Career Change for Pub Managers – Become a Stocktaker
Why Stocktaking is the Perfect Next Step for Pub Managers
Pub Area Manager – Facing Redundancy or Wanting a Career Change? Don't Panic! Hospitality careers don't begin and end with the big Pub Co's. Discover running your own stocktaking business.
Use your experience to be your own Boss, and potentially earn £70,000+ pa.
Your hospitality expertise. Your business. Your future.
Career Change for Pub Managers – Become a Stocktaker
If you're a Pub Area Manager, Business Development Manager, or Operations Manager facing redundancy or feeling job insecurity, you can take control of your career without leaving the hospitality industry you've mastered.
Instead of moving sideways to another pub company like Punch, Marston's, or Greene King, consider a career that gives you greater control, stability, and earning potential – professional stocktaking.
As a hospitality stocktaker, you stay at the heart of the sector you know best while enjoying independence and the potential to earn £70k+. Your experience in senior hospitality roles – managing teams, monitoring profit margins, negotiating with suppliers – translates directly into stocktaking expertise, giving you a strong advantage from day one.
In this role, you visit pubs, restaurants, and hotels, helping operators improve stock control, boost efficiency, and protect profits. It's a flexible, rewarding career that values your knowledge, keeps you connected to the industry, and removes the uncertainty of senior management roles in large pub chains.
Francise Fee
£21,995 + VAT
Partner Francise Fee*
£14,995 + VAT
*Where available
Meet David Cunningham – Stockcheck Franchisee and Ex Area Manager
Pub Area Manager Career Case Study: From Redundancy to Running a Successful Franchise
After 25 years managing restaurants, pubs, and hotels, David had built a strong career in hospitality. He became an Area Manager for a national pub company and believed he was "set for life."
But when redundancy struck, everything changed. As a father of four, David needed a steady income and a better work–life balance.
That's when he made a life-defining decision: to invest in a Stockcheck Franchise, becoming our Devon & Somerset partner.
"Whilst it was daunting starting again, for a small investment the opportunity to be my own boss was too good to miss. It's definitely a career where you get out as much as you put in, but you get to use your skills and experience to help others – which is a great feeling."
— David, Stockcheck Franchisee
With guidance from Stockcheck Head Office, David hit the ground running. His experience allowed him to connect easily with pub operators, managers, and chefs, showing them how professional stocktaking protects profits.
Soon, he built a thriving business, combining private clients he sourced himself with national accounts provided by Head Office. Today, David enjoys the independence of running his own business, the satisfaction of helping others, and the security of a career firmly rooted in hospitality.
I decided I wanted to pursue Audit Control and run my own business, with the flexibility to fit around family life. After researching my options, I saw plenty of Stocktakers in the industry, but having never run a business or done much marketing, I recognized the Stocktaking franchise as the perfect opportunity to benefit from a national brand along with the Franchisor's expertise.
The franchise clearly offered the knowledge and support I needed to secure new clients, while still allowing me to maintain independence and manage my business my way.
Every day is different, but a Stocktaker's day usually starts early! Clients can range from traditional pubs and social clubs to large hotels, cocktail bars, and restaurants. Upon arrival, the day often begins with a coffee and a quick chat to review last month's trading and identify any areas where I can provide targeted support.
Next, I count the venue's stock, providing guidance on operational or standards issues that could help improve profitability. I then audit the client's paperwork, processing data on purchases and revenue. Once complete, I compare the client's till information with our report to pinpoint any losses or gains.
Finally, I present the stock results in a short summary meeting, highlighting gross profit, changes in cost prices, and operational insights. Clients value this service as a way to monitor their business and receive immediate advice to boost profitability. For many, it's the only regular external perspective they receive until their year-end accounts are produced—which can be months away!
Running a franchise is both enjoyable and challenging. Not every day is easy—there can be tricky situations to handle and early starts—but the benefits include a Monday-to-Friday working week with evenings free. As a Franchisee, you can build your diary around your own life, working with clients to help them improve their business, which is incredibly rewarding. Long-term relationships develop with clients, resulting in high retention and a stable income.
I grew my Stocktaking business month by month, starting from day one with zero clients. After 12 months, I had around 20 regular clients—roughly one venue for each working day. By the end of year two, through developing skills and effective time management, my client base grew to 30. Over the years, I've maintained a stable client base, retaining several clients I started with 12 years ago.
I would recommend a franchise to any Pub Area Manager looking to advance their career while keeping control over their own business. The hospitality industry often demands long, unpredictable hours, with few opportunities for a true 9–5 role. Operating a Stocktaking franchise gives you the best of both worlds: staying closely connected to the pubs and venues you know best, while enjoying a better balance between work and personal life. It's a chance to use the skills you've honed in management—team leadership, profit monitoring, and supplier negotiation—on your own terms, building a business that works around you.
Training & Support
- Initial Training Course – An initial 2 weeks, based from our Head Office. One 2 One training with one of our senior managers.
- A 3rd week's training will then be offered once the franchisee has been working for a while. This will allow for queries, and advanced stocktaking processes to be recapped.
- Ongoing Training & Advice – Head Office will constantly monitor stocktakes and be available to offer advice and assistance where needed.
- Marketing Support – A tailored launch marketing plan will be offered, and an ongoing there is Nationwide advertising online and Comprehensive training program description.
- IT Support – As a minimum our team will provide support to all issues affecting our Logonn Stocktaking Sofware, the iPad counting app and Company E-mail addresses. At additional cost, a fully supported leased laptop can be provided.
Explore The Possibilities