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Monday 31st July 2023
Liberation Group sets sights on becoming leading provider of premium accommodation in south of England, first-half UK lfls up 8.1%
Liberation Group sets sights on becoming leading provider of premium accommodation in south of England, eyes 300 more rooms, first-half UK lfls up 8.1%: Channel Islands and West Country brewer and retailer Liberation Group has reported an 8.1% … view
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Monday 31st July 2023
Propel Monday News Briefing
Food prices in hospitality surge again as supermarket prices ease: Inflation as measured by the CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index rose again to 22.6% year-on-year in June, close to the record high of 22.9% in December 2022. In sharp co … view
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Monday 31st July 2023
Food prices in hospitality surge again as supermarket prices ease
Food prices in hospitality surge again as supermarket prices ease: Inflation as measured by the CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index rose again to 22.6% year-on-year in June, close to the record high of 22.9% in December 2022. In sharp co … view
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Friday 28th July 2023
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Pricing a pint, food for thought on food for sport, stop wasting your time with technology, good things come to those who wait
Authors: Phil Mellows, Stephen Freeman, Karen Turton, Glynn Davis

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Friday 28th July 2023
Propel Friday News Briefing
Swingers co-founder – 2024 could be a transformational year for business as we cement our position as a global hospitality brand: Matt Grech-Smith, co-founder of Competitive Socialising, the owner of crazy golf concept Swingers, has tol … view
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Thursday 27th July 2023
McDonald’s reports global like-for-likes up 11.7% in second quarter with strong UK growth
McDonald’s reports global like-for-likes up 11.7% in second quarter with strong UK growth: McDonald’s has reported global like-for-likes were up 11.7% in its second quarter ending 30 June 2023 – with the UK seeing “strong” growth. Ch … view
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Thursday 27th July 2023
Update: M&B and Boston Tea Party trading, Swingers secures $52m of new funding
M&B reports like-for-like sales up 10% year-to-date versus pre-covid levels as trading remains strong in third quarter, undergoes refinancing: Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) has reported like-for-like sales for the 43 weeks ended 22 July 2023 … view
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Thursday 27th July 2023
Propel Thursday News Briefing
The Big Table Group appoints Lisa Gibbons MD of Las Iguanas: The Big Table Group, operator of the Bella Italia, Café Rouge, Banana Tree and Amalfi concepts, has appointed Lisa Gibbons as managing director of its 50-strong Las Iguanas bra … view
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Wednesday 26th July 2023
Center Parcs reports best ever annual results, repays £440m loan plus £14m in premium settlement and interest
Center Parcs reports best ever annual results, repays £440m loan plus £14m in premium settlement and interest: Center Parcs, which was put up for sale by owner Brookfield in May, has reported its best ever annual results. The group, which is … view
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Wednesday 26th July 2023
Update: Ofgem to strengthen business energy contract protection, Marston's, Revolution and Just Eat
Ofgem to strengthen business energy contract protection: The UK’s energy regulator, Ofgem, has unveiled its intentions to improve protections for businesses. The proposed measures include extending micro-business protections to cover a … view
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Wednesday 26th July 2023
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Hospitality loses one in 18 sites in latest 12 months as costs crisis bites: Britain has lost around one in 18 of its licensed premises in the last 12 months – that’s 5,736 pubs, hotels, restaurants, bars and cafes – the new Hospita … view
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Wednesday 26th July 2023
Hospitality loses one in 18 sites in latest 12 months as costs crisis bites
Hospitality loses one in 18 sites in latest 12 months as costs crisis bites: Britain has lost around one in 18 of its licenced premises in the last 12 months – that’s 5,736 pubs, hotels, restaurants, bars and cafes – the new Hospita … view
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Tuesday 25th July 2023
Update: Brighton Pier Group reports ‘more difficult’ second quarter
Brighton Pier Group reports ‘more difficult’ second quarter as it expects first-half earnings after tax to be below market expectations: Brighton Pier Group has warned trading during the second quarter has proved “more difficult” … view
