Go forth and multiply….in partnership with Punch Partnerships

Punch Taverns is to re-survey MA200 members at first seminar of 2010 on Wednesday 14 April after a survey of members last year produced a number of helpful pointers on how the company can improve relationships with multiples.

The company will invite members to give it feedback on a number of other issues. The move come as Punch re-engineers its relationship with multiples — it has in excess of 100 multiple operators running pubs within the estate.

Lettings and recruitment director, Suzy Jackson said: "We are proud to be working with some incredibly talented and visionary multiple operators. 

"Examples include John Molnar and his team at the Moleface Pub Company who operate a number of award winning sites across Nottinghamshire, and Matt Saunders of Fat Cat Group who has worked alongside Punch to complete some transformational investments in Leicester and Frodsham that opened in December.

"We are working closely with John and Matt and other great multiple operators across our estate to understand how we should structure operationally to ensure we add most value in these relationships and will continue to seek feedback.

"We are also still working through the suggestions put forward my members of the MA200 at the last forum. We are delighted to have already been invited by a small group of multiples to attend a meeting with them in February to discuss how the future might look.

"Taking on multiple business opportunities do give entrepreneurs the chance to run their own business and Punch want to offer the best support and backing. For those with a strong and unique offer or concept, it's a good backdrop to expand to other sites.

"Clearly the approach to our relationship with a sole licensee will be very different to that of a multiple. The multiples we are working with are extremely pragmatic and we have worked together to flex and structure agreements that are mutually satisfactory for both parties.

"I would like to take this opportunity to encourage  entrepreneurial multiples to have a look at the pubs we have available and come and talk to us.

"We are also encouraging our existing partners who are looking to expand to talk to us both about opportunities in more detail, and also the implications of running multiple sites which is as we know very different to being a sole operator.

"Where we know of multiple operators that are looking to, and are ready to expand, we are keeping our eyes open for any pub or geographic opportunities that might suit. With the advancement in our marketing details, which now include turnover and potential partner profit, it is easier to spot opportunities yourself but naturally, even better if we can pass on the sites as soon as they become available. So the message is, get in touch!"

Matt Saunders, managing director of Fat Cats Group (who operates the Crown, Anstey and the Queens Head, Frodsham) said: "The relationship with Punch is working fantastically well.  We were looking for pubs in the suburbs following the demise of the high street and Punch had some ideal opportunities available to allow us to broaden our portfolio.

"The BRMs we are working with are enthusiastic and have gone out of their way to help us in these early days. I genuinely feel that we and Punch share a common goal, there is a sense that our aims are their aims."