Various Eateries appoints new CEO: Various Eateries, the Hugh Osmond-backed business, has appointed Mark Loughborough as chief executive, effective 20 January 2025. Loughborough has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality indu … view

Exclusive – Sector headwinds and cashflow ‘drag’ force Patty & Bun to explore options: Patty & Bun, the better burger concept led by Joe Grossmann, has appointed advisors to explore its strategic options, which could result in a re … view

Greggs CEO – we are trying to limit price increases to pennies and protect entry-level prices: Roisin Currie, chief executive of Greggs, has said the company is trying to limit price increases to “pennies and protect entry-level pric … view

Greggs Q4 sales up 2.5% reflecting more subdued High Street footfall: Food-to-go retailer Greggs has reported that its company-managed shop like-for-like sales increased 2.5% for its fourth quarter, reflecting the “more subdued High Str … view

Exclusive – Professionals at Play to open at least six new venues across its brands this year to deliver more than £50m of revenue: Professionals at Play – the Foresight-backed, parent company of the Roxy Lanes, Roxy Ball Room and Ki … view

Exclusive – Tesco Hospitality sees full-year pre-tax profit break the £20m mark: Tesco’s 315-strong estate of in-store cafes posted a pre-tax profit of close to £21m in the year to 25 February 2024, Propel has learned. The business, … view

Exclusive – The Alchemist reports record year, festive trading ahead 7.2%, set for Middle East debut: Bar and restaurant brand The Alchemist has reported year-on-year sales growth of 7.2% over the five-week festive period following a re … view

Exclusive – D&D London reports record breaking festive period as transformational projects near completion, hires new FD: D&D London, the Breal Capital and Calveton-backed operator of circa 35 restaurants across the UK a … view

Exclusive – D&D London reports record breaking festive period as transformational projects near completion, hires new FD: D&D London, the Breal Capital a … view

Exclusive – State of Play Hospitality secures new £15m debt facility, increasingly confident 50-plus site opportunity exists in the US: State of Play Hospitality, the Toby Harris-led international experiential leisure operator, has s … view

Exclusive – State of Play Hospitality secures new £15m debt facility, increasingly confident 50-plus site opportunity exists in the US: State of Play Hospitality, the Toby Harris-led international experiential leisure operator, has sec … view

Drew Brown steps down as MD of Grosvenor Pubs & Inns: Drew Brown has stepped down as managing director of Grosvenor Pubs & Inns, the 11-strong business led by sector entrepreneurs Jason Myers and David Ramsey, to become managing director … view

Pre-Christmas trading provides welcome boost to bars as wider market sees more modest growth: Britain’s leading hospitality groups recorded year-on-year sales growth of 2.7% in the run-up to Christmas (week commencing 16 December 2024 v … view

Tasty settles insurance claim for £2.5m, outlook ‘cautious’ following ‘disappointing’ December and ‘challenging’ second half: Wildwood operator Tasty has settled an insurance claim after agreeing a final settlement of £2.5m. … view

Exclusive – Beds & Bars ‘well-positioned to capitalise on expansion opportunities’ but market conditions causing challenges in securing suitable properties, turnover increases to record £72.8m: The pan-European hostel company Beds … view

Pizza Hut Restaurants UK operator in advanced talks with potential buyers: Pizza Hut's biggest UK franchisee is in advanced talks with potential buyers as it races to wrap up a deal to secure its future. Heart With Smart (HWS), which oper … view

Exclusive – Wasabi exploring franchise opportunities to accelerate growth as turnover rises to record £120.3m, ‘strong’ performance continues in 2024: Wasabi, the sushi and bento brand backed by Capdesia, has said it is exploring f … view

Little Dessert Shop aiming to double its 50-site estate by end of 2027 as it focuses on new areas of UK, to roll out more ‘X model’ stores: Dessert franchise Little Dessert Shop has told Propel it is aiming to double its 50-site estat … view

Deep Blue begins strategic disposal programme as it focuses on Harry Ramsden’s, signs heads of terms on two licensing agreements: Deep Blue Restaurants – owner of the Deep Blue, Harry Ramsden’s and Fish & Chips @ 149 brands – has … view

Wingstop UK co-founder – deal with Sixth Street marks a landmark moment for UK QSR sector: Tom Grogan, co-founder of Lemon Pepper Holdings, the UK franchisee for Wingstop, has said the sale of the business marks a “landmark moment for … view

Burger & Lobster planning to more than double presence in the UK over the next few years: Burger & Lobster has said it has “ambitious growth planned for the next few years”, which will see its presence more than double in the UK. It c … view

Azzurri Group CEO – our fast casual concepts could generate greater share of profit over time, won’t rule out looking to add further brands: Steve Holmes, chief executive of Azzurri Group, the ASK Italian, Zizzi, Coco di Mama and Booj … view

PizzaExpress to return to US next year with Florida site: PizzaExpress is to make its return to the US next year with an opening in Florida, which will play a key role in its ambitious plan to reach 1,000 restaurants globally (including t … view

Exclusive – Glendola Leisure and sister company Carlton Hotels see turnover near £100m: Glendola Leisure, which is owned by the Salussolia family, and its sister company, Carlton Hotels, have seen combined turnover near the £100m mark … view

Azzurri Group reports growth in sales and profit as it transitions from pure-play restaurant operator into hospitality investment platform: Azzurri Group, the ASK Italian, Zizzi, Coco di Mama and Boojum operator has reported growth in bot … view

Sector sales increase 2.7% in November as industry sees first real-terms growth since June: Britain’s leading hospitality groups recorded year-on-year sales growth of 2.7% in November, the latest edition of the CGA RSM Hospitality Busin … view

Midlands premium smashed burger brand set to double estate size next year as it hires former GDK franchise chief as ops director: Midlands premium smashed burger brand Burger Boi has told Propel it is set to double the size of its estate … view

Hickory’s MD – planning ten new sites next year, real opportunity to build a special business: John Welsh, managing director of American-style smokehouse and barbecue Hickory’s, which is owned by Greene King, has told Propel that th … view