Hospitality in the movement to end homelessness

Client: Social Bite

Five years ago, in the midst of lockdowns and rising vulnerability, an extraordinary partnership was born. Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), one of the UK’s largest restaurant and pub groups, joined forces with Social Bite, a pioneering charity and social enterprise tackling homelessness, to launch a ‘Pay It Forward’ campaign across venues that remained open in Scotland. Tent cards invited guests to add a donation to their bill—funding 250 Christmas dinners for people experiencing homelessness.

From that simple idea grew a movement. Year after year, support across the business strengthened. In 2024, M&B made a bold commitment: to raise a transformational £1.5 million annually for three years, alongside strategic expertise and gift-in-kind contributions to accelerate Social Bite’s innovative projects breaking the cycle of homelessness nationwide.

The impact speaks volumes: • 39 individuals from homeless backgrounds placed into supported employment within M&B • Over 50,000 colleagues and millions of guests engaged across 1,700 venues • £1.67 million raised in 2024/25 alone • 20 suppliers mobilized to amplify events and projects • Social impact delivered through food, jobs, and homes programmes in over 200 towns, villages, and communities across the UK