Uber Eats and Deliveroo.
Wimpy UK launches staff reward scheme
Wimpy UK has launched its first ever staff reward scheme,
recognising the achievements of staff employed across its 69 restaurants
nationwide.
Wimpy Icons rewards special success in four categories: Ability & Skill;
Behaviour & Attitude; Customer Care; and Moments That Matter.
Each month Wimpy employees, from kitchen staff to front-of-house,
will be eligible to be nominated for an award by their manager. If they win,
they will be given a unique pin badge to wear which reflects their success, as
well as a £50 voucher of their choosing.
Wimpy General Manager, Chris Woolfenden, said: “This November, we are excited
to launch a scheme that allows all restaurant staff the opportunity to be
rewarded by the Wimpy brand and literally wear their achievements with pride.
“Our new scheme will be an ongoing campaign that we believe will help make all
Wimpy employees feel valued, no matter what their role.”
Wimpy UK adopts European Chicken Commitment
Wimpy UK has adopted the European Chicken Commitment (ECC). This decision builds on our stated commitment to recognise the importance of higher welfare standards for chickens and also underlines our desire to source food sustainably.
By signing up to the ECC we commit to exclusively sourcing 100% of our chicken from suppliers who meet or exceed the standards set out in the ECC by 2026.
All chicken products currently on our Wimpy menu are sourced from an approved, reputable supplier and meet current EU animal welfare laws and regulations.
This move further underlines our commitment to animal welfare and follows our decision in January 2018 to only use free range eggs for all our own label products on the menu.
New-look Wimpy Basingstoke helps customers stay in touch
Wimpy Basingstoke has become the first Wimpy in the country to introduce at-your-seat USB charging points following a major refurbishment programme.
The restaurant re-opened its doors at the beginning of September having adopted Wimpy UK’s new Shift Design, which builds on the brand’s strong heritage and much-loved traditions.
The 100-seater restaurant, in the town’s Festival Place Shopping Centre, now features bright new colours, with smartly-styled booths and benches, plus a new-look outside seating area.
A streamlined till system has also been introduced to help speed up ordering times, while energy efficient lighting helps improve the restaurant’s sustainability credentials.
fan favourites return
From bringing back fan favourites such as the Lime Thick Shake, to replacing chopped nuts with delicious caramel fudge cubes; today’s launch of the new Wimpy menu serves up the perfect blend of tradition and innovation.
Winning their spurs from last year’s spring and summer promotions, the delicious CheesO rings featuring Monterey Jack and Cheddar Cheese with chopped red onion are now a permanent feature as a side dish; while the new Spicy Bean & Slaw Burger makes its menu debut as the perfect choice for diners keen to try a tasty alternative to meat.
Wimpy has removed all food and drink items featuring nuts or peanuts, however lovers of popular delights such as the Brownie Sundae and Brown Derby can rest assured they can still enjoy their much-loved desserts as the chopped nuts have been exchanged with mini fudge cubes.
The new easy-to-read, 100% biodegradable menu features fabulous photos and, for younger diners, there are new superhero and ocean treasure hunt games to help keep them entertained.
Wimpy Returns to Portslade
The much-loved Wimpy name returned to Portslade at the end of March following a major investment in the premises on Station Road with Wimpy’s smart new Shift design, which builds on the brand’s strong heritage and much-loved traditions.
The 50-seater restaurant is open 7 days a week and caters for take away customers as well. Wimpy originally opened in Portslade in 1973 and ran for nearly 40 years before last closing its doors in 2012 and we are absolutely thrilled that the Wimpy name is firmly back in town!
Wimpy Gets That Saucy Feeling
Sauce lovers are in for a treat as Wimpy launches its iconic own-brand Wimpy Special Sauce and Wimpy Tomato Ketchup onto the retail market for the first time. The 500ml bottles are available to buy in the majority of Wimpy restaurants this year.
Wimpy General Manager, Chris Woolfenden, said: “Our Special Sauce and Ketchup have added the proverbial ‘icing on the cake’ to our breakfasts, burgers and grills for decades. Customers are always asking why they can’t buy a bottle and we finally decided it was time offer them as an early Christmas treat.
“We love the fact we’re extending the Wimpy brand into peoples’ homes and believe that with such a great heritage behind us, we’ll soon be a kitchen staple, giving everyone the chance to enjoy a taste of Wimpy whenever they want to.”
Launched in 1989 with a secret recipe, over 25,000 litres of Wimpy Special Sauce are used in the UK’s casual dining chain restaurants every year, while Wimpy Tomato Ketchup has been a true family favourite since day one, with more than 35,000 litres used in Wimpy’s UK restaurants every year.
Feeling hungry? Let the meal come to you!
Nearly half of all Wimpy restaurants across the UK are now offering a delivery service for Wimpy fans craving their favourite dishes at home. In partnership with three of the leading food delivery platforms, Wimpy plans to continue to build its network of restaurants who can offer home delivery. The home delivery service offers a slightly-reduced menu but all the traditional favourites are there - simply search for your nearest Wimpy on your delivery app to find out if Wimpy currently delivers in your area!
WIMPY RAISES £10,000 FOR MIND
Wimpy UK has raised an impressive £10,000 for Mind, the leading mental health charity in England and Wales.
Over the last 12 months, Wimpy restaurants and staff nationwide have waved their collection tins, organised sponsored events and even donated their tips to add to the total.
And last autumn, a Wimpy team from head office, plus franchisees and their employees got down and dirty by taking part in a Tough Mudder challenge.
Chris Woolfenden, Wimpy UK General Manager, said: “We have been very pleased and impressed with the lengths some of our franchisees and their teams have gone to, to raise money for Mind.
“Many congratulations and thanks to all those who have contributed to this great cause. We know that every penny raised makes a real difference and we feel especially proud to have been involved in a project which is close to the hearts of so many of our own people and the communities in which we operate.”
Wimpy chose to fundraise for Mind after franchisees and staff voted to support the charity, which helps support those with mental health problems. The money will help to fund Mind’s activities, including the Mind Infoline, information and advice services, and its campaigning to ensure everyone who has a mental health problem gets support and respect.
TWO FAMOUS BRANDS REUNITE OVER COFFEE
Two famous brands of the foodservice world have been reunited as Wimpy UK introduced Lyons Coffee to its latest menu. The Lyons Corner House in London’s Piccadilly was home to the first ever Wimpy Bar in 1954 and, since then, both brands have earned a reputation as heritage names steeped in British tradition.
The partnership, which has seen Lyons Coffee named as the exclusive coffee supplier to Wimpy’s nationwide chain of casual dining restaurants, marks a new beginning, as Wimpy UK General Manager, Chris Woolfenden, explains.
“We are absolutely thrilled that Lyons is part of the Wimpy family,” he said. “We know that whether you’re just stopping in for a quick drink or having a cup at the end of a meal, you want to be sure you’re enjoying the very best in flavour and in Lyons we have found the perfect blend of coffee magic.”
Wimpy commits to Free Range eggs
All own label Wimpy products and all shell eggs supplied through the Wimpy distribution channel are now free range. Wimpy further committed to switching to cage-free alternatives on the remaining small number of non-own label products that contain egg ingredients on its menu. This will be in place by 2025 at the latest but continues to work closely with its third party suppliers in order to achieve this change at the earliest opportunity.
