Latest Briefing Archive Tab News Tab Events Tab Advertising Tab Contact Tab
 
Search our Previous Briefings
 
New Archive Heading
Current
Nov 2024
Oct 2024
Sep 2024
Aug 2024
Jul 2024
Jun 2024
May 2024
Apr 2024
Mar 2024
Feb 2024
Jan 2024
Dec 2023
Nov 2023
Oct 2023
Sep 2023
Aug 2023
Jul 2023
Jun 2023
May 2023
Apr 2023
Mar 2023
Feb 2023
Jan 2023
Dec 2022
Nov 2022
Oct 2022
Sep 2022
Aug 2022
Jul 2022
Jun 2022
May 2022
Apr 2022
Mar 2022
Feb 2022
Jan 2022
Dec 2021
Nov 2021
Oct 2021
Sep 2021
Aug 2021
Jul 2021
Jun 2021
May 2021
Apr 2021
Mar 2021
Feb 2021
Jan 2021
Dec 2020
Nov 2020
Oct 2020
Sep 2020
Aug 2020
Jul 2020
Jun 2020
May 2020
Apr 2020
Mar 2020
Feb 2020
Jan 2020
Dec 2019
Nov 2019
Oct 2019
Sep 2019
Aug 2019
Jul 2019
Jun 2019
May 2019
Apr 2019
Mar 2019
Feb 2019
Jan 2019
Dec 2018
Nov 2018
Oct 2018
Sep 2018
Aug 2018
Jul 2018
Jun 2018
May 2018
Apr 2018
Mar 2018
Feb 2018
Jan 2018
Dec 2017
Nov 2017
Oct 2017
Sep 2017
Aug 2017
Jul 2017
Jun 2017
May 2017
Apr 2017
Mar 2017
Feb 2017
Jan 2017
Dec 2016
Nov 2016
Oct 2016
Sep 2016
Aug 2016
Jul 2016
Jun 2016
May 2016
Apr 2016
Mar 2016
Feb 2016
Jan 2016
Dec 2015
Nov 2015
Oct 2015
Sep 2015
Aug 2015
Jul 2015
Jun 2015
May 2015
Apr 2015
Mar 2015
Feb 2015
Jan 2015
Dec 2014
Nov 2014
Oct 2014
Sep 2014
Aug 2014
Jul 2014
Jun 2014
May 2014
Apr 2014
Mar 2014
Feb 2014
Jan 2014
Dec 2013
Nov 2013
Oct 2013
Sep 2013
Aug 2013
Jul 2013
Jun 2013
May 2013
Apr 2013
Mar 2013
Feb 2013
Jan 2013
Dec 2012
Nov 2012
Oct 2012
Sep 2012
Aug 2012
Jul 2012
Jun 2012
May 2012
Apr 2012
Mar 2012
Feb 2012
 
 
Square Kiosk Banner
 
Contract Furniture Group Banner
 
Nory Banner
 
Tenzo Banner
 
Access Banner
 
Tevalis Banner
 
Tenzo Banner
 
Propel Banner
 
Deliverect Banner
 
CACI Banner
 
Meaningful Vision Banner
 
Growth Kitchen Banner
 
Zonal Banner
 
HGEM Banner
 
Zonal Banner
 
Christie & Co Banner
 
Sideways Banner
 
Venners Banner
 
Airship – Toggle Banner
 
Wireless Social Banner
 
Startle Banner
 
 
Tuesday 31st January 2023
McDonald’s reports global like-for-likes up 12.6% in fourth quarter and 10.9% in full year, UK business sees ‘strong’ growth
McDonald’s reports global like-for-likes up 12.6% in fourth quarter and 10.9% in full year, UK business sees ‘strong’ growth: McDonald’s has reported global like-for-likes were up 12.6% year-on-year in its fourth quarter ending 31 Dece … view
................................................................................................
 
Tuesday 31st January 2023
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Boom Battle Bar founding team set to launch new Mexican bowling concept, eyeing 40 Putt Putt Noodles and 20 more Flip Outs by 2026: Boom Battle Bar founder Elliott Shuttleworth is set to launch a new Mexican bowling concept later this yea … view
................................................................................................
 
Tuesday 31st January 2023
Festive visits boost hospitality in UK’s city centres but sales remain well below pre-pandemic levels
Festive visits boost hospitality in UK’s city centres but sales remain well below pre-pandemic levels: Pubs, restaurants and bars in Britain’s top cities enjoyed a promising end to 2022 as consumers returned for the first normal Christmas … view
................................................................................................
 
