Who runs Britain’s most popular pubs? NIQ’s exclusive PubTrack solution reveals the answers in its latest rankings of consumers’ favourite operators in 2026.
The lists are based on a variety of metrics including quality, service and value, plus overall satisfaction and intentions to revisit and recommend. Consumers’ opinions build a detailed picture of Britain’s best-loved pub groups, with insights to help all operators and suppliers track brand sentiment and benchmark performance.
The Top Ten
The overall PubTrack rankings are led by Holt, the family-run Manchester-based business that has been running pubs for nearly 170 years and currently has around 125 venues across the north west of England. It takes the top spot after climbing a dozen places in just 12 months, after an excellent performance against all key metrics. Holt, which has been brewing beer in Manchester since the 1840s, is also rated first for drink quality.
In second place on the overall rankings is The Restaurant Group’s Brunning & Price brand—a group that has placed in the top three for four straight years.
Everards, which has around 140 pubs in the East Midlands, is third.
The list of Britain’s top five operators is completed by Robinsons and JW Lees. Like Holt, both pub companies have been in business since the 19th century, and both remain based in the Manchester area with estates across the North West.
The rest of the top ten includes two that are based further south in England—Brakspear and St Austell Brewery—and three with nationwide footprints, Wellington Pub Company, JD Wetherspoon and Amber Taverns. JW Lees, Robinsons and Amber Taverns have all broken into the top ten this year.
The PubTrack list of top overall operators
Best for service, quality and value
NIQ’s powerful PubTrack solution provides more breakdowns of consumers’ opinions about pub operators by various factors. For the second year in a row, Everards scores best for service, ahead of Brunning & Price and Daniel Thwaites. Everards is consumers’ second pick for drink quality, behind Joseph Holt and ahead of Robinsons.
The operator providing the best value for money in the eyes of guests is also unchanged year-on-year: JD Wetherspoon. It is followed by two more pub operators where price is a core consideration, Joseph Holt and Amber Taverns.
Revisits and recommendations
PubTrack also grades pubs on the vital question of whether guests will go back or tell others about their experiences. The top three groups for revisits are Brunning & Price, Everards and St Austell Brewery, while Amber Taverns and Joseph Holt are two big climbers on this chart. Brunning & Price also scores highest for recommendations, ahead of St Austell Brewery and Robinsons.
These operators lead the way on a final chart for general satisfaction. Robinsons has leapt a dozen places year-on-year to finish at the top of these rankings, ahead of Brunning & Price and Everards.
Dani Rowlands, NIQ Client Director:
“These fascinating results reveal the pub operators that are at the top of their game. All these high-scoring businesses can inspire others, but the success of so many businesses in the North West suggests there is a lot to learn from this region in particular. Those leading the way are real trailblazers, winning the kind of customer feedback that serves as a tribute to their teams’ efforts and demonstrating the resilience of a true trooper in a demanding market.
Wherever they are based, it’s crucial for all companies to understand exactly how guests feel about the pubs they visit and to measure their performance against their rivals. In this challenging and competitive trading environment, PubTrack is a powerful tool to show groups what they are doing right and where they can improve.”
NIQ’s PubTrack service provides in-depth analysis of consumer sentiment, with opportunities for bespoke analysis tailored to the needs of individual businesses. To learn more about PubTrack and the upcoming survey in October, contact the NIQ experts.
