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Monday 30th November 2015
Greene King appoints John Forrest as chief operating officer
Greene King appoints John Forrest as chief operating officer: Greene King has appointed John Forrest as chief operating officer for Greene King Retail, reporting to chief executive Rooney Anand. Forrest, who was most recently at Whitbread work … view
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Monday 30th November 2015
Galvin brothers to launch flagship London pub serving craft beer and hot dogs
Galvin brothers to launch flagship London pub serving craft beer and hot dogs: Michelin-starred Galvin Restaurants will launch HOP, described as a “Galvin Pub de Luxe” on what is currently the site of Galvin Café A Vin in Spitalfields Mar … view
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Monday 30th November 2015
Propel Monday News Briefing
Azzurri Group reports profits up 26.5% to £31.8m: Azzurri Group, the owner of ASK Italian, Zizzi and Coco di Mama, has reported adjusted profits rose 16.5% to £31.8m in the year to 28 June 2015, with turnover up 6.6% to £217.7m. Steve … view
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Friday 27th November 2015
London Union reduces valuation to £26m
London Union reduces valuation to £26m as it aims to reach £3.5m fund-raising target through private investment: London Union, the street food market company led by Henry Dimbleby and Jonathan Downey, has reduced its business valuation to £ … view
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Friday 27th November 2015
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Comparing the European beer scene, the Licensing Act ten years on, and a food tour in Tel Aviv
Authors: Glynn Davis, Paul Chase and Ann Elliott

Comparing the European beer scene by Glynn Davis

When friends a … view
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Friday 27th November 2015
Patisserie Holdings reports 29.2% growth in PBT
Patisserie Holdings reports 29.2% growth in PBT: Patisserie Holdings has reported that sales grew 20% to £91.9m in the year to 30 September 2015. Adjusted pre-tax profit grew 29.2% to £14.6m. Online sales grew 20% to £3.1m. The company repo … view
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Friday 27th November 2015
Propel Friday News Briefing
Ralph Findlay – some of our franchised pubs are taking between £20,000 and £30,000 a week: Marston’s chief executive Ralph Findlay has told Propel the company’s 550-strong franchised division is one of the two key reasons – alongside … view
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Thursday 26th November 2015
SA Brain secures £85m funding package to expand
SA Brain secures £85m funding package to expand: Leading Welsh brewer and hospitality retailer SA Brain has agreed an £85m funding package, jointly provided by Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking and HSBC Corporate Banking. The funding constitute … view
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Thursday 26th November 2015
Marston’s – we’re looking for other avenues of expansion
Marston’s – we’re looking for other avenues of expansion: Marston’s has reported that it looking for other opportunities for expansion as it nears completion of a three-year plan to optimise its pub estate. The company reported un … view
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Thursday 26th November 2015
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Draft House goes early on Living Wage, launches career development path, maps out expansion: Under the banner “Higher, Fairer, Clearer”, craft beer pub group The Draft House has this week introduced the National Living Wage for all ho … view
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Wednesday 25th November 2015
Punch signs exclusive deal to open pubs with Neil Morrissey
Punch signs exclusive deal to open pubs with Neil Morrissey: Punch and the ‘With Neil Morrissey Pub Co’ have formed an exclusive business partnership after the success of their initial joint venture; The Plume of Feathers in Barlaston, Sta … view
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Wednesday 25th November 2015
Wagamama to open flagship New York site
Wagamama to open flagship New York site: Wagamama is to debut in New York with a location at 210 Fifth Avenue, scheduled to open next autumn. The 7,000-square-foot, three-level space will serve as the United States flagship for the company, wh … view
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Wednesday 25th November 2015
Greene King – October saw a 9% leisure spend rise thanks to rugby and James Bond
Greene King – October saw a 9% leisure spend rise thanks to rugby and James Bond: Excitement around the Rugby World Cup and the cinema release of Spectre contributed to Brits spending 9% more on leisure in October, the Greene King Leisure Sp … view
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Wednesday 25th November 2015
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
BHA – foodservice companies have captured 42% of UK consumer expenditure on food and drink: The British Hospitality Association’s (BHA) latest report on the foodservice sector shows businesses now serve more than four million customers eac … view
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Tuesday 24th November 2015
Phil Urban – M&B is facing unprecedented competition
Phil Urban – M&B is facing unprecedented competition: Phil Urban has said Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) is facing unprecedented competition as he set out the three key priorities for the company. Urban, who replaced Alistair Darby as chief execu … view
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Tuesday 24th November 2015
M&B – we’ve been hit by fast-casual competition and must change
M&B – we’ve been hit by fast-casual competition and must change: Mitchells & Butlers has admitted that more than half of its Toby Carvery and Harvester sites have been hit by competition opening nearby – and must now build better ba … view
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Tuesday 24th November 2015
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
JD Wetherspoon and Pret A Manger lead the way on food hygiene: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has reported that JD Wetherspoon and Pret A Manger top the rankings for high food hygiene scores among large companies and brands. The FSA has … view
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Monday 23rd November 2015
Propel Monday News Briefing
BBPA – pubs are carrying one of the heaviest tax burdens in UK economy: Britain’s pubs are carrying one of the heaviest tax burdens in the UK economy, according to a new report published today (Monday, 23 November). The report from Ox … view
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Sunday 22nd November 2015
Harris + Hoole reports losses doubled to £25.5m
Harris + Hoole reports losses doubled to £25.5m: Coffee shop operator Harris & Hoole, owned by Tesco, has reported the majority of its shops have turned to profit now although its losses more than doubled to £25,573,368 for the 52 weeks to 1 … view
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Sunday 22nd November 2015
Lifestyle Hospitality launches £500,000 crowdfunding to expand Burgerfest
Lifestyle Hospitality launches £500,000 crowdfunding to expand Burgerfest: Lifestyle Hospitality Group, which currently has 12 sites in the UK and is led by James Eyre, has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £500,000 to expand it … view
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Friday 20th November 2015
Friday Opinion
Subjects: The London restaurant scene, the key to reviving a brand, and tax tips
Authors: Glynn Davis, Chris Edger and Tony Hughes, and Andrew Ball

