For a complete overview of the process, read our complete guide to taking on a UK pub in 2026.

Marston’s vs Star Pubs: Which Pubco Suits You Better?

Last updated: 24 April 2026

Most people assume all pubcos operate the same way — you sign a lease, pay rent, and get support. The reality is brutally different. I’ve worked under a Marston’s CRP agreement for three years now, and I’ve watched operators struggle under Star Pubs deals that should have worked on paper. The difference between choosing the right pubco and the wrong one isn’t just a few hundred pounds a year — it’s the difference between a business that survives and one that doesn’t. If you’re seriously considering taking on a pub, you need to understand how Marston’s and Star Pubs actually differ, not just in what they promise, but in how they operate day-to-day. This article breaks down the real comparison, so you can make a decision based on your situation, not their sales pitch.

How Rent Models Differ: CRP vs FMT

The biggest structural difference between Marston’s and Star Pubs is how they calculate rent. Marston’s Community Rent Programme (CRP) uses what they call a fair maintainable trade basis — essentially, the rent is set based on what a competent operator should be able to achieve in that location, not on what the pub historically made. I went through this process three years ago. The valuer visited Teal Farm Pub, looked at footfall patterns, competitive pubs, the demographic, and the size of the operation. They set the rent at a level that a reasonably skilled operator should be able to service while still making a profit. That’s the theory. In practice, you’re paying based on an assumption about trading, and if trading drops — whether that’s due to local competition, economic downturn, or a motorway closure — your rent doesn’t adjust automatically. You’re locked in.

Star Pubs also uses Fair Maintainable Trade (FMT) methodology, but their valuation process can differ. Some operators report that Star’s valuations feel more aggressive — meaning higher rent assumptions for the same location. The difference in rent between Marston’s and Star Pubs for an identical pub can be 15-25% depending on the valuer’s assumptions. That’s not a small difference when you’re working on typical pub margins.

Both pubcos allow rent review every five years, usually in your favour if trading has dropped, but challenging the valuation takes time and costs money. I’ve negotiated with my Business Development Manager on specific aspects of my rent, and the outcome depended entirely on whether my BDM had the authority to move on the number — something that varies person to person.

Support Systems and BDM Relationships

The quality of support you receive from either pubco depends almost entirely on who your Business Development Manager is, not on the corporate structure behind them. I’ve had a consistent BDM relationship at Teal Farm since day one. They visit every six weeks, they know the business, and when I’ve had operational problems, they’ve helped troubleshoot. I know other Marston’s tenants with BDMs who are absent and reactive. The reverse is true at Star Pubs too — some operators have excellent support, others feel neglected.

That said, Marston’s has more formalised support infrastructure. They run regular training programmes, their NSF (National Supplies Framework) audit process is structured and transparent, and their compliance expectations are clearly documented. When I passed my NSF audit in March 2026, it was thorough but fair — they were checking for proper stock rotation, food safety, allergen procedures, and financial reconciliation. The framework was clear beforehand, so there were no surprises. Star Pubs conducts similar checks, but the approach is often less standardised — it varies by region and by individual auditor.

If you’re taking on your first pub and you value predictable, documented support processes, Marston’s structure tends to be more transparent. If you thrive on flexibility and ad-hoc support, it may feel overly rigid.

Learn more about what your Marston’s BDM actually does and what to expect from that relationship before you sign.

Financial Margins and Real Take-Home

Here’s what nobody tells you before you sign: your margins under a tied pubco agreement are not determined by who the pubco is. They’re determined by your cost control. Both Marston’s and Star Pubs allow you to buy certain products from approved wholesalers outside the tie — beer, cider, soft drinks, and spirits typically have some flexibility depending on your agreement. The pubco makes its money by forcing you to buy premium-priced stock through their distribution channels on other lines.

At Teal Farm, I’ve achieved labour costs averaging 15% of revenue, significantly below the UK hospitality benchmark of 25-30%. That’s not because Marston’s is better than Star — it’s because I’ve invested in staff efficiency, smart scheduling, and systems that allow me to see real-time labour performance. Pub wage costs benchmarks show that most operators are running 22-28% labour. The gap between them and me isn’t luck; it’s operational discipline.

2025 was my best revenue year at Teal Farm. That wasn’t because Marston’s changed their terms; it was because I restructured the food offering, introduced quiz nights that drove mid-week traffic, and invested in EPOS systems that gave me real visibility of what was actually driving profit versus volume. The best pub EPOS systems don’t just tell you what sold — they tell you what made you money.

