The pub chain could cut more jobs (Image: Getty)
Pub chain Greene King is planning a major restructure that could see 100 jobs go, according to reports. Britain’s second-largest pub operator, which was founded in 1799, is reportedly considering a shake-up of its head office and central functions.
No formal decisions are believed to have been made yet, according to The Times, but if it goes ahead, it would be the chain’s second restructure in two years, having slashed several jobs across its head office and field-based roles less than two years ago. At the time Greene King said would help the company thrive “in these challenging times”. According to its latest available accounts, the company employed around 1,000 head office staff in 2024.
Read more: Revolution, Leon and TGI Fridays among UK pubs, bars and restaurants closing
Read more: UK bar chain closes 3 branches after crashing into ‘devastating’ liquidation
Greene King is a major UK employer, hiring more than 39,000 people across more than 2,700 pubs, restaurants and hotels in England, Wales and Scotland.
But the potential scaleback comes as the industry warns that mounting costs are putting pressure on the industry. Data from consumer research firm NIQ showed that 382 hospitality firms shut down in the final three months of 2025, an average of more than four a day.
Industry leaders pinpointed Labour’s decision to increase employer National Insurance contributions and the minimum wage as contributing factors, with many service roles being paid at entry level.
The pub industry also faced increased business rates from April, which Labour sought to address with a support package. Rachel Reeves announced on January 27 that business rates would be cut by 15% from April. However, many said the support does not go far enough, with several still concerned about spiralling costs.
Greene King has previously spoken out about challenges facing the industry. Last December, its chief executive, Nick Mackenzie, wrote in the Daily Mail that pubs faced a “constant layering of costs” as he called on Labour to provide aid for the hospitality sector.
Despite the restructuring, the chain has continued to pursue an expansion plan. Last year it announced plans to move to a new £400million brewery site by 2027 to produce its cask ales, like Greene King IPA.
Another major pub operator, Wetherspoon, has previously called for action on rising energy bills, saying profits were lower than before the pandemic, despite an upturn in sales.
Meanwhile, Stonegate, which owns Slug & Lettuce, called in administrators last month to restructure its operations and cut costs. So far, it has cut 95 roles, with a further 80 at risk, according to industry newsletter Propel.
Greene King has declined to comment.