From Pints to Flat Whites: Greene King Boss Warns Cafés and Apps Are the New Rivals

Cafés and delivery apps are stealing a march on Britain’s pubs, warns Greene King Chief Executive Nick Mackenzie, as consumers increasingly trade pints for flat whites and home deliveries.

Speaking to the BBC’s Big Boss Interview and The Morning Advertiser, Mackenzie said pubs are now vying for the same customers who once might have spent their leisure time at the bar.

“They’re taking away leisure time from the pub,” he said. “People are choosing to go into coffee shops. They are part of that competitor set — as are delivery apps.” 

The comments come as Britain’s drinking habits undergo a generational shift. One-third of under-25s and a fifth of adults in the UK now abstain from alcohol entirely, reshaping how people socialise and spend their money .

The Rise of the Moderation Generation

Alcohol consumption has dropped sharply across the UK. CGA by NIQ data shows total alcohol consumption fell by 23 percentage points last year, with 32.6% of consumers drinking less than the year before. Only 9.5% reported drinking more .

Health-conscious and cost-conscious consumers are now driving up demand for soft drinks and low- or no-alcohol alternatives.

Two-thirds (66%) of drinkers say they want better adult-focused soft drinks in pubs, and over a quarter (27%) plan to order more soft drinks when out. Functional beverages offering benefits like gut health or energy are also gaining popularity .

As CGA’s Chris Sterling put it, “People are drinking a little less and going out less often, but when they do, they’re choosing better—and they expect better.”

Adapting Through Coffee, Comfort, and Community

Mackenzie says Greene King’s 2,700 pubs are already evolving. “Our coffee offer now is credible,” he said, noting that the group is selling more hot drinks than ever before. “If you don’t drink, you can still come to the pub, meet friends, and do the things everyone does in a pub.” 

Across the industry, pubs are pivoting toward daytime trade—opening earlier, offering brunches and premium coffees, and creating more relaxed, comfortable environments.

According to Lumina Intelligence’s UK Pub & Bar Market Report, mid-afternoon visits (2pm–5pm) rose 1.5 percentage points year-on-year, while late-night visits (after 10pm) fell 1.7 points .

Operators such as Barons and Marcus Hospitality are even introducing bakery counters, subscription coffee models, and breakfast menus to attract new customers.

“People aren’t buying alcohol during the day—they’re drinking coffee,” said Marcus Pearcey of Marcus Hospitality Group. “If you don’t meet that challenge head-on, those empty tables will cost you.” 

Economic Pressures and the Call for Reform

Even as pubs adapt, financial pressures remain intense. Mackenzie has urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to offer “no surprises” in the upcoming Budget and to follow through on Labour’s manifesto pledge to reform the business rates system, which he called “disproportionate” and damaging to the hospitality sector .

“Give us some breathing space,” he said, noting that pubs pay a higher share of taxes than most other industries. Rising energy bills, wage increases, and last year’s hike in employer National Insurance contributions have further tightened margins.

There are modest signs of optimism. Barclays Consumer Spend Report shows that spending in pubs and bars rose by 0.5% in August, helped by improving consumer confidence . However, spending on digital subscriptions grew by 5.6% over the same period—proof that online and home-based entertainment remain powerful rivals .

A Social Institution Reinvented

Despite these headwinds, the Great British pub retains a powerful place in the nation’s social fabric. Research from Zonal, CGA by NIQ and UKHospitality found that 69% of consumers believe hospitality venues play an important community role, and 74% think the sector deserves more government support .

Mackenzie argues that while the format may evolve, the essence of the pub endures. “We’re creating environments that are much more comfortable, rather than feeling like being sat in a dingy pub,” he said .

The fight for the future of the pub isn’t just about what’s in the glass—it’s about time, connection, and culture. In a world where leisure is divided between screens, subscriptions, and steaming cups of coffee, the pub’s challenge is to remain the place where Britain comes together.