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Monday 31st October 2022
More than third of hospitality businesses at risk of collapse due to soaring costs, new survey reveals
More than third of hospitality businesses at risk of collapse due to soaring costs, new survey reveals: More than a third of the UK’s hospitality sector is at risk of business failure in early 2023 due to the cost of doing business crisis, a … view
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Monday 31st October 2022
Propel Monday News Briefing
Peach Pubs founder Cash invests in international cricketers’ pubco: Peach Pubs founder Lee Cash has invested in The Cat & Wickets Pub Company, which was founded by cricketers Harry Gurney and Stuart Broad, Propel has learned. After two … view
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Friday 28th October 2022
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Innovation at its best, customisation and automation, tackling waste with tech
Authors: Elton Mouna, Glynn Davis, Ann Elliott

Innovation at its best by Elton Mouna

I love BrewDog … view
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Friday 28th October 2022
Propel Friday News Briefing
C&C boss – beer, cider and wine categories set for boost as consumers change drinking-out habits due to cost-of-living crisis: David Forde, group chief executive of C&C Group, has told Propel he believes the on-trade beer, cider and win … view
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Thursday 27th October 2022
McDonald’s reports global like-for-like sales up 9.5% in third quarter
McDonald’s reports global like-for-like sales up 9.5% in third quarter: McDonald’s has reported its global like-for-like sales rose 9.5% in its third quarter to 30 September 2022 compared with the previous year. Digital systemwide sales in … view
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Thursday 27th October 2022
Update: Gary Usher, PPHE Hotel Group, C&C Group, AB InBev
Chef Gary Usher cancels latest crowdfunding campaign, to launch Kickstarter round: Chef Gary Usher has cancelled his latest crowdfunding campaign, after admitting that for “one reason or another, it’s failed”. Launched through Seed … view
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Thursday 27th October 2022
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Rise in alcohol duty will ‘push sector businesses over the edge’ warn industry leaders, price of a pint could hit £7 in some cities: A rise in alcohol duty will “push sector businesses over the edge”, industry leaders have warned … view
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Wednesday 26th October 2022
Creams appoints new CEO
Creams appoints new CEO: Dessert parlour operator Creams has appointed Everett Fieldgate as its new chief executive as the company enters its next stage of growth internationally and in the UK. Othman Shoukat will remain as managing direc … view
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Wednesday 26th October 2022
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Fairgame in advanced talks on second site, plans US launch: Richard Hilton, co-founder of competitive socialising concept Fairgame, which launched in London last month, has said the business is already in advanced talks for a second Londo … view
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Tuesday 25th October 2022
Exclusive: Gaucho owner appoints advisors to review funding options
Exclusive – Gaucho owner appoints advisors to review funding options: Rare Restaurants, the owner of Gaucho and M Restaurants, has appointed advisors to review its funding options, Propel has learned. The Martin Williams-led business, which … view
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Tuesday 25th October 2022
Update: Various Eateries, Whitbread and New World Trading Company
Various Eateries reports strong revenue, significant increase in build costs: Various Eateries has reported a solid trading performance in 52 weeks ending 2 October, with sales for the year expected to be slightly ahead of market expectat … view
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Tuesday 25th October 2022
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Peter Marks – I fear the government can’t afford to help the sector further: Peter Marks, chairman of Rekom UK, has told Propel he fears there will no further help for the sector in terms of a VAT cut or extension of business rates re … view
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Monday 24th October 2022
Update: People changing socialising habits due to cost-of-living crisis, consumer confidence declines, temporary recovery visa call
Rekom – Nearly 90% of people will change or have already changed their socialising habits due to the cost-of-living crisis: Just under 90% (88.5%) of people will change or have already changed their socialising habits around going on a … view
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Monday 24th October 2022
Propel Monday News Briefing
Pitcher – we feel there's a rich vein for growth with Peach, we’re building a more solid platform to hedge against structural changes in the way people use hospitality: Rob Pitcher, chief executive of Revolution Bars Group (RBG), has … view
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Friday 21st October 2022
Friday Opinion
Subjects: The Crunch point, low and non-alcoholic drinks may not turn out to be money-spinners, energy efficiency measures – essential investment or expensive folly
Authors: Paul Chase, Glynn Davis, Nathalie Dalton-Kingview
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Friday 21st October 2022
Deliveroo reports fall in orders in third quarter as consumers cut back
Deliveroo reports fall in orders in third quarter as consumers cut back: Deliveroo has reported a fall in orders in the third quarter of 2022. The company said GTV growth was up 5% year-on-year in the quarter in constant currency. It sai … view
