J D Wetherspoon is seeking franchise partners as it seeks to expand its presence to more than 1,000 sites across the UK.
The pub company has appointed Christie & Co to assist in identifying suitable hoteliers interested in franchising opportunities.
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This strategic move is designed to help hotel operators enhance profitability and optimise their existing spaces.
The initiative offers potential partners a range of support services from Wetherspoon, including design expertise, supply chain access, training and marketing resources.
The company’s extensive experience in the hospitality sector is expected to be an advantage for new franchisees.
While hoteliers are the primary target, Wetherspoon is also open to enquiries from other sectors.
Wetherspoon has already seen success with its franchising model, having opened its first franchised pub in January 2022 at Hull University’s student union.
This was followed by another at Newcastle University in September 2023 and a third in Filey, North Yorkshire, at Haven’s Primrose Valley Holiday Park, in March 2024.
The company anticipates the launch of five additional franchise pubs in the second half of the fiscal year 2024/25.
To further support the search for franchisees, Christie & Co will accompany Wetherspoon to the International Franchise Show at Excel London on 11 and 12 April 2025.
Christie & Co senior director Simon Chaplin stated: “We are delighted to be assisting such a powerful brand as Wetherspoon in using this route to expand. We have considerable hospitality expertise across the UK which, combined with our work in franchising, should help us secure a number of new Wetherspoon franchisees in the coming months, with several conversations already underway.”
