| Friday 30th September 2022 |
| Exclusive: RedCat Pub Company appoints Phil Birbeck as CEO with Chris Hill leaving the business |
| Exclusive – RedCat Pub Company appoints Phil Birbeck as CEO with Chris Hill leaving business: RedCat Pub Company, the investment vehicle from ex-Greene King chief executive Rooney Anand, has appointed former Whitbread managing director Phil … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Friday 30th September 2022 |
| Des Gunewardena leaves D&D London to pursue other ventures, David Loewi becomes interim CEO |
| Des Gunewardena leaves D&D London to pursue other ventures, David Loewi becomes interim CEO: Restaurant operator D&D London has appointed its co-founder, chief operating officer and deputy chairman David Loewi as interim CEO, as Des Gunewarden … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Friday 30th September 2022 |
| Friday Opinion |
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Subjects: Dictatorial approach not helping Sam Smith’s, creating a F&B proposition relevant and meaningful to Generation Z, CRM – the answer to survival is right under your nose Authors: Gly … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Friday 30th September 2022 |
| Exclusive: McDonald’s UK turnover hits £1.5bn to exceed pre-pandemic levels |
| Exclusive – McDonald’s UK turnover hits £1.5bn to exceed pre-pandemic levels, returns to profit, paid £29m to buy out largest UK franchisee: McDonald’s UK has reported like-for-like sales in 2022 are up on last year as the business rep … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Friday 30th September 2022 |
| Update: Cineworld and Parkdean Resorts |
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Cineworld reports slower than expected recovery with admissions below expectations: Cineworld Group, which operates 747 cinema sites and 9,139 screens globally, has reported a slower than expected recovery in the first half of the year a … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Friday 30th September 2022 |
| Propel Friday News Briefing |
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Burger King starts roll out of ‘urban box-style’ concept, opening more sites in ‘traditional casual dining slots’: Burger King UK has begun the roll out of its fledgling “urban box-style” format, and chief executive Alasdair M … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 29th September 2022 |
| Update: M&B and Caprice Holdings |
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M&B reports like-for-likes up 1.5% in fourth quarter, expects energy and utility costs to almost double to £150m: Mitchells & Butlers has reported like-for-like sales were up 1.5% in its fourth quarter compared with 2019 as it said … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 29th September 2022 |
| Propel Thursday News Briefing |
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Exclusive – Downing acquires Pub People and commits to growth: Investment manager Downing has acquired Midlands pub company Pub People and committed to further funding for expansion, Propel has learned. Downing has acquired the company … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 29th September 2022 |
| Exclusive: Downing acquires Pub People and commits to growth |
|
Exclusive – Downing acquires Pub People and commits to growth: Investment manager Downing has acquired Midlands pub company Pub People and committed to further funding for expansion, Propel has learned. Downing has acquired the company … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Wednesday 28th September 2022 |
| Exclusive: The Big Table Group acquires Banana Tree |
| Exclusive – The Big Table Group acquires Banana Tree: The Big Table Group, the operator of Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Café Rouge, has acquired the fast-casual pan-Asian chain Banana Tree, Propel has learned. Founded more than 30 years ag … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Wednesday 28th September 2022 |
| Update: Ivy restaurants business passes £200m turnover |
|
Ivy restaurants business passes £200m turnover: The Ivy restaurants business owned by Richard Caring passed £200m of turnover in the year to 2 January 2022. Turnover of £200.4m (2021: £125.8m) was also slightly above the pre-pandemic … view |
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| Wednesday 28th September 2022 |
| Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
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Parent company of Backyard Chicken placed into liquidation: The future of Backyard Chicken, the concept from former Jamie’s Italian chief executive Simon Blagden, has been thrown into doubt after its parent company was placed into liqui … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Tuesday 27th September 2022 |
| Arc Inspirations outlines plans for significant growth as it reports record sales and profits |
| Arc Inspirations outlines plans for significant growth as it reports record sales and profits: Multi-site operator Arc Inspirations has outlined plans for significant growth as it reported record sales and profits. The Martin Wolstencroft-led … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Tuesday 27th September 2022 |
| Update: Domino’s appoints interim CEO, Dishoom and SSP Group |
|
Domino’s appoints interim CEO: Domino’s Pizza Group has appointed Elias Diaz Sese, currently a non-executive director of the company, as interim chief executive. This change will be effective from Monday, 10 October and Diaz Sese will … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Tuesday 27th September 2022 |
| Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
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James Watt – ‘mini-Budget’ will cost hundreds of thousands if not millions of jobs as costs soar further due to falling value of pound: James Watt, co-founder of Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog, has argued the “mini-Budget” … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Monday 26th September 2022 |
| JD Wetherspoon places 32 pubs on the market |
