Our company

Whitbread PLC is a leading FTSE 100, and the UK’s leading hospitality company, managing the number one brands in hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops, including Premier Inn, Brewers Fayre, Beefeater, Table Table, Taybarns and Costa.

Our success is due to the 35,000 people we employ in our businesses, and the skill with which they serve the 8.5 million customers who visit our 1,400 outlets across the UK each month. Whitbread’s strategy is to create value for our shareholders by focusing on growth in expanding sectors of the hospitality industry, primarily in the UK but also in exciting international markets. In the financial year to March 1, 2007, Whitbread generated pre-tax, pre-exceptional profit of £213.0m. Founded in 1742, the company is listed on the London Stock Exchange (as WTB.L) and is a member of the FTSE4Good Indices.

Premier Inn is the UK’s biggest hotel brand, with over 32,500 rooms and more than 490 hotels. The brand’s promise is to give you "a good sleep, night after night after night - to consistently do the extra-ordinary" and, with occupancy rates at 80%, this is put to the test 13 million times a year.

Whitbread is the UK’s biggest full service restaurant operator. Brands include Brewers Fayre, Beefeater and our exciting new concepts in contemporary dining, Table Table and Taybarns. Whitbread restaurants’ success is based upon investment in popular and innovative restaurant concepts, which develop into strong national brands.

Costa is now officially the largest and fastest growing coffee shop brand in the UK. Founded by Italian brothers in 1971, Costa has enjoyed a remarkable period of growth and to date Costa operates over 1000 stores across the globe.

Graduates at Whitbread

As a Graduate with Whitbread, you will have real responsibility in a business critical role from Day One. Whether you join us in Costa, Whitbread Hotels & Restaurants or our Group division, you can be sure that your career will be varied, fast-paced and challenging - and for that we need graduates with exceptional talent and a passion for winning.

At Whitbread we are proud of who we are. We believe in four principles that guide our actions and behaviours. It’s the way we do things and we call it the Whitbread Way. Whichever part of the business you join, you’ll believe in People and Teamwork, Caring for Guests, a Passion for Winning, and Continuous Improvement.

Katy Lingard

After leaving university, I joined Whitbread as a graduate in 2001 and over the next two years on the scheme I moved around the department and covered three different roles. This variety provided me with a good catalyst for my development and an opportunity to understand the many elements of the business.

Throughout my development, Whitbread funded, and supported my study towards a professional qualification, giving me study time around the time of my exams and day release from the business. I was also supported with additional courses to help me get to grips with my role.

I joined Whitbread at the same time as two other graduates, so it was great to share the same experiences with other people, and together with my allocated mentor, I had the support to really get to grips with my role. Since then I have made some good friends, reinforcing the feeling of People and Teamwork.

Since leaving the graduate scheme I have continued to develop my career and move around the department to widen my experience covering a variety of different roles.

Matt Hodges

My introduction to the company was a really positive experience with an energetic atmosphere around the head office and a ‘can do’ attitude.

By the Friday of my first week, I was attending a course studying for my CIMA qualification, highlighting to me Whitbread’s commitment to my personal development, in return for a job well done.

Since joining, I’ve been involved in a number of different roles and as a result, I’ve worked with different teams and people from all sorts of disciplines. I’ve had exposure to the real issues that businesses face from both finance specific and the ‘bigger picture’ level.

It’s not all work, work, work and you’re actively encouraged to spend time in the hotels, restaurants and coffee shops and also mixing with the various management teams. This is invaluable time where you can learn and understand more about the Whitbread Way and its 3
businesses.

The opportunities here are superb and if you’re proactive, committed and have a passion for winning you will succeed in carving a successful career within Whitbread.