| Tuesday 28th February 2023 |
| Update: Various Eateries results, Greggs recognised as UK businesses hit key gender balance target |
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Various Eateries – trading in line with expectations, pursuing expansion plans ‘at measured pace’ given uncertain outlook: Various Eateries, the Coppa Club operator, has said sales in the first quarter of FY23 “were in line with m … view |
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| Tuesday 28th February 2023 |
| Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
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More than eight in ten consumers planning UK hotel stay in 2023, younger customers likely to order food for delivery as F&B offer ‘doesn’t meet need’: More than eight in ten consumers are planning to stay in a UK hotel in 2023, … view |
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| Tuesday 28th February 2023 |
| More than eight in ten consumers planning UK hotel stay in 2023 |
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More than eight in ten consumers planning UK hotel stay in 2023, younger customers likely to order food for delivery as F&B offer ‘doesn’t meet need’: More than eight in ten consumers are planning to stay in a UK hotel in 2023, acco … view |
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| Monday 27th February 2023 |
| Propel Monday News Briefing |
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Cornish Bakery expansion to focus on high street with plans to open 15-plus new shops a year: Cornish Bakery founder Steve Grocutt has told Propel the brand’s expansion will focus on the high street, with plans to open 15-plus new shops … view |
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| Saturday 25th February 2023 |
| Exclusive: Gravity secures up to £30m of funding to continue growth |
| Exclusive – Gravity secures up to £30m of funding to continue growth: Experiential leisure operator Gravity has secured up to £30m of new funding from a US investment fund to aid its growth and expansion plans for this year and beyond, Pro … view |
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| Friday 24th February 2023 |
| Friday Opinion |
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Subjects: Where do food halls go from here, failing to deliver the desired results, my journey to becoming the UK’s first trans arbitrator, gastropubs delivering affordable treats in the cost-of-living crisis Authors … view |
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| Friday 24th February 2023 |
| Update: Cineworld, Leon enhances estate, consumer confidence |
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Cineworld expects to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in first half 2023: Cineworld Group has announced it expects to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the first half of this year but added it did not expect any possible d … view |
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| Friday 24th February 2023 |
| Propel Friday News Briefing |
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Clean Kitchen aiming to open up to three more sites this year before taking offer abroad under franchise: Clean Kitchen, the fledgling plant-based, fast-food concept, is aiming to open two or three more sites in London this year before ta … view |
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| Thursday 23rd February 2023 |
| Third of hospitality businesses at risk of going under despite record sales |
| Third of hospitality businesses at risk of going under despite record sales: Hospitality sales were up 4.2% in 2022 compared with 2019, but down 13% in real terms when inflation is accounted for, according to the latest UKHospitality Quarterly … view |
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| Thursday 23rd February 2023 |
| Update: Wingstop, Boxpark founder launches venture capital fund |
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Wingstop CEO – UK business is the blueprint for our overseas growth strategy: Michael Skipworth, president and chief executive of Wingstop, has said the brand’s UK business is the blueprint for its overseas growth strategy. Talking af … view |
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| Thursday 23rd February 2023 |
| Propel Thursday News Briefing |
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Foodservice price inflation falls for first time since September 2021 but still above 20%: Foodservice price inflation fell slightly to 22.0% in January, the new edition of the CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index has revealed. While only … view |
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| Thursday 23rd February 2023 |
| Foodservice price inflation falls for first time since September 2021 but still above 20% |
| Foodservice price inflation falls for first time since September 2021 but still above 20%: Foodservice price inflation fell slightly to 22.0% in January, the new edition of the CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index has revealed. While only a sm … view |
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| Wednesday 22nd February 2023 |
| Update: Fish and chips are yet to reach price peak, Irish VAT rate, female entrepreneurs, Starbucks |
