From Wonka to Walford: The UK’s most popular fictional workplaces revealed

We’ve surveyed 2,000 Brits* to reveal the fictional businesses that Brits would most like to work for. We hope all these famous companies have comprehensive business insurance in place, given the frequent fires, explosions, and dramatic showdowns that often plague these on-screen workplaces. Despite the frequent disruptions, three-quarters (74%) of respondents said they would leave their current role to take the reins of one of these companies immediately.

From the whimsical halls of Wonka Industries to the familiar pubs of Walford, our research highlights the nation’s appetite for entrepreneurship and the specific industries that capture our imagination. But we’re interested in which types of business insurance would have come in most useful for some of these beloved businesses…

The top fictional businesses Brits want to run

According to data from 2,000 Brits, Wonka Industries is the most coveted workplace in the UK, with 18% of the vote.
Roald Dahl’s chocolate king beat out New York coffee shops and high-tech conglomerates to take the top spot.

1. Wonka Industries – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (18%)
2. Central Perk – Friends (17%)
3. Fawlty Towers – Fawlty Towers (12%)
4. Stark Industries – Iron Man (12%)
5. Trotters Independent Trading – Only Fools and Horses (10%)

1. Wonka Industries (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)

As the nation’s favourite fictional firm, Wonka Industries represents the breadth of food manufacturing insurance risks, and then some. While Willy Wonka’s factory is full of ‘pure imagination,’ a real-world equivalent would require robust contents and stock insurance to protect against the loss of specialised equipment and ingredients. In the story, several visitors suffer unfortunate accidents – most notably Augustus Gloop falling into the chocolate river. In a real factory, this would be a catastrophic health and safety breach. High levels of public liability insurance would be mandatory to handle claims from injured visitors, while employers’ liability insurance would be essential to protect the Oompa Loompa workforce. Furthermore, with Wonka’s imaginative and experimental new sweet types, he would absolutely need product liability insurance to protect against claims from people turning into giant blueberries after eating his gum, to say the least.

2. Central Perk (Friends)

Close behind with 17% of the vote is the world’s most famous coffee shop. We wonder whether Gunther had comprehensive coffee shop insurance in place. While the atmosphere seems relaxed, running a busy Manhattan café requires careful planning. For a real business owner, business interruption insurance would be vital to ensure that if a fire or flood occurred – perhaps caused by a malfunctioning espresso machine – the business could continue to pay its bills while unable to trade.

3. Fawlty Towers (Fawlty Towers)

Despite the madcap management of Basil Fawlty, 12% of Brits would love to take over this Torquay hotel. In the hospitality sector, hotel insurance is essential. Basil often faced legal threats from disgruntled guests; in reality, legal protection insurance would provide the necessary support to handle contract disputes or claims of negligence arising from his frequent
customer service failures.

4. Stark Industries (Iron Man)

Voted for by 12% of respondents, Stark Industries is the ultimate goal for those with an interest in cutting-edge tech. However, a global conglomerate specialising in advanced defence systems would face immense operational risks. A real-world version of Stark Industries would require specialist engineering insurance to protect its high-value machinery and prototypes. Given the sensitive nature of Tony Stark’s inventions, cyber and data insurance would be a top priority for Stark Industries to manage the recovery costs of a data breach and protect the financial
interests tied to his intellectual property.

5. Trotters Independent Trading (Only Fools and Horses)

Coming in fifth with 10% of the vote, Del Boy’s business represents the quintessentially British entrepreneurial spirit. While they might be millionaires by this time next year, the reality of running a trading business out of a van entails several risks. For traders like Del, tool cover would be essential to protect the hooky stock and equipment from theft or damage. Additionally, public liability insurance would be vital if one of Del’s questionable deals resulted in a mishap at a local market.

