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Monday 31st October 2016
Update: Majestic Wines, Bermondsey operations director
Majestic Wines unveils next day delivery: Majestic Wines has unveiled a significant step in its transformation plan with the launch of a named and next day delivery service for its full wine range. It stated: “The service will be throug … view
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Monday 31st October 2016
Propel Monday News Briefing
Wasabi secures £25m funding package for UK and US expansion plans: London-based Japanese sushi and bento business Wasabi has secured a funding package worth £25m from HSBC to help fund its ambitious expansion plans in the UK and US. The … view
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Monday 31st October 2016
Wasabi secures £25m funding package for UK and US expansion plans
Wasabi secures £25m funding package for UK and US expansion plans: London-based Japanese sushi and bento business Wasabi has secured a funding package worth £25m from HSBC to help fund its ambitious expansion plans in the UK and US. The fund … view
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Friday 28th October 2016
Luke Johnson takes 10.64% stake in Elegant Hotels
Luke Johnson takes 10.64% stake in Elegant Hotels: Sector investor Luke Johnson and his partners at Risk Capital have taken a significant stake in Elegant Hotels Group, the owner and operator of six upscale freehold hotels and a beachfront res … view
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Friday 28th October 2016
Friday Opinion
Subjects: The sustainability of home foodservice delivery, neo-temperance strikes back, and scrutinising the Licensing Act 2003
Authors: Glynn Davis, Paul Chase and Sarah Clover
 

The sustainability of … view

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Friday 28th October 2016
Propel Friday News Briefing
Comptoir Libanais boss – ‘foundations now in place to execute our measured expansion plans’: The chief executive of Comptoir Libanais, the Lebanese canteen specialising in fresh Middle Eastern dishes, has told Propel the company now … view
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Thursday 27th October 2016
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Coffee shops boosting prime retail rents in London: The rise of the “grab-and-go” food sector has driven up rents in prime London retail locations, according to research by agent Colliers International. The report revealed a strong li … view
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Wednesday 26th October 2016
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Brits going out less but spending more, Deltic Group report reveals: Brits are going out less but are prepared to spend more for a “good experience”, according to new research from Deltic Group, the UK’s largest operator of premium … view
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Tuesday 25th October 2016
BrewDog reschedules trading day after embarrassing website failure
BrewDog reschedules trading day after embarrassing website failure: Brewer and retailer BrewDog has been forced to re-schedule its first trading day in two years, which was taking place through the Asset Match platform, after frustrated seller … view
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Tuesday 25th October 2016
Whitbread reports 1.9% like-for-like sale growth in First Half
Whitbread reports 1.9% like-for-like sale growth in First Half: Whitbread has reported like-for-like sales growth of 1.9% in the six months to 1 September. It claimed it is winning market share in both Premier Inn and Costa with group tot … view
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Tuesday 25th October 2016
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
BrewDog set for first open share sale opportunity in two years through Asset Match auction: Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog is holding its first “open” share sale opportunity today (Tuesday, 25 October) in two years through Asset … view
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Monday 24th October 2016
Propel Monday News Briefing

Story of the Day:

BII announces 2016 NITAs finalists: The British Institute of Innkeepers (BII) has announced the finalists for the National Innovation in Training Awards (NITAs). The winners will be reveale … view

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Friday 21st October 2016
McDonald’s reports like-for-likes up 3.5% in third quarter
McDonald’s reports like-for-likes up 3.5% in third quarter: McDonald’s has reported global like-for-likes rose 3.5% in its third quarter ended 30 September 2016. Chief executive Steve Easterbrook said: “Customers today are more info … view
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Friday 21st October 2016
Friday Opinion
Tasting menus, what I’ve learnt about hospitality in the name of research, old cider in new bottles, and delivering the roo-volution
Authors: Glynn Davis, Victoria Searl, Paul Chase and Rosie Hallam

