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Tuesday 31st January 2017
Charles Wells reports turnover and profit rise, preparing to accelerate roll-out of Pizza, Pots and Pints concept
Charles Wells reports turnover and profit rise, preparing to accelerate roll-out of Pizza, Pots and Pints concept: Bedford-based brewer and retailer Charles Wells has reported a rise in turnover and profit and is preparing to accelerate the ro … view
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Tuesday 31st January 2017
Update: Apprenticeship Levy warning, AB InBev advisory fees, Britvic trading
Apprenticeship Levy ‘could sacrifice quality for quantity’, new report warns: The Apprenticeship Levy risks repeating the mistakes of the past, being poor value for money and causing particular damage to the public sector, a think tan … view
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Tuesday 31st January 2017
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Weak pound threatens craft beer revolution, say brewers: UK brewers have warned that the slump in sterling following the EU referendum is threatening the industry’s “craft beer revolution”, as the cost of imported ingredients and eq … view
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Monday 30th January 2017
Update: Caprice Holdings, Comptoir Group, Conviviality
The Ivy revamp takes bite out of Caprice Holdings profits: The closure of The Ivy for an overhaul before its 100th anniversary has taken a bite out of the 2015 profits at Caprice Holdings. Although sales at the restaurant group, owned by … view
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Monday 30th January 2017
Propel Monday News Briefing
The Stable to launch 'cider master' programme: The Stable operations director David Gough has revealed the brand is in the early stages of creating a “cider master” programme. Cider is a is a pivotal part of the Stable proposition at … view
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Friday 27th January 2017
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Building brewery retail sales, how businesses can try something new in the experience economy, and broadening the appeal of cider 
Authors: Glynn Davis, James Marchant and Emma Sherwood-Smith

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Friday 27th January 2017
Results: Hickory's Smokehouse and Starbucks
Ebitda before exceptional costs hit £1.33m at Hickory’s Smokehouse: Hickory’s Smokehouse has posted sales of £14.4m for the year ended 30 April 2016, up from £12.8m for the previous 12 months. Group Ebitda before exceptional costs … view
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Friday 27th January 2017
Tesco and Booker unveil merger plan
Tesco and Booker unveil merger plan: The boards of Tesco and Booker Group have reached an agreement on the terms of a recommended share and cash merger that values Booker at £3.7bn. A stock market statement said: “The combined group will br … view
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Friday 27th January 2017
Propel Friday News Briefing
Signature Living buys Alma bar in Liverpool, plans to take brand nationwide: Aparthotel developer and operator Signature Living has bought the Alma de Cuba bar in Liverpool – and plans to take the brand nationwide. The company has acqui … view
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Thursday 26th January 2017
The Restaurant Group puts 23 sites on market
The Restaurant Group puts 23 sites on market: The Restaurant Group has instructed agent Savills to sell 23 of its former restaurants in England, Scotland and Wales. The units are available on an individual basis and comprise a mix of former Fr … view
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Thursday 26th January 2017
Trading update: Whitbread, Fuller’s, SSP and Sky
Whitbread posts 1.7% like-for-like sales growth in 13 weeks to 1 December 2016: Whitbread has reported like-for-like sales rose 1.7% in the 13 weeks to 1 December 2016. Premier Inn like-for-likes were up 1.8% although its pub restaurants … view
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Thursday 26th January 2017
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Goose Island – ‘we see Vintage Ale House in London as blueprint for potential further openings in key European cities’: Chicago craft brewer Goose Island sees its first Vintage Ale House in Balham, south London, as the blueprint for … view
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Wednesday 25th January 2017
Former Young’s chief executive Stephen Goodyear to become chairman
Former Young’s chief executive Stephen Goodyear to become chairman: Young & Co has announced Nick Bryan is to stand down as non-executive chairman and will retire from the board at the end of the current financial year on 3 April 2017. … view
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Wednesday 25th January 2017
Update: The Restaurant Group reports Q4 like-for-likes down 5.9%
The Restaurant Group reports fourth quarter like-for-likes down 5.9%: The Restaurant Group has reported fourth quarter like-for-likes down 5.9%, driven by “underperformance by its leisure brands”. Total turnover increased by 3.7% vers … view
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Wednesday 25th January 2017
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Stonegate paid £13.6m to acquire 15 Maclay Inns pubs out of administration, new documents reveal: Stonegate Pub Company paid a total of £13.6m to acquire 15 pubs owned by Maclay Inns out of administration, it has been revealed. Document … view
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Tuesday 24th January 2017
Update: Marston’s, Fever-Tree
Marston’s reports encouraging trading: Marston’s has reported trading in the 16 weeks to 21 January has been encouraging, including good trading over the Christmas and New Year period despite tough comparatives. It stated: “In Desti … view
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Tuesday 24th January 2017