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Lipscombe – Fish and chips are yet to reach price peak: The boss of one of the UK’s largest fish and chips chains has said that industry prices are stabilising but yet to reach their peak. James Lipscombe, chief executive of the 38-s … view |
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| Wednesday 22nd February 2023 |
| Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
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Sector starts 2023 with fourth successive month of year-on-year growth as sales beat inflation in industry’s best January for three years: Britain’s managed pub, bar and restaurant groups achieved like-for-like sales growth of 10.9% i … view |
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| Wednesday 22nd February 2023 |
| Sector starts 2023 with fourth successive month of year-on-year growth, best January for three years |
| Sector starts 2023 with fourth successive month of year-on-year growth as sales beat inflation in industry’s best January for three years: Britain’s managed pub, bar and restaurant groups achieved like-for-like sales growth of 10.9% in Jan … view |
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| Tuesday 21st February 2023 |
| Wells & Co targeting £15m Ebitda in five years as it reports full-year sales of £55.2m |
| Wells & Co targeting £15m Ebitda in five years as it reports full-year sales of £55.2m: Bedford brewer and retailer Wells & Co is targeting £15m Ebitda in five years and has multiple sites in the pipeline for its portfolio in France. It com … view |
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| Tuesday 21st February 2023 |
| Exclusive: Sushi Daily launches first of its kind omnichannel loyalty programme trial |
| Exclusive – Sushi Daily launches first of its kind omnichannel loyalty programme trial: Sushi Daily, Europe's biggest fresh sushi kiosk business, is launching a loyalty trial for a unique omnichannel programme. The company, which is a KellyD … view |
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| Tuesday 21st February 2023 |
| Oasis reaffirms its position and the need for change at The Restaurant Group |
| Oasis reaffirms its position and the need for change at The Restaurant Group: Hedge fund Oasis Management has responded to The Restaurant Group (TRG) and reaffirmed its position and the need for change at the Wagamama owner. Oasis, which manag … view |
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| Tuesday 21st February 2023 |
| Update: Zambrero secures investment for UK expansion push |
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Zambrero secures investment for UK expansion push: Zambrero, Australia’s largest Mexican quick-service franchise, has received £143m in equity financing to open more restaurants in Britain and Ireland. The Times writes that the Austral … view |
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| Tuesday 21st February 2023 |
| Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
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Wilks – Dublin will allow us to test the water with overseas expansion without rushing into any decisions, six more Lane7s to come this year: Lane7 founder Tim Wilks has told Propel that the boutique bowling concept’s European debut l … view |
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| Monday 20th February 2023 |
| Time Out Group pulls plans for 20,000 square foot-plus market in London’s Spitalfields |
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Time Out Group pulls plans for 20,000 square foot-plus market in London’s Spitalfields: Time Out Group has pulled its plans for a 20,000 squa … view |
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| Monday 20th February 2023 |
| Update: BrewDog enters China JV, Planet Organic appoints advisors |
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BrewDog enters joint venture with Budweiser China: Brewer and pub chain BrewDog is to expand further in China after forging a joint venture with US brewer Budweiser. China currently accounts for less than 1% of BrewDog’s overall sales … view |
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| Monday 20th February 2023 |
| Propel Monday News Briefing |
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Krispy Kreme confirms UK launch plans for Insomnia Cookies brand: Krispy Kreme, which is owned by European investment company JAB Holdings, has confirmed it is to launch its late-night bakery brand Insomnia Cookies into the UK. Last Augus … view |
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| Friday 17th February 2023 |
| Costa Coffee appoints new CEO |
| Costa Coffee appoints new CEO: Costa Coffee, owned by Coca-Cola, has appointed Philippe Schaillee as its new chief executive. Schaillee, who takes up the role from Monday, 10 April, arrives from Groupe SEB, where he has served as executive vic … view |
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| Friday 17th February 2023 |
| Friday Opinion |
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Subjects: Drop the stick, why hoteliers must drive talent retainment within their staff, stirring up consternation north of the border, sizing up the competitions Authors: David Murdin, Sarah Brewster, Phil Mellows, Glynn Dav … view |
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| Friday 17th February 2023 |
| Propel Friday News Briefing |
