McWin acquires majority stake in Sticks'n'Sushi, plans entry into new markets: McWin, the backer of Gail’s and Big Mamma Group, has acquired a majority stake in Sticks’n’Sushi. Founded in Denmark in 1994 by Thor Andersen, Kim Rahbek … view

Demand for Starbucks no longer black and white: The world’s biggest coffee chain missed Wall Street estimates for quarterly sales in a sign that demand for its pricey coffees in the US might be struggling, while its international market … view

Exclusive – Caffe Nero to open first drive-thru site: Caffè Nero, the Gerry Ford-led, premium coffee house brand, will open its first drive-thru site, at Stansted airport, this spring, with the opening set to be the “template for fur … view

Comptoir Group – 2023 trading in line with expectations: Comptoir Group, the Comptoir Libanais and Shawa operator, has announced that trading for the 52-week period ending 31 December 2023 was in line with management expectations. It s … view

Exclusive – Boojum plans to open 25 sites over the next five years in major UK student cities, starting in Leeds: Mexican fast-casual brand Boojum, which was acquired by the Azzurri Group last summer, plans to open 25 sites over the nex … view

Exclusive – Boojum plans to open 25 sites over the next five years in major UK student cities, starting in Leeds: Mexican fast-casual brand Boojum, which was acquired by the Azzurri Group last summer, plans to open 25 sites over the nex … view

Buzzworks reports strong start to 2024 and plans to double size of business as turnover rises to record £29.5m: Scottish independent restaurant and bar operator Buzzworks Holdings has said it has experienced a strong start to 2024 as it … view

Reilley – it feels like we are only just getting started, there is so much more for us to go after: Alex Reilley, executive chairman of café bar operator Loungers, has said that it feels like the business is only just getting started a … view

Farmer J secures £5.5m investment to aid expansion in UK and US as it targets becoming ‘global brand’: All-day market concept Farmer J has told Propel is it targeting becoming a “global brand” aft … view

Urban Baristas to open first franchise site next month, set to double estate this year as it explores opportunities outside of London: Aussie-inspired coffee concept Urban Baristas has told Propel it will open its first franchise site nex … view

Fuller’s lfl festive trading up 21.6%: Fuller’s has reported sales for the five-week Christmas and New Year period were “particularly strong”, up 21.6% against the same period last year, driven by a “great performance” from it … view

JD Wetherspoon labour costs now £100m a year more than before covid pandemic, ‘older generations are back’: JD Wetherspoon chairman Sir Tim Martin has told Propel that labour costs at the company are now £100m a year more than befo … view

UK branded coffee shop market exceeds 10,000 outlets as value grows to £5.3bn: The UK branded coffee shop market now exceeds 10,000 outlets and is now valued at £5.3bn, having grown sales 9.2% over the last 12 months, according to the P … view

Newcastle craft burger concept targets 150 stores in next decade as it launches franchise offer: Newcastle craft burger concept Drop Burger has told Propel it is targeting 150 stores over the next decade as it launches a franchise offer. … view

The Halal Guys sees potential for 50-plus UK sites as it seeks opportunities outside London: US street food brand The Halal Guys has told Propel it sees the potential for 50-plus UK sites as it seeks opportunities outside of London. The b … view

Exclusive – US owners of Applebee’s and IHOP brands looking to bring dual branded restaurant concept to UK: The US owners of neighbourhood bar and grill and pancake house chains, Applebee’s and IHOP, are looking to bring their dual … view

As we settle into … view

Deliveroo reports consumer behaviour ‘stabilising’ with full-year UK and Ireland orders up 1%, profitability ‘ahead of guidance’: Deliveroo has said consumer behaviour has “stabilised” with gross transaction value (GTV) in the … view

Sticks‘n’Sushi UK restaurants experiencing solid like-for-like growth, exploring opportunities outside the south east: Sticks‘n’Sushi has said its UK restaurants are experiencing solid like-for-like growth “both in terms of incr … view

Young’s reports managed like-for-likes up 4.7% in third quarter following strong festive performance: Young’s has reported a strong third quarter boosted by the festive period with some of the highest daily sales in the company’s hi … view

Managed operators end year on a high with sales up 8.8% in December, bars see first growth since January 2023: Britain’s managed hospitality groups generated year-on-year sales growth of 8.8% in December, the latest CGA RSM Hospitality … view

M&B sees first-quarter like-for-likes up 7.7% boosted by strong festive trading, full-year expected to be towards top end of expectations: Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), the All Bar One, Toby Carvery and Harvester operator, has reported stro … view

Hostmore CEO – we’re managing to attract a different customer base: Julie McEwan, chief executive of Hostmore, the parent company of TGI Fridays, has told Propel that going back to the brand’s DNA is paying off and new strategies, s … view

TGI Fridays parent reports improved trading as it makes ‘good progress’ in turnaround strategy: Hostmore, the parent company of TGI Fridays, has reported improved trading as it makes “good progress” in its turnaround strategy. Lik … view

Exclusive – Dutch better burger brand secures UK market entry by signing with Auntie’s Anne’s master franchisee, plans 100 sites over next ten years: Dutch better burger brand Fat Phill’s has secured its entry into the UK market b … view

Pret to launch first full kids’ menu: Pret A Manger will today (Tuesday 16 January) roll out its first full menu designed specifically for kids aged four to ten years old. The new range will initially be available in 70% of Pret’s sho … view

Prezzo plans chain of takeaway pasta shops in train stations, ‘casual dining brands no longer work in some parts of the country’: Prezzo, the Cain International-backed Italian dining group, is preparing to open its own chain of takeaw … view