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
McDonald’s reports like-for-likes up 2.7% in fourth quarter: McDonald’s has reported global like-for-likes rose 2.7% in its fourth quarter to 31 December 2016. Chief executive Steve Easterbrook said: “Throughout 2016, we worked dili … view
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Monday 23rd January 2017
Easyhotel set to open eight new sites this financial year
Easyhotel set to open eight new sites this financial year: Easyhotel, the owner, developer, operator and franchisor of “super budget” branded hotels, has reported it continued to make good progress an the year ending 30 September 2017. Fur … view
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Monday 23rd January 2017
Propel Monday News Briefing
Record international visitors to English regions and Wales in 2016: International tourists are travelling across the English regions and Wales in record numbers and spending more too, according to a new report. It showed in the first nine … view
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Friday 20th January 2017
Brewhouse & Kitchen reports December like-for-likes up 14.6%
Brewhouse & Kitchen reports December like-for-likes up 14.6%: Brewhouse & Kitchen, the expanding brewhouse concept led by Simon Bunn and Kris Gumbrell, has reported December like-for-like sales were up 14.6%. The company said investment into a … view
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Friday 20th January 2017
Friday Opinion
Subjects: It’s not just about the beer for pubs, cask beer bashing – why it has to stop, and preserving margins and minimising pricing impact 
Authors: Glynn Davis, Paul Nunny and Ann Elliott

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Friday 20th January 2017
Update: Loungers, Time Out, Heineken
Loungers eyes 100th site in April: Loungers, the Lion Capital-backed cafe bar operator, has opened its first site in 2017, Renato Lounge, in Mere Green – and is set to hit the 100 site mark by April. Renato Lounge is located in a 3,400 … view
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Friday 20th January 2017
Propel Friday News Briefing
City Pub Company toasts record-breaking 2016 with £500 staff bonus: Independent pub operator City Pub Company is paying a bonus to staff following its record-breaking performance in 2016 where sales increased 37%. The company said the pa … view
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Thursday 19th January 2017
Update: Revolution Bars Group trading, Ivy results
Revolution Bars Group reports like-for-likes up 2% in First Half: Revolution Bars Group, the operator of 66 premium bars across the UK, under the Revolution and Revolución de Cuba brands, has reported like-for-like sales rose by 2.0% in … view
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Thursday 19th January 2017
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Pub and restaurant like-for-like sales increase 2.2% in December, London sees 5.1% uplift: Pub and restaurant groups saw collective like-for-like sales increase 2.2% over the six-week Christmas and New Year period compared with last year, … view
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Thursday 19th January 2017
Pub and restaurant like-for-like sales increase 2.2% in December, London sees 5.1% uplift
Pub and restaurant like-for-like sales increase 2.2% in December, London sees 5.1% uplift: Pub and restaurant groups saw collective like-for-like sales increase 2.2% over the six-week Christmas and New Year period compared with last year, … view
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Wednesday 18th January 2017
Foodservice visits forecast to grow 0.4% in 2017, City Pub Company December sales up 47%
British out-of-home foodservice visits forecast to grow 0.4% in 2017: The British out-of-home (OOH) foodservice market could grow visits by as much as 0.4% in 2017 to 11.34 billion and a further 1.6% in 2018 to 11.52 billion, according to … view
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Wednesday 18th January 2017
Update: JD Wetherspoon and ETM Group trading, Bistrot Pierre loyalty app and rebrand, Deliveroo jobs
JD Wetherspoon reports like-for-likes increase 3.2%: JD Wetherspoon has reported like-for-like sales increased by 3.2% in the first 12 weeks of its second quarter to 15 January 2017, with total sales up 0.7% in the period. In the year to … view
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Wednesday 18th January 2017
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Brits prioritise leisure spending on eating and drinking out in December, pubs now favourite evening dining destination: British households prioritised their leisure spending on eating and drinking out in December as spend in those areas … view
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Wednesday 18th January 2017
Brits prioritise leisure spending on eating and drinking out in December, pubs now favourite evening dining destination
Brits prioritise leisure spending on eating and drinking out in December, pubs now favourite evening dining destination: British households prioritised their leisure spending on eating and drinking out in December as spend in those areas … view
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Tuesday 17th January 2017
Foodservice pricing falls slightly in December but remains almost 2% up year-on-year
Foodservice pricing falls slightly in December but remains almost 2% up year-on-year: Foodservice pricing fell slightly in December but remains almost 2% up year-on-year, according to new data. Price inflation on food and non-alcoholic drinks, … view
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Tuesday 17th January 2017
Results update: Greggs, Hotel Chocolat and Elegant Hotels
Greggs reports 2016 results expected to be ahead of expectations: Greggs has reported total sales up 7.0% in 2016 with company-managed shop like-for-like sales up 4.2%. A total of 208 refits were completed in 2016 with 145 new shops opene … view