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Tuesday 25th July 2023
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Transactional activity in pub sector driven by independent market, pubco refinancings may unlock market further: The independent market drove deal activity in the first half of 2023, with an increase in demand for leasehold pubs, accordin … view
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Monday 24th July 2023
Propel Monday News Briefing
Exclusive – Stonegate moves to simplify structure after strategic review: Stonegate Group, the UK’s largest pub group, has moved to simplify its structure after undertaking a strategic review, which may lead to up to 260 roles being m … view
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Friday 21st July 2023
Friday Opinion
Subjects: What McDonald’s me-too moment meansdigitisation and the dowager duchess, leadership lessons from Lasso, challenging times for vegan restaurants
Authors: Mark Stretton, Katherine Doggrell, Ann Elliott, G … view
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Friday 21st July 2023
McDonald’s sets up investigations unit after sexual harassment claims
McDonald’s sets up investigations unit after sexual harassment claims: McDonald’s UK has appointed a new unit to crack down on sexual harassment and bullying after admitting the business has “fallen short”. Chief executive Al … view
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Friday 21st July 2023
McDonald’s sets up investigations unit after sexual harassment claims
McDonald’s sets up investigations unit after sexual harassment claims: McDonald’s UK has appointed a new unit to crack down on sexual harassment and bullying after admitting the business has “fallen short”. Chief executive Alistai … view
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Friday 21st July 2023
Propel Friday News Briefing
Exclusive – Our Yummy Collection to begin rollout of new British seafood concept: Our Yummy Collection is to begin the roll out of its new British seafood-focused concept with an opening in London’s Hammersmith, with plans to open fiv … view
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Thursday 20th July 2023
Update: Fuller’s lfls up 15.1%, Jamie Oliver reflects on restaurant business failure, Cake Box receives offer
Fuller’s lfl sales up 15.1%: Fuller’s reports it has continued to make strong progress with total sales for the first 15 weeks to 15 July 2023 rising by 17.1% and like-for-like sales for the same period rising by 15.1%. The business … view
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Thursday 20th July 2023
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Tattu rebrands as Permanently Unique, plans international debut in 2024: Independent restaurant group Tattu has rebranded as Permanently Unique as part of plans to launch a new concept and grow the brand internationally. The high-end rest … view
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Wednesday 19th July 2023
Update: TRG reports 5% rise in Wagamama lfls YTD, working with advisors to review strategic options
TRG reports 5% rise in Wagamama lfls YTD, working with advisors to review strategic options: The Restaurant Group (TRG) has reported a 5% increase in like-for-like sales at Wagamama for the year to date (up 8% VAT adjusted) versus the pr … view
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Wednesday 19th July 2023
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Rising prices pile pressure on sector with one in seven businesses at risk of failure in next 12 months: Hospitality’s post-covid-19 recovery is threatened by rising prices in multiple key areas, leaders have warned in the latest B … view
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Wednesday 19th July 2023
Rising prices pile pressure on sector with one in seven businesses at risk of failure in next 12 months:
Rising prices pile pressure on sector with one in seven businesses at risk of failure in next 12 months: Hospitality’s post-covid-19 recovery is threatened by rising prices in multiple key areas, leaders have warned in the latest Busine … view
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Tuesday 18th July 2023
Everards appoints Greene King’s Andy Wilson as new MD
Everards appoints Greene King’s Andy Wilson as new MD: Leicestershire brewer and retailer Everards has appointed Andy Wilson as its new managing director. Wilson, who is currently managing director of Greene King’s destination food brands … view
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Tuesday 18th July 2023
Pret first-half sales up 20.2% to £429.9m as it reports return to profitability for first time since 2018
Pret first-half sales up 20.2% to £429.9m as it reports return to profitability for first time since 2018: Pret A Manger has reported half-year revenue in 2023 increased to £429.9m, growing by 20.2% compared with the same period in 2022 (£3 … view
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Tuesday 18th July 2023