| JD Wetherspoon places 32 pubs on the market: JD Wetherspoon has placed a package of 32 of its pubs on the market. The properties, which comprise a mix of ten freehold and 22 leasehold units, are located in town and city centre locations across … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Monday 26th September 2022 |
| KFC and Starbucks franchisee Soul Foods receives investment to double 400-strong portfolio |
| KFC and Starbucks franchisee Soul Foods Group receives investment to double 400-strong portfolio in next five years: Soul Foods Group, a multinational quick-service restaurant franchisee with almost 400 sites across the UK and Canada, has rece … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Monday 26th September 2022 |
| Update: Brighton Pier Group and Chapel Down results, Domino's UK to hire 10,000 staff |
|
Brighton Pier Group reports record revenue but warns of significant trading challenges ahead: The Brighton Pier Group, which owns and trades Brighton Palace Pier, as well as indoor mini golf sites and premium bars nationwide, has reporte … view |
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| Monday 26th September 2022 |
| Propel Monday News Briefing |
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Upham attracts potential investor partners, seeing another ‘new normal’ emerge: Ian Dunstall, director at Upham Inns, the Hampshire operator, has said the 15-strong company has attracted interest from potential investor partners. Prop … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Friday 23rd September 2022 |
| Friday Opinion |
|
Subjects: Is prime minister Liz Truss a libertarian part two, biggest is not necessarily the best, keeping the restaurant revival afloat during cost-of-living crisis Authors: Paul Chase, Glynn Davis, Chris Harris |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Friday 23rd September 2022 |
| Anger as chancellor’s mini-Budget ignores pleas for VAT reduction and business rates relief |
| Anger as chancellor’s mini-Budget ignores pleas for VAT reduction and business rates relief: Industry leaders have lambasted chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-Budget after it offered little in the way of support for struggling hospitality … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Friday 23rd September 2022 |
| Update: Hospitality hit as consumers cut back, consumer confidence falls, cask ale, Creams, Mollies |
|
Hospitality hit as consumers cut back: More than a quarter of businesses reported a fall in revenues last month, with restaurants, pubs and bars in particular struggling as hard-up consumers tightened their purse strings. The Times repor … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Friday 23rd September 2022 |
| Propel Friday News Briefing |
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Hospitality underpins city centre vibrancy, but cost pressures threaten recovery: Pubs, bars and restaurants are still driving the post-covid-19 renaissance of Britain’s top cities, research from CGA by NielsenIQ and Wireless Social sho … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Friday 23rd September 2022 |
| Hospitality underpins city centre vibrancy, but cost pressures threaten recovery |
| Hospitality underpins city centre vibrancy, but cost pressures threaten recovery: Pubs, bars and restaurants are still driving the post-covid-19 renaissance of Britain’s top cities, research from CGA by NielsenIQ and Wireless Social shows … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 22nd September 2022 |
| Exclusive: Brewhouse & Kitchen set to appoint advisers as it assesses options |
|
Exclusive – Brewhouse & Kitchen set to appoint advisers as it assesses options, trading ahead of pre-pandemic levels: Brewhouse & Kitchen, the UK's largest brewpub operator, is set to appoint advisers as it assesses its options, Propel … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 22nd September 2022 |
| Update: Comptoir update, Adnams H1 update, new non-exec at Tortilla, Various Eateries CFO steps down |
|
Comptoir Group sees trading improve but cautious about the immediate-term outlook: Comptoir Group, the Comptoir Libanais operator, has said it has seen trade continue to improve “week to week” but said it was “cautious about the im … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 22nd September 2022 |
| Propel Thursday News Briefing |
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WatchHouse launches crowdfunding campaign to aid further expansion, more than £2m raised already: Edition Capital-backed coffee concept WatchHouse has launched a new crowdfunding campaign, to aid further expansion in the UK and online, w … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Wednesday 21st September 2022 |
| Dame Karen Jones to step down as executive chair of Prezzo |
|
Dame Karen Jones to step down as executive chair of Prezzo: Prezzo, the Cain International-backed Ital … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Wednesday 21st September 2022 |
| Sector welcomes ‘unprecedented’ intervention to cap energy bills but warns further support must be forthcoming |
|
Sector welcomes ‘unprecedented’ intervention to cap energy bills but warns further support must be forthcoming in mini-Budget: Sector leaders have welcomed the “unprecedented” intervention by government to cap energy bills for bus … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Wednesday 21st September 2022 |
| Update: UK businesses to benefit from price cap on energy bills, Fridays and City Pub updates |
|
UK businesses to benefit from price cap on energy bills: UK businesses will be protected from soaring energy bills under an emergency government scheme that ministers hope will prevent a wave of corporate collapses. The support scheme … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Wednesday 21st September 2022 |
| Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
|
Managed groups’ August sales up from pre-covid levels but inflation wipes out growth: Like-for-like sales at Britain’s managed restaurant, pub and bar groups in August were 2.0% ahead of the pre-covid-19 levels of 2019, the new editio … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Wednesday 21st September 2022 |
