More than 1,000 would be licensees have applied online to the Punch Pub Company to find their dream pub since the service was improved and relaunched in October.
The Internet applications, logged at the company's website, www.punchpubs.co.uk, have come from across the UK and as far afield as France, Germany, Norway, America and New Zealand.
Punch's director of recruitment and training Stephen Gould said the service was proving so popular because of the quality of information available and the speed with which applications could be processed and approved - in some cases less than a month.
"Users can obtain in depth, up to date information on pub vacancies and the requirements for running one in a single visit," he said.
"To actually apply for a lease or tenancy, they simply log in their details and a selection coordinator will contact them to arrange a credit check and conduct a screening interview - all within five working days.
"If the application is successful, we can start recommending suitable pubs immediately," he added.
New licensees Nicholas and Pauline Wilson used the system to apply for a Punch lease in Lancashire and were appointed in a record time of just 28 days. The couple take over at the Rose and Crown in Orrell, near Wigan, in April.
Denise Povey discovered Punch while browsing the Internet for pub vacancies in the Cotswolds.
Along with her husband Graham she applied online and the couple are now licensees of the Cross Hands Inn in Moreton in Marsh, near Gloucester.
Stephen added: "These examples clearly demonstrate that utilising technology such as the Internet ensures we capitalise on all business opportunities and find the right licensees for our pubs."
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