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Stonegate first half managed like-for-likes up 6.1%, agrees new credit facility: Stonegate Group saw like-for-like sales across its managed estate increase 6.1% in the 28 weeks to 9 April 2023, as it agreed a new £50m credit facility, Pr … view
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Monday 17th July 2023
BrewDog reveals plans to expand to 300 sites by 2030 as bar revenue grows 68% to £44m in 2022
BrewDog reveals plans to expand to 300 sites by 2030 as bar revenue grows 68% to £44m in 2022: Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog has announced ambitious plans to expand its global bar estate, targeting 300 bars by 2030. The company current … view
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Monday 17th July 2023
Turtle Bay reports record sales year, secures new £8m revolving credit facility
Turtle Bay reports record sales year, secures new £8m revolving credit facility: Caribbean restaurant brand Turtle Bay, which is backed by Piper, has reported a second record sales year in a row, posting sales of £90.1m in the year ende … view
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Monday 17th July 2023
Update: Tortilla H1 update, household debt, CFO confidence
Tortilla reports resilient H1 trading: Tortilla, the UK’s largest fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand, has reported “resilient trading” for its half year ended 2 July 2023, with group like-for-like revenue increasing by 8.4% during … view
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Monday 17th July 2023
Propel Monday News Briefing
Toridoll CEO – we will look to make further UK acquisitions, plans to franchise Fulham Shore brands in UK: Takaya Awata, president and chief executive of Toridoll Holdings, the new owner of Fulham Shore – the operator of the Franco Ma … view
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Friday 14th July 2023
Friday Opinion
Subjects: And now for something completely different, time to put the spotlight back on the people, low and no moving into the mainstream 
Authors: Mark Wingett, Glynn Davis, Phil Mellows

And now … view

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Friday 14th July 2023
Propel Friday News Briefing
Collins – evolution and value for money continue to drive sales increase, evening growth ‘encouraging’: Nick Collins, chief executive of cafe bar operator Loungers, has said the group’s focus on evolution and value for money conti … view
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Thursday 13th July 2023
Update: Hakkasan, Gym Group and C&C Group results, new Domino’s CEO
Hakkasan commits to ‘strong focus on UK market’ alongside global expansion, secures $25m revolving credit facility: Hakkasan, owned by Mohari Hospitality, has said it is committed to a “strong focus on the UK market” alongside global e … view
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Thursday 13th July 2023
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Tim Martin – right size for JD Wetherspoon is about 1,000 pubs, we’ve done everything we possibly can to mitigate costs: JD Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin has told Propel he believes the right size for the business now is about 1,000 … view
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Wednesday 12th July 2023
Legal Briefing

Thoughts for the summer season by Michelle Hazlewood

As we enter a bustling summer holiday season, with schools about to break up and the possibility of June’s splendid weather extending throughout the rest of the summer, we begin to t … view
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Wednesday 12th July 2023
Update: Loungers, JD Wetherspoon, Big Table Group and Ten Entertainment Group results
Reilley – time to celebrate success stories across the sector, not all doom and gloom: Alex Reilley, executive chairman of Loungers, has said “we need to start to provide some balance to the way the sector portrays itself” and that … view
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Wednesday 12th July 2023
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Midlands burger franchise targets 50 UK locations by 2026 as it signs first overseas partnership, launches sister chicken concept: Midlands burger franchise Burger Boi has targeted 50 UK locations by 2026 and signed its first overseas par … view
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Tuesday 11th July 2023
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Pizza Pilgrims seeing ‘exponential growth in every single pizzeria’, builds regional pipeline: Gavin Smith, managing director at Pizza Pilgrims, the London based pizzeria brand, has told Propel the business is witnessing “exponenti … view
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Monday 10th July 2023
Update: Sector staffing worries, David Lloyd sale et al
UK hospitality sector still short staffed and fears for busy summer season: The UK’s hospitality sector is still short staffed and businesses fear they will struggle to cope over the busy summer holiday season, reports the BBC. It comes … view