view
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Friday 21st October 2016
Time Out buys events discovery and booking platform
Time Out buys events discovery and booking platform: Time Out Group, the global multi-platform media and e-commerce business that operates food and cultural markets, has bought the entire issued share capital of YPlan on a debt free cash free … view
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Friday 21st October 2016
Propel Friday News Briefing
Intertain boss – we will search the estate for secondary space after success of ‘stick hall’: Intertain chief executive John Leslie has reported the company will search for secondary space after the success of Felsons, a pool hall l … view
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Thursday 20th October 2016
Imbiba fund seeks £10m for latest sector investments
Imbiba fund seeks £10m for latest sector investments: Imbiba Partnership, which sold Drake & Morgan with a 5.7 times return for investors, has launched a new EIS fund seeking to raise up to £10m. Money raised will be invested in three existi … view
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Thursday 20th October 2016
Krispy Kreme UK announces 18.2% sales increase, profits up £4.5m
Krispy Kreme UK announces 18.2% sales increase, profits up £4.5m: Krispy Kreme UK has reported revenues were £61,700,000 (2015: £52,192,000) for its financial year ending 31 January 2016, an increase of 18.2%. The company said profit b … view
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Thursday 20th October 2016
Update: SSP, Chameleon Pub & Dining, Starbucks and Stonegate
SSP enters Indian travel food and beverage market: Transport hub foodservice specialist SSP Group has agreed to create a joint venture, whereby SSP will own a 49% stake in Travel Food Services (TFS), a leading operator of food and beverag … view
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Thursday 20th October 2016
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Pub and restaurant overall like-for-like sales up 1.8% on September 2015, casual dining picks up with 2.2% like-for-like growth: Consumer spending on eating and drinking out continues to hold up post-Brexit, with managed pub and restauran … view
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Wednesday 19th October 2016
Pub and restaurant overall like-for-like sales up 1.8% on September 2015, casual dining picks up with 2.2% like-for-like growth
Pub and restaurant overall like-for-like sales up 1.8% on September 2015, casual dining picks up with 2.2% like-for-like growth: Consumer spending on eating and drinking out continues to hold up post-Brexit, with managed pub and restaurant gro … view
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Wednesday 19th October 2016
TLC Inns hires Noel D’Arcy as managing director, Coaching Inn Group doubles group Ebitda as turnover grows 33%
TLC Inns hires Noel D’Arcy as managing director: TLC Inns, the pub and restaurant operator founded and owned by Steve and Jo Haslam, has hired Noel D’Arcy as its first managing director, with a view to doubling the size of the busines … view
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Wednesday 19th October 2016
Burger King franchisee CPL Food Group lines up nine Papa John’s openings
Burger King franchisee CPL Food Group lines up nine Papa John’s openings: Papa John’s has reported fast food franchise CPL Food Group, which runs 32 Burger King restaurants, is to open four Papa John’s by the end of 2016 – and fiv … view
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Wednesday 19th October 2016
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
CGA Peach – bar and nightclub operators need to compete with ‘new wave’ events: A substantial number of consumers have turned into “experience junkies” and traditional bar and nightclub operators need to expand their offer to ap … view
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Tuesday 18th October 2016
Sodexo acquires Peyton & Byrne key contracts in pre-pack administration
Sodexo acquires Peyton & Byrne key contracts in pre-pack administration: Sodexo has bought the public catering contracts business of Peyton and Byrne, which operates the food and drink outlets at some of London’s most high-profile visitor at … view
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Tuesday 18th October 2016
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Luke Johnson – the pendulum has swung too far the other way on licensing, opportunity for consolidation: Sector investor Luke Johnson has argued that the “pendulum has swung too far the other way” on licensing, with operators facing … view
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Monday 17th October 2016
Oakman acquires Olney care home site for £1.5m
Oakman acquires Olney care home site for £1.5m: Oakman Inns & Restaurants has completed the £1.5m freehold acquisition of Westlands House, a former care home in Olney, Buckinghamshire. Oakman will immediately begin preparations for a plannin … view
