Wetherspoons pubs could see Stella and Budweiser pulled from its bars if it loses a dispute with the world's biggest brewery. The chain has launched legal action to stop AB InBev from terminating a contract to supply its sites with beer.
The two companies are currently butting heads over an agreement surrounding the "T-bars" displayed in Wetherspoons' pubs. T-bars are features on the bar that hold multiple taps for different beers. ABI claims that the pub chain has not displayed enough of its beers on the T-bars.
In November 2021, JD Wetherspoon appointed Budweiser Brewing Group (which is owned by AB InBev) as its lead brewer on a 20, year contract, according to the Daily Star. But High Court documents have revealed that the two companies disagree about who is responsive for the work, with the pub chain claiming that it was assumed that ABI was responsible. However, ABI argues that the work must be subject to a separate agreement.
But in an attempt to protect itself, Wetherspoons is attempting to get a temporary injunction to stop the "real and substantial threat" of ABI ending its contract, in the event that the brewery wins its T-Bar dispute.
Court documents show that ABI attempted to raise prices last year due to inflation. Wetherspoons claimed ABI had threatened to stop supplying beer to its 843 pubs if prices didn't increase. ABI has denied that it threatened to withhold supply.
The brewer is seeking a declaration in court that it has the right to end its contract over the T-bar dispute. However, it says it would not do so as long as Wetherspoons carried out the work.
ABi has also made a counter-claim for damages in the event that its contract is cancelled. IF the agreement ends it could be eligible for around £9.9m in damages.
