Berni Inn facts for kids
Berni Inn was a very popular chain of steakhouse restaurants in Britain. It started in 1955. Two brothers, Frank and Aldo Berni, created it. They got their ideas from restaurants they saw in America.
Berni Inn was special because it was one of the first big restaurant chains in Britain. Their restaurants often looked old-fashioned with fake wooden beams and white walls. This style was very popular. By 1970, Berni Inn had grown a lot. They had 147 restaurants and hotels, even some in Japan. It was the biggest food chain outside of the USA at that time.
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History of Berni Inn
The Berni brothers, Aldo and Frank, along with their friend Paul Rosse, opened the very first Berni Inn. This happened on July 27, 1956. It was in a historic pub called The Rummer in St Nicholas Market in Bristol.
How Berni Inn Grew
More restaurants opened quickly. The company became public in 1962. This meant people could buy shares in the company. Berni Inns were known for good service and good value for money. They kept prices low by offering a simple menu. It mostly had meat dishes and a small list of wines.
Many people loved Berni Inn and visited regularly. The chain grew very fast in the 1960s. First, it spread across Bristol. Then, it opened in many other parts of the country.
Behind the Scenes
Unlike some other restaurants, Berni Inns did not cut their own meat. They bought good quality steaks that were already prepared. They also made sure their staff were well-trained. Training guides showed they expected high standards from everyone working there.
A Step Forward
In the 1960s, a woman named Gerda Thut became the first female manager in the Berni Inn chain. She took charge of The Sawyer's Arms in Nottingham. This was seen as a big step for women in management at the time.
Changes Over Time
In 1970, a company called Grand Metropolitan bought Berni Inn. They paid £14.5 million for the chain. Later, in 1995, Berni Inn was sold again to Whitbread. Whitbread then changed many of the Berni Inn restaurants into their own Beefeater restaurants.
Popular Meals at Berni Inn
Berni Inn was famous for a specific meal. Even in the 1980s, the most ordered meal was prawn cocktail, steak and Black Forest gateau. This meal is sometimes called the Great British Meal.
Food experts Simon Hopkinson and Lindsey Bareham wrote about it in their 1997 book. They said that when this meal is cooked well, it is "something very special indeed."