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Tuesday 17th January 2017
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Vaulkhard Group reports turnover passes £10m following major business restructure: Newcastle-based Vaulkhard Group has reported turnover has passed the £10m mark following a major restructure of the business. The company saw turnover in … view
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Monday 16th January 2017
Casual Dining Restaurant & Pub Awards 2017 finalists revealed
Casual Dining Restaurant & Pub Awards 2017 finalists revealed: The finalists for the Casual Dining Restaurant & Pub Awards 2017 have been revealed. A total of 67 casual dining pub and restaurant operators have been nominated for awards ac … view
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Monday 16th January 2017
Propel Monday News Briefing
YO! Sushi plans to double openings this year, like-for-like sales strongly positive since last summer: YO! Sushi is planning to double its openings this year – with an opening in London Bridge and two in Glasgow already confirmed. The e … view
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Friday 13th January 2017
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Perhaps it’s no longer ‘bigger and better’ in the US, a handy cut-out-and-keep instant rebuttal guide to countering neo-prohibitionist lies, and the growing importance of foodservice outlets in shopping centres
< … view
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Friday 13th January 2017
Casual Dining Group lands contract to operate Jersey Airport concessions
Casual Dining Group lands contract to operate Jersey Airport concessions: Casual Dining Group (CDG) has landed the contract to run all food and beverage concessions at Jersey Airport, after a competitive tender process run by Ports of Jersey. … view
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Friday 13th January 2017
Christie & Co reports 2016 pub and restaurant value rise, M&B's 4.7% festive LfLs
Christie & Co: Pubs, restaurants and hotel saw prices rise in 2016: Average business property prices once again increased across pubs, restaurants and hotels in 2016, according to the latest report by specialist business property adviser, … view
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Friday 13th January 2017
Propel Friday News Briefing
D&D London reports December UK like-for-like revenue up 7%, has first £1m gross takings day: Restaurant operator D&D London has reported record December trading, with UK like-for-like revenue up 7%. The company saw overall revenue increa … view
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Thursday 12th January 2017
Whitbread completes sale and leaseback of two London hotels, expects to net £200m from such deals this year
Whitbread completes sale and leaseback of two London hotels, expects to net £200m from such deals this year: Whitbread has completed the sale and leaseback of two hotels in London and now expects to net £200m from such deals this year. The c … view
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Thursday 12th January 2017
Leisure market active and readily liquid for company deals in fourth quarter
Leisure market active and readily liquid for company deals in fourth quarter: The market was active and readily liquid for company deals in the fourth quarter of 2016, according to the latest UK Leisure Sector report by agent Fleurets. The per … view
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Thursday 12th January 2017
Update: Tesco and Booker Group trading, operators sign for Waterloo station scheme
Tesco reports strong Christmas as it sees first quarterly market share gain since 2011: Tesco has reported UK like-for-like sales rose 0.7% in the six weeks to 7 January 2017 having seen its eighth consecutive quarter of growth. UK like-f … view
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Thursday 12th January 2017
Casual Dining Group reports FY turnover and Ebitda boost, record festive performance
Casual Dining Group reports FY turnover and Ebitda boost, record festive performance: Casual Dining Group, which operates Cafe Rouge, Bella Italia and Las Iguanas, has reported a turnover and Ebitda boost in its full year results as well … view
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Thursday 12th January 2017
Propel Thursday News Briefing
SSP extends Debenhams partnership by agreeing to reopen three Ed’s Easy Diner sites: SSP Group, the operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations worldwide, has extended its partnership with Debenhams after agreeing to reope … view
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Wednesday 11th January 2017
Novus acquisition, Grand Union sale, Revolution new commercial director
Novus Leisure acquires three Rocket sites: Novus Leisure, the London bar and restaurant operator, has bought Rocket Restaurants. The deal at an undisclosed price will complete on 30 January 2017. The sale includes the three London Rocket … view
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Wednesday 11th January 2017
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Flour Pot Bakery to more than double size of production facility to support retail expansion plans: Brighton and Hove-based artisan bakehouse Flour Pot Bakery is to more than double the size of its production facility to support its ambit … view
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Tuesday 10th January 2017
Private equity firm leads £2.7m investment in QikServe
Private equity firm leads £2.7m investment in QikServe: Private equity firm Maven Capital Partners has led a £2.7m (US$3.4m) investment in QikServe, which has developed a patented business-to-business cloud-based platform aimed at hospitalit … view
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Tuesday 10th January 2017
Update: Deliveroo, Whitbread, Majestic Wine, Just Eat, Everyman
