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Tuesday 31st May 2016
CGA/AlixPartners – 21.3% rise in restaurants in past five years
Opening of food-driven businesses offsetting pub number decline: Latest figures from Market Growth Monitor, the quarterly measure of GB pub, bar and restaurant openings and closures produced by AlixPartners and CGA Peach, show that growth … view
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Tuesday 31st May 2016
Deltic flagship site licence review, Carluccio's results
Carluccio’s reports Ebitda up 7.3% to £15.3m: Carluccio’s, the international Italian restaurant group with operations in the UK, Ireland, US, Middle East and Turkey has reported turnover up 7.4% to £137.8m in the year to September 2 … view
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Tuesday 31st May 2016
Wetherspoon prints 200,000 beer mats raising IMF governance issues
Wetherspoon prints 200,000 beer mats raising IMF governance issues: JD Wetherspoon has printed 200,000 beer mats for its pubs with a hard-hitting message in the run up to the EU Referendum. The beer mats will be available in each of the c … view
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Tuesday 31st May 2016
Update: Deliveroo, PizzaExpress, Gordon Ramsay, Carluccio’s, Fuller’s
Deliveroo signs partnership with PizzaExpress: Deliveroo has signed a deal with PizzaExpress, which currently has circa 460 UK sites. The brand will be the food delivery firm’s biggest customer and will generate a “significant” incr … view
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Tuesday 31st May 2016
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Kout Food Group opens first rebranded Little Chef ahead of planned roll-out: Kuwait-based Kout Food Group (KFG) has opened its first rebranded Little Chef site with a new look and menu – in Warminster, Wiltshire – ahead of a planned U … view
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Friday 27th May 2016
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Rags to riches, learnings from Chicago, and Tim Bacon’s legacy
Authors: James Hacon, Kate Nicholls, and Ann Elliott

Rags to riches by James Hacon

We all know the sunny ethos of … view
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Friday 27th May 2016
Enterprise forges new partnership with Oakman Inns & Restaurants
Enterprise forges new partnership with Oakman Inns & Restaurants: Enterprise Inns and Oakman Inns & Restaurants have launched a new joint partnership called Hunky Dory Pubs. The business will be the fourth ‘managed expert’ partnership Ente … view
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Friday 27th May 2016
Propel Friday News Briefing
London-based bakery and coffee shop concept Tart hits £180,000 crowdfunding target to open second site, plans five-strong estate by 2019: London-based bakery and coffee shop concept Tart has hit its £180,000 target on crowdfunding platf … view
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Thursday 26th May 2016
Euphorium Bakery founder aims for 30 sites with ‘modern carvery’ concept
Euphorium Bakery founder aims for 30 sites with ‘modern carvery’ concept: Euphorium Bakery founder Daniel Bear and hospitality finance director Atif Amin (Chilango, Hakkasan, Ping Pong), will launch a fast casual and cashless modern carver … view
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Thursday 26th May 2016
Update: Pod, JD Wetherspoon, Coca-Cola and Dalata
Pod reports Ebitda doubled, like-for-likes up 9.1%: The 22-strong London-based healthy eating brand Pod has reported sales rose to £17.3m in 2015, a like-for-like increase of 9.1%, with Ebitda almost doubling to £631,000 for the year. T … view
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Thursday 26th May 2016
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Punch to open first Champs sports bar under managed model next week: Punch will open its first Champs sports bar under a managed model next week. The company has converted an existing pub in Urmston High Street in Manchester into the bran … view
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Wednesday 25th May 2016
Update: NewRiver Retail and Shaftesbury
NewRiver Retail secures consents for 26 convenience stores on spare land at pub sites: Property develop NewRiver Retail has reported it has now secured consent for 26 convenience stores on spare land within its pubs portfolio. It stated: … view
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Wednesday 25th May 2016
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Greene King Leisure Tracker – eating out spend increases in April despite leisure fall: Leisure spend fell in April despite a £2 (2%) increase in eating out spend, according to the latest Greene King Leisure Spend Tracker. While the ri … view
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Tuesday 24th May 2016
