Greene King eyes job cuts amid head office restructure

Greene King is reportedly preparing to slash approximately 100 jobs and restructure its business for the second time in two years, according to The Times.

The outlet reported the pub group is considering the termination of 100 jobs across its head office and central functions, but that no decision is thought to have yet been made.

This follows the government’s announcement last month that it will work to reduce planned increases in business rates for pubs in England, after persistent pressure from landlords and industry groups about rising costs across the sector.

Ministers said they would prepare adjustments to how business rates for pubs are assessed, changes that would result in swallower bill increases than previously expected. The changes are expected to affect only pubs, rather than the wider hospitality sector.

This came as Treasury officials recognised the financial pressure stifling many pubs after steep hikes in the rateable value of their premises, which had faced operators with significantly higher costs from April 2026.

In her November 2025 Budget, chancellor Rachel Reeves lowered the business rates discount for retail, hospitality and leisure properties from 75% to 40%, and affirmed that the relief would end entirely from April. Together with revaluations that increased the rateable value of many pub properties, this decision prompted warnings of steep rises in bills.

UKHospitality has also pointed to the chancellor’s decision to raise employer national insurance contributions and knock down the threshold at which they are paid as a blow to the sector, calling for it to be reconsidered in June when ONS statistics suggested it caused more than 100,000 jobs to be lost the previous month.

The news comes after Greene King’s announcement last week that it reached the milestone of 100 franchise pubs and will continue to expand with 30 new openings, including its first sites in Wales.

Catering Today has contacted Greene King for comment.