Punch Pubs & Co acquires 30 McMullen’s pubs

Punch Pubs & Co has completed the acquisition of 30 pubs from Hertfordshire-based, family-owned brewer and pub operator McMullen’s.

Press materials stated the agreement represents “a small but strategically important” addition to the Punch Pubs estate, bolstering its presence across Hertfordshire and Essex.

Acquisitions include the Millstream and Great Eastern Tavern in Hertford and the George IV in Sawbridgeworth.

In the financial year to date, Punch has purchased 35 pubs. Terms of the McMullen’s deal were not disclosed.

James Croft, group strategy and commercial director at Punch Pubs & Co, said: “We’re delighted to have completed the acquisition of these pubs from McMullen’s. This is a fantastic collection of pubs with real heritage, strong community roots and proven operators running them day to day, and we look forward to welcoming them into the Punch family.

Tom McMullen, joint managing director of McMullen’s, added: “There are some phenomenal independent operators in these businesses, and it was important to us that they transferred to an owner who possesses both the scale and strategic direction necessary to offer improved support, and is willing and able to provide the financial commitment that these pubs deserve. We are also grateful to our tenanted operations team who have continued to grow this part of the business and are supporting through the transition.”

Punch operates 1,300 outlets across England, Scotland and Wales together with publicans and management partners. The pub company was acquired by Fortress Investment Group, a US-based investor owned by Japan’s SoftBank, for an undisclosed sum in 2021.

McMullen’s was founded in 1827 and has a portfolio of over 100 pubs across Hertfordshire and beyond.