The London restaurant scene by Glynn Davis

It is 15 years since I took … view
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Friday 20th November 2015
Fuller’s reports like-for-likes up 5.6% in first half
Fuller’s reports like-for-likes up 5.6% in first half: Brewer and retailer Fuller’s has reported like-for-like sales up 5.6% in its managed division for the 26 weeks ended 26 September. Adjusted profit before tax was up 10% to £21.6 milli … view
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Friday 20th November 2015
Propel Friday News Briefing
Bed and Bars signs first franchisee: Pan-European bar and hostel company Beds and Bars, led by Keith Knowles, has signed the Copenhagen Downtown Hostel to become the first franchise member of its St Christopher’s Network. The St Christopher … view
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Thursday 19th November 2015
Whiting & Hammond raises £200,000 in 24 hours on Funding Circle to open ninth pub
Whiting & Hammond raises £200,000 in 24 hours on Funding Circle to open ninth pub: Gastro-pub operator Whiting & Hammond has raised £200,000 in 24 hours on peer-to-peer lending platform Funding Circle to open its ninth pub. The company plans … view
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Thursday 19th November 2015
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Porky’s BBQ aiming to build ten-strong estate by end of 2017, examines crowdfunding route, eyes first site outside London: Barbecue restaurant Porky’s BBQ is aiming to build a ten-strong estate by the end of 2017 as it prepares to open its … view
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Wednesday 18th November 2015
ETM Group founders launch Long Arm Brewing Co
ETM Group founders launch Long Arm Brewing Co: ETM Group founders Ed and Tom Martin have launched Long Arm Brewing Co, an independent craft beer micro-brewery. It operates out of a small brewhouse in Ealing, west London, and is selling to both … view
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Wednesday 18th November 2015
Luke Johnson – Small Batch part of the second wave of coffee shops
Luke Johnson – Small Batch part of the second wave of coffee shops: Sector investor Luke Johnson has told Propel he regards his latest investment, Brighton-based artisan coffee brand Small Batch Coffee, as part of the second wave of coffee s … view
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Wednesday 18th November 2015
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Luke Johnson buys majority stake in Brighton-based Small Batch Coffee: Luke Johnson’s investment vehicle Risk Capital Partners has bought a majority stake in the Brighton and Hove coffee shop chain Small Batch Coffee. Small Batch began roast … view
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Tuesday 17th November 2015
Brighton ethical chicken brand Hen launches crowdfunding push
Brighton ethical chicken brand Hen launches crowdfunding push: Hen, the ethical chicken brand founded in Brighton by Philip Ilic, has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube, looking to raise £100,000 in return for 11.76% of its eq … view
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Tuesday 17th November 2015
Enterprise Inns reports operational progress and strategy on track
Enterprise Inns reports operational progress and strategy on track: Enterprise Inns has reported like-for-like net income growth of 1% in the final quarter of its year, resulting in an increase of 0.8% for the year ended 30 September 2015. Ebi … view
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Tuesday 17th November 2015
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Scottish-based Bar Soba aiming to become UK-wide brand and build 30-strong estate in next three to five years: Scottish-based cocktail bar and pan-Asian street food restaurant concept Bar Soba is aiming to become a UK-wide brand and build … view
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Monday 16th November 2015
Propel Monday News Briefing
London Union founder Henry Dimbleby defends £31.5m valuation: Henry Dimbleby, founder of street market business London Union, has defended the current £31m valuation of the business, an increase of £27m since the start of the year when … view
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Sunday 15th November 2015
Giggling Squid sells minority stake to BGF for £6.4m:
Giggling Squid sells minority stake to BGF for £6.4m: Giggling Squid, the UK Thai restaurant group is to accelerate its expansion plans following a £6.4m investment from BGF (Business Growth Fund), the UK’s leading provider of growth capit … view
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Friday 13th November 2015
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Great leadership, cyclical trends and nanny-watch
Authors: Ann Elliott, Glynn Davis and Paul Chase

