What is a pub residency? 

In simple terms, a pub residency is when a third-party food vendor takes over the kitchen space of a pub to serve their food to the pub’s customers. It’s a symbiotic relationship where the vendor benefits from the pub’s established customer base, while the pub offers more diverse or high-quality food without the hassle or the cost of managing it in-house.

In layman's terms, a pub residency is a collaboration between the pub and an independent chef, street food vendor, or small food business. The pub runs the drinking elements, the “wet’’ side of the business and the food vendor provides the food.

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How long do typical residencies last? 

For some pubs, kitchen residencies may be a temporary set up, allowing them to regularly refresh the food in their venue. For others, a pub residency is a much longer-term relationship, with many of the UK’s pubs having residency relationships that span multiple years. In our experience, we regularly see the below timeframes being discussed: 

1. For temporary relationships

- From 3-month pop-ups or seasonal residencies, such as a summer or autumn takeover.

1. For long term relationships

- These are typically planned to be a year-long relationship, with many continuing on after the first year. The vendor uses this time to showcase their culinary skills, while the pub benefits from an attractive food menu that may draw in new customers and enhance the overall experience for existing patrons.

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Examples of UK Pubs Utilising Residencies

Many UK pubs have embraced the residency model, particularly in large cities where the food and drink scene is more competitive. Here are a few notable examples:

• The World’s End, Finsbury Park
  • The World’s End utilises a pub residency to offer a traditional pub favourite (high quality BBQ) while leaving Red Dog Saloon to handle kitchen staff management, menus, food deliveries, etc.
• Abbey Tavern, Kentish Town
  • Abbey Tavern have collaborated with Jerk Valley to offer a varied menu to their customers. In doing so, they’ve seamlessly blended both brands through the line ‘The Jerk Valley of London’.
• Old Fountain, Old Street
  • The owners of Old Fountain utilise a Nepalese food vendor to provide exotic flavours to their guests while still maintaining a few pub classics (with a unique twist).
• So Bar, Richmond
  • So Bar are orientated towards the cocktail side of drinking. To compliment this, they’ve partnered with a dim sum food vendor - providing their clients with light bites that reflect the cocktail environment.

Looking to find food vendors for your pub kitchen? Consider adding your kitchen to our pub residency marketplace. 

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What Wouldn’t be Classed as a Pub Residency?

It’s important to differentiate between a true pub residency and other types of food services commonly found in pubs. Here are some examples of what wouldn’t count as a pub residency:

• A Pub’s In-House Kitchen
  • If the pub owns and runs the kitchen, even if they offer a menu that mimics street food or trendy dining, this is not a residency. It’s simply the pub’s own culinary service.
• Catering Services
  • Some pubs may provide catering for external events, such as business events or weddings. As these don’t take place within the pub’s property it’s not traditionally classed as a residency.

The Benefits of a Pub Residency

Pros

• Diverse Food Offerings
  • One of the biggest advantages for pubs is the ability to offer unique and varied food. This can attract a wider audience and keep the pub’s offerings fresh and exciting, which is especially appealing in cities with lots of dining competition.
• Reduced Risk and Overhead
  • Pubs that lease their kitchens to a vendor don’t have to worry about the operational costs and management responsibilities that come with running a kitchen. They can focus on the bar and atmosphere while leaving food to experts.
• Attracting New Audiences
  • Different food vendors can bring in their own loyal customers, expanding the pub’s customer base and increasing footfall.
• Refreshers are simpler
  • As the kitchen is operating as its own entity, if the time ever comes where it’s time for a refresher, or the current vendor isn’t quite cutting the mustard, a residency allows the pub to get a new vendor in once the current contract has expired.

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Signs a Pub Should Start Exploring Residency Options

If you’re running a pub and wondering a residency would benefit your establishment, here are a few signs to look for:

• Low Kitchen Utilisation
  • If a pub has a kitchen but isn’t using it fully, leasing it to a food vendor can turn the space into a profitable asset.
• Current Customers Grabbing Good Elsewhere
  • Many pubs will see a group pop in for a couple drinks before heading to their dinner spot. Offering a residency means that they don’t need to head elsewhere (particularly during the cold British winters). 
• Declining Food Sales
  • Perhaps the current in-house menu isn’t attracting enough customers, by bringing in a third-party vendor can revitalise interest in the food offering and draw new customers.
• Lack of Expertise or Resources
  • Pub Landlords and Pub Managers can lack the skills to manage a kitchen successfully and may find a residency to be an excellent way to provide high-quality food without the overheads or the hassle. 
• Need for Differentiation
  • In areas with a competitive pub scene, a unique food residency can help a pub stand out, offering something fresh and exciting to draw in locals and visitors alike.
• The Pub’s Outside of Typical ‘Walking’ Zones
  • Maybe your Pub is in the countryside or in a small town, general footfall in your area may be low and so you need to give people a reason to travel further to your venue. 

Pub residencies have become a modern solution for pubs looking to innovate their food offerings without the burden of managing an in-house kitchen. It’s a creative, flexible model that benefits both the pub and the food vendor, making it a win-win for all involved.