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Friday 21st October 2022
Propel Friday News Briefing
Chopstix sees runway for 500-plus UK stores by 2028, on its way to becoming ‘largest Asian-inspired QSR brand in Europe’: Fast-growing quick service restaurant brand Chopstix has said it sees a runway for 500-600 UK stores by 2028 and … view
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Thursday 20th October 2022
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Hospitality loses 2,200 sites in three months as business cost challenges mount, nightclub numbers down 5.6%: Britain’s licensed sector saw a net decline of one closure every hour in the third quarter of 2022, the latest Hospitality Mar … view
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Thursday 20th October 2022
Hospitality loses 2,200 sites in three months as business cost challenges mount, nightclub numbers down 5.6%
Hospitality loses 2,200 sites in three months as business cost challenges mount, nightclub numbers down 5.6%: Britain’s licensed sector saw a net decline of one closure every hour in the third quarter of 2022, the latest Hospitality Mar … view
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Wednesday 19th October 2022
Caffè Nero reports sales now 107% of 2019 levels, plans seven new UK openings before end of year
Caffè Nero reports sales now 107% of 2019 levels, plans seven new UK openings before end of year: Caffè Nero has reported strong trading for the first four months of its financial year (June-September 2022), including strong like-for-like sa … view
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Wednesday 19th October 2022
Update: Just Eat returns to profitability, beer delivery drivers to strike, The Bok Shop
Just Eat returns to profitability but UK GTV drops 5% in Q3: Just Eat Takeaway has reported that it has returned to profitability “earlier than expected”, but saw orders and Gross Transaction Value (GTV) fall 15% and 5% in the UK, re … view
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Wednesday 19th October 2022
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Hospitality groups’ September sales drop 3% year-on-year as inflation bites: Like-for-like sales at Britain’s top managed pub, bar and restaurant groups were 3.0% behind the levels of September 2021, the latest edition of the Coffer … view
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Wednesday 19th October 2022
Hospitality groups’ September sales drop 3% year-on-year as inflation bites
Hospitality groups’ September sales drop 3% year-on-year as inflation bites: Like-for-like sales at Britain’s top managed pub, bar and restaurant groups were 3.0% behind the levels of September 2021, the latest edition of the Coffer C … view
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Tuesday 18th October 2022
Revolution Bars Group reports full-year results, buys Peach for £16.5m
Revolution Bars Group returns to profit but sees recent trading hit by train strikes and softening of consumer confidence: Revolution Bars Group, the operator of 69 premium bars, trading predominantly under the Revolution and Revolución de Cu … view
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Tuesday 18th October 2022
Revolution Bars Group set to acquire Peach Pub Company
Revolution Bars Group set to acquire Peach Pub Company: Revolution Bars Group, which operates the Revolution and Revolución de Cuba brands, is set to acquire Peach Pubs, the 22-strong gastropub operator, in a deal valued at between £10m and … view
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Tuesday 18th October 2022
Update: Revolution in final stages of negotiating an acquisition, jobs market, Greene King, Paris Baguette
Revolution in final stages of negotiating an acquisition: Revolution Bars Group, which operates the Revolution and Revolución de Cuba brands, has announced that it is in the final stages of negotiating an acquisition, which is “expect … view
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Tuesday 18th October 2022
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Hospitality underpins city centre vibrancy, but inflation and strikes hit recovery: Britain’s hospitality sector is powering the economic recovery of major cities from the covid-19 pandemic—but rising costs and strikes are threatening … view
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Monday 17th October 2022
Greggs, Stonegate and Various Eateries receive business interruption case judgments
Greggs, Stonegate and Various Eateries receive business interruption case judgments: Food-to-go operator Greggs has won an initial case against insurer Zurich over its claims for business interruption during the covid-19 lockdown, in a de … view
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Monday 17th October 2022
Sector warns industry facing ‘one of the toughest winters in history’ as almost all of mini-Budget reversed
Sector warns industry facing ‘one of the toughest winters in history’ as almost all of mini-Budget reversed, alcohol duty freeze axed: Sector leaders have warned the industry faces “one of the toughest winters in history” after ch … view
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Monday 17th October 2022
Propel Monday News Briefing
Jamie Oliver ‘learned from collapse of restaurant chain’ and ‘ready to go again’: Jamie Oliver has said he has learned from the collapse of his restaurant chain in 2019 and is ready “to go again”. Oliver last week launched del … view
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Friday 14th October 2022
Friday Opinion
Subjects: The London pubs becoming outstanding food venues, understanding customers is the key to sustainable growth, the erosion of operational excellence in hospitality
Authors: Glynn Davis, Ann Elliott, Duncan Colvinview
