Latest Briefing Archive Tab News Tab Events Tab Advertising Tab Contact Tab
 
Search our Previous Briefings
 
New Archive Heading
Current
Feb 2024
Jan 2024
Dec 2023
Nov 2023
Oct 2023
Sep 2023
Aug 2023
Jul 2023
Jun 2023
May 2023
Apr 2023
Mar 2023
Feb 2023
Jan 2023
Dec 2022
Nov 2022
Oct 2022
Sep 2022
Aug 2022
Jul 2022
Jun 2022
May 2022
Apr 2022
Mar 2022
Feb 2022
Jan 2022
Dec 2021
Nov 2021
Oct 2021
Sep 2021
Aug 2021
Jul 2021
Jun 2021
May 2021
Apr 2021
Mar 2021
Feb 2021
Jan 2021
Dec 2020
Nov 2020
Oct 2020
Sep 2020
Aug 2020
Jul 2020
Jun 2020
May 2020
Apr 2020
Mar 2020
Feb 2020
Jan 2020
Dec 2019
Nov 2019
Oct 2019
Sep 2019
Aug 2019
Jul 2019
Jun 2019
May 2019
Apr 2019
Mar 2019
Feb 2019
Jan 2019
Dec 2018
Nov 2018
Oct 2018
Sep 2018
Aug 2018
Jul 2018
Jun 2018
May 2018
Apr 2018
Mar 2018
Feb 2018
Jan 2018
Dec 2017
Nov 2017
Oct 2017
Sep 2017
Aug 2017
Jul 2017
Jun 2017
May 2017
Apr 2017
Mar 2017
Feb 2017
Jan 2017
Dec 2016
Nov 2016
Oct 2016
Sep 2016
Aug 2016
Jul 2016
Jun 2016
May 2016
Apr 2016
Mar 2016
Feb 2016
Jan 2016
Dec 2015
Nov 2015
Oct 2015
Sep 2015
Aug 2015
Jul 2015
Jun 2015
May 2015
Apr 2015
Mar 2015
Feb 2015
Jan 2015
Dec 2014
Nov 2014
Oct 2014
Sep 2014
Aug 2014
Jul 2014
Jun 2014
May 2014
Apr 2014
Mar 2014
Feb 2014
Jan 2014
Dec 2013
Nov 2013
Oct 2013
Sep 2013
Aug 2013
Jul 2013
Jun 2013
May 2013
Apr 2013
Mar 2013
Feb 2013
Jan 2013
Dec 2012
Nov 2012
Oct 2012
Sep 2012
Aug 2012
Jul 2012
Jun 2012
May 2012
Apr 2012
Mar 2012
Feb 2012
 
 
Nory Banner
 
Knorr Banner
 
Alcumus Banner
 
St Austell Brewery Banner
 
Solo Coffee Banner
 
Heinz Banner
 
Quorn Banner
 
Heinz Banner
 
Meaningful Vision Banner
 
Mccain Banner
 
Jameson Banner
 
NSF Banner
 
Thatchers Banner
 
HDI Banner
 
UCC Coffee Banner
 
Propel Banner
 
Wireless Social Banner
 
Payments Managed Banner
 
Deliverect Banner
 
Hospitality Rising Banner
 
John Gaunt Banner
 
HGEM Banner
 
Venners Banner
 
Zonal Banner
 
Access Banner
 
Propel Banner
 
Christie & Co Banner
 
Kurve Banner
 
Bristol Syrup Co Banner
 
CACI Banner
 
Sector Banner
 
Airship – Toggle Banner
 
 
Friday 30th May 2014
Breaking News - Top UK brands outperform US counterparts
UK top 100 foodservice brands out-perform US counterparts: The UK’s top 100 pub, restaurant and foodservice brands out-performed their US equivalents in sales growth and unit number growth in 2013, a new report on the UK’s top 100 brands p … view
................................................................................................
 
Friday 30th May 2014
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Old thinking, ignore teenagers and don’t write off the Cornish pasty, the pleasure principle and do’s and don’ts of executing loyalty programmes to enhance footfall
Authors: David Martin, Martyn Cornell, Paul … view
................................................................................................
 
Friday 30th May 2014
Propel Friday News Briefing
Douglas Jack – M&B deal for Orchid could be last non-hostile takeover of food-led estate for foreseeable future: Numis Securities’ leisure analyst Douglas Jack has issued an ‘Add’ note on Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) with a target pr … view
................................................................................................
 
