An independent London coffee shop, The Coffee Studio, is facing a formidable legal challenge from a subsidiary of FTSE 250 hospitality group Mitchells & Butlers over its attempt to trademark the slogan 'Eat Drink Work'. The larger corporation, which owns popular brands such as Toby Carvery and All Bar One, argues that the phrase is too similar to its own 'Eat Drink Meet' trademark, which is used for a website and app acting as a restaurant and pub guide.
The Coffee Studio, co-founded by Tahir Mehmet in 2024, operates two branches in Greenwich and Battersea, employing 14 people. In stark contrast, Mitchells & Butlers reported revenues of £1.5 billion in the first half of the year, boasts over 1,800 venues, and employs more than 44,000 individuals. Mehmet described the situation as daunting, highlighting the significant disparity in resources between his small business and the hospitality behemoth. He is, however, determined to contest the opposition with the backing of law firm Trade Mark Wizards.
This legal dispute, if not resolved amicably, could reportedly take up to two years to reach the intellectual property office tribunal due to existing backlogs. The Coffee Studio has indicated that the ongoing battle has already forced them to postpone plans for merchandise, signage design, menu reprints, and broader business expansion. Resources that would typically be allocated to growth are now being diverted towards mounting legal costs, representing a substantial financial strain for a small enterprise.
Lord Sugar, a director at Trade Mark Wizards, has voiced his support for the independent coffee shop, stating that small businesses should be able to build their brands without feeling intimidated by larger organisations. He emphasised that trademark law is designed to protect genuine brands and foster innovation, not to pressure independent businesses into abandoning their creative ideas. Mitchells & Butlers has declined to comment on the ongoing legal matter.
Oliver Oguz, managing director of Trade Mark Wizards, added that 'Eat Drink Work' describes common activities in modern cafes and flexible workspaces, suggesting these are ordinary English words used in an ordinary context. He believes the case raises crucial questions regarding the boundaries of legitimate brand protection and the potential for overly aggressive enforcement by larger entities.