| Managed groups’ August sales up from pre-covid levels but inflation wipes out growth |
|
Managed groups’ August sales up from pre-covid levels but inflation wipes out growth: Like-for-like sales at Britain’s managed restaurant, pub and bar groups in August were 2.0% ahead of the pre-covid-19 levels of 2019, the new editio … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Tuesday 20th September 2022 |
| Sector demands urgent clarity on energy cap and need for wider government support to avoid ‘unfolding catastrophe’ on industry |
| Sector demands urgent clarity on energy cap and need for wider government support to avoid ‘unfolding catastrophe’ on industry: Sector trade bodies have demanded the government gives urgent clarity on the energy cap for businesses as well … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Tuesday 20th September 2022 |
| Update: Fuller’s sales continue to rebuild, Tasty update, Pret expansion, sector looks to mini-Budget, Tortilla |
|
Fuller’s sales continue to rebuild, total gas and electricity costs expected to rise by c.£10m: Fuller’s has reported that its sales continue to rebuild from the impact of the pandemic with total sales in the first 25 weeks of the f … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Tuesday 20th September 2022 |
| Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
|
Kwarteng considers blanket discount on business energy bills, gas prices forecast to more than halve by next spring: A blanket discount on business energy bills is being considered by chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng ahead of this week’s mini- … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Friday 16th September 2022 |
| Friday Opinion |
|
Subjects: Taking showing sports to the next level, future sales and profitability, consumer spending in the cost-of-living crisis Authors: Glynn Davis, Paul Pavli, Simon Stenning Taking showing s … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Friday 16th September 2022 |
| Propel Friday News Briefing |
|
Martin – we don’t have a labour shortage but do have a profitability issue, wage costs £120m more than before pandemic: Tim Martin, chairman of JD Wetherspoon, has argued his business, and the wider sector, “doesn’t have a labour … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 15th September 2022 |
| Propel Thursday News Briefing |
|
Sector warns only ‘immediate and large-scale interventions can save huge parts of the industry’ despite government confirming business energy support from October: Businesses will receive money to help them with increases to their fue … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Wednesday 14th September 2022 |
| Legal Briefing |
Trust in Truss to fix hospitality’s cost-of-living and energy concerns by Chris GrunertWithin the space of a few days, the nation said farewell to Her Majesty the Queen as well as former prime minister Boris Johnson. It does feel like … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Wednesday 14th September 2022 |
| Update: Businesses warned of energy support delay, inflation falls, Hawksmoor, Center Parcs, Starbucks et al |
| Businesses warned of delay to state energy support: Companies have been warned by UK government officials they will have to wait longer than households for help from its £150bn energy package, due to the difficulty of launching a support syst … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Wednesday 14th September 2022 |
| Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
|
Two Magpies sees potential for growth to 50 sites, aiming for £10m turnover to attract ‘big investment’: Co-founder Steve Magnall believes Two Magpies Bakery has the potential to grow to 50 sites but is determined to get to £10m in … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Tuesday 13th September 2022 |
| Liberation Group lfl sales up 6.3%, even with support announced UK utility costs will double in October |
| Liberation Group lfl sales up 6.3%, even with support announced UK utility costs will double in October: Channel Islands and West Country brewer and retailer Liberation Group has reported a strong summer of trading across its pubs and brewing … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Tuesday 13th September 2022 |
| Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
|
Butchies plans ‘aggressive expansion’ in 2024: Garrett FitzGerald, founder of London chicken sandwich concept Butchies, said he plans “aggressive expansion” in 2024. Fitzgerald, who founded the company in 2013 after a visit to New … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Monday 12th September 2022 |
| Propel Monday News Briefing |
|
Murdoch – the digital transformation is allowing us to get back on to the high street and establish new markets: Alasdair Murdoch, chief executive of Burger King UK, has said embracing digital has allowed the brand to “get back on to … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Friday 9th September 2022 |
| Friday Opinion |
|
Subjects: Is prime minister Liz Truss a libertarian, staying ahead of the game, still opening for business Authors: Paul Chase, Glynn Davis, Sarah Travell Is prime minister Liz Truss a libertaria … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Friday 9th September 2022 |
| Propel Friday News Briefing |
|
Industry leaders pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II: Industry leaders have paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II after the UK’s longest-serving monarch passed away on Thursday afternoon (8 September). The Queen, who reigned for 70 years, d … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 8th September 2022 |
| Liz Truss unveils £150bn UK energy plan but limits business support to six months |
| Liz Truss unveils £150bn UK energy plan but limits business support to six months: Industry leaders have warned further support needs to come after Liz Truss agreed to cap energy prices for businesses for just six months. The new prime minist … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 8th September 2022 |
