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Wednesday 28th February 2018
Sky News – Prezzo to close 100 restaurants including all Chimichanga sites
Sky News – Prezzo to close 100 restaurants including all Chimichanga sites: Prezzo plans to close up to one-third of its 300 outlets across the UK as it battles to restructure its finances. Prezzo, which is owned by private equity firm TPG C … view
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Wednesday 28th February 2018
Update: SSP shareholder revolt, Whitbread acquisition, Greggs
SSP shareholders in revolt over chairman and remuneration: The board added: “Specifically, the board and the Management team believe that Mr Sørensen’s knowledge of the business and extensive experience brings many benefits to the gr … view
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Wednesday 28th February 2018
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Burger van owner sees off legal threat from McDonald’s over branding and name: The owner of a burger van from Norwich has seen off a legal threat from McDonald’s after he was accused of infringing the company’s trademark. Matthew Co … view
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Tuesday 27th February 2018
Update: Greggs results, nightclub liquidation, ‘Dine & Dash’, and Dalata Group results
Greggs reports like-for-likes up 3.2% in first eight weeks of 2018: Greggs has reported total sales up 7.4% to £960.0m (2016: £894.2m) in the year to 31 December 2017. Company-managed shop like-for-like sales were up 3.7% (2016: 4.2%). … view
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Tuesday 27th February 2018
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
JW Lees reorganises business as it adds two hotels to portfolio: North west brewer and retailer JW Lees has reorganised its business to build capacity for future acquisitions as it adds two hotels to its portfolio, Propel has learned. The … view
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Monday 26th February 2018
Wagamama signs for third and fourth New York locations
Wagamama signs for third and fourth New York locations: Wagamama has signed leases totalling 14,000 square feet at two high-profile New York Midtown office towers for its third and fourth Manhattan locations – the sites are located at … view
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Monday 26th February 2018
Update: Caffè Nero results, Starbucks trials 5p paper cup charge
Caffè Nero reports 2.8% like-for-like sales growth: Caffè Nero has announced its UK results for the period from June 1 2016 to May 31 2017, showing sales up 8% and like-for-like sales growth of 2.8%. In the period from June 1 2017 to De … view
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Monday 26th February 2018
Propel Monday News Briefing
Average spend on late-night out rises 13.8%: The average spend by people on a night out between November and January rose 13.8% to £59.49 compared with the same period last year, according to the latest Deltic Night Index. The report fou … view
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Monday 26th February 2018
Average spend on late-night out rises 13.8%
Average spend on late-night out rises 13.8%: The average spend by people on a night out between November and January rose 13.8% to £59.49 compared with the same period last year, according to the latest Deltic Night Index. The report found mo … view
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Friday 23rd February 2018
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Survive or thrive, uniting the brewing generations, Big Temperance versus Big Alcohol, and adjust your offer for the delivery age 

