Greene King Pub Partners launching second franchise concept

The business is looking to open the first site under the new concept this spring with further plans to open more during this year.

Nest Pubs will be wet-led sites, largely on busy high streets and in communities, aiming to provide “great value, an excellent experience and regular sport and entertainment”.

Alongside a wide drinks range including beer, ale, wines, spirits and low and no options, diners will also be catered for with pizzas available.

Each Nest Pub will have Sky Sports and TNT Sports subscriptions with the sport offer being a key feature.

There will also be a regular calendar of entertainment from pub quizzes to live music and karaoke.

Greene King Pub Partners will be investing six-figure refurbishments into each Nest Pub, which will have their own unique identity, look and feel.

Entry agreement

Nest Pub franchisees will require a £3,000 entry including agreement fees, inductions and on-site training.

The company’s first franchise pub concept, Hive Pubs now operates 46 sites will continue to grow alongside Nest Pubs.

As with Hive Pubs, Nest Pubs franchisees will earn through a percentage of food and drink sales.

They will also get a share of the profits in their pub and will earn bonuses based on performance in areas including operational excellence.

Greene King Pub Partners managing director Dan Robinson said: “We are delighted to continue the growth and success of our franchise offer with the development of Nest Pubs.

“The first Nest Pub will open later this year with more following behind it. Alongside this, we will continue to grow our successful Hive Pubs franchise concept with more openings.

“Our overwhelming focus as a business remains in the leased and tenanted space but we are excited to continue the growth of our franchise pub business through Nest Pubs.”

Strong drinks range

Greene King Pub Partners franchise operations director Penny Baldwin outlined the offer of the new concept.

She said: “Nest Pubs will be wet-led pubs, predominantly located on busy high streets and in communities, combining great value with a reliable pub experience of live sport and entertainment.

“They will combine a strong drinks range with a pizza offer for customers seeking out good food.

“As wet-led pubs requiring just a small team to operate them, Nest Pubs is the most cost-effective and simple way to start your own pub business with the full backing and support of Greene King Pub Partners, which has been accredited by the British Franchise Association.

“We would be delighted to speak with anyone who would like to find out more about out franchise pub concepts.”

Greene King Pub Partners’ first franchise division Hive Pubs started in 2021​. Its first site was the Maldon Grey in Sudbury, Suffolk, which opened following a £200,000 renovation.

From its inception to October 2023, the leased and tenanted arm of the pubco had invested more than £15m into Hive​.