Who's who in pubs and bars
The hours can be long and unsocial, but there are loads of opportunities for rapid advancement in pubs and bars.
Enterprise Inns
Enterprise Inns operates 5,087 leased and tenanted pubs and raked in an operating profit of about £78.5m in 2002. That year it acquired 1,860 pubs from rival Laurel. It has a 16.8% stake in the Unique Pub Company. Styles range from local, traditional pubs to themed pubs and trendy city-centre venues.
Punch Taverns
This group has a portfolio of more than 7,500 pubs run by tenants as the individual's own business. A business relationship manager is on call to help with many aspects, from business planning to marketing and promotions. About 2,000 people have registered their interest in taking on a pub, and about 250 pubs are acquired each year. It recently took over Pubmaster and is now the UK's largest pub operator.
Unique Pub Company
Formed in 1998, and now with more than 4,000 pubs in its portfolio, Unique Pub Company is a fast-growing leasing giant. Outlets range from traditional inns to contemporary bar concepts, and are leased to individuals. Lessees, supported by business development managers, manage each business to their own requirements, with leases ranging from one to 30 years.
Greene King
Greene King comprises three business areas: managed pubs, tenanted pubs, and brewing brands and wholesaling. Pub styles include typical locals, high-street pubs, food-led pubs and destination inns with rooms. The company has 55 managed pubs and 1,135 tenanted pubs.
Mitchells & Butlers
The managed pubs and restaurant firm Mitchells & Butlers was spun out from leisure group Six Continents. Its 2,000-plus outlets include the brands All Bar One, Goose high-street pubs, Harvester, O'Neill's Irish bars and the traditional country Vintage Inns. The company, which employs about 40,000 people, has an ethos for teamwork and relationship-building.
Wolverhampton & Dudley
Formed as a public company in 1890, Wolverhampton & Dudley has a stable of managed pubs including the Pitcher & Piano chain of colonial-style town/city-centre bars, as well as nearly 500 Pathfinder pubs. Its trading arm, the Union Pub Company, operates more than 1,000 pubs run by tenants. The group currently operates 477 managed pubs.
Spirit Group
Formerly known as Punch Retail, Spirit Group was formed in 1999 as an independent operator of more than 1,000 managed outlets, from traditional locals to fashion bars and nightclubs. Outlets include brands such as Big Steak pubs and Mr Q's locals. Currently the group is concentrating on developing contemporary-style gastropubs, where the emphasis is on fresh food and casual dining. Last year Spirit bought Scottish & Newcastle's 1,400-strong pub division.
Laurel Pub Company
Laurel, the managed pub and bar company, was formed in 2001 following the sale of the Whitbread pub estate. Among the 625 pubs are brands such as Hogshead, Wayside, Champion, Town Traditional and Tavern Venue. The company has recently invested in refurbishment, technology and training its people. Last year it bought 17 pubs from JD Wetherspoon.
JD Wetherspoon
JD Wetherspoon opens about 40 new managed pubs every year, taking on 1,500 staff annually. There are plenty of opportunities for career progression, in several directions. The group, which was started in 1979 by 24-year-old law student Tim Martin, counts consistency as a main reason for the brand's success. Openings planned for 2004 include Worcester, Solihull and Liverpool.
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