Greene King Leisure Tracker – eating out spend increases in April despite leisure fall
Greene King Leisure Tracker – eating out spend increases in April despite leisure fall: Leisure spend fell in April despite a £2 (2%) increase in eating out spend, according to the latest Greene King Leisure Spend Tracker. While the rise wo … view
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Tuesday 24th May 2016
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Redcomb Pubs to launch new casual dining concept Lock House at Paddington Basin, eyes roll-out: Redcomb Pubs, led by Dan Shotton, will launch a new casual dining venture – Lock House – at the heart of the Paddington Basin redevelopmen … view
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Monday 23rd May 2016
Propel Monday News Briefing
Porky’s BBQ forced to delay £650,000 crowdfunding campaign: London-based barbecue restaurant Porky’s BBQ has been forced to delay its £650,000 crowdfunding campaign for its next phase of growth. The offer, which was due to launch on … view
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Friday 20th May 2016
Update: Crepeaffaire, BrewDog, Caprice Holdings, Starbucks, Jamie OIiver et al
Crepeaffaire reports sales rise 28% to £3m, Ebitda up 73%, strong start to 2016: Crepeaffaire, the UK branded creperie group, has reported net sales rose 28% to £3m for the year ending 31 December 2015. Group Ebitda (before head office … view
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Friday 20th May 2016
Friday Opinion
Subjects: An open letter to the Pubs Code adjudicator, and promoting the vegetable 
Authors: Peter Holden and Glynn Davis

An open letter to the Pubs Code adjudicator by Peter Holden

It ha … view
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Friday 20th May 2016
Conviviality sees sales increase 137%, confirms acquisition of drinks supplier Bibendum
Conviviality sees sales increase 137%, confirms acquisition of drinks supplier Bibendum: Conviviality, the UK alcohol wholesaler serving consumers through the on-trade and through its franchise retail estate, has reported sales increased by 13 … view
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Friday 20th May 2016
Propel Friday News Briefing
Phil Urban – ‘I refuse to allow M&B estate to become tired and exposed’: Chief executive Phil Urban has said he refuses to allow Mitchells & Butlers’ estate to become “tired and exposed” as the company’s focus turns to growi … view
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Thursday 19th May 2016
Former PizzaExpress owner eyes bid for The Restaurant Group
Former PizzaExpress owner eyes bid for The Restaurant Group: The former owner of PizzaExpress is weighing up a takeover bid for The Restaurant Group. Private equity firm Cinven is in the early stages of evaluating an approach to the board of T … view
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Thursday 19th May 2016
Update: M&B, Greene King, Young’s, Intertain, Restaurant Group
Mitchells & Butlers reports like-for-likes down 1.6%, to grow Miller & Carter to 100 sites, plans to shrink Harvester: Mitchells & Butlers has reported like-for-like sales fell 1.6%in the 28 weeks to 9 April. Sales in invested sites rose … view
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Thursday 19th May 2016
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Coffer Peach Tracker – Britain’s eating and drinking-out market continues slowdown in April, like-for-likes up 2.5% at restaurants but down 2.7% at pubs: Britain’s eating and drinking-out market continued to slow in April, according … view
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Thursday 19th May 2016
Coffer Peach – restaurant like-for-likes up 2.5%, pubs down 2.7%
Coffer Peach Tracker – Britain’s eating and drinking-out market continues slowdown in April, like-for-likes up 2.5% at restaurants but down 2.7% at pubs: Britain’s eating and drinking-out market continued to slow in April, according … view
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Wednesday 18th May 2016
Peach secures £9.5m NatWest refinance, eyes path to £35m turnover
Peach secures £9.5m NatWest refinance, eyes path to £35m turnover: Peach Pub Company, co-founded by Lee Cash and Hamish Stoddart, is a step closer to being the 22-strong, £35m pub business it set out to become after securing £9.5m fro … view
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Wednesday 18th May 2016
Harry Ramsden’s targets six pub sites by year-end after trade doubles at first
Harry Ramsden’s targets six pub sites by year-end after trade doubles at first: Fish and chip shop operator Harry Ramsden’s is aiming to have six sites for its new pub format by the end of the year. The company has just secured its third s … view
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Wednesday 18th May 2016