Monday 30th January 2023
Exclusive – TriSpan acquires stake in Mowgli
Exclusive – TriSpan acquires stake in Mowgli: TriSpan, the global private equity firm, is to back the continued expansion of Mowgli, after acquiring a stake in the Nisha Katona-led, Indian street food concept, Propel has learned. Under … view
................................................................................................
 
Monday 30th January 2023
Propel Monday News Briefing
Number of leisure units increases by 8,000 in a year as sector expands into vacant retail spaces: The number of leisure properties in the UK has increased from 291,000 to 299,000 in the past year as the leisure sector expands into vacant … view
................................................................................................
 
Monday 30th January 2023
Number of leisure units increases by 8,000 in a year, average wages for hospitality workers rise 53% in past decade
Number of leisure units increases by 8,000 in a year as sector expands into vacant retail spaces: The number of leisure properties in the UK has increased from 291,000 to 299,000 in the past year as the leisure sector expands into vacant … view
................................................................................................
 
Friday 27th January 2023
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Experiences could be a bigger profit-driver than food for pubs, have we reached peak vegan, dessert concepts fit well with changing eating patterns
Authors: Ann Elliott, Louise Palmer-Masterton, Glynn Davis
view
................................................................................................
 
Friday 27th January 2023
Propel Friday News Briefing
Coyote Ugly franchisee looking to open six more UK bars by 2026 as he prepares to take brand to Europe and Middle East: Steve Lewis, who holds the franchise rights for Coyote Ugly in the UK, has told Propel he is looking to open six more … view
................................................................................................
 
Thursday 26th January 2023
Update: Hostmore, Time Out Group, PPHE Hotels and Britvic
Gavin Manson to step down as Hostmore chairman: Gavin Manson is set to step down as chairman of Hostmore – the parent company of Fridays, 63rd+1st and Fridays. Manson will retire as chairman and as a non-executive director of the compan … view
................................................................................................
 
Thursday 26th January 2023
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Junkyard Golf Club exploring funding options, planning Birmingham and Vegas sites ahead of modest UK growth and aggressive US expansion: Sam Jones, managing director of Junkyard Golf Club, has told Propel the crazy golf brand is exploring … view
................................................................................................
 
Wednesday 25th January 2023
Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Awards winners revealed
Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Awards winners revealed: The winners of this year’s Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Awards, staged by Propel and Think Hospitality, have been revealed. The winners were recognised for their success in marketin … view
................................................................................................
 
Wednesday 25th January 2023
Update: Wetherspoon and XP Factory
Tim Martin renews calls for tax equality with supermarkets as Wetherspoon reports 13.1% rise in half-year lfl sales: Tim Martin has renewed calls for tax equality for pubs with supermarkets as Wetherspoon reported a 13.1% rise in half-yea … view
................................................................................................
 
Wednesday 25th January 2023
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Food inflation ends 2022 at record high 24%: The CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index (FPI) ended 2022 at record highs, with the food basket nearly one quarter higher than December 2022, at 24%. The FPI full basket, which includes beverag … view
................................................................................................
 
Wednesday 25th January 2023
Food inflation ends 2022 at record high 24%
Food inflation ends 2022 at record high 24%: The CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index (FPI) ended 2022 at record highs, with the food basket nearly one quarter higher than December 2022, at 24%. The FPI full basket, which includes beverages, e … view
................................................................................................
 
Tuesday 24th January 2023
Peckwater Brands acquires competitor eatclever, expands in DACH region
Peckwater Brands acquires competitor eatclever, expands in DACH region: Virtual food brands operator Peckwater Brands has acquired eatclever, the virtual delivery brand market leader in the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland). Peckw … view
................................................................................................
 
Tuesday 24th January 2023
Update: City Pub Group and Marston’s
City Pub Group reports 7.8% Q4 lfls growth, Toby Smith to step down as COO: City Pub Group, the owner and operator of 44 premium pubs across southern England and Wales, has reported its trading in its fourth quarter delivered accelerated … view
................................................................................................
 
Tuesday 24th January 2023
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Connell – pre-booked corporate spend increasingly driving competitive socialising market at the expense of some city centre pubs: Darrel Connell, managing partner at Imbiba, has said post-covid that competitive socialising is becoming a … view
................................................................................................
 
Monday 23rd January 2023
Industry’s top young marketers and innovators unveiled
Industry’s top young marketers and innovators unveiled: Propel and Think Hospitality have unveiled the Restaurant Marketer & Innovator 30 Under 30 finalists for 2023. The programme recognises young talent aged below 30 carrying out mark … view
................................................................................................
 