Great leadership by Ann Elliott

Earlier this year I saw Alastair Campbell present at the Association o … view
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Friday 13th November 2015
Quaglino’s operator D&D London to open second Leeds site
Quaglino’s operator D&D London to open second Leeds site: Quaglino’s operator D&D London is to open a 7,807 square foot restaurant at the £165m Victoria Gate development in Leeds. D&D’s rooftop unit will include an outside dining terrac … view
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Friday 13th November 2015
Propel Friday News Briefing
Duncan Garrood – Harry Ramsden’s tie-up to be based on turnover rent agreement: Punch Taverns chief executive Duncan Garrood has told Propel its proposed tie-up with Harry Ramsden’s will see co-investment on openings with a turnover-rela … view
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Thursday 12th November 2015
Downing and Redcomb Pubs launch innovative joint venture
Downing and Redcomb Pubs launch innovative joint venture: Investment firm Downing has launched Apollo Pubs, a joint venture between Downing IHT Fund and Redcomb Group – it has completed the purchase of its first freehold site, the Village In … view
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Thursday 12th November 2015
Conviviality buys majority stake in bar and events company
Conviviality buys majority stake in bar and events company: Following its recent purchase of Matthew Clark Holdings, Conviviality has agreed heads of terms for the acquisition of a majority stake in bar and events company Peppermint, with a sh … view
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Thursday 12th November 2015
Results: Punch’s new strategy, Restaurant Group, Young’s
Punch to invest £250m to £300m in estate as part of strategy review: Punch Taverns has unveiled its new strategic focus in the wake of the arrival of Duncan Garrood as chief executive. Garrood said: “Since joining in June, I have unde … view
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Thursday 12th November 2015
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Rugby and half-term boost October pub and restaurant sales, London outperforms rest of UK: Britain’s eating and drinking-out sector saw sales pick up in October, according to the latest figures from the Coffer Peach Business Tracker. Collect … view
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Wednesday 11th November 2015
Heineken reports 87% sales boost from Rugby World Cup
Heineken – Rugby World Cup produced 87% YoY increase in sales: Heineken’s has argued the Rugby World Cup came at the perfect time for pubs and bars and helped combat the post-summer lull for the on-trade. Andrew Turner, who is the company … view
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Wednesday 11th November 2015
AB InBev and SABMiller agree takeover terms, SABMiller to sell US interests
AB InBev and SABMiller agree takeover terms, SABMiller to sell US interests: The boards of AB InBev and SABMiller have reached agreement on the terms of a recommended acquisition of SABMiller by AB InBev. The transaction will be implemented by … view
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Wednesday 11th November 2015
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
McDonald’s aims to become 95% franchised as it converts 4,000 restaurants to franchise: McDonald’s is to convert 4,000 directly managed restaurants to franchise before 2018, with a long-term goal to move from 81% franchised to 95% fra … view
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Tuesday 10th November 2015
BrewDog begins €1.5m crowdfunding in Nordic countries via FundedByMe
BrewDog begins €1.5m crowdfunding in Nordic countries via FundedByMe: BrewDog has launched a stand-alone crowdfunding campaign for Nordic countries to add to the more than £13m it has raised in the current round of fund-raising. The company … view
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Tuesday 10th November 2015
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Novus boss – ‘we’re transforming customer experience’: Novus Leisure has unveiled an industry-first system it hopes will revolutionise customer experience within the 45-site business. Novus, which turns over circa £95m per annum, has … view
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Monday 9th November 2015
Loungers: potential for 500 sites, Piper likely to exit in next 18 months
Collins – Loungers brands have potential for up to 500 sites, expects backers Piper to exit in next 18 months: Loungers managing director Nick Collins has said he believes there is potential for the Bristol-based cafe bar company, which curr … view
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Monday 9th November 2015
YO! Sushi confirms £81m sale, Robin Rowland to resume as chief executive
YO! Sushi confirms £81m sale, Robin Rowland to resume as chief executive: YO! Sushi has confirmed a sale of the business for £81m to Mayfair Equity Partners, with executive chairman Robin Rowland resuming his previous role as chief executive … view
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Monday 9th November 2015
Propel Monday News Briefing
Enterprise Inns – 50 multi-site operators interested in partnering us, rapid learnings in building 800-strong managed estate: Enterprise Inns has reported that it has received around 50 expressions of interest from multi-site operators … view
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Friday 6th November 2015
JD Wetherspoon to sell another 34 pubs, mostly freehold
JD Wetherspoon to sell another 34 pubs, mostly freehold: Pub operator JD Wetherspoon has appointed CBRE to handle the disposal of 34 of its pubs.The properties, which are being considered for sale either as a portfolio, in small packages or in … view
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Friday 6th November 2015
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Just Eat and the delivery opportunity, the Christmas opportunity, and the healthy food opportunity
Authors: Adrian Blair, Glynn Davis and Ann Elliott