SSP signs deal with Leon to open at train stations
SSP signs deal with Leon to open at train stations: SSP, the operator of food and beverage brands in travel locations worldwide, has entered into a partnership with healthy eating brand Leon. The initial five-year deal is expected to see the f … view
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Wednesday 18th May 2016
Results: Marston's, Patisserie Valerie, SSP and SAB Miller
Marston’s reports like-for-likes up 3% in managed division: Marston’s has reported underlying group revenue was up 11.5% to £428.7 million in the 26 weeks to 2 April. Underlying profit before tax was up 11.8% to £33.1 million. Like- … view
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Wednesday 18th May 2016
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Licensing expert Philip Kolvin QC unveils 12-point manifesto for night-time economy: Licensing expert and head of Cornerstone Barristers Philip Kolvin QC has unveiled a 12-point manifesto to help develop vibrant and sustainable night-time … view
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Wednesday 18th May 2016
Licensing expert Philip Kolvin QC unveils 12-point manifesto for night-time economy
Licensing expert Philip Kolvin QC unveils 12-point manifesto for night-time economy: Licensing expert and head of Cornerstone Barristers Philip Kolvin QC has unveiled a 12-point manifesto to help develop vibrant and sustainable night-time … view
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Tuesday 17th May 2016
Opinion Special: Tim Martin – of course the UK be better off out of the European Union

Tim Martin – of course the UK be better off out of the European Union

In my article below, I have tried to deal with the main points which have been raised by both sides in the great national debate about the EU. One point which has no … view
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Tuesday 17th May 2016
Enterprise Inns reports like-for-like net income up 1.8%
Enterprise Inns reports like-for-like net income up 1.8%: Enterprise Inns has reported Ebitda before exceptional items of £142 million (H1 2015: £144 million) in the six months ended 31 March 2016, in line with expectations and reflecti … view
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Tuesday 17th May 2016
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Pieminister lines up five new openings after HSBC funding package: Bristol-based Pieminster is set to open five new restaurants, creating up to 80 jobs after securing a £1.4m finance package from HSBC. The money will be used to open five … view
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Monday 16th May 2016
Smoke Shack launches £200,000 crowdfunding campaign to open third site, aims to grow into national chain
Smoke Shack launches £200,000 crowdfunding campaign to open third site, aims to grow into national chain: Barbecue grill and smokehouse concept Smoke Shack has launched a £200,000 fund-raise on crowdfunding platform Seedrs to open its t … view
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Monday 16th May 2016
NPD – meal deals at quick-service restaurants grown by 22% in five years
NPD – meal deals at quick-service restaurants grown by 22% in five years: Figures released by insights company The NPD Group have shown  availability and usage of meal deals at British quick-service restaurants (QSR) grew by 22% betwee … view
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Monday 16th May 2016
Propel Monday News Briefing
Deltic Group reports 16.8% rise in Ebitda to £13.4m: Deltic Group, the UK’s largest operator of premium late night bars and clubs with 58 venues, has reported Ebitda grew 16.8% to £13.4m in the year to 27 February 2016. Turnover was u … view
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Sunday 15th May 2016
Deltic Group reports 16.8% rise in Ebitda to £13.4m
Deltic Group reports 16.8% rise in Ebitda to £13.4m: Deltic Group, the UK’s largest operator of premium late night bars and clubs with 58 venues, has reported Ebitda grew 16.8% to £13.4m in the year to 27 February 2016. Turnover was up 8% … view
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Friday 13th May 2016
Update: Dishoom, Carluccio's, CAU, Nando's, New World Trading et al
Dishoom named best UK restaurant by Yelp users for second year running: Bombay-style cafe Dishoom has been named best restaurant in the UK by users of business review website Yelp for the second year running. The company, which has four s … view
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Friday 13th May 2016
Friday Opinion
Subjects: The eternal appeal of fish and chips, how to waste £4m a year, engaging with Generation Z to bridge the skills gap, and why millennials queue – and restaurants love it
Authors: Glynn Davis, Paul Chase, Jill Whitt … view
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Friday 13th May 2016