Between Marston’s and Star Pubs, your actual take-home difference will likely be 5-10% depending on negotiated tie relief and local cost structures. That’s meaningful, but not the driver of success. Better operators with Star end up with higher net income than poor operators with Marston’s.

Tied Obligations and Product Control

Both Marston’s and Star Pubs operate tied estates — you must buy certain products through their supply chain. The scope of the tie varies. Typically, you’re required to buy cask ale, keg beer, lager, and sometimes soft drinks through the pubco. You usually have more freedom on spirits, wine, and off-license products, depending on your specific agreement.

Marston’s tie is broadly in line with Star’s, but the enforcement and flexibility differ. Under my CRP agreement, there’s room to negotiate categories where you can source competitively. I’ve done this on soft drinks — negotiating a small allowance to buy from a local supplier when the pubco pricing became uncompetitive. That conversation with my BDM took time, but it was possible. Some Star Pubs agreements are rigid; others allow similar negotiation. It depends on the lease you sign and who you negotiate it with.

The Pub Code 2009 gives you rights as a tied tenant to request tie relief on products if you can demonstrate that you’d make more profit sourcing elsewhere. Both pubcos are legally required to respond to formal tie relief requests, but the process is bureaucratic and contested relief can take months. I’ve watched operators try this route; it’s rarely quick or painless.

If you’re sensitive to being restricted on what you can stock and sell, understand the tie clauses before you sign. Ask directly: what products are tied, and what flexibility exists on specific categories? The answer will differ between Star and Marston’s depending on the individual pub’s agreement.

Audits, Compliance, and Enforcement

Both pubcos conduct regular audits — health and safety, stock management, financial accuracy, and regulatory compliance. Marston’s audits are more formalised. My NSF audit in March 2026 followed a clear protocol: advance notice, documented checklist, specific compliance standards, and a written report with corrective action timelines. That structure means you know what’s being checked and can prepare properly. It also means fairness — the same standards apply to every tenant.

Star Pubs audits tend to be less standardised. Some regions conduct thorough checks; others are more cursory. The consistency varies more than Marston’s. If you prefer predictability and documentation, Marston’s is clearer. If you’re well-organised and don’t mind ad-hoc compliance conversations, the difference is minimal.

Both pubcos take regulatory breaches seriously — food safety, licensing violations, underage sales, and financial non-disclosure can result in enforcement action including rent increases, lease termination, or forced management changes. My 5-star EHO rating isn’t because I’m exceptionally virtuous; it’s because I’ve implemented documented systems for food safety, staff training, and allergen management. Both pubcos expect the same standard.

Which Pubco Actually Suits Your Situation

If you’re taking on your first pub, know what matters before you sign. The choice between Marston’s and Star Pubs isn’t binary. It depends on the specific pub opportunity, the lease terms being offered, and your tolerance for different operating models.

Choose Marston’s CRP if:

• You want clarity on how rent is calculated and want a formalised support framework.
• You value structured compliance processes and documented audit procedures.
• The specific pub location is strong and the rent valuation feels fair.
• You prefer working with a larger corporate structure that has documented policies.

Choose Star Pubs if:

• You’ve negotiated better terms on a specific lease — lower rent, better tie relief, or stronger tie break clauses.
• Your local Star BDM has a strong reputation and you’ve met them before signing.
• You value flexibility and ad-hoc support over documented processes.
• The pub opportunity is excellent and the lease terms favour you regardless of the pubco.

The uncomfortable truth is this: neither pubco is inherently better. The best pubco is the one attached to the best pub opportunity with the fairest lease terms. I took on Teal Farm under a Marston’s CRP agreement on my birthday three years ago. It worked out because the location was sound, the rent was reasonable, and I was willing to invest in systems and staff development. I know Star Pubs operators with better financial outcomes at better-located pubs with more negotiated tie relief.

Before you commit to either, use a pub profit margin calculator to stress-test the numbers yourself. Plug in the rent, the tie costs, staffing assumptions, and local wage rates. Run scenarios: what if wet sales drop 15%? What if you can’t hit the assumed food margin? What if you need to close one day a week temporarily? Both Marston’s and Star Pubs will give you optimistic projections. Your job is to test them against realistic downside scenarios.

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