Currently on trial in secondary schools throughout the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, Brakes' innovative 'Substop' sandwich bar concept enables school caterers to supply a high-street style sandwich outlet for their customers without making changes to their canteen set up.
The concept is the result of focus group research with secondary school students, but also aims to appeal to school management teams and caterers because of the ease of transition to the format. No investment will be required to introduce the system and it will not be necessary to alter the layout of existing canteens. Participants will be supplied with merchandising packs to give their canteen the 'Substop' brand.
Brakes has created a range of chilled fillings and a deli sub roll, which will be supplied fully baked and pre-sliced. Core daily fillings include chicken, bacon and sweetcorn mayonnaise; traditional ham salad and cheese and onion. Special fillings include coronation chicken, spicy meatballs, chicken tikka and egg and bacon.
The concept has been approved by councils' agencies such as the School Foods Trust, which advises the government on nutrition in children's food.