Why major brands should work with Just Eat by Adrian Blair

view
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Friday 6th November 2015
Horizons – artisan coffee and Mexican lead ‘Ones to Watch’
Horizons – artisan coffee and Mexican lead ‘Ones to Watch’: Despite the proliferation of branded coffee shops on our high streets, independent, artisan outlets specialising in high quality, freshly roasted coffee with a strong food offer … view
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Friday 6th November 2015
Propel Friday News Briefing
Just Eat – major brands will benefit from working with us: Online takeaway business Just Eat’s chief operating officer Adrian Blair has argued that major brands will benefit enormously from working with it. So far, the company has focused … view
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Thursday 5th November 2015
Walkabout operator Intertain reports £1.2m sales uplift during Rugby World Cup despite England’s early exit
Walkabout operator Intertain reports £1.2m sales uplift during Rugby World Cup despite England’s early exit: Walkabout operator Intertain has reported an uplift in sales of £1.2m during the Rugby World Cup – an increase of 33%, which was … view
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Thursday 5th November 2015
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Star Pubs and Bars to launch apprenticeship scheme: Star Pubs & Bars, which owns 1,100 UK pubs, is launching an apprenticeship scheme in response to demand from licensees. The scheme will help licensees home grow and retain their bar, kitchen … view
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Wednesday 4th November 2015
Coffee shop chain issues £300,000 mini-bond paying 11% interest
Beany Green seeks £300,000 through mini-bond paying 11% interest: Coffee shop chain Beany Green, the Australian-inspired concept founded by Prue Freeman and Tom Onions, has launched a mini-bond offer on Crowdcube, looking to raise £300,0000 … view
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Wednesday 4th November 2015
JD Wetherspoon reports operating margin slips to 6.2%
JD Wetherspoon reports operating margin slips to 6.2%: JD Wetherspoon has reported that for the 13 weeks to 25 October 2015 like-for-like sales increased by 2.4% and total sales increased by 6.1%. Sales have been slightly higher in the la … view
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Wednesday 4th November 2015
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Thali Cafe aims to grow to 12 sites in next five years: Thali Cafe, the five-strong Bristol-based Indian street food concept, is aiming to grow to 12 sites in the next five years. The company, founded 15 years ago by Jim Pizer, is now on the h … view
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Tuesday 3rd November 2015
Alex Dawson hired to run Soho House’s restaurant division
Alex Dawson hired to run Soho House’s restaurant division: Former Greene King head of franchise operations Alex Dawson has been hired to oversee the operation and expansion of Soho House’s restaurant division, Rollout Restaurants, which co … view
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Tuesday 3rd November 2015
Chilango raises £1m in eight days on Crowdcube, Just Eat
Chilango raises £1m on Crowdcube in eight days: Mexican brand Chilango has raised £1m on crowdfunding platform Crowdcube in eight days – the company previously raised £2m through a mini-bond. The company is offering 3.26% of its equi … view
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Tuesday 3rd November 2015
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Harry Ramsden’s opens first overseas outlet in more than a decade: Fish and chips brand Harry Ramsden’s has opened its first overseas outlet in over a decade with more set to follow. The company, led by Joe Teixeira, has launched a restaur … view
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Monday 2nd November 2015
Franco Manca operator signs Bukowski franchise deal
Franco Manca operator signs Bukowski franchise deal: Fulham Shore has entered into a franchise agreement with the owner of Bukowski Grill restaurants. Bukowski is a London-based charcoal-grill restaurant and bar, serving breakfasts, burgers an … view
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Monday 2nd November 2015
Propel Monday News Briefing
Deltic boss – Halloween has turned into the busiest night of the year: Deltic Group chief executive Peter Marks has reported that Halloween has turned into the busiest night of the year for the bar and nightclub operator. Marks reports … view
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