General FAQs
Provides you with the most frequently asked questions and answers and a greater insight into running your own business with Greene King.
Question:
Do I need to be online?
Answer:
Licensees do need to be online from day one, in order to access essential information from our Extranet.
Question:
How is RPI calculated?
Answer:
The Retail Price Index is a government calculation, taking into account the monthly price changes on a variety of products and services. We use this price change percentage to apply annually to the rent.
Question:
What about a discount for other goods and services?
Answer:
Our Share and Save scheme offers discounts on a wide range of goods and services, as well as a comprehensive package of promotions and dealer loaders for all agreements. Lessees are also offered off invoice discounts on non-tied products.
Question:
Is there a volume discount scheme?
Answer:
Yes on draught beer – it offers Licensees the chance to earn £75 for every barrel achieved over target – up to 10% - and £100 per barrel thereafter. Both tenants and lessees qualify from day one. Discounts are paid once a year.
Question:
How do I know if a business is right for me?
Answer:
The Regional Managers are keen to match the right people to the right places, so you’ll have a lot of support. But these are some of the issues you’ll need to think about:
- Look at all aspects of the current operation, research the local competition, particularly pricing, and define the most suitable direction for the business.
- Work out the changes you need to make in terms of developments, refurbishments, furnishings, garden and patio equipment, kitchen improvements, staff and so on. The work out what extra capital you need.
- Work out the likely cost of any repairs and maintenance for which you’ll be responsible.
- Draw up a long-term marketing plan, with associated costs projected returns.
- Work out the full potential of the business, with a financial forecast of sales margins costs and cashflow.
Question:
Will I need to get professional advice?
Answer:
Whether or not you accept our offer is ultimately down to your own projections on the viability of the business. We won’t offer any financial or business advice to assist in this evaluation or make representations about the future profitability of the business. Any figures we provide will be historic and past performance isn’t necessarily a guide to the future. So you should feel free to get independent advice if you think it’s appropriate.
Question:
What qualifications do I need?
Answer:
None necessarily, but you must have the BIIAB National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders before you can hold a Justice’s Licence and CIEH Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene to provide any food service in the pub.
Question:
What training do you offer?
Answer:
By working in partnership with Regional Managers we work to identify licensees’ training needs. This includes everything from entry level training prior to taking over a Greene King pub, through to intermediate and advanced level. This ensures that we continue to support licensee’s business growth and personal development. Licensees will be asked to utilise their training fund to finance the programme.
Question:
What’s the difference between a tenancy and a lease?
Answer:
Tenants buy the fixtures and fittings, have a limited repair and redecoration liability, pay a lower rent in return for a full tie on beer, wines, spirits and minerals and can’t assign the goodwill of the business on surrender. The lessee pays a premium (to include the fixtures and fittings and goodwill), and pays a higher rent than the tenant, as well as taking on full repair and redecoration liability. However, they are free of tie for wines, spirits and minerals and are free to sell on the goodwill after a defined period.
Question:
Do I need experience?
Answer:
Not necessarily as our award winning training programme will help build your skills, but you will need plenty of business acumen, the ability to lead a team, a commitment to high standards and access to a minimum level of finance.
Question:
What’s the recruitment process?
Answer:
The best way is to use the online application form via our website, or return a copy to our recruitment team. We’ll then set-up a meeting with one of our Regional Managers, who will give you guidance on selecting the right pub together with essential information to progress to the next stage. We’ll also request you complete a questionnaire so our advanced database can help match your skills and requirements to the right outlets available.