Authors: James Hacon, Glynn Davis, Paul Chase and James Sandr … view
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Friday 23rd February 2018
Wagamama debuts in Austria, 24th international territory
Wagamama debuts in Austria, 24th international territory: Wagamama, the leading international pan Asian-style restaurant business, has opened its first Austrian restaurant at the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet in Parndorf, Vienna. This brings … view
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Friday 23rd February 2018
Propel Friday News Briefing
Ei Group to launch ‘barrel top’ pizza concept: Ei Group is launching a “barrel top” pizza concept to help its publicans tap into the pizza market. The new offer will be unveiled at EiLive2018 – Ei Publican Partnerships’ annual … view
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Thursday 22nd February 2018
Update: ALMR/BHA merger, Easyhotel fund-raise, Casual Dining winners, Byron closures
ALMR and BHA vote to merger to form UKHospitality: Overwhelming support from ALMR and BHA members yesterday triggered a merger and the creation of UKHospitality, a strong, united voice for the hospitality sector. UKHospitality will be the … view
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Thursday 22nd February 2018
Propel Thursday News Briefing
More than quarter of out-of-home visits involve deal or promotion: More than one-quarter (28%) of out-of-home visits involve some form of deal or promotion, according to new data from insights firm NPD Group. And, with the figure amountin … view
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Wednesday 21st February 2018
Greene King partners with Kained Holdings for second joint venture
Greene King partners with Kained Holdings for second joint venture: Brewer and retailer Greene King has partnered with Glasgow-based operator Kained Holdings for its second joint venture. The partnership will see a six-figure investment by Gre … view
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Wednesday 21st February 2018
Update: Hotel Chocolat results, Booker/Tesco deal hostility, Feast It funding
Hotel Chocolat reports revenue and Ebitda boost: Hotel Chocolat Group has reported revenue increased 15% to £71.7m for the 26 weeks ended 31 December 2017 compared with £62.5m the previous year. Underlying Ebitda was up 15% to £15.8m c … view
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Wednesday 21st February 2018
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Dark Star to pause on pub expansion to concentrate on new Fuller’s partnership: James Cuthbertson, managing director of West Sussex-based brewer and retailer Dark Star, has told Propel the company is pausing expansion of its pub estate … view
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Tuesday 20th February 2018
Fuller’s acquires Dark Star
Fuller’s acquires Dark Star: London brewer and retailer Fuller’s has acquired West Sussex-based craft brewer Dark Star. The deal, which sees Fuller’s take a 100% stake in the business, will give Dark Star access to the funds it needs to … view
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Tuesday 20th February 2018
BrewDog reveals plans for craft beer hotel next to Scottish headquarters
BrewDog reveals plans for craft beer hotel next to Scottish headquarters: Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog has revealed plans for a craft beer hotel at its headquarters in Scotland. The company will launch The DogHouse, as the hotel will b … view
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Tuesday 20th February 2018
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Union says KFC’s chickens have ‘come home to roost’ as majority of UK sites close due to delivery woes: The GMB union has said the chickens have “come home to roost” after a mass chicken shortage forced KFC to close 750 of its 9 … view
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Monday 19th February 2018
Delivery issues shut KFC sites, Martin Hayes, UK’s largest dessert restaurant opens
DHL delivery problems shuts KFC sites: Delivery company DHL has apologised after multiple KFC branches were forced to close when their chicken wasn’t delivered. The problems arose just four months after the courier company promised to … view
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Monday 19th February 2018
Propel Monday News Briefing
Sticks 'n' Sushi reports turnover and Ebitda growth: The UK operation of Danish company Sticks 'n' Sushi has reported turnover rose to £15.6m (2016: £12.8m) in the year to 30 June 2017. Ebitda increased to £2.3m compared with £1m the … view
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Friday 16th February 2018
Update: Gino D’Acampo openings, Hop Stuff fund-raise, Stonegate et al
Individual Restaurants to open five Gino D’Acampo sites this year as total brand turnover nears £100m: Individual Restaurants has said it will open at least five sites this year under its joint venture with chef Gino D’Acampo as the … view
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Friday 16th February 2018
Friday Opinion