Friday 30th May 2014
Breaking News - Amber Taverns sold to MXP Partners for £80m
Amber Taverns sold to MXP Partners for £80m: Community pub operator Amber Taverns has been sold by Legal and General Capital (LGC) for £80m to MXP Partners. The new owner, a founding shareholder of the business, has backed the existing … view
................................................................................................
 
Thursday 29th May 2014
Breaking News - Analyst – M&B lines up Orchid cream
Mitchells & Butlers lines up cream of Orchid estate: Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) is in exclusive talks to buy 170 Orchid Pub Company sites, 155 of which are freeholds, City contacts have told Propel. An analyst told Propel: “I understand … view
................................................................................................
 
Thursday 29th May 2014
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Mitchells & Butlers enters exclusive talks to buy Orchid: Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) has entered exclusive talks to acquire the majority of the Orchid Pub Company estate for £266m after outbidding private equity firms Colony Capital and S … view
................................................................................................
 
Wednesday 28th May 2014
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Steakhouse brand with plans for eight sites seeks crowd-funding: A new steakhouse brand, Austin’s Ranch, serving smoked, barbecued Texan and southern American cuisine in a contemporary, American ranch-style interior, is seeking £150,00 … view
................................................................................................
 
Tuesday 27th May 2014
Breaking News - Punch Taverns publishes debt-for-equity swap plan
Punch Taverns publishes debt-for-equity swap plan: Punch Taverns has published details of revised restructuring proposals that involve a debt-for-equity swap that would see bondholders take a 85% equity stake in the company. The company stated … view
................................................................................................
 
Tuesday 27th May 2014
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
JW Lees boss – “we’re looking to expand through buying others’ unloved pubs”: Manchester brewer JW Lees is looking to expand by buying “unloved pubs that other companies can’t work out”, according to the firm’s managing … view
................................................................................................
 
Friday 23rd May 2014
Chicago and US foodservice Friday Opinion special
Subjects: US chutzpah, infinite possibilities, Rich Melman and Chicago, employing gifted people, spending time with colleagues and social media Stateside 
Authors: Charlie McVeigh, Paul Charity, Chris Gerard, Philip Lay, Ann … view
................................................................................................
 
Friday 23rd May 2014
Breaking News - JW Lees to create 1,000 jobs in five years
JW Lees to create 1,000 jobs in five years: North west brewer and retailer JW Lees is to invest £67.5m in an expansion programme over the next five years as it targets sales of £100m. The investment plan, which will create 1,000 jobs wi … view
................................................................................................
 
Friday 23rd May 2014
Propel Friday News Briefing
Mitchells & Butlers re-unites Ember Inns division, ends Toby Carvery openings on retail parks and plans to buy more freeholds: Mitchells & Butler has re-united its 100-strong Ember Inns business as part of a drive to simplify the business … view
................................................................................................
 
Thursday 22nd May 2014
Breaking News - Horizons boss names top NRA food and drink trends
‘Gluten-free’, ‘freshly made’ and ‘natural hot dogs’ are top trends at US restaurant show: Peach-flavoured milk, butter with maple syrup, gluten-free dishes, ginger blossom-flavoured drinks, and sriracha chilli sauce were just some … view
................................................................................................
 
Thursday 22nd May 2014
Breaking News - M&B and Young’s results
Mitchells & Butlers reports return to food volume growth: Mitchells & Butlers has reported like-for-like sales grew 1.1% in the 28 weeks to 12 April. Total sales rose 2.55 to £1,016m. Adjusted operating profit rose 2.1% to £147m. Agreem … view
................................................................................................
 
Thursday 22nd May 2014
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Luminar to extend Jongleurs comedy club offer to six more sites: The chief executive of Luminar, Peter Marks, has told Propel that the company is to add the Jongleurs comedy club offer to five or six more nightclub sites. The company has … view
................................................................................................
 
Wednesday 21st May 2014
Breaking News - UK’s largest nightclub firm reports profit jump
UK’s largest nightclub firm reports profit jump: Luminar Group, the UK’s largest nightclub company, has reported a jump in profits for the 52 weeks until 22 February 2014. The company, which employs 2,000 people and operates 53 nightclubs … view
................................................................................................
 
Wednesday 21st May 2014
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Greene King Leisure Tracker reports April bounce in spending: Improved weather and the long Easter weekend have contributed to strong growth in British household leisure spending during April, the latest Greene King Leisure Spend Tracker … view
................................................................................................
 
