JD Wetherspoon targeting hotels as it steps up search for franchise partners with Christie & Co hire: JD Wetherspoon is stepping up its search for franchise partners as it targets hotels to open its pubs. The company has hired Christie & Co to support its search as part of plans to grow to more than 1,000 sites nationwide. The search is specifically targeting hoteliers across the UK. Christie & Co stated: “As hotel operators look to maximise their profits and utilise spaces, the effort required to develop their bars and restaurants can be viewed as risky in the current environment, and even the best performing hotels can have underperforming bars and restaurants. Wetherspoon franchise partners will have the opportunity to create a highly effective bar/restaurant through the cost-effective conversion of an existing space to become a Wetherspoon site. Partners will have support from the pub company’s design teams, access to its supply chain, training, and marketing resources, and benefit from its ‘tried and trusted’ skills in running successful hospitality businesses.” In addition to hoteliers, enquires are welcome from other sectors, with franchises already operating in a range of locations. The first Wetherspoon franchised pub opened in January 2022 in Hull University’s student union, followed by a second at Newcastle University in September 2023, and third at Haven’s Primrose Valley holiday park in Filey, North Yorkshire, in March 2024. Wetherspoon expects to open a further five franchise pubs in the second half of this financial year. To back up this franchisee search, Christie & Co is supporting Wetherspoon when it attends the International Franchise Show at Excel London from 11-12 April. Simon Chaplin, senior director at Christie & Co, said “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.” Last month, Wetherspoon has told Propel it was “exploring other opportunities” in the franchise market. Wetherspoon said the Hull University site saw sales grow by 75% in the first year of trading. Wetherspoon added: “Trade has become more even, not only across the different parts of the day, but also throughout the year, with students and customers from the local community visiting more frequently at weekends and during non-term time. Since adopting Wetherspoon’s selling prices and cost prices, which have provided a more competitive offer for students and customers, gross margins have improved by around 6%. Overall profits for the first year were up by more than £100,000, or 65%, compared with trading before the franchise was introduced. Operating statistics, measured against Wetherspoon’s standards, have performed very well – comparable with, or ahead of, averages for the Wetherspoon managed estate. Also, footfall to the entire students’ union building has increased by an estimated 200%, with sales increases seen in other retail units as a result. The franchise has been well received by students, staff and the local community, with positive reviews and comments, along with a 4.1-star average score on Google reviews.” Wetherspoon will feature in the next UK Food & Beverage Franchisor Database, which now features a total of 340 companies, and which is exclusive to Premium Club subscribers. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.