Subjects: United voice will underpin hospitality’s future, full steam ahead and six thoughts from the past six days
Authors: Kate Nicholls, Glynn Davis and Ann Elliott

United voice will underpin … view

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Friday 16th February 2018
Propel Friday News Briefing
McDonald’s to offer more balanced children’s meals around the globe by end of 2022: McDonald’s has revealed plans to offer more balanced children’s meals around the globe by the end of 2022. The company said at least 50% of childr … view
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Thursday 15th February 2018
Update: Deep Blue expansion, Hunky Dory results, EAT results, City Pub Company
Deep Blue Restaurants expands after reducing debt: Fish and chip brand Deep Blue Restaurants is adding an expected eight sites to its 21-strong portfolio after reducing debt. The company converted loan notes to new shares in October 2017, … view
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Thursday 15th February 2018
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Sector like-for-likes up 0.6% in January, drink-led businesses to see further growth with recovery for ‘well-run, sophisticated restaurant brands’: Britain’s managed pub and restaurant chains saw collective like-for-like sales incre … view
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Thursday 15th February 2018
Sector like-for-likes up 0.6% in January, restaurant food waste app launches in London
Sector like-for-likes up 0.6% in January, drink-led businesses to see further growth with recovery for ‘well-run, sophisticated restaurant brands’: Britain’s managed pub and restaurant chains saw collective like-for-like sales incre … view
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Wednesday 14th February 2018
Handmade Burger Company directors filed for bankruptcy while owing £1.2m to business
Handmade Burger Company directors filed for bankruptcy while owing £1.1m to business: Two directors of Handmade Burger Company, which is in administration, filed for bankruptcy, with its third set to do so, while owing £1.1m they borrowed fr … view
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Wednesday 14th February 2018
Update: Premier League auction rights, new Chipotle chief executive, Square Pie mini-bonds
Cost of Premier League football rights dampened in latest auction: Sky and BT have agreed to pay £4.46 billion for rights to the majority of live Premiership matches. Five out of seven packages of matches have been awarded in the current … view
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Wednesday 14th February 2018
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Russell Norman – Spuntino’s move into UK airports allows us to reach a new audience as well as location: Restaurateur Russell Norman has told Propel that Spuntino’s move into UK airports with The Restaurant Group Concessions (TRG Co … view
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Tuesday 13th February 2018
Spuntino partners with TRG Concessions to open restaurants in UK airports
Spuntino partners with TRG Concessions to open restaurants in UK airports: Restaurant entrepreneurs Russell Norman and Richard Beatty, the pair behind Polpo, have signed an exclusive franchise agreement with The Restaurant Group (TRG) Con … view
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Tuesday 13th February 2018
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Red’s True Barbecue closes only London site to ‘consolidate efforts in the regions’: American smokehouse chain Red’s True Barbecue has closed its only London site as it looks to “consolidate its efforts in the regions”. The co … view
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Monday 12th February 2018
Update: Consumer spending downturn, Cineworld, Heineken
Consumer spending falls to its lowest in five years: Britons cut their January spending on consumer goods for the first time in five years as concerns about household finances and the wider economy in the year ahead begin to bite. Worried … view
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Monday 12th February 2018
Propel Monday News Briefing
Imbiba closes £50m fund for high-growth UK leisure and hospitality businesses: Imbiba, the specialist leisure and hospitality investment group, has closed the Imbiba Growth Fund at its hard cap target of £50m. With an investment of £30 … view
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Friday 9th February 2018
Update: Jamie's Italian CVA gets approval, UK's first pod rooms, Esquires Coffee et al
Jamie’s Italian receives CVA approval from creditors: Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group has had its Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) approved by creditors, which is set to lead to the closure of at least 12 Jamie’s Italian sites. Under … view
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Friday 9th February 2018
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Innovation stifled, jury’s out on flights of fancy and straight statistics matter 
Authors: James Hacon, Glynn Davis and Paul Chase

