A future restaurant that promises kids' cinema rooms and a frozen custard machine has started hiring over 100 staff.
The Brookhouse Farm in Middleleaze, a Hungry Horse, will close in February 2025 to be replaced by Hickory’s Smokehouse the following spring.
Hickory’s has announced it will be creating 100 jobs including chefs, servers, bartenders and managers, with an increase in the number of people employed at the address.
Roles are already being advertised including general manager and deputy general manager roles which pay up to £49,000 for “leading a team of 100+”.
Both the existing Hungry Horse and Hickory’s are owned by Greene King, which says current staff could transfer to Hickory’s or to other nearby pubs.
Greene King has been growing Hickory’s, which sells southern American-style BBQ food, into a national brand by converting parts of its estate into new branches.
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A Hickory’s spokesperson said: “Our ambition is to create something truly special, and we are looking forward to becoming part of the community.”
This will include cinema rooms to entertain children, which have already been tested in the other 23 Hickory’s in the UK.
The restaurant’s website states: “All of our restaurants are kitted out with their very own cinema rooms & we treat little ones to the power of popcorn & blockbuster films at their fingertips.
“Kids enjoying quiet time in the cinema room gives adults the time to savour a well-deserved moment of peace whilst feastin’ on our authentic BBQ food.”
Restaurants also feature outdoor play areas with games and activities, with branches variously including tree houses, slides and football tables.
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A frozen yoghurt station in all restaurants allows adult and children to build their own combinations of cold desserts.
The website explains: “Our Fro-Co Creation Stations stand proudly in all of our restaurants, showcasing our famous frozen custard. Kids receive sweet swirls of Fro-Co and can either enjoy a house combo or build their own crazy creations.”
A planning application has been submitted to extend and refurbish the venue ready for the Swindon branch and “bring it up to date and also to reflect the Hickory’s theme”.
It includes a proposed side extension to increase the size of the front-of-house section and facilitate easier movement.
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