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Monday 10th July 2023
Propel Monday News Briefing
Jeremy King gears up to make return to London’s restaurant scene: Jeremy King, co-founder of Corbin & King and arguably the best-known figure in London’s upmarket dining scene, is gearing up to make a return. King left Corbin & King l … view
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Saturday 8th July 2023
McMullen reports current trading ‘strong’ but costs hitting profit levels as full-year turnover exceeds £100m for first time
McMullen reports current trading ‘strong’ but costs hitting profit levels as full-year turnover exceeds £100m for first time: Hertfordshire brewer and retailer McMullen has said current trading is “strong” but increasing costs me … view
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Friday 7th July 2023
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Learnings from the Propel Women’s Conference, set menus increasingly being ditched for à la carte, hospitality’s challenging the road to net zero, from booking aggregators to direct bookings – how hoteliers can make the most … view
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Friday 7th July 2023
Propel Friday News Briefing
Stonegate places 11-strong investment package on the market: Stonegate Group, the David McDowall-led, TDR Capital-backed business, has placed an 11-strong investment package of freehold pubs based in London, with a combined value of circa … view
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Thursday 6th July 2023
Young’s reports like-for-likes up 6.8%
Young’s reports like-for-likes up 6.8%: London pub operator Young’s has reported revenue in the first 13 weeks of its new financial year was up 8.3% in total and 6.8% on a like-for-like basis compared with last year. Speaking ahead of … view
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Thursday 6th July 2023
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Le Pain Quotidien CEO – brand in talks with potential UK franchisees, Brexit has made London a ‘difficult market’: Annick Van Overstraeten, chief executive of Le Pain Quotidien, has told Propel that the Belgian boulangerie brand is … view
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Wednesday 5th July 2023
Prezzo receives court approval for restructuring plan
Prezzo receives court approval for restructuring plan: Prezzo, the Cain International-backed Italian dining group, has received approval from the High Court for its restructuring plan, which it said “brings to an end the strategic reshaping … view
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Wednesday 5th July 2023
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
FB Taverns intending to have hundreds of sites within the next few years: James Maizels, co-founder of FB Taverns, the new vehicle targeting wet-led community pubs, has told Propel the business is intending to have “hundreds [of pubs] w … view
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Tuesday 4th July 2023
Update: Company behind Le Pain Quotidien UK placed into administration
Company behind Le Pain Quotidien UK placed into administration: The business behind the UK arm of Le Pain Quotidien, the Belgian restaurant and boulangerie brand, has been placed into administration, with the closure of nine of its sites and t … view
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Tuesday 4th July 2023
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Exclusive – FB Taverns acquires Camerons’ tenanted pub division: FB Taverns, the pub vehicle backed by high-net-worth individual Alexander Embiricos, the co-founder of the US-based virtual office provider Remotion, has grown its fledg … view
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Monday 3rd July 2023
Propel Monday News Briefing
Bloomberg – HMRC objects to Prezzo’s restructuring plan: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is objecting to the restructuring plan from Prezzo, the Cain International-backed Italian dining group, arguing that it is being used to avoid paying … view
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Sunday 2nd July 2023
Heartwood Collection secures £100m funding to support ambitious growth plans
Heartwood Collection secures £100m funding to support ambitious growth plans, group trading positively: Heartwood Collection, formerly Brasserie Bar Co, has secured £100m of funding to support its ambitious growth plans. A new facility … view
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Saturday 1st July 2023
Krispy Kreme and Brewhouse & Kitchen results, Greggs planning two 24-hour sites
Krispy Kreme planning to open more UK stores and expand delivery offering, turnover up but profits and Ebitda down: Krispy Kreme has said it is planning to open more UK stores and expand its delivery offering, as it reported a rise in tur … view
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