Mitchells & Butlers says hot weather hit demand at carveries and steakhouses

Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) has revealed a slump in food sales in recent months after hot summer weather dented demand for steak dinners and carvery lunches.The pub and bar giant saw shares slide on Thursday as a result.The hospitality operator said sales were flat across its venues in the quarter to July 18, compared with a year earlier.M&B said this came after “exceptional” heat knocked its food-led brands, particularly affecting Toby Carvery and Miller & Carter steakhouse venues.The group also runs All Bar One (Alamy/PA)Food sales across the group, which also runs Harvester and Sizzling Pubs, fell by 2.4% over the period.Bosses also said trading was knocked by the early timing of Easter compared with last year.Meanwhile, pubs and drink-led venues had a stronger few months, supported by st