Toby Carvery is a British carvery chain brand owned and operated by Mitchells & Butlers, which consists of 158 restaurants.
History
The first Toby Carvery was in Brentwood, at The Artichoke Pub around 1978 or 1979. This was the brainchild of the Manager, Nevio Tedaldi, and Charrington's District Sales Manager, Kevin Garvey. By 1982, multiple sites had opened around Essex and North London. Decor was described as 'mock-Tudor'. In the early 1980s it was known as 'Mr T's C' or 'Mr T's Carving Room'. Michael Sabin was the catering director, and the company was known then as Toby Inns.[2] Toby Carvery as a brand was founded as part of Bass Charrington in 1985.
In 1991, the main carvery was £7.99. Vegetarians had Cheesy Leek and Potato Bake, and Savoury Broccoli and Brie, with approval from the Vegetarian Society.[3] By 1996, a carvery was £6.95; by the mid-1990s there were many more pub-restaurants to directly compete with.[4]