No, Miller & Carter is not currently owned by Whitbread. The popular steakhouse chain is part of the portfolio of Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), one of the largest operators of restaurants, pubs, and bars in the UK.
Current Ownership of Miller & Carter
Miller & Carter operates under the ownership of Mitchells & Butlers Plc. This company manages a wide array of well-known restaurant and pub brands across the United Kingdom, including Harvester, Toby Carvery, All Bar One, and Sizzling Pubs, alongside Miller & Carter. Mitchells & Butlers focuses on providing diverse dining experiences, and Miller & Carter stands out as their premium steakhouse brand.
For more information on their portfolio, you can visit the Mitchells & Butlers official website.
Historical Relationship with Whitbread
While Miller & Carter is not owned by Whitbread today, there is a historical connection between the two companies concerning some of the physical sites. Many of the establishments that eventually became Miller & Carter steakhouses, as well as other M&B brands, were acquired from Whitbread in a significant business transaction.
This acquisition occurred as part of a substantial £78 million asset-swap deal that took place prior to 2009. In this deal, Mitchells & Butlers acquired 44 pub-restaurants from Whitbread. Following this transaction, Mitchells & Butlers began to develop and roll out the Miller & Carter brand, converting several of these newly acquired locations into the distinctive steakhouse restaurants we see today. Whitbread, meanwhile, continued to focus on its core hospitality brands, primarily Premier Inn and Costa Coffee (before Costa's sale).
Key Ownership Details at a Glance
To summarize the ownership and historical context of Miller & Carter:
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Current Owner | Mitchells & Butlers Plc |
| Former Association | Sites were acquired from Whitbread Plc |
| Acquisition Type | Asset-swap deal involving pub-restaurants |
| Deal Value | Approximately £78 million for 44 pub-restaurants |
| Transition Period | Acquisition occurred before 2009, when M&B rolled out Miller & Carter |
Who is Whitbread?
Whitbread Plc is a leading hospitality company with a rich history in the UK. Today, their primary focus is on their highly successful hotel chain, Premier Inn. They previously owned and operated various restaurant and pub chains, as well as the coffee shop giant Costa Coffee, which they sold in 2019. Their strategy has evolved to concentrate on their robust hotel business.