Monday 23rd January 2023
Kerb to open debut international food hall, in Berlin
Kerb to open debut international food hall, in Berlin: Street food collective Kerb has secured its debut international site. It will launch the follow-up to its first food hall, Seven Dials Market in London, with an opening in Berlin. It will … view
................................................................................................
 
Monday 23rd January 2023
Fuller’s, Everyman, delivery and takeaway sales
Fuller’s lfl sales up 20% and almost back to pre-pandemic levels, industrial action costs business estimated £4m: London pub retailer Fuller’s has reported like-for-like sales up 20% for the 43 weeks to 21 January 2023, and at 97% ag … view
................................................................................................
 
Monday 23rd January 2023
Propel Monday News Briefing
Apogee founder and the founders of venture capital firm Talis Capital behind Crussh acquisition: Jason Collins, the founder of Apogee, the UK office digital solutions provider; and Bob and Rohini Finch, founders of venture capital firm Ta … view
................................................................................................
 
Friday 20th January 2023
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Come as you are: let’s make hospitality a place where everyone is comfortable to be themselves, what we’ll be losing if pubs disappear, crowdfunding should come with a word of warning
Authors: Garry Clarke-Stran … view
................................................................................................
 
Friday 20th January 2023
Propel Friday News Briefing
Energy crisis and rising costs drive hospitality closures above covid-hit 2021 levels: Unprecedented inflation in energy bills and other costs led to a net decline of 1,611 licensed premises in the fourth quarter of 2022, the latest Hospi … view
................................................................................................
 
Friday 20th January 2023
Energy crisis and rising costs drive hospitality closures above covid-hit 2021 levels
Energy crisis and rising costs drive hospitality closures above covid-hit 2021 levels: Unprecedented inflation in energy bills and other costs led to a net decline of 1,611 licensed premises in the fourth quarter of 2022, the latest Hospitalit … view
................................................................................................
 
Thursday 19th January 2023
Exclusive: Stem & Glory launches £2.5m series A round to support further growth
Exclusive – Stem & Glory launches £2.5m series A round to support further growth, FY like-for-like sales up 35.5% on pre-covid levels: Plant-based restaurant brand Stem & Glory is launching a £2.5m series A round to support further gr … view
................................................................................................
 
Thursday 19th January 2023
Update: UK coffee shop market growth, Deliveroo, Junkyard Golf Club
UK branded coffee shop market now valued at £4.9bn as it defies difficult trading conditions to achieve strong sales and outlet growth: The UK branded coffee shop market is now valued at £4,9bn having grown 11.9% over the last 12 months … view
................................................................................................
 
Thursday 19th January 2023
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Majority of Byron business acquired for £856k, £2.5m of working capital to be made available: The majority of the Famously Proper business, which operated the Byron and Mother Clucker brands, was acquired out of administration for a tot … view
................................................................................................
 
Thursday 19th January 2023
Christie & Co: Distress hasn’t materialised with pubs but more restaurant CVAs set to come
Christie & Co – distress hasn’t materialised with pubs but more restaurant CVAs set to come: Stephen Owens, managing director of pubs and restaurants at Christie & Co, has told Propel distress hasn’t materialised with pubs and values hav … view
................................................................................................
 
Wednesday 18th January 2023
Update: Just Eat, inflation eases despite rising restaurant prices
Just Eat Takeaway.com sees UK orders fall 10% in 2022 as adjusted Ebitda accelerates to €150m in second half of year: Just Eat Takeaway generated adjusted Ebitda amounting to approximately €150m – or 1.1% of gross transaction value … view
................................................................................................
 
Wednesday 18th January 2023
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Hospitality celebrates best December in three years but real terms sales lag behind pre-covid: Britain’s leading managed pub, bar and restaurant groups enjoyed their best December trading in three years, the latest Coffer CGA Business T … view
................................................................................................
 
Wednesday 18th January 2023
Hospitality celebrates best December in three years but real terms sales lag behind pre-covid
Hospitality celebrates best December in three years but real terms sales lag behind pre-covid: Britain’s leading managed pub, bar and restaurant groups enjoyed their best December trading in three years, the latest Coffer CGA Business Tracke … view
................................................................................................
 
Tuesday 17th January 2023
Update: Revolution Bars Group, Cooks Coffee, Brewhouse & Kitchen
Revolution Bars Group sees Christmas like-for-like sales down 9% on 2019 levels, closing some Revolution and Revolucion de Cuba sites in early part of week during January and February to manage energy usage: Revolution Bars Group, which o … view
................................................................................................
 
