The Irish Pub Concept was created in 1992 by Guinness Brewing Worldwide (now Diageo) as the benchmark for developing authentic Irish Pubs outside of Ireland. As of 2020, some 6,500 pubs have been opened around the world as a direct result of their leadership, guidance and know-how.

Pubs have a very different ratio of food sales to beverage sales than most restaurants. Pubs maintain high food sales while also developing very healthy beverage sales at times when most restaurants are quiet…. afternoons, cocktail hour and late night, for instance. Because beverage cost of sales and beverage labor cost are lower than for food, this makes pubs far more likely to be more profitable.

Your first steps will be as follows: Consult with an O’Hagan’s expert who will point you in the right direction Research real properties in your area and start to identify suitable locations for the pub Research the local restaurant scene and understand how they are doing Create a comprehensive business plan and financial estimate that is adaptable for different locations Identify the cost of renovation and assess how much money you will need to get it done Identify the site you want and start negotiating with the landlord WHERE WILL I FIND FINANCING FOR MY PUB? The main types of financing are as follows: Bank (small business loan) Personal Equity (your own money) Investors (Family, friends, business partners, high net worth individuals)

In advance of your pitch, prepare and understand a well-researched Business Plan & Financial Estimate showing how you can make a good return on their investment. A good business plan should show that you have thoroughly researched your project’s likelihood of success and can talk confidently and knowledgeably about the O'Hagans Irish Pub & Grill brand.. Business Plans tailored specifically for your vision are available at a cost through our partner.

Ideally, you are looking for an existing restaurant premises which can be renovated. That way, you have existing infrastructure such as HVAC, kitchen ventilation hoods, washrooms etc. and will save some money as compared to fitting out a building from scratch.

Please check with your local beer distributor to see what marketing support might be available for your pub.

If you have restaurant or bar experience, that is certainly an advantage. If you have small business experience, that is certainly an advantage. If you do not have restaurant experience but do have small business experience than you will need to hire management who can help you through the learning curve. The qualities you will need most are a strong work ethic, a very quality-focused approach and endless patience.