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Friday 14th October 2022
Comptoir Group appoints Nick Ayerst as CEO
Comptoir Group appoints Nick Ayerst as CEO: Comptoir Group has announced the appointment of Nick Ayerst, formerly of The Restaurant Group (TRG) and Leon, as its new chief executive, effective from 17 October 2022. The 27-strong company said: … view
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Friday 14th October 2022
Update: Loungers reports lfl sales growth of 17% in 24 weeks to 2 October
Loungers lfl sales up 17% in 24 weeks to 2 October: Cafe bar operator Loungers, owner of the Lounge and Cosy Club brands, has said it has continued to “significantly outperform the market” and is on track to open 30 sites in its curre … view
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Friday 14th October 2022
Propel Friday News Briefing
Lawson – the government has created a crisis of confidence for our customers, energy suppliers behaving in an incredibly hostile manner: Jonathan Lawson, chief executive of Channel Islands and West Country brewer and retailer Liberation … view
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Thursday 13th October 2022
Exclusive: Island Poké appoints Nicolas Barnoin as new MD, sold more than 80 locations to franchisees across UK
Exclusive – Island Poké appoints Nicolas Barnoin as new MD, sold more than 80 locations to franchisees across UK: Island Poké, the White Rabbit Projects and Hero Brands-backed business, has appointed Nicolas Barnoin as its new managing dir … view
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Thursday 13th October 2022
Update: Bill’s appoints Tom James as new MD, analyst downgrades TRG
Bill’s promotes Tom James to managing director: Bill’s, the Richard Caring-backed restaurant group, has promoted Tom James, formerly of Jamie’s Italian, Strada and Coppa Club, to managing director, Propel understands. James joined … view
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Thursday 13th October 2022
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Simmons Bars plans to expand to more than 50 sites over the next three to five years: Simmons Bars, the London cocktail bar operator, has announced plans to double its estate to more than 50 sites over the next three to five years, after … view
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Wednesday 12th October 2022
Legal Briefing

Drink-driving can lead to the loss of more than one kind of licence by Leigh Schelvis

Part of our day-to-day work as licensing lawyers includes assisting clients with their applications for a key tool within their careers – their perso … view
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Wednesday 12th October 2022
Puttshack raises $150m in growth capital
Puttshack raises $150m in growth capital: Indoor mini golf experience Puttshack has completed a growth capital round of $150m (£135.9m) from funds managed by BlackRock and continued support from Promethean Investments. The company said the ne … view
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Wednesday 12th October 2022
Update: Government expands energy support package for businesses
Government expands energy support package for businesses: The government’s help for businesses facing crippling energy bills has been expanded. Its energy subsidy scheme for companies has been extended further to cover contracts signed as fa … view
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Wednesday 12th October 2022
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Andrew Andrea – strategy over the last year to create pub ‘to be proud of’ now paying off and means we can look at acquisitions again, lots of customers still trading up: Andrew Andrea, chief executive of Marston’s, has told Prope … view
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Tuesday 11th October 2022
Marston’s reports lfls up 3% on pre-pandemic levels in last ten weeks with customer demand ‘encouraging’
Marston’s reports like-for-likes up 3% on pre-pandemic levels in last ten weeks with customer demand ‘encouraging’: Marston’s has reported like-for-like sales in the ten weeks from 24 July to 1 October were up 3% on FY2019 and 4% on la … view
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Tuesday 11th October 2022
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Lane7 launches debut site for family entertainment centre concept, at least four more to open in next 18 months: Boutique bowling company, Lane7, has opened the debut site for its family entertainment centre concept – Level X. The venue … view
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Monday 10th October 2022
Exclusive: Greene King acquires Hickory’s, sees potential for it to become a national brand
Exclusive – Greene King acquires Hickory’s, sees potential for it to become a national brand: Greene King, the Nick Mackenzie-led pub company and brewer, has acquired American-style smokehouse and barbecue business Hickory’s Smokeho … view
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Monday 10th October 2022
Exclusive: investors grab a slice of Fireaway valuing the company at £18.7m
Exclusive – investors grab a slice of Fireaway valuing the company at £18.7m: Fast pizza brand Fireaway, the Mario Aleppo-led business, has secured new investment from six new backers, which values the company at £18.7m, Propel has learned … view
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Monday 10th October 2022
Update: Hollywood Bowl Group update, business confidence declines
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Next edition of Propel’s Turnover & Profits Blue Book to feature 638 companies, with 18 more added: The next edition of Propel’s Turnover & Profits Blue Book, produced in association with Mapal Group, will feat … view
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Monday 10th October 2022
Propel Monday News Briefing