Tuesday 17th January 2023
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Oakman looks to raise £5.3m from shareholders, still outperforming market: Oakman Group, the award-winning pub-restaurant operator, has approached its current shareholder base to raise £5.3m to help with its next stage of growth, as it … view
................................................................................................
 
Monday 16th January 2023
Imbiba completes first close of £90m investment fund, invests in Little Houses Group
Imbiba completes first close of £90m investment fund, invests in Little Houses Group: Serial sector investor Imbiba has completed the first close at circa £70m of its new £90m fund, and its first investment into Little Houses Group, the nur … view
................................................................................................
 
Monday 16th January 2023
Propel Monday News Briefing
Report forecasts UK foodservice industry to grow by 2.3% in 2023: Despite economic headwinds, a new report forecasts 2.3% growth for the UK hospitality and foodservice market in 2023. The ‘Changing Landscape of the UK Hospitality/Foodse … view
................................................................................................
 
Saturday 14th January 2023
Single-use plastic plates and cutlery to be banned in England from October
Single-use plastic plates and cutlery to be banned in England from October: A range of single-use plastics will be banned in England, environment secretary Thérèse Coffey has announced. The ban will include single-use plastic plates, tr … view
................................................................................................
 
Friday 13th January 2023
Byron owner sold out of administration, nine restaurants close
Byron owner sold out of administration, nine restaurants close: Famously Proper, which operates a chain of 21 casual dining burger restaurants across the UK, trading under the Byron and Mother Clucker brands, has been sold out of administratio … view
................................................................................................
 
Friday 13th January 2023
Friday Opinion

Subjects: From mistakes must come a commitment to change; hospitality’s commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion is stronger than ever; the need for change
Authors: Ann Elliott, Kate Nicholls, Paul Charity

Fr … view

................................................................................................
 
Friday 13th January 2023
Update: C&C Group reports year-on-year net revenue growth of circa 20% in December
C&C Group reports year-on-year net revenue growth of circa 20% in December, forecasts FY2023 operating profit of €84-88m: C&C Group has reported year-on-year net revenue growth of circa 20% in December and is forecasting a FY2023 operat … view
................................................................................................
 
Friday 13th January 2023
Propel Friday News Briefing
Floozie Cookies aiming for 180 stores worldwide by 2027, including 35 in UK: Floozie, the all-vegan stuffed cookie concept founded by Kimberly Lin in 2020, is aiming for 180 stores worldwide by 2027, including 35 in the UK. The concept, w … view
................................................................................................
 
Thursday 12th January 2023
Update: M&B sees Q1 lfls up 10.4%, Whitbread reports positive Q3 trading
M&B sees Q1 lfls up 10.4% helped by strong trading over the festive season: Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), the All Bar One, Toby Carvery and Harvester operator, has reported that continued strong trading over the festive season increased its … view
................................................................................................
 
Thursday 12th January 2023
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Harden’s – cost-conscious diners exhibiting push-back against restaurants perceived as overpriced, Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles heads top 100 list: Cost-conscious diners are exhibiting push-back against restaurants perceived as overpr … view
................................................................................................
 
Thursday 12th January 2023
Cost-conscious diners exhibiting push-back against restaurants perceived as overpriced
Cost-conscious diners exhibiting push-back against restaurants perceived as overpriced, Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles heads Harden’s top 100 list: Cost-conscious diners are exhibiting push-back against restaurants perceived as overpriced, acc … view
................................................................................................
 
Wednesday 11th January 2023
Majority of Crussh business saved in pre-pack deal, SSP appoints new UK & Ireland CEO
Majority of Crussh business saved in pre-pack deal: The majority of the London-based healthy food and juice business Crussh has been saved as part of a pre-pack administration deal. Propel revealed before Christmas that the 11-strong busi … view
................................................................................................
 
Wednesday 11th January 2023
Update: Nightcap, Ten Entertainment, City Pub Group
Nightcap reports record trading weeks across group, delivers 60.9% quarterly revenue growth and 4.7% lfl growth despite train strikes: Nightcap – the owner of The Cocktail Club, the Adventure Bar Group and the Barrio Familia group of ba … view
................................................................................................
 
Wednesday 11th January 2023
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
SFG Club and Birdies co-founder planning to expand Rooftop Film Club in UK and US, using London to test new concepts: Nick Frow, co-founder of immersive experience team SFG Club and crazy golf concept Birdies, is planning to expand Roofto … view
................................................................................................
 