Propel Friday News Briefing
Crowdcube pauses plans to get into IPO market due to ‘god-awful’ economics: Crowdfunding platform Crowdcube is pulling back on plans to take its model into the public markets due to “god-awful” economics, after saying last year it … view
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Thursday 12th May 2016
More than quarter of The Restaurant Group shareholders vote against directors’ remuneration report
More than quarter of The Restaurant Group shareholders vote against directors’ remuneration report: More than a quarter of The Restaurant Group shareholders voted against the directors’ remunerations report at the company’s annual genera … view
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Thursday 12th May 2016
London-based coffee shop concept Tap Coffee launches £400,000 crowdfunding campaign for expansion
London-based coffee shop concept Tap Coffee launches £400,000 crowdfunding campaign for expansion: London-based coffee shop concept Tap Coffee has launched a £400,000 fund-raise on crowdfunding platform Crowdcube to open two sites as it … view
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Thursday 12th May 2016
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Shepherd Neame boss – pub industry now ‘quality rather than a numbers game’: Jonathan Neame, chief executive of Kent-based brewer and retailer Shepherd Neame, has said the pub industry is now “a quality rather than numbers game” … view
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Wednesday 11th May 2016
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
UK hotel market sees first decline in average revpar for four years: The UK’s hotel market saw its first decline in average revpar for four years during the first three months of 2016, adding further fuel to the suggestion the peak of t … view
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Tuesday 10th May 2016
Update: Pizza Hut Delivery, Revolution, All Star Lanes
Pizza Hut Delivery plans to add 200 stores by 2020: Pizza Hut Delivery is planning to create at least 3,000 new jobs as part of a £40m expansion in the UK and Ireland over the next four years. The 419-store business, owned by Yum! Brands … view
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Tuesday 10th May 2016
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Apartment Group targets expansion outside north east heartland, looking to grow hotels and pubs with rooms businesses: Ben Levick, new managing director of north east pub, bar and restaurant operator Apartment Group, has told Propel the c … view
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Monday 9th May 2016
Update: Paul UK, Greggs, Heartstone Inns, Conviviality
Paul UK reports 6.3% rise in like-for-likes in 2015: Paul UK, the 34-strong French bakery and cafe brand, has reported turnover up 17% to £28.7m in the year ended 31 December 2015. Group Ebitda (before head office costs and management fe … view
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Monday 9th May 2016
Propel Monday News Briefing
Leon reports 7.8% rise in like-for-likes, Ebitda jumps 46%, increases staff benefits: Natural fast food brand Leon has reported a 7.8% increase in like-for-likes for the year ending December 2015. The company also saw Ebitda jump 46% to … view
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Monday 9th May 2016
Leon reports 7.8% rise in like-for-likes, Ebitda jumps 46%, increases staff benefits
Leon reports 7.8% rise in like-for-likes, Ebitda jumps 46%, increases staff benefits: Natural fast food brand Leon has reported a 7.8% increase in like-for-likes for the year ending December 2015. The company also saw Ebitda jump 46% to … view
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Saturday 7th May 2016
City Pub Company eyes ‘independent future’ after IPO with 50 sites by end of 2019
City Pub Company eyes ‘independent future’ after IPO with 50 sites by end of 2019: City Pub Company founder and chairman Clive Watson has told Propel the company hopes to operate an estate of 50 pubs by the end of 2019 in the wake of an IP … view
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Friday 6th May 2016
Update: Wetherspoon, Pret, £2.8m pub sale, BrewKitchen, Sticks 'n' Sushi et al
Historic Clerkenwell pub acquired for £2.8m: The Coach & Horses pub in Clerkenwell, central London, has been acquired by private equity firm Ducalian Capital for £2.8m. The deal, which was brokered by agents AG&G and MBC (Mayfair), will … view
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Friday 6th May 2016
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Challenges facing The Restaurant Group, the cause and effect of legislation, and getting to grips with Generation Y 
Authors: Glynn Davis, Kate Nicholls, and Ann Elliott
 

Challenges facing … view

