All Bar One, part of Mitchells & Butlers, is proud to be recognised as a leader in sustainable hospitality. With a mission to create a more inclusive and environmentally conscious experience for guests and teams alike, we have consistently pushed boundaries—winning awards such as the C&C Group On Trade Operator of the Year (2023), the Stakeholder Engagement Award (2024), and now the Drinks Sustainability Award at the 2025 Footprint Awards.
This latest accolade celebrates our transformative partnership with Think Drinks, a collaboration that has redefined cocktail service across our estate. But it’s just one part of a broader sustainability strategy that touches every aspect of the business—from energy and waste reduction to community engagement and product innovation.
The Challenge:
Our ambition is clear, to lead the way in sustainable hospitality while maintaining our reputation as the high street’s original bar and meeting place. With long-term goals including Net Zero emissions by 2040 and Zero Operational Waste to landfill by 2030, we need solutions that deliver measurable impact without sacrificing guest experience or commercial performance.
Cocktails are central to our identity so presented a unique opportunity for us. With over one million served annually, traditional mixers—often packaged in glass or non-recyclable cartons, carry a heavy environmental footprint. The challenge was to find a solution that could reduce emissions, improve consistency, and streamline operations.
The Solution:
In 2025, All Bar One partnered with Think Drinks, their innovative mixers use 90% less packaging and produce 93% fewer CO₂ emissions than glass alternatives. Delivered in 2.25L lightweight super pouches made with 100% renewable energy, these products offer us a game-changing alternative to traditional formats.
Impact:
The results have been impressive so far. Switching just three key cocktail lines to Think Drinks pouches has delivered an annual CO₂ saving of over 2 million grams, with verified data from the Norwegian Government and Think Drinks sourcing.
Operationally, the rollout has improved stock management and reduced waste thanks to a longer shelf life. Prep can now be done ahead of peak times, enabling a 10% uplift in cocktail output—a crucial advantage given that 60% of trade occurs during busy hours.
Guest satisfaction has also soared with us exceeding all targets set in 2025. These gains are supported by a robust Head Bartender training programme, which has enhanced team engagement and product knowledge while embedding sustainability into everyday practice.
Sustainability Strategy:
Our Think Drinks initiative is part of a wider sustainability programme that spans energy, waste, water, and community impact. For example in 2024 alone, All Bar One recovered 82% of waste cooking oil, recycled 61% of total waste, and cut electricity and gas use by 1%—saving over 27,000 kWh compared to the previous year.
Sustainability at All Bar One goes beyond environmental metrics. Our brand is deeply committed to supporting communities through fundraising, volunteering, and inclusive partnerships. In FY24,we raised over £100k for key charity partners. Teams also volunteer with Fever-Tree Earthwatch to plant and maintain urban Tiny Forests, contributing to Mitchells & Butlers’ wider milestone of £1 million raised.
Looking Ahead:
The future of our Think Drinks partnership is bright. Plans are underway to consolidate more product lines, further reducing packaging waste and simplifying stock management. Think Drinks’ agility—driven by social listening and data mining—means we can respond quickly to emerging trends, keeping our offer fresh and relevant.
Even more exciting is the development of a fully biodegradable natural fibre pouch, which will support our Zero Waste to Landfill goal and set a new standard for sustainable drinks packaging.
Internally, we are expanding our Head Bartender training and Green Pride Accreditation, ensuring that sustainability remains a core part of both culture and operations.
Summary:
All Bar One’s journey is a powerful example of how sustainability and commercial success can go hand in hand. By breaking down competitive barriers and sharing knowledge, we are helping to raise standards across Mitchells & Butlers —proving that meaningful change is possible when businesses lead with purpose.
From reducing emissions and improving guest experience to supporting inclusive communities and pioneering new technologies, All Bar One is not just raising the bar—it’s redefining it.