Honourable mentions: Soap opera pubs

The survey found that soap opera pubs are among the most popular choices for those dreaming of a career change. 10% chose the Queen Vic (Eastenders), followed by 9% for the Woolpack (Emmerdale) and 8% for the Rovers Return (Coronation Street). Running a pub is a dream for many because of its community-driven nature, but these fictional locals are often the
site of dramatic disasters, making pub insurance more vital than ever.

• Major Property Damage: We’ve seen the Queen Vic gutted by fire and the Woolpack nearly destroyed by a plane crash. These events highlight the absolute necessity of business buildings insurance. Without it, the cost of rebuilding after such a major event would likely bankrupt the business.
• Loss of Earnings: Following the many fires at the Rovers Return, the pub had to close for significant periods. Business interruption insurance would have been a crucial lifeline here, covering the loss of income while the pub was undergoing repairs.
• Management Liability: With landlords and landladies frequently changing, directors’ and officers’ insurance could help protect the personal assets of those in charge if they’re held personally liable for management decisions or safety failings.

The full list of dream workplaces

While 37% of Brits think running these businesses would be a laugh, the practical side of entrepreneurship can’t be overlooked. In fact, a third (29%) have spent time thinking about how they would operate these fictional companies, and 9% have even gone as far as drafting a business plan. ‘It’s no surprise that soap opera pubs and well-known on-screen businesses top the list,’ says Rebecca Leversidge , ‘But what these fictional favourites gloss over is the reality behind the scenes. In the real world, running a pub, shop, or hospitality business means managing serious risks.’ From takeaway insurance for the Krusty Krab to clothes shop insurance for Bridgerton’s Modiste, the right business insurance is what keeps the story going – even when things go wrong. These
are the on-screen workplaces that Brits most want to run.

1. Wonka Industries – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (18%)
2. Central Perk – Friends (17%)
3. Fawlty Towers – Fawlty Towers (12%)
4. Stark Industries – Iron Man (12%)
5. Trotters Independent Trading – Only Fools and Horses (10%)
6. Wayne Enterprises – Batman (10%)
7. Honeydukes – Harry Potter (10%)
8. The Queen Vic – EastEnders (10%)
9. The Woolpack – Emmerdale (9%)
10. The Rovers Return – Coronation Street (8%)
11. Moe’s Tavern – The Simpsons (8%)
12. Krusty Krab – SpongeBob SquarePants (8%)
13. The White Lotus – The White Lotus (7%)
14. The Garrison – Peaky Blinders (7%)
15. Scoops Ahoy – Stranger Things (7%)
16. Bob’s Burgers – Bob’s Burgers (7%)
17. Runway Magazine – The Devil Wears Prada (6%)
18. Modiste – Bridgerton (5%)
19. Agence Grateau – Emily in Paris (5%)
20. FC Richmond –Ted Lasso (5%)

Why should these fictional businesses have chosen Premierline?

Whether you’re inspired by the chocolate-making magic of Willy Wonka or the tech-driven ambition of Stark Industries, the reality of running a business involves navigating complex risks. Premierline’s experts understand that every business, whether on-screen or on the high street, needs a tailored approach to protection.

Expert advice for every industry

Our insurance brokers have deep knowledge across various sectors. Whether you need restaurant insurance for a business like Bob’s Burgers, sweet shop insurance for Honeydukes, or professional indemnity insurance for a firm like Agence Grateau, we help you understand your specific risks.

Access to leading insurers

We work with over 50 of the UK’s leading business insurers. This means we can source a range of quotes to find a package that offers the right balance of price and protection for your home business or small firm.

Protection for your key assets

From key person insurance to safeguard the future of your company’s main characters, to legal protection to help you handle contract disputes, we offer comprehensive support.

Don’t let your business story end in a cliffhanger. Speak to one of our experts today to build a tailored insurance package for your business.

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*The survey was conducted between January 20-22, 2026 by Savanta, a member of the British Polling Council. The survey polled 2,001 respondents, weighted to be nationally representative based on age, gender, and region.