| 300 sector bosses sign letter asking chancellor to urgently deliver package of support |
| 300 sector bosses sign letter asking chancellor to urgently deliver package of support as survey lays bare industry’s struggles to survive: More than 300 sector businesses have signed an open letter asking new chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, for … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 8th September 2022 |
| Update: Truss to unveil £150bn energy scheme, TRG results, price rises |
|
Truss to unveil £150bn scheme to freeze energy bills for two years: Prime minister Liz Truss will today (Thursday, 8 September) announce a £150bn package to freeze energy bills for up to two years for businesses and households as she en … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 8th September 2022 |
| Propel Thursday News Briefing |
|
Frequency of visits set to decline over next year, operators must focus on increasing spend per head and visit: The frequency of consumer visits are expected to decline over the next 12 months, but this will create opportunities to increa … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 8th September 2022 |
| Foodservice inflation stays in double digits for sixth month running despite easing in commodity markets |
| Foodservice inflation stays in double digits for sixth month running despite easing in commodity markets: The foodservice sector continues to face high levels of inflation despite relief in some commodities, the latest edition of the CGA Prest … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Wednesday 7th September 2022 |
| Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
|
UKHospitality welcomes new prime minister’s energy prices pledge, calls for VAT cut to 10% and business rates holiday: UKHospitality has welcomed new prime minister Liz Truss’ energy prices pledge but renewed calls for VAT to be cut t … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Tuesday 6th September 2022 |
| Itsu increases pay by up to 13% across its entire workforce, second rise in 12 months |
| Itsu increases pay by up to 13% across its entire workforce, second rise in 12 months: Itsu, the healthy Asian food chain, has announced an inflation-busting pay rise of up to 13% across its entire workforce to help staff cope with rising pric … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Tuesday 6th September 2022 |
| Update: Truss plans energy bill freeze for businesses, Rekom UK trading, Deliveroo |
|
Truss plans energy bill freeze for businesses amid fear of mass bankruptcies: Liz Truss is expected to freeze energy bills for every household and business in the country in one of her first acts as prime minister. Truss, who will be app … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Tuesday 6th September 2022 |
| Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
|
Peckwater hits crowdfunding target within hours of campaign launch: Peckwater Brands, the virtual food brands operator in which Stonegate Group has a stake, hit its crowdfunding target of £14.65m within hours of launching the campaign an … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Monday 5th September 2022 |
| Sector urges new PM Liz Truss to ‘act quickly and decisively’ to save industry |
| Sector urges new PM Liz Truss to ‘act quickly and decisively’ to save industry: Sector trade bodies have urged new prime minister Liz Truss to “act quickly and decisively” to save the sector. UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicho … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Monday 5th September 2022 |
| Exclusive: Peckwater acquires Honest Food Company to become Europe's largest virtual food brand operator |
|
Exclusive – Peckwater acquires Honest Food Company to become Europe’s largest virtual food brand operator, plans crowdfund: Peckwater Brands, in which Stonegate Group has a stake, has acquired the operations of Honest Food Company (H … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Monday 5th September 2022 |
| Propel Monday News Briefing |
|
Industry calls on government to provide immediate comprehensive package of support on energy: The hospitality industry has called on the government to provide an immediate comprehensive package of support on energy, and action on the cost … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Friday 2nd September 2022 |
| Friday Opinion |
|
Subjects: Observations from the Propel Conference, building the occasion in pubs, why NIMBYs are also posing a threat to pubs Authors: Ann Elliott, Mark Marshall, Glynn Davis Observations from th … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Friday 2nd September 2022 |
| Update: Chancellor covid-style tax breaks for firms, Starbucks appoints new CEO |
|
Zahawi plans covid-style tax breaks for firms facing ruin: Nadhim Zahawi has drawn up plans for a multibillion-pound package of tax cuts to help businesses facing bankruptcy because of rising energy costs. The Times reports the chancello … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Friday 2nd September 2022 |
| Propel Friday News Briefing |
|
Fixed term contracts being ‘ripped up’ by utility companies, operators warned: Sector operators have been warned that fixed term energy contracts are not necessarily a safeguard against rocketing utility bills. Businesses across the U … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 1st September 2022 |
| Update: Patisserie Valerie to close nine sites, Fulham Shore energy bill, Truss plans business rates cut |
|
Patisserie Valerie to close nine sites: Patisserie Valerie, which is backed by Irish private equity firm Causeway Capital, is to close nine sites that the company feels will “not recover sufficiently” following the pandemic, Propel ha … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 1st September 2022 |
| Propel Thursday News Briefing |
|
Martin Williams – restaurant industry is on ‘knife-edge of collapse’: Martin Williams chief executive of Rare Restaurants, the owner of Gaucho and M Restaurants, has warned the restaurant industry is on a “knife-edge of collapse … view |
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