Law firm considers legal action against Deliveroo: Law firm Leigh Day has announced it is talking to Deliveroo delivery riders about a “potential legal action” against the food delivery firm, attacking its current business model as … view
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Tuesday 10th January 2017
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Wagamama to launch loyalty app that rewards customers based on how they prefer to dine: Wagamama will launch a loyalty app that rewards customers based on how they prefer to dine with the company. Rather than being based on frequency of v … view
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Monday 9th January 2017
Update: D&D London, McDonald’s and Punch
Restaurant company D&D London plans Bluebird cafe expansion: Restaurant operator D&D London is planning to expand its Bluebird cafe business, which has operated from a site in Chelsea for more than 20 years. It has signed a deal with prop … view
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Monday 9th January 2017
Propel Monday News Briefing
Restaurants, bars and hotels spearhead strongest quarter for consumer spending since 2014: Restaurants, bars and hotels spearheaded the strongest quarter for consumer spending for two years, according to the latest data from Visa. Average … view
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Monday 9th January 2017
Restaurants, bars and hotels spearhead strongest quarter for consumer spending since 2014, Ralph Lauren to launch first UK bar
Restaurants, bars and hotels spearhead strongest quarter for consumer spending since 2014: Restaurants, bars and hotels spearheaded the strongest quarter for consumer spending for two years, according to the latest data from Visa. Average … view
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Friday 6th January 2017
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Cloudwater, quality and CAMRA dinosaurs; Belgo and other brave beer pioneers; and inspirational messages
Authors: Martyn Cornell, Glynn Davis and Ann Elliott

Cloudwater, quality and CAMR … view

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Friday 6th January 2017
Jamie Oliver shutters six sites, 'staycations' hit record levels
Jamie Oliver to close six restaurants: Jamie Oliver is to close six of his Jamie’s Italian restaurants on the back of difficult trading since the Brexit vote. The closures will affect 120 member of staff. Oliver said that he hoped to fi … view
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Friday 6th January 2017
Propel Friday News Briefing
New study reveals best and worst areas for restaurant food hygiene: The best restaurants and cafes in the UK for food hygiene ratings are in the council areas of South Derbyshire, Darlington and South Norfolk, according to a new study. Th … view
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Thursday 5th January 2017
Freehold pub sales increase 150% as mix moves away from bottom-end, leasehold and package market
Freehold pub sales increase 150% as mix moves away from bottom-end, leasehold and package market: Freehold pub sales increased 150% as the mix moved away from bottom-end sales, leaseholds and packages in 2016 according to agent Fleurets’ sur … view
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Thursday 5th January 2017
Stonegate reports 5.7% like-for-like growth over festive period
Stonegate reports 5.7% like-for-like growth over festive period: Stonegate Pub Company, the operator of 691 drink-led, high street bars, has reported that it has performed strongly over the festive four week period (5 December to 1 January). T … view
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Thursday 5th January 2017
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Boparan Restaurant Holdings closes three more Ed’s Easy Diner sites, including only site in Northern Ireland: Boparan Restaurant Holdings has closed three more Ed’s Easy Diner sites – it bought 33 sites in October of last year. Amon … view
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Wednesday 4th January 2017
Samworth buys West Cornwall Pasty Company
Samworth buys West Cornwall Pasty Company: Samworth Brothers has bought West Cornwall Pasty Company for an undisclosed fee three years after the Cornish pasty-maker was bought out of administration by a fund backed by former England footballer … view
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Wednesday 4th January 2017
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Beds and Bars reports turnover and Ebitda boost despite terrorism attacks: Beds and Bars, the pan-European hostel operator led by Keith Knowles, has reported a boost to turnover and group Ebitda in a year that saw terrorism attacks and di … view
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Tuesday 3rd January 2017
Oakman Inns reports results, makes £3.6m acquisition
Oakman Inns reports results, makes £3.6m acquisition: Oakman Inns has reported full year results, buoyant December trading and a £3.6m acquisition. The accounts for year ending April 2016, show group turnover up by 52.8% at £19.3m, like for … view
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Monday 2nd January 2017
Update: Operators' food and drink inflation warning, Grand Union December trading, 'McVatican' opens
Operators urged to take urgent action to tackle impact of food and drink inflation: Operators need to get 2017 off to the right start by taking urgent action to tackle the impact of food and drink inflation on their business, buying speci … view
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Monday 2nd January 2017
Coaching Inn Group reports December sales up 35%, like-for-likes increase 4.4%
Coaching Inn Group reports December sales up 35%, like-for-likes increase 4.4%: Independent coaching inns operator The Coaching Inn Group has reported December was a record month for the company with net sales of £2.1m, representing a 35 … view
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