The UK’s Biggest Pubco Under the Microscope
If size was everything, Stonegate would be the king of the pub trade. With 4,000+ pubs under its control, it’s the UK’s largest pub company by a mile. From student bars to suburban locals, chances are you’ve set foot in a Stonegate-run site without even realising it.
But when it comes to landlord satisfaction, the picture isn’t so rosy. According to the Pubs Code Adjudicator’s 2025 survey, Stonegate scored just 43% landlord satisfaction — the lowest of any major pubco.
So what’s going on? Is Stonegate a launchpad for ambitious new landlords, or a poisoned chalice wrapped in glossy branding? In this review, we’ll dig into:
- The pros & cons of running a Stonegate pub.
- Real landlord experiences (from surveys, forums, and social media).
- How Stonegate stacks up against other pubcos.
- Whether you should sign on the dotted line in 2025.
📸 Image #1 Prompt:
“Editorial-style graphic: Stonegate logo on a pub front, with a worried landlord silhouette standing outside. Slightly critical tone.”
Stonegate by the Numbers (2025 Snapshot)
- Pubs owned: 4,000+ nationwide (largest operator in the UK).
- Business models:
- Managed houses.
- Tied tenancies.
- Retail partnerships (franchise-style).
- PCA 2025 satisfaction survey:
- Stonegate landlord satisfaction = 43% (lowest).
- Compare: Admiral Taverns (79%), Greene King (78%).
- Key landlord complaints:
- Rent hikes.
- Poor repair support.
- High churn of sites.
- Aggressive enforcement of contracts.
📊 Image #2 Prompt:
“Infographic table: Pubco landlord satisfaction ratings 2025 – Admiral 79% (green), Greene King 78% (green), Punch 61% (amber), Stonegate 43% (red, lowest). Bold warning icons for Stonegate.”
Pros of Working with Stonegate
To be fair, not everything about Stonegate is negative. Some landlords find value in the scale and structure of the UK’s biggest pubco.
- Biggest pub network: With over 4,000 pubs, Stonegate offers more opportunities than any other pubco for new landlords looking to break in.
- Marketing muscle: National campaigns and strong branding can help drive trade (e.g., sports partnerships, drinks deals).
- Retail partnerships: Franchise-style models where income is guaranteed, reducing some financial risk.
- Training & support: New landlords often get access to Stonegate’s induction and development schemes, covering cellar management, licensing, and marketing basics.
💬 Landlord review (LinkedIn): “The retail partnership gave me a guaranteed income when I wasn’t ready for a full tenancy. Less risk, though less freedom too.”
Cons of Working with Stonegate
This is where Stonegate’s reputation takes a hit — and why they sit at the bottom of the PCA’s satisfaction rankings.
- Lowest satisfaction (43%): Landlords consistently rank Stonegate worst among pubcos for fairness and support.
- Rent hikes: Reports of aggressive rent reviews that squeeze margins.
- Poor repair handling: Many landlords say pubco delays in repairs left them footing unexpected bills.
- High churn of sites: Frequent landlord turnover — a red flag for sustainability.
- Aggressive contract enforcement: Complaints of eviction threats and sudden closures when disputes arise.
💬 Landlord story (Reddit): “I hit sales targets, but they still raised my rent. Felt like I was working for them, not myself.”
💬 Landlord story (X): “Worst pubco I’ve dealt with in 20 years. Support was non-existent once I signed the contract.”
📸 Image #3 Prompt:
“Cartoon illustration: pub landlord drowning in paperwork while a giant corporate pubco figure towers above. Humorous but critical.”
Landlord Experiences – Voices from the Trade
Numbers tell part of the story, but it’s the lived experience of landlords that really shows what it’s like to work with Stonegate. In 2025, those voices paint a mixed — but mostly critical — picture.
Survey Data (PCA 2025)
- Only 43% of Stonegate landlords were satisfied with their relationship.
- 45% complained about unfair rent reviews.
- 51% flagged supply pricing and beer tie issues.
- Support & repairs: Frequently cited as “poor” or “delayed.”
Social Media & Forum Stories
💬 Reddit landlord (r/pubs):
“Avoid if you can. The eviction threats come quick if you push back on rent. Felt like I was on borrowed time the whole tenancy.”
💬 Facebook Pub Landlord Group post:
“Repairs were ignored for months. When the roof finally leaked, they told me it was my responsibility. £20k gone overnight.”
💬 X (Twitter) landlord:
“Stonegate = paperwork and pressure. Targets are unrealistic, and support is patchy at best. You’re just a number to them.”
Balanced Stories
To keep it fair, some landlords do report positives:
💬 “Retail partnership worked for me starting out. It’s capped earnings, but at least I knew what was coming in each month.”
But overwhelmingly, the tone in forums and surveys leans towards frustration.
📸 Image #4 Prompt:
“Split-screen illustration: one happy landlord pulling a pint with a full pub, the other side a stressed landlord surrounded by bills and eviction notices. Balanced but critical tone.”
Comparing Stonegate to Other Pubcos in 2025
When landlords are choosing a pubco, it’s rarely about loyalty — it’s about survival. The Pubs Code Adjudicator’s 2025 Tied Tenant Survey makes the comparison crystal clear.
