The Papas Group, which operates dining establishments including Wendy’s and Papa’s Fish and Chips, has entered a franchise agreement with Wetherspoon to manage 15 UK pub locations.
The family-run Papas Group, primarily active in the north of England, will inaugurate its first pub, named Hykeham Manor, in Gateway Park, Lincoln, on the former Gateway Park Brewers Fayre site.
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Three further pubs will open in October and November 2025 in Annitsford, Northumberland, Stockton-on-Tees, and Emersons Green in Bristol.
Wetherspoon commercial director Michael Barron stated: “We are delighted to have signed agreements with the Papas Group. We are looking at further opportunities and are confident that more franchise agreements will be signed.”
Wetherspoon currently operates five pubs under franchise agreements with Haven Holiday Parks and has similar arrangements with the universities of Newcastle and Hull, running a pub at each campus.
The company also has a franchise agreement with Thompson Holdings, which manages a pub in the Isle of Man.
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By GlobalDataPapas Group director Andrew Papas stated: “We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with Wetherspoon to bring 15 new pubs to life across the UK.
“These aren’t just any pubs — they’re beloved community spaces, thoughtfully located outside the traditional high street, yet right at the heart of where people live, work and gather. This partnership is about more than just expansion; it’s about restoration, revitalisation and reinvestment in our local communities.
“We’re proud to be breathing new life into some fantastic venues, creating hundreds of jobs, and offering unbeatable value, welcoming surroundings and the exceptional service that people expect from Wetherspoon.
“At Papas Group, we believe in building places that bring people together — and we can’t wait to open our doors.”