Innovation stifled by James Hacon

We all kn … view
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Friday 9th February 2018
Update: Tim Bacon Foundation, Ten Entertainment, D&D London, West End
Gusto raises £50,000 for Tim Bacon Foundation: Italian casual dining group Gusto has raised more than £50,000 for the Tim Bacon Foundation. The group’s 19 restaurants collected donations from diners across January. Tim Bacon was the c … view
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Friday 9th February 2018
Propel Friday News Briefing
Bill to reform Scotland’s tied pub sector receives cross-party support: A new bill to reform Scotland’s tied pub sector has secured cross-party support. The Tied Pubs Bill, proposed by Labour MSP Neil Bibby, would create a statutory P … view
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Thursday 8th February 2018
TGI Friday’s boss contacts Propel to dispel ‘nonsense’ closures stories
TGI Friday’s boss contacts Propel to dispel ‘nonsense’ closures stories: TGI Friday’s chief executive Karen Forrester has contacted Propel to quash “nonsense” regional news stories suggesting site closures and financial distre … view
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Thursday 8th February 2018
Update: New Revolution ceo, Ei Group trading and Goals new ceo
Revolution Bars Group announce Rob Pitcher a new chief executive: Revolution Bars Group has announced the appointment of Rob Pitcher as its new chief executive. The joining date will be advised in due course. The company stated: “Rob ha … view
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Thursday 8th February 2018
Propel Thursday News Briefing
UK hotel sector ‘approaching top end of the market’ as softening revpar growth continues, 2017 transaction volumes almost double: UK hotels saw continued softening revpar growth in the fourth quarter of the year suggesting the sector … view
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Wednesday 7th February 2018
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
UK consumers to prioritise discretionary leisure spending: Consumer spending on eating and drinking out, in-home leisure, and culture and entertainment all increased during the fourth quarter of 2017, with consumers set to prioritise disc … view
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Wednesday 7th February 2018
On-trade beer sales fall 2.4% in 2017, biggest drop in four years
On-trade beer sales fall 2.4% in 2017, biggest drop in four years: On-trade beer sales fell 2.4% in 2017, the biggest drop in four years, according to the quarterly Beer Barometer from the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA). Overall, sales … view
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Tuesday 6th February 2018
Sky News – EAT set for wave of store closures as competition bites
Sky News – EAT set for wave of store closures as competition bites: Fresh food-to-go retailer EAT is considering a wave of store closures as it becomes the latest retailer to be forced to react to a rising high street cost-base. The company … view
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Tuesday 6th February 2018
TRG Concessions signs partnership with BrewDog to open bars in UK airports and railway stations
TRG Concessions signs partnership with BrewDog to open bars in UK airports and railway stations: The Restaurant Group (TRG) Concessions has signed an exclusive franchise partnership with Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog to open bars in UK … view
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Tuesday 6th February 2018
BrewDog unveils location for Australian brewery
BrewDog unveils location for Australian brewery: Scottish brewery and retailer BrewDog has announced Brisbane will be the home for its new Australian brewery, according to Brews News. Brisbane beat Newcastle after a six month search to become … view
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Tuesday 6th February 2018
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Simmons Bars plans seven sites a year as it steps up expansion following private equity investment, adds two more venues: Nick Campbell, chief executive of London-based Simmons Bars, has told Propel the company plans to open seven sites a … view
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Monday 5th February 2018
Thai and Argentinian steak brands merge in share deal
Thai and Argentinian steak brands merge in share deal: High Road Restaurants BidCo, the owner of the Koh Thai Tapas chain of Thai restaurants, has announced a share merger with Buenos Aires Restaurants Holdings, owner of the Buenos Aires (BA) … view
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Monday 5th February 2018
Square Pie goes into administration as restaurant business collapses
Square Pie goes into administration as restaurant business collapses: Gourmet pie company Square Pie, which operates five restaurants, has gone into administration, blaming a “perfect storm” of falling retail demand together with rising re … view
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Monday 5th February 2018
Private equity firm buys majority stake in Simmons Bars operator
Private equity firm buys majority stake in Simmons Bars operator: Lonsdale Capital Partners, the private equity firm focused on the lower mid-market, has acquired a majority stake in Nightlight Leisure, which trades under the name Simmons Bars … view
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Monday 5th February 2018
Upham Group reports like-for-likes up 4.0% as it makes first pre-tax profit
Upham Group reports like-for-likes up 4.0% as it makes first pre-tax profit: Upham Group, the operator of 16 premium pubs across the south of England with its own regional brewery, has reported like-for-like sales grew 4.0% for the year e … view
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Monday 5th February 2018
Update: Booker’s Charles Wilson, Social Entertainment Ventures flotation
Booker’s Charles Wilson to join Tesco board: Tesco has announced that upon completion of the merger with Booker Group, expected to be 5 March 2018, Booker chief executive Charles Wilson will be appointed as chief executive of Tesco’s … view
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Monday 5th February 2018
Propel Monday News Briefing
SSP reports progress in franchising its own brands: Transport hub foodservice specialist SSP, which operates a portfolio of 400 brands and concepts, has begun to franchise its own brands, including Millie’s Cookies, Upper Crust and Rita … view
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Friday 2nd February 2018
Update: Camerons to continue Head of Steam expansion, McDonald's, Cineworld
Camerons to continue Head of Steam expansion with Nottingham and Leicester sites: Camerons Brewery is to continue expansion of its The Head of Steam brand by opening sites in Nottingham and Leicester. The Nottingham venue is due to open i … view
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Friday 2nd February 2018
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Secondary Siberia dining rooms, top ten marketing trends and success is in a brand’s DNA
Authors: Glynn Davis, James Hacon and Ann Elliott

Secondary Siberia dining rooms by Glynn Davis< … view

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Friday 2nd February 2018
Propel Friday News Briefing
Scottish multi-site operators outperform independents, Christmas sales poor overall: Multi-site operators in Scotland outperformed single-siters during the festive period with overall sales in the country proving poor, according to the Sc … view
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Thursday 1st February 2018
Casual Dining Group acquires contract to operate DUBL wine bar in UK
Casual Dining Group acquires contract to operate DUBL wine bar in UK: Casual Dining Group (CDG) has acquired an exclusive contract from Italian wine producer Feudi di San Gregorio to operate DUBL wine bars in the UK as it continues to exp … view
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Thursday 1st February 2018
Pret partners with HMSHost International to launch into Scandinavia with Copenhagen airport openings
Pret partners with HMSHost International to launch into Scandinavia with Copenhagen airport openings: Pret A Manger is to launch its first sites in Scandinavia with two openings at Copenhagen airport in Denmark next week after partnering with … view
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Thursday 1st February 2018
Update: Comptoir Group trading, AG BARR
Comptoir Group reports trading ‘above market expectations’: Comptoir Group, the operator of Lebanese and Eastern Mediterranean restaurants, has reported that ‘despite a difficult market backdrop, the directors are pleased to report … view
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Thursday 1st February 2018
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Sector will overpay business rates by £10bn by 2025 without taxation overhaul, warns ALMR: The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has warned that without government action to overhaul business taxation, the hospitality sec … view
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