From Pulling Pints to Transforming Pubs Across the UK – Exclusive Interview with Joshua Matheson
- Brainz Magazine
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
Joshua Matheson is the founder of Josh the Pub Guy and a respected consultant in the UK hospitality industry. He’s known for transforming struggling venues into community-driven success stories through tactical support, menu innovation, and powerful digital strategies. With over 120 pubs, bars, cafes, and hotels supported, Josh pairs straight-talking advice with deep operational know-how. He also builds tech tools for independent operators and runs multiple award-winning venues across Worcestershire.
Joshua Matheson, Hospitality Consultant
Tell us about yourself and your journey so far.
I’ve spent over 12 years in hospitality, from pulling pints and running kitchens to leading award-winning pubs, and now consulting operators across the UK. I’ve been hands-on at every level, so when I talk about the realities of running a pub, margins, people, and community impact, it’s lived experience, not theory. Today, through Josh the Pub Guy, I help pubs cut waste, grow revenue, and reconnect with their communities. Alongside that, I’m developing tech like MenuWiz and RepWiz to give operators the digital tools they need to survive and thrive in a changing market.
What is your mission?
To prove that the Great British pub isn’t dead, it just needs reinventing. My mission is to help pubs become what they were always meant to be: the heart of the community. That means more than serving drinks, it’s about experiences, connections, and building sustainable businesses that locals are proud to support.
What sets you apart from others in your industry?
I’m blunt. I don’t sugar-coat. Too many consultants tell pub operators what they want to hear. I tell them what they need to hear. And because I’m still in the trenches myself, running pubs, launching menus, fixing failing sites, my advice is grounded in reality. I also blend traditional hospitality know-how with forward-thinking digital tools. Operators get practical fixes today, plus a roadmap to future-proof their business.
What challenges have you faced and how have you overcome them?
Debt, struggling sites, staff shortages, I’ve been there. The challenge is never just “the numbers.” It’s mindset, leadership, and systems. I overcame it by stripping things back: focusing on margin control, building the right teams, and putting accountability in place. Once the basics are right, growth follows.
What do you see as the future of the pub industry?
The winners will be:
Community-driven: pubs that genuinely serve locals, not just chase passing trade.
Digitally visible: with strong online presence, reputation, and AI tools separating those that grow from those that close.
Operationally tight: menus that balance experience with profitability, empowered teams, and compliance made effortless.
6. What projects are you working on right now?
MenuWiz app launching January 2026, giving operators instant GP%, allergen compliance, digital menu specs, and AI-crafted, ready-to-print menus.
Red Lounge, a new events space in Great Malvern, is proving that pubs can diversify income.
Pubs: The New Era Vol. 2, my book, part memoir, part manifesto, aimed at operators, policymakers, and anyone who still believes pubs matter.
Operational rescues, I’m hands-on, turning around failing sites, building frameworks any pub can adopt.
What advice would you give to someone starting in hospitality?
Don’t chase trends, master the basics. Control your margins, know your community, and train your team. That’s where the profit is. Once that’s nailed, then innovate. And don’t get comfortable. Comfort is the enemy of profit.
What’s next for you personally?
Scaling my consultancy and tech platforms so more operators can access the support they need. My goal is to see 1000 thriving pubs directly impacted by my work in the next 5 years. I also want to keep shaping the industry conversation through Brainz, my book, and other media because pubs matter to the UK’s culture, economy, and wellbeing.
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