Australian Venue Co
Pub group
Created in 2017 when KKR bought an 80 per cent stake in Bruce Dixon's pub group for $190 million. Since then KKR has made a number of bolt-on acquisitions, including Coles' Spirit Hotels business, which controls about 90 pubs, mainly in Queensland. PAG took over ownership from KKR in 2023. Coles still operates the liquor stores, but has left the pokies business.

Overall

Owned HKG
Rating F
About the Ratings

Company Ownership

The Australian Venue Company
AUS
PAG
owns 80% of The Australian Venue Company
HKG
Investment firm
Founded as Pacific Alliance Group in 2002. Investment partner operating in Asia with US$50 billion of assets under management. Australian investments include Craveable Brands (Red Rooster and Oporto), Patties Foods, Vesco Foods, Cordina Farms, Australian Venue Co and Rex.

Company Assessment

(Last updated Jan 2022)
The Australian Venue Company
Criticism
Involvement in gambling
This company owns over 150 venues across Australia, many of which offer gambling services including poker machines.
Modern Slavery disclosure quality
Human Rights Law Centre's 2022 report, "Broken Promises: Two years of corporate reporting under Australia's Modern Slavery Act", examines statements submitted to the Government's Modern Slavery Register by 92 companies sourcing from four sectors with known risks of modern slavery: garments from China, rubber gloves from Malaysia, seafood from Thailand and fresh produce from Australia. Modern slavery statements are analysed to see if they comply with the mandatory reporting requirements, identify or disclose obvious modern slavery risks, and demonstrate effective actions to address risks. This company's modern slavery disclosure statement received a rating in the 11-20% range. The average score was 44% and the highest score was 89%.
Information
Modern Slavery statement
California, the UK and Australia have all enacted legislation requiring companies operating within their borders to disclose their efforts to eradicate modern slavery from their operations and supply chains. Follow the link to see this company's disclosure statement.
PAG
Criticism
Part owned by Blackstone, which has criticisms
This company is part owned and backed by Blackstone, which has an overall Shop Ethical rating of 'F'.
Information
UN Principles for Responsible Investment signatory
UNPRI is a set of six principles direct institutional investors may adopt to consider environmental, social and corporate governance issues when investing. UNPRI is a voluntary agreement.
ESG claims
This company has environment, social and governance claims on its website under the headings investment principles, approach and transparency & reporting.
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Company Details

Type:
Private company
Revenue:
600 million AUD (2019)
Subsidiaries:
Hawthorn Brewing Company Pty Ltd
Craft beer makers
Founded in 2008 as the backyard idea of 3 mates with a long history of home brewing. Their beers are brewed under contract. Acquired by Dixon Hospitality (renamed Australian Venue Co) in 2017.

Contact Details

Address:
3/616 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
Freecall:
1800 836 837
Website:
www.ausvenueco.com.au

Products / Brands

Hawthorn Brewing Co
Hawthorn Beer