ROTHERHAM PUB LANDLORD WINS PRESTIGIOUS INDUSTRY AWARD

Local pub landlord Chris Windle, who operates several pubs in Rotherham and across Yorkshire, has won the ‘Franchisee of the Year Award’ at the pub industry’s nationally recognised Night of Excellence Awards.

Chris, who founded My Yorkshire Pubs in 2008, a family run business operating out of Rotherham with his two daughters Shannen and Kennedy, runs several pubs in partnership with Greene King.

He received the ‘Franchisee of the Year Award’ in recognition of his passion, innovation and leadership that has transformed two pubs he runs as franchisee with Greene King: The Cross Keys in York and the Hay Nook in Maltby, Rotherham.

Since opening his first franchise pub with Greene King in 2021, the Cross Keys, Chris has set the gold standard for running franchise pubs in partnership with Greene King.

Judges commended Chris for his hands-on leadership that inspires high-performing teams, alongside his commitment to delivering an excellent customer experience and building strong community links.

The Night of Excellence Awards celebrate the success of great licensees and the businesses they run in partnership with Greene King Pub Partners. They comprise of 17 awards ranging from Community Pub of the Year to Entertainment Pub of the Year, which are all sponsored by key suppliers to the pub sector and well-known brands such as Heineken, Coca-Cola and Diageo.

This year, the awards were held at a grand ceremony and dinner hosted at the voco St. John's hotel in Solihull.

The awards event was attended by hundreds of licensees from across the country who work with Greene King Pub Partners as well as representatives from the hospitality and pub sector including the British Beer & Pub Association and the UKHospitality trade association.  

Speaking of his award win, Chris Windle said:

“I am honoured to have been recognised as Franchisee of the Year! I’d like to thank all my customers and teams – and my two daughters Shannen and Kennedy – whom without this award would not be possible. Thank you!”

Dan Robinson, Managing Director of Greene King Pub Partners, said: 

“Congratulations to Chris for winning the Franchisee of the Year award. The competition at the Night of Excellence Awards is second to none, so winning is a real achievement. We really value our longstanding, successful partnership with Chris and he is a truly worthy winner of this award.”

About Greene King Pub Partners:

Greene King Pub Partners operates over 1000 leased, tenanted and franchise pubs across England, Scotland and Wales with independent business partners. In March 2023 it was recognised as the best leased and tenanted pub company at the Publican Awards, the 6th time Greene King Pub Partners has won the national industry award.