Hive Pubs franchise

A Hive Pubs franchise gives an experienced pub manager a ready-to-trade branded pub from Greene King Pub Partners, with a guaranteed minimum income rather than a rent bill.

Greene King Pub Partners launched Hive Pubs in late 2021 as its first franchise concept, adding the drinks-led Nest Pubs in 2024. The company reached 100 franchise pubs in February 2026, just over four years after the first Hive opened, having added 30 during 2025 alone. It plans 30 more in 2026 and is expanding into Wales and the South West of England for the first time, with an ambition to grow the franchise estate to around 170 sites over five years.

Hive Pubs are community-focused locals with a full food and drink offer, large invested gardens and outdoor spaces, and a regular programme of entertainment and live sport through Sky Sports and TNT Sports. Signature dishes and offers are exclusive to the brand.

Why Choose the Franchise Hive Pubs?

The pub arrives ready to go. Greene King invests in the property, and the franchisee takes the keys to a fully invested site rather than finding or fitting one out. Recent examples include The Tarbet in Edinburgh, the first Greene King franchise pub in Scotland, following a £285,000 refurbishment, and The Dolphin in Melbourn, which reopened as a Hive Pub after a £570,000 investment.

Income is structured rather than residual. Franchisees receive a minimum guaranteed annual income, a percentage of weekly turnover, a quarterly profit share, and a bonus available for meeting compliance audits. Live-in accommodation is provided with bills and maintenance covered, leaving the franchisee responsible only for council tax, TV licence and their own insurances. Staff wages, employment and statutory deductions remain the franchisee’s responsibility.

Initial training covers Safestart, BII cellar training, Food Safety Level 2, systems training and pre-opening on-site training at the property. Every applicant must complete the British Institute of Innkeepers online Pre-Entry Awareness Training and hold a personal licence.

Greene King is explicit that this suits people who already know the trade. It seeks applicants with previous hospitality or pub management experience, ready to take the next step up, and describes its pipeline as attracting experienced pub managers looking to run their own business.