Focus Group and Mitchells & Butlers: Raising the bar for Digital Transformation in Hospitality

The perfect tech partnership can make all the difference in the hospitality industry. Our recent project with Mitchells & Butlers (MAB) is a prime example. Through innovative ambition, we’ve done something special across more than 1,700 venues throughout the UK.

Mitchells & Butlers is one of the UK’s largest and most iconic operators of pubs, restaurants, and hotels, representing a wide array of brands and supporting around 6,000 employees across the country.

Placed in a rapidly evolving market, alongside a large and diverse estate, MAB sought a technology refresh that would both modernise its infrastructure whilst creating a strong foundation for growth, security, and exceptional guest experiences. And that’s where we stepped in.

We love looking at the bigger picture. And so, alongside our partnership with Cisco, we’ve integrated technologies – such as Microsoft Azure, M365, and managed backup and recovery services to shape a powerful, holistic digital transformation for the business.

Our commitment to automation, deep investment in technical expertise, and dedication to operational excellence meant that over the course of eighteen months, we’ve invested significantly in presales and technical resources to lay the groundwork for this incredible project. But we went well beyond deployment, with our expert teams in place to manage operations, governance, and security for the long term.

“Partnering with Cisco and Focus Group marks a major milestone in our journey to transform the digital infrastructure across 1,700 Mitchells & Butlers locations. By leading with Focus Group’s automation-first approach, we’re building a network that will not only be secure and resilient but also ready to grow with us. The unified, cloud-first approach is simplifying how we operate, unlocking cost efficiencies, and most importantly, empowering our teams to deliver consistent and outstanding experiences to our guests. It’s a bold step toward future-proofing our business and staying ahead in a fast-moving digital world.” - Andrew Benson, Mitchells & Butlers

Thanks to our approach, we’ve delivered significant cost efficiencies and reinvested finances into expanding the project’s scope. This means more sites, users, and advanced features than expected.

Even better, this solution has evolved from an initial focus on Meraki SD-WAN and Wi-Fi to a comprehensive digital platform, including upgraded LAN infrastructure, Secure Service Edge, Endpoint Detection and Management, and the transition to Advantage Licensing across all Cisco product suites. This has paved the way for a complete security transformation, with plans to deploy Secure Access and Access Manager to strengthen MAB’s zero-trust posture going forward.

This project is a testament to what can be achieved when the right expertise, innovation, and shared commitment to success come together. It’s a 5-star service!

“This collaboration with Mitchells & Butlers represents exactly what we strive for at Focus Group, combining innovation with real-world impact. By bringing together the best of Cisco technology with our expertise in automation, cloud, and security, we’re not just delivering a network - we’re building a digital foundation that will empower MAB’s brands, teams, and customers for years to come.”- Neil Hall, CEO, Focus Group.

As MAB’s transformation progresses, we can’t wait to share more stories of how technology is helping to redefine hospitality for the future.

Published 5th January 2026