The Burton-based pub company beat nine other shortlisted businesses across various sectors to win the award for its Punch Foundation Tenancy (PFT) lease agreement, helping new publicans join the trade.
Awards judge Charles Ward said: "The traditional pub trade is suffering from a similar malaise to high street retail. Failure rates are alarming so the Punch Franchise Tenancy model is a true innovation in supporting pub entrepreneurs to buck the trend through up-skilling managers and encouraging differentiation."
Punch Taverns external affairs director Andy Slee said he was delighted to win the award and the pubco is on track to have 200 PFT lease agreements by the end of the year.
“This is hugely important for us to be recognized for all of our support we give our licensees and those entering into this challenging industry,” he said.
"I want to thank our licensees and the Punch Taverns team for their hard work and we look to continue our strategy in offering transparency and the very best business support for our partners.”