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Friday 6th May 2016
Brewhouse & Kitchen buys three JD Wetherspoon freeholds
Brewhouse & Kitchen buys three JD Wetherspoon freeholds: Brewhouse & Kitchen, the expanding brewhouse concept led by Simon Bunn and Kris Gumbrell, is set to head north following the acquisition of the freeholds of the Forest House in Ches … view
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Friday 6th May 2016
Propel Friday News Briefing
Brasserie Blanc eyes growth following success of £3.5m rebrand: Rory Marthinusen, who is managing director of Brasserie Bar Co’s 18-strong Brasserie Blanc brand, has told Propel the company is in a perfect position for growth as its £ … view
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Friday 6th May 2016
Intertain launches new comedy partnership with Just the Tonic at three sites
Intertain launches new comedy partnership with Just the Tonic at three sites: Walkabout operator Intertain has launched its new comedy offering “The Comedy Loft” with a special event at Comedy Loft venue 6 On Broad Street in Birmingha … view
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Thursday 5th May 2016
Hotel Chocolat to float, Starbucks warns shareholders
Hotel Chocolat to float with £167m market capitalisation: Hotel Chocolat Group, the British chocolatier and omni-channel retailer, is to float on AIM with a market capitalisation of £167m. It has placed 8,108,108 new and 29,398,471 exis … view
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Thursday 5th May 2016
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Institute of Economic Affairs – government’s crackdown on tipping could have ‘unintentional consequences’: The Institute of Economic Affairs has argued the government’s crackdown on tipping in restaurants could have “unintende … view
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Wednesday 4th May 2016
BBPA – UK beer sales show encouraging signs of stability
BBPA – UK beer sales show encouraging signs of stability: UK beer sales have shown encouraging signs of stability, according to the latest figures from the British Beer & Pub Association’s (BBPA) quarterly Beer Barometer. The data showed s … view
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Wednesday 4th May 2016
Wetherspoon reports like-for-likes up 3.8%, margin drops to 6.4%
Wetherspoon reports like-for-likes up 3.8%, margin drops to 6.4%: JD Wetherspoon has reported like-for-like sales increased by 3.8% for the 13 weeks to 24 April, in line with the most recent six week period reported in its interim results … view
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Wednesday 4th May 2016
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
STR – European hotel markets take three months to stabilise after terrorist attacks: European hotel markets saw stabilised performance results within about three months following major terrorist attacks, according to data and analysis f … view
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Tuesday 3rd May 2016
Whitbread buys 49% stake in Pure for £6.8m
Whitbread buys 49% stake in Pure for £6.8m: Whitbread has bought a 49% stake in London-based company, Healthy Retail, trading as “Pure”, for £6.8m. Whitbread has the option to acquire the remaining 51% stake within the next five yea … view
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Tuesday 3rd May 2016
Just Eat reports like-for-likes up 41% in First Quarter
Just Eat reports like-for-likes up 41% in First Quarter: Just Eat, the digital marketplace for takeaway food delivery, has reported 41% like-for-like growth in the First Quarter of 2016, with total orders up 57%. Total orders in the First Quar … view
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Tuesday 3rd May 2016
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
SRA – government tipping review ‘a welcome step towards ensuring a fairer deal for staff and customers’: The Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA) has said the government’s review of tipping and service charges is a very welco … view
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Monday 2nd May 2016
Conviviality acquires drinks supplier Bibendum for £60m
Conviviality acquires drinks supplier Bibendum for £60m: Conviviality, the alcohol wholesaler serving consumers through the on-trade and through its franchise retail estate is buying drinks supplier Bibendum PLB in a deal worth £60m. Th … view
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Monday 2nd May 2016
Government to consult on plan to end 'unfair tipping practices'
Government to consult on plan to end 'unfair tipping practices': The government has today (Monday, 2 May) unveiled its proposals to end “unfair tipping practices and increase transparency for consumers and employees”. Following a Call … view
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