The Heineken Factor
Owned by brewing giant Heineken, Star Pubs & Bars has long been one of the UK’s biggest pubcos. But for years, its reputation among landlords was rocky. In 2023, Star scored just 55% satisfaction in the Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) survey — one of the lowest in the sector.
Fast forward to 2025, and things look very different. According to the latest PCA survey, landlord satisfaction with Star has jumped to 70%, putting them firmly in the mid-table and closing in on rivals like Greene King (78%).
So, what’s changed? Backed by Heineken’s global resources and a renewed push into franchise-style models, Star is repositioning itself as a serious contender in the pubco market.
This review breaks down:
- The pros and cons of working with Star.
- Landlord experiences from surveys and forums.
- How Star compares to rivals like Admiral, Greene King, Punch, and Stonegate.
- Whether you should consider them in 2025.
Star Pubs by the Numbers (2025 Snapshot)
- Ownership: Part of Heineken UK.
- Pubs: ~2,500 across the UK, mix of city, town, and suburban venues.
- Business models: Tenancies, leases, and franchise/retail partnership formats.
- Landlord satisfaction: 70% (PCA 2025 survey) — up 15 points since 2023.
- Trends: Strong refurb programme; shifting toward franchise-style partnerships to attract new operators.
Pros of Working with Star Pubs & Bars
Star’s 2025 turnaround didn’t happen by accident. Backed by Heineken’s resources and a push to modernise their agreements, they’ve carved out a stronger position than just two years ago.
✅ Backed by Heineken
- As part of Heineken UK, Star has the financial muscle and brand clout smaller pubcos can’t match.
- Landlords benefit from:
- Access to Heineken beers (Heineken, Birra Moretti, Amstel, etc.).
- Marketing support tied to Heineken’s global sponsorships (football, rugby, festivals).
- Stronger supply chains and consistent stock compared to independents.
💬 Landlord (PCA survey 2025):
“Star’s Heineken connection means I get beers punters recognise and promotions I could never afford myself.”
✅ Rising Landlord Satisfaction
- From 55% in 2023 → 70% in 2025, Star has made the biggest leap of any pubco in the PCA survey.
- Improvements credited to:
- More responsive BDMs.
- New franchise-style agreements.
- Investment in refurbishments.
✅ Franchise-Style Models
- Star is rolling out more franchise and retail partnership models to attract new landlords.
- These agreements often reduce upfront costs and provide shared risk with Star.
- Popular with newcomers who want structure without massive financial exposure.
✅ Investment in Refurbishments
- Star has committed significant funding to refurb programmes, modernising pubs and helping landlords attract customers.
- Landlords report pubs being in better condition compared to 2–3 years ago.
💬 Landlord, Reddit 2025:
“Star refurbished our place before we took over. It gave us a head start — we walked into a pub already trading well.”
Cons of Working with Star Pubs & Bars
Despite their big jump in satisfaction, Star Pubs & Bars still carries the baggage of being a large, brewer-backed pubco. Landlords highlight several recurring issues.
❌ Strict Beer Ties
- As part of Heineken, Star operates some of the strictest tied agreements in the industry.
- Landlords are required to stock Heineken brands first and foremost.
- While these beers are popular, it limits flexibility for landlords wanting to feature independent or local brews.
💬 Landlord, PCA survey 2025:
“I’d love to put on a couple of local ales, but with Star you’re locked into the Heineken range.”
❌ Pub Closures in Weak Areas
- Star has closed or sold a number of underperforming sites in recent years.
- This has created uncertainty for landlords in borderline-trade pubs.
- Landlords in rural or low-footfall areas feel more at risk.
❌ Still a Corporate Pubco
- While satisfaction is improving, Star remains a large corporate landlord.
- Some landlords report slow responses, rigid rules, and paperwork-heavy processes.
- Compared to Admiral’s “community-first” approach, Star feels more transactional.
❌ Inconsistent BDM Support
- Though survey results are improving, there are still reports of regional inconsistencies.
- Some landlords get proactive, engaged BDMs — others feel left to fend for themselves.
💬 Reddit landlord (2025):
“Better than a few years ago, but your experience depends on your BDM. Mine’s great — my mate’s barely hears from his.”
Landlord Experiences – Voices from the Trade
Star’s 2025 performance in the Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) survey shows clear progress, but it’s the voices of landlords that reveal the lived reality of running a Star pub.
PCA Survey 2025 Highlights
- 70% landlord satisfaction (up 15 points since 2023).
- 73% said their BDM treated them fairly.
- 68% praised refurbishments and investment in sites.
- 54% still raised concerns about strict ties and product choice.
Positive Experiences
💬 Landlord, PCA survey 2025:
“Star refurbished the pub before we took over — it meant we started ahead rather than fighting to catch up.”
💬 Reddit landlord (r/pubs):
“The Heineken link helps. Punters know what they’re getting, and the marketing around football really brings people in.”
Negative Experiences
💬 Landlord, X (2025):
“Ties are still the killer. Great refurb, but I can’t put on my local brewer’s beers. Feels restrictive.”