Tuesday 20th May 2014
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Mitchells & Butlers chooses Leeds site for Toby Carvery training academy: Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) has chosen an indoor children’s play area which has stood empty for 15 years as a national training academy for its Toby Carvery brand. … view
................................................................................................
 
Monday 19th May 2014
Breaking News - Spirit streamlines management structure
Spirit streamlines management structure: Spirit Pub Company is to combine its managed operations and commercial functions, previously headed by Alan Morgan (chief operating officer) and Clive Briscoe (commercial director) respectively. Morgan … view
................................................................................................
 
Monday 19th May 2014
Breaking News - Shepherd Neame hails ‘excellent’ pub performance
Shepherd Neame hails ‘excellent’ pub performance: Shepherd Neame, the Kentish brewer and pub owner, has hailed an ‘excellent’ performance from its pubs division so far this financial year, with like-for-like sales in its managed houses … view
................................................................................................
 
Monday 19th May 2014
Propel Monday News Briefing
Lewis and Caring top hospitality names on Sunday Times Rich List: Joe Lewis, who owns a £509m stake in Mitchells & Butlers, and Richard Caring, owner of Bill's and Grillshack, are the top hospitality names on the latest Sunday Times Rich List … view
................................................................................................
 
Friday 16th May 2014
Friday Opinion
Subjects: The arrival of US investment firms, localism down the local, brand longevity and the real meaning of personal service
Authors: Peter Hansen, Martyn Cornell, Ian Dunstall and Ann Elliott
   

view

................................................................................................
 
Friday 16th May 2014
Propel Friday News Briefing
Peter Hansen – US investment firms have taken a shine to the pub sector: American investors are coming to the UK to focus on acquiring "unloved" parts of the country's pub sector, according to Peter Hansen, founder and principal of the leadi … view
................................................................................................
 
Thursday 15th May 2014
Breaking News - Vapiano to open third site in London
Vapiano to open third site in London: Vapiano, the Italian casual dining restaurant group that has more than 140 outlets around the world, is due to open its third outlet in the UK in Wardour Street, Soho, Central London on Monday 23 June. The … view
................................................................................................
 
Thursday 15th May 2014
Breaking News - Marston’s sees underlying profits rise 9.4%

Marston’s sees underlying profits rise 9.4%: Marston’s announced interim results for the 26 weeks to 5 April this year which saw underlying profits before tax rise 9.4% on the sa … view

................................................................................................
 
Thursday 15th May 2014
Patisserie Holdings to float with 170p share price
Patisserie Holdings to float with 170p share price: Patisserie Holdings, which operates Patisserie Valerie and other brands, has announced the successful pricing of its initial public offering by way of a conditional placing of 46,645,794 new … view
................................................................................................
 
Thursday 15th May 2014
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Cambscuisine to open smokehouse pub concept: Cambscuisine, the highly-rated operator of five Cambridgeshire gastro-pubs and the Chophouse brand, is planning to open a smokehouse concept within a pub environment. The company, led by Oliver … view
................................................................................................
 
Wednesday 14th May 2014
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Pub and restaurant like-for-likes up 4.4% in April: Britain’s managed pub and restaurant operators are enjoying a strong start to 2014, with collective like-for-like sales up 4.4% in April against the same month last year. It follows a … view
................................................................................................
 
Tuesday 13th May 2014
Breaking News - Enterprise Inns reports 1.1% net income growth
Enterprise Inns reports 1.1% net income growth: Enterprise Inns has reported a 1.1% like-for-like net income increase in the six months ended 31 March 2014 (H1 2013: 4.2% decline) with all geographic areas performing in line with, or ahea … view
................................................................................................
 
Tuesday 13th May 2014
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Washington DC YO! Sushi closed: The first YO! Sushi site to open in the United States, located in Washington DC’s Union Street train station, has closed its doors less than two years after opening, it has emerged. YO! Sushi opened up in … view
................................................................................................
 
Monday 12th May 2014
Propel Monday News Briefing
Whitbread executives see pay jump led by £6.4m package for Andy Harrison: Whitbread chief executive Andy Harrison’s pay package jumped by 85% to almost £6.4m last year after he was allowed to cash in £2.6m of shares he was given in a … view
................................................................................................
 