Tuesday 10th January 2023
Robert B. Cook steps down as Hostmore CEO, revenue 14% below comparative FY19 period
Robert B. Cook steps down as Hostmore CEO, revenue 14% below comparative FY19 period: Robert B. Cook has stepped down as chief executive of Hostmore, the parent company of Fridays, 63rd+1st and Fridays and Go, with immediate effect. Julie … view
................................................................................................
 
Tuesday 10th January 2023
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Sethi – we will look to explore turning Arcade Food Hall concepts into bricks-and-mortar brands: Jyotin Sethi, co-founder of JKS Restaurants, has said the business will explore turning some of the concepts it is operating in Arcade Food … view
................................................................................................
 
Monday 9th January 2023
Government confirms energy bills support for businesses to be reduced from April
Government confirms energy bills support for businesses to be reduced from April: Support for businesses with energy bills will be reduced from April, the government has announced. Under the new scheme, firms will get a discount on wholes … view
................................................................................................
 
Monday 9th January 2023
Update: Tortilla, Karen Jones, Curious Brewery
Tortilla reports UK lfl revenue growth of 16.4% on FY19 as FY22 performance in line with market expectations: Tortilla, the UK’s largest fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand, has reported UK like-for-like revenue growth of 16.0% on FY19 … view
................................................................................................
 
Monday 9th January 2023
Propel Monday News Briefing
Mission Mars reports 26% rise in lfl sales over Christmas period, quarterly revenue up 69%: Mission Mars, the Rudy’s Napoletana Pizza and Albert’s Schloss operator, has reported that group like-for-like sales for were up 26% in the fi … view
................................................................................................
 
Friday 6th January 2023
Propel Friday News Briefing
Sethi – the international opportunity is real, expects March rent quarter to trigger site activity: Jyotin Sethi, co-founder of JKS Restaurants, has told Propel that the international expansion opportunity for the business is “real” … view
................................................................................................
 
Thursday 5th January 2023
Penny Manuel to step down as Soho Coffee Co MD
Penny Manuel to step down as Soho Coffee Co MD: Penny Manuel will step down as managing director of privately-owned coffee company, Soho Coffee Co, at the end of the month. She will move to the position of advisor to the UK group board, s … view
................................................................................................
 
Thursday 5th January 2023
Six by Nico reveals plans for “significant expansion” on the back of strong FY trading
Six by Nico reveals plans for “significant expansion” on the back of strong FY trading: Scottish-Italian chef Nico Simeone is set to open four new sites in the UK under his Six by Nico concept, as well as new bar and bakery ventures, and a … view
................................................................................................
 
Thursday 5th January 2023
Update: Pret introduces new value range, Greggs trading
Pret introduces new value range, launches first meal deal: Pret A Manger is to launch a new value range of sandwiches and its first meal deal promotion, which it said will help customers spend less as the cost-of-living crisis continues. … view
................................................................................................
 
Thursday 5th January 2023
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Byron owner eyes pre-pack administration for better burger business: The backers of Byron are gearing up to put the better burger business through a pre-pack administration process, Propel understands. It is thought that Calveton UK, the … view
................................................................................................
 
Wednesday 4th January 2023
Zoe Bowley to step down as managing director of PizzaExpress
Zoe Bowley to step down as managing director of PizzaExpress: Zoe Bowley is to step down as managing director of PizzaExpress, after more than 12 years with the business, to “pursue her next chapter”. Bowley has been managing director … view
................................................................................................
 
Wednesday 4th January 2023
Update: Food inflation, Nightcap, competitive socialising consolidation, Chicken & Blues deal, Roxy Leisure
Inflation fear as food prices hit record highs: Food prices rose by a record 13.3% in December, increasing fears that inflation may not fall as sharply in 2023 as central bankers and economists hope. The war in Ukraine led to sustained r … view
................................................................................................
 
Wednesday 4th January 2023
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Survey finds late-night operators suffered a 20% drop in business in December: A flash poll of 200 bar, nightclub and late-night operators has found business down 20% in December compared to December 2019, the last December unaffected by … view
................................................................................................
 
Tuesday 3rd January 2023
Update: Energy support, Lucky Saint investment, Honours List, new Nightcap MD, High Street closures, Cineworld
Rishi Sunak to halve support that helps businesses pay fuel bills: Rishi Sunak is poised to halve financial support on energy bills for businesses, amid concerns about the cost. When she was prime minister Liz Truss announced a six-month … view
................................................................................................