💬 Facebook landlord group comment:
“It’s better than before, but still a big corporate machine. Some things take ages to get sorted.”
Balanced Verdict from the Trade
- Upward trend: Landlords generally agree Star is improving.
- Still corporate: Satisfaction is better, but landlords warn it’s “not Admiral.”
- Best fit: Works well for those who want brewery backing + franchise-style structure, less so for independents who crave freedom.
Comparing Star to Other Pubcos in 2025
Star’s rise from the bottom of the table in 2023 (55% satisfaction) to a respectable 70% in 2025 shows how quickly a pubco’s reputation can change. But how do they stack up against the competition?
Satisfaction Rankings (PCA Survey 2025)
| Pubco | Landlord Satisfaction (2025) | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admiral Taverns | 79% (highest) | Community focus, flexible agreements | Smaller pubs, tied beer |
| Greene King | 78% | Brewery perks, Hive Pub model, brand power | Repairs, corporate rigidity, tied model |
| Star Pubs & Bars | 70% (up from 55%) | Heineken backing, refurb investment | Strict ties, corporate processes |
| Marston’s | 72% | Turnover models, national scale | Supply chain disruption, rigid contracts |
| Punch Taverns | 61% | Flexible entry, refurb investments | Rent hikes, stock markups |
| Stonegate | 43% (lowest) | Marketing muscle, retail partnerships | Poor support, high churn, rent disputes |
Key Takeaways
- Star vs Admiral (79%) → Admiral still leads with its community-first ethos, but Star is closing the gap.
- Star vs Greene King (78%) → Greene King is steadier and more structured; Star is more about franchise innovation.
- Star vs Punch (61%) & Stonegate (43%) → Star is clearly in a stronger position, distancing itself from the lowest-rated pubcos.
- Trend: If Star keeps improving at this pace, they could break into the top tier by 2026.
💬 Landlord, PCA survey 2025:
“Star isn’t Admiral, but it’s not Stonegate either. They’re climbing, and that’s good for the trade.”
Should You Consider Star Pubs & Bars in 2025?
Star isn’t the landlord’s dream (Admiral) or the landlord’s nightmare (Stonegate). Instead, it’s a pubco on the rise — making big improvements, but still carrying corporate strings.
When Star Might Be Right for You
- ✅ You want the backing of Heineken — marketing muscle, global beer brands, and supply stability.
- ✅ You’re open to franchise-style agreements with structured support.
- ✅ You’re starting out and want a pubco that’s actively improving landlord satisfaction.
- ✅ You’re taking on a pub with planned refurb investment.
💬 Landlord, PCA survey 2025:
“Star refurbished the pub before we opened. It felt like a fresh start — not a tired boozer we had to fix ourselves.”
When to Think Twice
- ❌ You want freedom on beer choice — Star’s Heineken ties are strict.
- ❌ You prefer a community-first, flexible pubco like Admiral.
- ❌ You’re wary of big corporate processes and slower responses.
💬 Landlord, Reddit 2025:
“Better than before, but still a big corporate. Some decisions feel like they come from Amsterdam, not the local high street.”
Final Verdict – A Pubco on the Mend
With 70% landlord satisfaction in 2025, Star has staged one of the most significant turnarounds in the pubco sector. Backed by Heineken’s resources, they’re investing in refurbishments, rolling out franchise-style models, and improving support.
But strict beer ties and a corporate feel mean they won’t suit everyone. Compared to Admiral (79%) and Greene King (78%), Star still lags slightly behind. Compared to Punch (61%) and Stonegate (43%), they look like a far safer bet.
👉 In short: Star Pubs & Bars are no longer at the bottom of the pile. They’re an improving, mid-table pubco worth considering if you value brand backing and refurb investment.
💡 And remember: whichever pubco you go with, your pub only thrives if customers walk through the door. That’s where SmartPubTools.net helps — automating your social posts, event promos, and match-day ads so you spend more time behind the bar and less behind a laptop.
FAQs – Star Pubs & Bars 2025
Q: Is Star Pubs & Bars a good pub company?
A: In 2025, Star scored 70% satisfaction, up from 55% in 2023. Landlords report better refurb investment and support, but ties remain strict.
Q: Are Star pubs tied?
A: Yes. As part of Heineken, Star pubs are tied to Heineken beers first, limiting flexibility.
Q: What are the main pros of Star?
A: Heineken backing, refurb programmes, franchise models, rising satisfaction.
Q: What are the downsides?
A: Strict beer ties, closures in weaker areas, corporate processes, patchy BDM support.
Q: How does Star compare to Admiral, Greene King, and Stonegate?
A: Admiral (79%) and Greene King (78%) rank higher; Star (70%) is improving but still mid-table; Stonegate (43%) trails far behind.
📸 Image #8 Prompt (FAQ visual):
“FAQ infographic with Star Pubs logo, satisfaction stat (70%), Heineken beer icons, pros/cons split.”