JD Wetherspoon

Helping managers make better business decisions

“A great experience to see the results of your decisions in a safe environment…”
Training participant

J D Wetherspoon is a highly successful UK-based pub and bar chain. The company began in 1979 with one establishment, and now have over 640 outlets. They are the market leader in average sales per outlet and employ over 17,000 staff.

The Challenge

To help the company manage sustained financial growth they decided that their pub and bar managers needed a clearer understanding of how their units work as a business, and how they contribute to results at corporate level.

Our Approach

ProfitAbility created an innovative board based business simulation for the client. Participants work in small teams, each acting as the management of a Wetherspoon establishment. They compete for market share by attracting new clients to their premises, and by building and maintaining customer loyalty.

The Outcome

By taking part in the simulation, participants gained commercial awareness and business acumen. They understood the measures by which performance is calculated (Return on Investment and Return on Equity), and how they can influence them in their daily work. They also learned how to set prices, and calculate break-even points. Specifically, they learned the importance of:

  • Controlling stock levels
  • Investing in repairs and refurbishment
  • Managing staff turnover
  • Retaining experienced staff to improve customer service and raise repeat sales