Your timeline for securing a pub tenancy, franchise or lease
So, how long does it really take?
Once you have decided you want to commit to a pub tenancy, franchise or lease, the most common question we receive is – “how long will it take?” – and whilst it’s a completely understandable question, it can be a difficult one to answer! Each tenancy, franchise or lease is as individual as the partner taking them on, so unfortunately, there’s not a cut and dried answer.
What we can do, however, is talk you through the stages and show you how the process works, so you can see what’s involved, any likely holdups and how to mitigate these.
A huge amount of the timing process is down to the suitable pub being available. Without a pub in place, progression is tricky! It also does depend on your personal circumstances and how quickly all parties involved can get everything in place.
As a very loose marker, we would say it takes on average around three months to get through the process and then a couple of weeks to prepare to open – but due to extenuating circumstances, some may be quicker and others may take a little longer.
Below we outline a timeline of what happens from the moment you apply to run a pub to signing an agreement and launching your business.
STEP 1 – APPLICATION FORM
Once you’ve identified the pub you’d like to operate or you have decided which agreement type is the route for you, the first step is to complete our online application form. It’s very straightforward and doesn’t commit you in anyway, it’s just to give us an overview of your current position and this can be accessed here.
STEP 2 – RECRUITMENT TEAM DISCUSSION
Once your initial application has been received, one of our dedicated Recruitment Team members will be in touch to discuss your application with you in more detail and to assess your suitability, before moving onto…
STEP 3 – THE GENERAL INTERVIEW
If your potential suitability for a pub with us is confirmed, then we will arrange a General Interview with one of our Business Development Managers (BDM’s).
The aim of this meeting is for us to get to know each other better. It’s an opportunity to tell you more about Greene King Pub Partners, and what it means to be one of our Partners. And for us to understand more about you, and your aims and ambitions going forward.
STEP 4 – SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS PLAN PREPARATION
You will then be required to submit a ‘Sustainable Business Plan’. Our Pub Partners Recruitment Team will supply you with all the information you need about the pub you are interested in and a specimen copy of the agreement. Under the Pubs Codes, this is known as the Schedule 1 information.
To assist you, we will provide you with a business plan template. It is essential that you take professional, independent legal and financial advice, in relation to your business plan and what you are proposing.
STEP 5 – PUB SPECIFIC INTERVIEW
The next step is a more formal meeting, where we will discuss the pub and how you will be looking to operate it. This is known as the Pub Specific Interview.
Your plans will be discussed in more detail and your business plan reviewed by your BDM. It’s important to ensure that your plans are realistic and that your business plan is sustainable.
At this meeting, you will be required to provide your proof of identity, proof of funding and a British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) Pre-Entry Awareness Training certificate.
STEP 6 – PUB POWER WELCOME
Once you’ve found the right pub and completed all the steps listed above, we want to ensure you get off to the best possible start once you’re in pub, so you can hit the ground running.
Our welcome programmes are there to make your business a success from the beginning. Before you enter your pub, you’ll need to attend one of the Welcome Inductions at our HQ in Bury St Edmunds. We’ll host you over four days and share with you the support available to help bring your business plan to life, so you can achieve your personal and business goals.
For franchisees, our Learning & Development Partners will also work closely with you on the run up to taking your pub and ensure your front of house and back of house teams are fully trained on the theory and practical parts of their role, along with supporting your first trading sessions.
STEP 7 – FINAL APPROVAL MEETING
Once we’ve completed the various credit checks (with your consent), you will then be invited to a Final Approval Meeting with a senior member of our Operations Team. They will further verify your business plan and confirm in principle your appointment at the pub.
STEP 8 – AGREEMENT DOCUMENTATION OFFER PACK
Our Agreement Documentation Offer Pack will be sent to you, along with your Heads of Terms, outlining the principal terms of your agreement – including the nature, scope and extent of your obligations. If entering into a Tenancy or Franchise agreement, you’ll receive a prepared agreement in readiness for your signature and lease agreements will be sent via solicitors.
STEP 9 – PRE-AGREEMENT MEETING
At this point, your BDM will arrange a Pre-Agreement Meeting to check that you have a full understanding of the Agreement, and both yours and the pub company’s responsibilities, the Pubs Code and other terms of trading.
We want to make sure you’re 100% sure about making this commitment and the pub you’re planning to run.
STEP 10 – THE BIG DAY!
Congratulations, it’s Change Day! The day we handover the keys to your new pub business and you step into your new role.
It’ll be a busy day! But your BDM will be on hand to assist you with any queries.
Be sure to read our Guide to Moving In with a handy checklist to ensure you’ve got key areas and actions covered.
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As you can see, the time it will take from applying for a pub to getting the keys and opening to customers will vary depending on the factors identified above.
Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do now to ensure that when you do find a pub, you’re not the one delaying the process. These include:
Applying for a pub – don’t wait until you find a specific pub, sign up for pub alerts now and chat with our Pub Partners team to start putting the wheels in motion.
Get your finances in order – make sure you know exactly what capital you have to invest and where it’s coming from.
Start your business plan – you won’t be able to complete a business plan until you’ve found a specific pub and have received the schedule 1 information from the pub partners team, but you can certainly start thinking about what you want to do with your ideal pub, and how to achieve it.
Find independent advisers – don’t wait until you need their services urgently, spend some time now finding the right people for when you need them.