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Monday 17th October 2016
Private equity firm agrees €350m deal to acquire Pacha Group
Private equity firm agrees €350m deal to acquire Pacha Group: Private equity firm Trilantic Europe has agreed a €350m deal to acquire Pacha Group, the Ibiza-based hotel and nightclub company’s founder Ricardo Urgell has confirmed. Trilan … view
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Monday 17th October 2016
Propel Monday News Briefing
Porky’s launches sister concept One Bourbon Tavern to ‘add more strings to its bow’: Simon Brigg, co-founder of London-based barbecue restaurant Porky’s BBQ, has told Propel the company has launched sister concept One Bourbon Tavern to … view
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Friday 14th October 2016
Papa John’s makes record UK profit as turnover hits £50m
Papa John’s makes record UK profit as turnover hits £50m: Papa John’s, the US pizza business with 319 franchised stores in the UK, has reported turnover in the UK rose 19.6% to hit £50,530,000 in the year to 27 December 2015, up from £4 … view
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Friday 14th October 2016
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Social trends reinvigorating the British pub, diversifying a venue to increase spending per head, and marketing budgets in times of trouble
Authors: Glynn Davis, Elysia Wilson-Gunn and Ann Elliott
< … view
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Friday 14th October 2016
Analyst: Whitbread’s Costa Coffee aims to break even in China by 2020
Jamie Rollo – Whitbread’s Costa Coffee in China aiming to break-even by 2020: Morgan Stanley leisure analyst Jamie Rollo has reported that Costa Coffee is aiming to break-even in China by 2020 – it currently has 400 stores in the co … view
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Friday 14th October 2016
Propel Friday News Briefing
Mission Mars hits £23m turnover, primary aim to take Albert’s Schloss to London: Serial sector entrepreneur Roy Ellis has reported his Mission Mars vehicle has hit annual turnover of £23m, three years after launch. The company, a … view
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Thursday 13th October 2016
Update: Sky, Vianet and Booker results
Sky reports 7% sales boost in First Quarter: Sky has reported group revenue up 7% to £3.1 billion, with like-for-like revenue up over 5% in its First Quarter. Over 100,000 new customers joined Sky, including Italy’s highest Q1 customer … view
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Thursday 13th October 2016
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Steamin’ Billy boss – ‘new rateable values are another nail in the coffin for British pubs’, set for £200,000 rise across its 11 sites: Billy Allingham, managing director of Leicestershire-based Steamin’ Billy Brewing, has told … view
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Wednesday 12th October 2016
Update: Giggling Squid results, Innis & Gunn's international site
Giggling Squid reports turnover and Ebitda boost: Giggling Squid, the Thai restaurant group backed by Business Growth Fund, has reported sales of £11.8m in its most recent year, a healthy 55% increase on last year. It now claims to be th … view
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Wednesday 12th October 2016
Giraffe Concepts buys 33 Ed’s Easy Diner sites
Giraffe Concepts buys 33 Ed’s Easy Diner sites: Giraffe Concepts, owned by Boparan Restaurants Holdings, has confirmed it has acquired Ed’s Easy Diner. This consists of the brand, the head office team and 33 Ed’s Easy Diner restaura … view
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Wednesday 12th October 2016
Update: Time Out, Domino’s, Marston’s, Hollywood Bowl
Time Out signs to open 19,250 square foot market in London: Time Out Group, the global multi-platform media and e-commerce business with food & cultural markets, has signed a conditional lease agreement for a new Time Out Market in London … view
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Wednesday 12th October 2016
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
ALMR honours the best of late-night sector: The best in the late-night hospitality sector were honoured last night (Tuesday, 11 October) as the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers’ (ALMR) Late Night Awards were dispensed at the t … view
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Tuesday 11th October 2016
ALMR honours the best of late-night sector
ALMR honours the best of late-night sector: The best in the late-night hospitality sector were honoured last night (Tuesday, 11 October) as the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers’ (ALMR) Late Night Awards were dispensed at the … view
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Tuesday 11th October 2016
Update: K10, JW Lees and Peel Hotels