Sunday 11th May 2014
Breaking News - Six bidders line up for Orchid Pub Company estate
Six bidders line up for Orchid Pub Company estate: An array of trade and private equity bidders are lined up to take a tilt at buying the Orchid Pub Company estate owned by Deutsche Bank and led by Rufus Hall, according to The Sunday Time … view
................................................................................................
 
Friday 9th May 2014
Friday Opinion
Friday Opinion:
 
Subjects: tenanted pub sector cigar butts, the 2015 election, US fast casual developments, good and bad news on alcohol policy
 
Authors: Paul Charity, Martyn Cornell, Darren Tristano and Paul Chase

  
view
................................................................................................
 
Friday 9th May 2014
Propel Friday News Briefing
Technomic – fast casual continues to steal market share in the US: New research contained within Technomic’s Top 150 Fast-Casual Chain Restaurant Report reveals that the fast-casual segment continues to steal market share in the US fr … view
................................................................................................
 
Thursday 8th May 2014
Propel Thursday News Briefing
US fast-food workers campaign for higher wages goes global: The fast-food worker movement for higher pay in the US is to go global with strikes in 23 countries on 15 May. Workers from dozens of countries on six continents are joining the … view
................................................................................................
 
Wednesday 7th May 2014
Breaking News - JD Wetherspoon reports 6.2% like-for-likes
JD Wetherspoon reports 6.2% like-for-likes: JD Wetherspoon has reported 6.2% like-for-like sales growth in the 13 weeks to 27 April 2014 and total sales up by 10.9%. In the year to date (39 weeks to 27 April 2014), like-for-like sales increase … view
................................................................................................
 
Wednesday 7th May 2014
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
The Sun – PizzaExpress is only serving halal chicken: The Sun newspaper has devoted its front page this morning to the news that PizzaExpress is only serving halal chicken across its 434 sites but has declined to mention this on menus. … view
................................................................................................
 
Tuesday 6th May 2014
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
‘Star’ backbench Conservative MP calls for VAT cut for sector: Bristol North West MP Charlotte Leslie has called for a cut in VAT for the sector, arguing it would “unleash enterprise”. In 2013, she was named Backbencher of the Yea … view
................................................................................................
 
Friday 2nd May 2014
Breaking News - Greene King sets out 2020 strategy
Greene King sets out strategy for 2020: Greene King has set out its strategy for 2020 in an analyst’s day held at the Square Pig pub in High Holborn, Central London with a strong emphasis on the need to develop or acquire all-day trading con … view
................................................................................................
 
Friday 2nd May 2014
Breaking News - CGA Peach – JDW leads new food-drink hybrid
CGA Peach – JDW leads new food-drink hybrid: The eating and drinking out sectors are merging fast - and JD Wetherspoon is blazing the trail, the latest CGA Peach BrandTrack research reveals. The survey of 5,000 UK adults identifies the … view
................................................................................................
 
Friday 2nd May 2014
Friday Opinion
Subjects: The craft beer front-line in the United States, expanding Innocent abroad, the challenge of staff engagement, the fragmented but very healthy pub sector
 
Authors: Jean-Paul Russek, Adam Balon, Ann Elliott and Geof Collyer

view
................................................................................................
 
Friday 2nd May 2014
Propel Friday News Briefing
PizzaExpress comes to market with £1bn price tag: PizzaExpress has been put up for sale by private equity owner Cinven with an estimated £1bn price tag, The Times has reported. Cinven has hired Goldman Sachs to sell its biggest brand wi … view
................................................................................................
 
Thursday 1st May 2014
Breaking News - May Capital – “we are looking for more deals in the tenanted sector”
May Capital – “we are looking for more deals in the tenanted sector”: May Capital founder Noah Balkin, who acquired 275 Greene King tenanted pubs this morning on the first anniversary of founding the business, has told Propel that he is … view
................................................................................................
 
Thursday 1st May 2014
Breaking News - Greene King sells 275 pubs
Greene King sells 275 pubs: Greene King has sold 275 non-core tenanted and leased pubs to Hawthorn Leisure Limited, backed by Avenue Capital Group and May Capital LLP, for a total consideration of £75.6m. The pubs, located across the UK, gene … view
................................................................................................
 
Thursday 1st May 2014
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Easter like-for-like sales down 3.8% on Easter 2013: Britain’s leading pub and restaurant groups, which had just recorded 12 consecutive months of sales growth, saw sales dip over the Easter weekend, with collective like-for-like sales … view
................................................................................................