Satisfaction Rankings (2025 PCA Survey)
| Pubco | Landlord Satisfaction (2025) | Key Pros | Key Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admiral Taverns | 79% (top) | Community focus, flexible exits | Smaller sites, tie still restrictive |
| Greene King | 78% | Strong brewery perks, minimum income guarantees | Repairs often pushed onto tenants |
| Star Pubs & Bars | 70% (up from 55% in 2023) | Backed by Heineken, innovative franchises | Strict ties, closures in weaker areas |
| Punch Taverns | 61% | Flexible deals, refurbs | Rent hikes, higher product markups |
| Marston’s | 72% | Turnover models, scalability | Supply chain disruption post-Carlsberg deal |
| Stonegate | 43% (lowest) | Big brand marketing, retail partnerships | High churn, rent disputes, poor landlord support |
📊 Image #5 Prompt:
“Comparison infographic table showing Stonegate at 43% landlord satisfaction (lowest), Admiral at 79% (highest). Red for Stonegate, green for Admiral, amber for Punch.”
Takeaway
👉 While Admiral and Greene King sit near the top for satisfaction (close to 80%), Stonegate lags far behind at 43%. That gap is not a blip — it has been consistent for several years running.
- Admiral: “best for community locals.”
- Greene King: “good starter pubco, but ties bite.”
- Stonegate: “last resort if you want a big branded pub, but brace for pain.”
💬 Quote from PCA survey respondent: “Stonegate is all take and no give. It’s about their profit, not your survival.”
Should You Consider Stonegate in 2025?
The truth about Stonegate is simple: it’s not all bad, but it’s far from the safest bet in the pub trade. Whether you should sign with them depends on your goals, risk appetite, and tolerance for corporate red tape.
When Stonegate Might Work for You
- ✅ You want a big brand pub with national marketing behind it.
- ✅ You prefer a retail partnership model with minimum income guarantees.
- ✅ You’re new to the trade and value structured training.
- ✅ You’re prepared to sacrifice some independence for perceived security.
💬 “Retail partnership was a good stepping stone. I learned the ropes without risking my savings.” — Landlord, PCA survey 2025.
When to Think Twice
- ❌ You want fair rent reviews and long-term sustainability.
- ❌ You’re hoping for responsive repairs and landlord-first support.
- ❌ You value independence and flexibility in running your pub.
- ❌ You’re wary of eviction risks or aggressive contract enforcement.
💬 “I felt like an employee, not a business owner. The pub might have been mine on paper, but Stonegate called the shots.” — Landlord, Reddit 2025.
📸 Image #6 Prompt:
“Balanced scale graphic: Stonegate pros on one side (marketing, training, brand), cons on the other (rent hikes, poor repairs, low satisfaction).”
The Final Verdict
Stonegate may be the UK’s biggest pubco, but bigger doesn’t mean better. With the lowest landlord satisfaction (43%), high churn, and consistent complaints about rent, repairs, and support, they remain one of the riskiest choices in 2025.
If you’re looking for a pubco partner, Admiral (79%) or Greene King (78%) offer far stronger landlord approval. Stonegate might suit someone after a short-term, retail-style opportunity — but for most aspiring landlords, the risks outweigh the rewards.
👉 No matter which pubco you choose, one thing is certain: your pub will live or die by how well you fill it. That’s where SmartPubTools.net steps in — automating your pub’s marketing so you’re not stuck writing Facebook posts at midnight, but actually serving punters.
FAQs – Stonegate Pubco Review 2025
Q: Is Stonegate a good pub company?
A: It depends who you ask. Stonegate is the UK’s largest pubco with over 4,000 pubs, but in the 2025 PCA survey only 43% of landlords reported satisfaction — the lowest of any major pubco. Landlords praise their marketing and training, but criticise rent hikes, poor repair support, and aggressive contracts.
Q: Why do Stonegate pubs get bad reviews from landlords?
A: The main complaints are:
- Rent increases outpacing turnover.
- Delays or refusals on structural repairs.
- High turnover of tenants.
- Feeling like an “employee, not an owner.”
Many landlords on Reddit and Facebook groups warn others to avoid unless going into a low-risk retail partnership model.
Q: How does Stonegate compare to other pubcos?
A: In the 2025 PCA survey, Stonegate scored 43% satisfaction, far lower than Admiral (79%), Greene King (78%), or Star Pubs & Bars (70%). This makes Stonegate the least trusted pubco of the major players.
Q: Are Stonegate tenancies profitable?
A: Profitability depends on location, trade, and negotiation. Some landlords report success in high-footfall pubs with strong events. But tied pricing, rent reviews, and extra costs often cut margins. Without excellent marketing and tight cost control, many landlords struggle to earn more than £20k annually.
Q: Should I sign with Stonegate in 2025?
A: If you value independence, fair rent, and reliable support, consider other pubcos first. Stonegate’s retail partnership model can be useful for newcomers wanting low-risk, fixed income — but tied tenancies remain high risk. Always seek legal advice before signing.
📸 Image #7 Prompt:
“FAQ-style infographic: Stonegate landlord satisfaction 43% (lowest), main complaints listed as icons: rent, repairs, eviction, contracts.”