K10 named as the world’s most innovative restaurant operator: London-based sushi concept K10 has been named the world’s most innovative restaurant operator, in part for hatching a secondary concept featuring beer and buns. K10 was nam … view
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Tuesday 11th October 2016
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Digital loyalty card service for restaurants launches £240,000 crowdfunding campaign: Loyalzoo, a digital loyalty card service for restaurants, has launched a £240,000 fund-raise on crowdfunding platform Seedrs. The company, co-founded … view
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Monday 10th October 2016
BBPA publishes Brexit manifesto for British beer and pubs
BBPA publishes Brexit manifesto for British beer and pubs: The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has published a manifesto for Britain’s exit from the European Union, which sets out how the beer and pub sector can be a force for gro … view
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Monday 10th October 2016
Richoux Group set to hire Jonathan Kaye as chief executive
Richoux Group set to hire Jonathan Kaye as chief executive: Richoux Group, operator of Richoux, Dean’s Diner and Villagio restaurants, is set to hire Jonathan Kaye as chief executive. Kaye, who is the founder and former chief executive of Pr … view
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Monday 10th October 2016
Kornicis changes name, Rick Stein results
Kornicis changes its name to We Are Bar: The London bar and restaurant operator previously known as Kornicis, owner of brands including Jamies, Smollensky’s and Henry J Beans, has changed its name to We Are Bar Group. Finance director I … view
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Monday 10th October 2016
Update: Ed’s Easy Diner sale, Benugo owner and Pacha
The Daily Telegraph – R Capital set to make Ed’s Easy Diner investment: The Daily Telegraph has forecast that the former owner of Little Chef is to make a cash injection into Ed’s Easy Diner. R Capital is expected to complete the de … view
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Monday 10th October 2016
Propel Monday News Briefing
Just Eat invests £3.5m in Flypay to transform digital experiences for operators across casual dining sector: Just Eat, the digital market place for takeaway food delivery, has invested £3.5m in mobile technology company Flypay to transform d … view
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Monday 10th October 2016
Just Eat invests £3.5m in Flypay; restaurants, hotels and bars help drive consumer spend bounce-back
Just Eat invests £3.5m in Flypay to transform digital experiences for operators across casual dining sector: Just Eat, the digital market place for takeaway food delivery, has invested £3.5m in mobile technology company Flypay to transf … view
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Saturday 8th October 2016
Burning Night Group aiming to raise £3.5m in crowdfunding campaign to fund next stage of growth
Burning Night Group aiming to raise £3.5m in crowdfunding campaign to fund next stage of growth: Burning Night Group has already secured £1m in the first weeks of its crowdfunding campaign on peer-to-peer lending platform Crowdstacker. … view
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Friday 7th October 2016
Sky News – Luke Johnson in three-way battle to acquire Ed’s Easy Diner
Sky News – Luke Johnson in three-way battle to acquire Ed’s Easy Diner: Sector investor Luke Johnson is involved in a three-way battle to acquire Ed’s Easy Diner, Sky News reports. Risk Capital Partners, the private equity firm foun … view
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Friday 7th October 2016
Brains confirms redevelopment plans for brewery site in Cardiff
Brains confirms redevelopment plans for brewery site in Cardiff: It has been confirmed that SA Brain and Cardiff-based property developer Rightacres are in discussions to create a joint venture that could see the redevelopment of the Brains br … view
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Friday 7th October 2016
Oakman Inns reports second Enterprise site for Hunky Dory JV, like-for-likes up 4.2%
Oakman Inns reports second Enterprise site for Hunky Dory JV, like-for-likes up 4.2%: Oakman Inns & Restaurants expects to grow to 22 sites by June 2017 as it reports a continued strong sales performance for the first half of the financial yea … view
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Friday 7th October 2016
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Dog-friendly hospitality, hands off our puddings, and licence reviews and individual responsibility
Authors: Glynn Davis, Paul Chase and Gary Grant

Dog-friendly hospitality by Glynn Davis … view

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Friday 7th October 2016
Propel Friday News Briefing
PizzaExpress launches third-off food promotion: PizzaExpress is running a promotion offering a third off food in its restaurants until Sunday, 27 November. The company has been distributing vouchers advertising the offer, which can be han … view