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Le Pain Quotidien to expand through franchising in UK: Le Pain Quotidien, the Belgian restaurant and boulangerie brand, is to launch a franchising model in the UK, as it looks to expand across the country, Propel has learned. Le Pain Quot … view |
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| Thursday 16th February 2023 |
| The Restaurant Group responds to shareholder Oasis questioning a number of points it raised |
| The Restaurant Group responds to shareholder Oasis questioning a number of points it raised: The Restaurant Group (TRG) has responded to shareholder Oasis Management’s call for the Wagamama owner to “re-align its priorities” and take imm … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 16th February 2023 |
| Oasis urges The Restaurant Group to take immediate steps to restore market confidence |
| Oasis urges The Restaurant Group to take immediate steps to restore market confidence: The Restaurant Group’s (TRG) shareholder Oasis Management has gone public with its call for the owner of the Wagamama restaurant chain to “re-align its … view |
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| Thursday 16th February 2023 |
| Update: Bill’s, RedCat, SPP Group, Hollywood Bowl et al |
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Bill’s closes 12 sites, prepares to refinance, reports turnover up 20% to £74m: Bill’s, the Richard Caring-backed restaurant group, confirmed it has closed 12 sites as it prepares to refinance, and reported turnover was up 20% to £7 … view |
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| Thursday 16th February 2023 |
| Propel Thursday News Briefing |
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Chipotle – we need to build brand awareness to reach required sales and profit levels in UK and may never manage it: US brand Chipotle has said it needs to build its brand awareness in the UK to reach the required sales and profit level … view |
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| Wednesday 15th February 2023 |
| Update: Brighton Pier Group reports revenue 19% above pre-pandemic levels, driven by strong trading |
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Brighton Pier Group reports revenue 19% above pre-pandemic levels, driven by strong trading, reduces net debt by 46%: Brighton Pier Group has reported revenue 19% above pre-pandemic levels, driven by strong trading across all the group’ … view |
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| Wednesday 15th February 2023 |
| Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
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First Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2023 opens for bookings, three free places per company for operators: The first Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2023 is now open for bookings. The conference takes place on Thursday, 23 March, at the … view |
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| Tuesday 14th February 2023 |
| Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
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Boxpark reports strongest ever November and December, in discussions on several new sites, reports turnover up 178% to £18.9m: Simon Champion, chief executive of Boxpark, has told Propel the hospitality and leisure operator has enjoyed i … view |
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| Monday 13th February 2023 |
| Propel Monday News Briefing |
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Parogon looking to appoint experienced non-executive chair to help with ‘aggressive expansion’ as refinancing frees up £5m for new sites: Staffordshire operator Parogon has told Propel it is looking to appoint an experienced non-exec … view |
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| Friday 10th February 2023 |
| Friday Opinion |
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Subjects: Ordering ahead is the way ahead, building a better relationship between pub company and tied tenant, stepping outside the comfort zone to ask yourself some questions, employee engagement: the trickle-down effect A … view |
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| Friday 10th February 2023 |
| Update: Deliveroo to cut 350 jobs, British Street Food Awards founder fails in Dragons' Den investment bid |
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Deliveroo to cut about 350 jobs: British-based employees are expected to bear the brunt of hundreds of job cuts at Deliveroo. Will Shu, the company’s chief executive and founder, told staff yesterday (Thursday, 9 February) that it would … view |
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| Friday 10th February 2023 |
| Propel Friday News Briefing |
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Zia Lucia assesses funding options for next stage of growth: London pizzeria concept Zia Lucia has appointed advisors to help it assess funding options for its next stage of growth, Propel understands. Zia Lucia, which opened its eighth e … view |
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| Thursday 9th February 2023 |
| Update: JD Wetherspoon, Red Oak Taverns, UberEats, Various Eateries |
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JD Wetherspoon puts up prices 7.5%: JD Wetherspoon has increased its food and drink prices by 7.5% in a move that will see the cost of a pint increase by up to 29p. The company has also put up the prices of meal deals by up to 75p. It com … view |