Metcalfe – Itsu dwarfs Pret’s historic potential, the capital is back in business, explores Germany launch: Julian Metcalfe, founder of Itsu, has told Propel his healthy Asian food chain Itsu “dwarfs Pret’s historic potential”, … view
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Friday 7th October 2022
Whitbread invests £15m in staff pay
Whitbread invests £15m in staff pay: Whitbread has set out a pay support package to help its UK-based hourly-paid team members as a result of increases In the cost of living. From Friday, 4 November the company is increasing the rates of pay … view
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Friday 7th October 2022
Friday Opinion
Subjects: There is still a way through, what next for UK plc, why 2023 might be the year of the franchise, building resilience to thrive through tough times
Authors: Charlie McVeigh, Paul Chase, Sarah Travell, Nick Liddleview
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Friday 7th October 2022
Update: Wetherspoon reports like-for-like sales up 10.1% in the most recent nine weeks
Wetherspoon reports like-for-like sales up 10.1% in the most recent nine weeks: JD Wetherspoon has reported a loss of £30.4m in the 53 weeks to 31 July. Like-for-like sales were down 4.7% but have risen to plus 10.1% in the nine we … view
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Friday 7th October 2022
Propel Friday News Briefing
Foodservice inflation tops 15% for first time: Food and drink price inflation in hospitality hit 15% for the first time in the history of the CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index in August, the latest data has shown. Droughts, the war in … view
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Friday 7th October 2022
Foodservice inflation tops 15% for first time
Foodservice inflation tops 15% for first time: Food and drink price inflation in hospitality hit 15% for the first time in the history of the CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index in August, the latest data has shown. Droughts, the war in Ukrai … view
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Thursday 6th October 2022
Exclusive: PizzaExpress in ‘solid position’ as it builds back from pandemic, substantially reduces losses
Exclusive – PizzaExpress in ‘solid position’ as it builds back from pandemic, substantially reduces losses, Ebitda above pre-pandemic levels: PizzaExpress has said it is in a “solid position” as the business builds back from the … view
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Thursday 6th October 2022
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Zonal acquires Airship, deal includes sister platforms Airship CRM and Toggle: Hospitality technology provider Zonal has acquired sector customer relationship management platform Airship in a deal which includes Airship CRM and Toggle. Th … view
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Wednesday 5th October 2022
Yummy sells flagship pub, two founding partners to leave
Yummy sells flagship pub, two founding partners to leave: Yummy Pub Company has completed the sale of its flagship site, The Wiremill near Lingfield in Surrey, to independent family brewer Hall & Woodhouse. Founding partners Anthony Pender, Ja … view
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Wednesday 5th October 2022
Update: Cooks Coffee Company plans ‘significant expansion’ as it eyes listing
Cooks Coffee Company plans ‘significant expansion’ as it eyes listing: Cooks Coffee Company, the international coffee focused cafe chain, is planning a significant expansion in the number of cafes operating under the company’s Esqui … view
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Wednesday 5th October 2022
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Awards open for entries: The Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Awards are open for entries. The awards, in their fifth year, recognise outstanding marketing and innovation in the sector and the closing date t … view
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Tuesday 4th October 2022
Update: Greggs reports 9.7% like-for-like sales growth in Third Quarter
Greggs reports 9.7% like-for-like sales growth in Third Quarter: Greggs has reported total sales up 14.6% for the 13 weeks to 1 October 2022. Company-managed shop like-for-like sales were up 9.7%. There were 90 net new shops opened year-to-dat … view
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Tuesday 4th October 2022
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Swingers reports all sites trading ‘strongly’, full-year revenue run rate above previous forecasts at £47m: Swingers, the crazy golf brand owned by Competitive Socialising, has reported all four venues in the UK and the US are tradin … view
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Monday 3rd October 2022
Update: Burger King, Tortilla, red tape
Burger King UK acquires 74 sites from second largest franchisee: Burger King UK has acquired 74 Burger King restaurants from its second largest franchise partner, Karali Group. The deal increases the Alasdair Murdoch-led company’s dire … view
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Monday 3rd October 2022
Propel Monday News Briefing
McVeigh – well-run companies suffer at the hands of life support for zombie businesses: Charlie McVeigh, the founder of Draft House and chairman of Butchies, has argued that well-run companies are suffering at the hands of life support … view
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Saturday 1st October 2022
Exclusive: Five Guys UK reports record full-year revenue of £237m
Exclusive – Five Guys UK reports record full-year revenue of £237m: Better burger brand Five Guys UK saw its full-year revenue climb 45% to a record £237,298,000 in the 12 months to 31 December 2021 compared with £164,206,000 the pre … view
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