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Thursday 6th October 2016
Losses deepen at Chipotle UK despite turnover increase
Losses deepen at Chipotle UK despite turnover increase: Losses have deepened at Chipotle UK’s seven strong operation despite a rise in turnover in the year to 31 December 2015. Turnover rose by 11.8% to £8,192,487 from £7,330,857 the year … view
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Thursday 6th October 2016
Update: Pizza Hut and KFC trading in the UK, Costa, McDonald’s
Yum! Brands reports Third Quarter growth for KFC and Pizza Hut in the UK: Yum! Brands has reported that its 900-plus KFC business in the UK grew sales by 5% in the Third Quarter to 3 September with year-to-date sales up 2% – the UK divi … view
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Thursday 6th October 2016
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Startup aiming to match millennials with shift work in London’s hospitality sector raises £1m for launch: London-based startup Gig, which aims to match millennials with shift work in the capital’s hospitality sector, has raised £1m … view
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Wednesday 5th October 2016
Update: Time Out signs lease on new 22,000 square foot food market
Time Out signs to open 22,000 square foot food market in Porto: Time Out Group, the global multi-platform media and e-commerce business with food & cultural markets, has signed a lease for a new Time Out Market in the iconic São Bento tr … view
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Wednesday 5th October 2016
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Revolution Bars Group eyes 40-strong Revolucion de Cuba estate: Revolution Bars Group chief executive Mark McQuater has told Propel he believes the company can build its nine-strong second brand, Revolucion de Cuba, into an estate of at l … view
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Tuesday 4th October 2016
M Restaurants hits £1.35m crowdfunding target, to launch M Social concept, within 48 hours
M Restaurants hits £1.35m crowdfunding target, to launch M Social concept, within 48 hours: M Restaurants has hit its £1.35m target on crowdfunding platform Seedrs to launch its M Social concept and further expansion plans within 48 hours of … view
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Tuesday 4th October 2016
Krispy Kreme UK confirms sale to parent
Krispy Kreme UK confirms sale to parent: Krispy Kreme UK has announced the sale of 100% of the company’s share capital to Krispy Kreme Group, its US-based brand owner. Management and shareholders of Krispy Kreme UK (KKUK) received an offer a … view
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Tuesday 4th October 2016
Update: Revolution and Greggs trading, Krispy Kreme axes float
Revolution Bars Group reports turnover and profit boost: Revolution Bars Group, the operator of bars trading under the Revolution and Revolución de Cuba brands, has reported sales up 6.9% to £119.5m in the year to 30 June 2016. Like-for … view
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Tuesday 4th October 2016
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Starbucks aiming to make tea as popular as coffee in stores again as it launches Teavana hot brews in UK: Starbucks tea category manager Charlotta Oldham has told Propel it aims to make the drink as popular as coffee in its stores ag … view
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Monday 3rd October 2016
Michelin awards 17 new stars and one new two-star
Michelin awards 17 new stars and one new two-star: There are 17 new one-Michelin starred and one new two-Michelin starred restaurants in the 2017 Michelin Guide. This year’s stars were revealed live for the first time at the Institution of E … view
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Monday 3rd October 2016
M Restaurants gets off to flying start in £1.35m crowdfunding campaign to launch M Social concept
M Restaurants gets off to flying start in £1.35m crowdfunding campaign to launch M Social concept: M Restaurants has got off to a flying start in its £1.35m fund-raise on crowdfunding platform Seedrs to launch its M Social concept and f … view
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Monday 3rd October 2016
Propel Monday News Briefing
Bedlam launches £330,000 crowdfunding campaign to build new brewery: Sussex-based craft brewer Bedlam has launched a £330,000 fund-raise on crowdfunding platform Crowdcube as it aims to build a new brewery. The company is offering a 32% … view
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Sunday 2nd October 2016
Hotcha secures £7.5m to become ‘Domino’s Pizza of Chinese takeaway market’
Hotcha secures £7.5m to become ‘Domino’s Pizza of Chinese takeaway market’: Hotcha, the Chinese takeaway franchise, has sealed a £7.5m investment to fund national expansion plans, as it vows to become the Domino’s Pizza of the Chines … view
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