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| Thursday 9th February 2023 |
| Propel Thursday News Briefing |
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Liberum – cost of family meal up 18.7% in three years: Liberum leisure analyst Anna Barnfather has said the cost of a family meal has risen 18.7% between 2019 and 2022. Her menu and pricing analysis, comparing a sample of site menus ove … view |
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| Wednesday 8th February 2023 |
| Legal Briefing |
Low premises licence? No premises licence? By Luke ElfordI once heard from a wise old licensing solicitor that “they didn’t really believe in Dry January”. They explained that they didn’t want to lull their body into a false sen … view |
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| Wednesday 8th February 2023 |
| Lane7 and Level X owner to open two London sites and make European debut, Gong Cha opens first UK dark kitchen |
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Lane7 and Level X owner to open two London sites and make European debut: The owner of boutique bowling company Lane7 and gaming and entertainment venue Level X is to open two new London sites and make its European debut. The ambition is … view |
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| Wednesday 8th February 2023 |
| Update: Wingstop UK, Carlsberg and Neat Burger |
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Wingstop UK weekly sales revenue exceeds £1m, to open its first standalone retail unit: Lemon Pepper Holdings, which is rolling out Wingstop across the UK, saw average weekly sales exceed £1m at the end of 2022, as it secured its first … view |
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| Wednesday 8th February 2023 |
| Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
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Spain-based fast-casual concept Honest Greens plans UK launch: Honest Greens, the Spain-based, healthy fast-casual restaurant brand, is planning a launch into the UK market, Propel has learned. Honest Greens was founded in 2017 by Christo … view |
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| Tuesday 7th February 2023 |
| Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
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Reilley – Brightside will really shake up what has become an uninspiring sector: Alex Reilley, executive chairman of Loungers, has said the business believes its new roadside dining concept Brightside, which launches this week, “will … view |
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| Monday 6th February 2023 |
| Opinion Special: Is restaurant marketing coming of age? |
Is restaurant marketing coming of age? By James HaconIt’s now a fortnight since we wrapped up the fifth edition of the Restaurant Marketer & Innovator (RMI) European Summit, which attracted hundreds of the sector’s be … view |
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| Monday 6th February 2023 |
| Propel Monday News Briefing |
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Starbucks UK sees double-digit first quarter growth, Schultz teases Italian-inspired 'game-changer’: Starbucks UK saw “double-digit like-for-like growth” in its first quarter revenues, as the chain’s outgoing chief executive Howar … view |
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| Friday 3rd February 2023 |
| Friday Opinion |
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Subjects: The industry needs more like Larry Nelson, how doubling down on employee incentives helps Las Iguanas stand out, independent thoughts, 2023 restaurant trends – from the US to the UK Authors: Phil Mellows, … view |
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| Friday 3rd February 2023 |
| Propel Friday News Briefing |
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Marugame Udon plans to grow to 25 sites by year end as it lines up second regional site: International udon noodles and tempura restaurant brand Marugame Udon plans to more than double its estate in the UK in 2023, to reach 25 sites by th … view |
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| Thursday 2nd February 2023 |
| Propel Thursday News Briefing |
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Restaurant Brands International eyes UK launch for Firehouse Subs brand: Restaurant Brands International (RBI), the owner of Burger King, Popeyes and Tim Hortons, is eyeing a launch in the UK for its Firehouse Subs business. Propel unders … view |
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| Wednesday 1st February 2023 |
| Update: Stonegate seeking to sell 1,000 pubs to pay down debt |
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Stonegate seeking to sell 1,000 pubs to pay down debt: Stonegate Pub Company spent about £1.3bn buying rival Ei Group just before the pandemic, becoming Britain’s biggest pub group. Bloomberg reports that three years on – and with a … view |
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| Wednesday 1st February 2023 |
| Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
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Kempczinski – consumer demand holding up better than we expected, sees improvement in lower-performing UK sites: McDonald’s chief executive Chris Kempczinski has said overall that consumer demand, whether it’s in Europe or the US, i … view |
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