This is what we used to say:

A Whitbread Brewer's Fayre pub (i.e. it puts a lot of effort into food). There are over 350 nationwide apparently, each serving an identical and unimaginative menu. Barnett and Emma Bowgett ran the pub up until about 1909.

On 7 March 2000, S Farnfield wrote:

I enjoy eating out quite regularly, one of my favourite restaurants in the Maidenehad area is the The Golden Ball. It's a Brewers Fayre chain run by Whitbread, their food is always presented well and tastes as good as it looks. The staff are always helpful and friendly. An excellent family meal!!