Hickory’s smokehouse Swindon: 100 new jobs and exciting features coming soon

A new experience is heading to Swindon, promising southern American BBQ food, kids’ cinema rooms, and a frozen custard station.

Hickory’s Smokehouse will take over The Brookhouse Farm in Middleleaze, currently a Hungry Horse pub, after its closure in February 2025.

The new restaurant is set to open the following spring, creating over 100 jobs in the process.

Roles already being advertised include general manager and deputy general manager positions, offering salaries of up to £49,000 for leading a team of 100 or more.

The recruitment drive also includes positions for chefs, servers, bartenders, and managers, with an overall increase in employment expected at the site.

Both Hungry Horse and Hickory’s are owned by Greene King, which has been expanding the Hickory’s brand nationally by converting parts of its estate into smokehouse restaurants.

Existing staff will have the option to transfer to Hickory’s or other nearby Greene King venues.

“Our ambition is to create something truly special, and we are looking forward to becoming part of the community,” said a Hickory’s spokesperson.

The upcoming Swindon branch will feature family-friendly amenities that have become staples at Hickory’s locations across the UK.

The restaurant’s website highlights its kid-focused cinema rooms, which provide little ones with popcorn and blockbuster films, and the Fro-Co Creation Station - a self-serve frozen custard bar that lets both children and adults build their own dessert creations.

“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,” the website explains.

To accommodate the Hickory’s concept, a planning application has been submitted to refurbish and extend the venue. Proposed changes include a side extension to expand the front-of-house area, ensuring a smoother dining experience for guests.

Picture credit: Hickorys