Exclusive – JD Wetherspoon debut site at Haven ‘just the start’ of partnership between brands: Simon Palethorpe, managing director at holiday park operator Haven, has told Propel the forthcoming JD Wetherspoon site at its Primrose V … view

Exclusive – The Gentlemen Baristas in administration: Coffee company The Gentlemen Baristas has been placed into administration, with offers for the business sought by the end of this month, Propel has learned. Farheen Qureshi, of Parke … view

Exclusive – Individual Restaurants trading ‘strongly’, premium dining market being adversely affected by cost-of-living crisis: Individual Restaurants, which comprises 31 venues across its Restaurant Bar & Grill, Piccolino, Piccolo … view

Group behind Chotto Matte and Angus Steakhouse unveils expansion plans as it makes leadership changes: Noble Hospitality Group – the group behind Japanese concept Chotto Matte, Angus Steakhouse, Steak and Company and Alley Cats Pizza � … view

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Christie & Co – 2024 will see mid-market casual dining struggle for real growth, continued expansion for franchise brands and drop in new site openings: Christie & Co has forecast that 2024 will see the mid-market casual dining struggle … view

TDR Capital takes controlling stake in Popeyes UK: Private equity firm TDR Capital has increased its shareholding in Popeyes UK, the US fried chicken quick-service restaurant brand, taking effective control from dual investor Ring Interna … view

Whitbread current F&B sales up 7%: Whitbread, the operator of the Bar & Block, Beefeater and Brewers Fayre brands, has said that its UK F&B sales were up 7% as its moved into its fourth quarter versus FY23 following a “robust trading pe … view

Exclusive – Arc Inspirations reports record December with 20% like-for-like sales growth, plans Scottish debut among 2024 launches: Arc Inspirations, the premium bar operator, has reported a record December with 20% like-for-like sales … view

As we journey deeper into January, which is traditionally a gloomy month for the hospitality sector, there is still some cause for optimism, I promise you. While people are still recovering from their heavy spending (and drinking) over the festi … view

Greggs Q4 lfls up 9.4%, inflationary pressures reducing: Food-to-go operator Greggs has this morning reported a 9.4% increase in like-for-like sales in its fourth quarter, with continued growth in transaction numbers and reduced contribut … view

Boparan’s restaurants business sees FY turnover top £144m, performance hindered by cost-of-living crisis: The parent company of Boparan Restaurant Group, the owner of the Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Carluccio’s and Giraffe brands, saw tu … view

State of Play Hospitality looking to double its estate by 2026 following ‘transformational year’ in which revenue more than doubled, including record month in December, 30% turnover rise in 2024 forecast: State of Play Hospitality has … view

The Coconut Tree launches fundraising round as it plans London debut: Sri Lankan, street food operator The Coconut Tree has launched a £1m crowdfund campaign as it plans to open two sites in London this year. The nine-strong brand, which … view

Papa John’s set to close ‘as many as 100 locations’ after lfl sales decline by 21.8%: Papa Johns is set to close “as many as 100 locations” after like-for-like sales declined by 21.8%. Propel revealed in October that Papa John� … view

Angus Steakhouse owner launches new pizza concept: ATFC, which owns the Angus Steakhouse chain of restaurants in London, has launched a new pizza concept in the capital. The business has opened Alley Cats Pizza, which focuses on New York … view

Angus Steakhouse owner launches new pizza concept: ATFC, which owns the Angus Steakhouse chain of restaurants in London, has launched a new pizza concept in the capital. The business has opened Alley Cats Pizza, which focuses on New York … view

Exclusive – Wahaca to return to the expansion trail with an opening in Paddington: Mexican-inspired restaurant group Wahaca is to return to the expansion trail with an opening in London’s Paddington, Propel has learned. Set to open th … view

Ralph Trustees becomes new backers of Pure: Ralph Trustees, the family-owned hospitality group led by brothers Daniel and Stuart Levy, have become the new backers of Pure, the healthy food-to-go concept, Propel understands. Last week, Pro … view

Exclusive – Breal Capital paid £1,960,000 to buy Purity, festival supply losses hit company hard: Breal Capital paid £1,960,332 to buy Purity Brewing and its Birmingham bar out of administration. The administrator’s report indicates … view

Revolution Bars Group Christmas lfls up 9%, to close eight sites: Revolution Bars Group, the operator of the Revolution, Revolución de Cuba and Peach Pubs brands, has announced that eight of its least profitable bars will close to reduce … view

Danieli Group CEO – UK bursting with potential for what we do with our Stack concept: Neill Winch, chief executive of north east operator Danieli Group, has told Propel that when it comes to the company’s Stack concept, the “UK’s … view

Amber Taverns targets estate of 185 sites by end of 2024, Christmas lfl sales up 20%: Amber Taverns, the 170-strong, wet-led, freehold community pub operator, has targeted having an estate of 185 sites by end of 2024, as it reports Christ … view

Karma Kitchen has eight sites in pipeline, will open two more in London this year and acquire its first regional sites while exploring international opportunities: Karma Kitchen, the Crosstree Real Estate Partners-backed dark kitchen oper … view

Exclusive – Whitbread exits healthy food-to-go concept Pure: Whitbread, the Premier Inn owner, has exited Pure, after nearly eight years of backing the healthy food-to-go concept, Propel has learned. The Brewers Fayre and Beefeater owne … view

Black Sheep Coffee converts £2m loan note into equity and raises additional financing as fy turnover more than doubles: Speciality coffee shop operator Black Sheep Coffee has converted a £2m loan note into equity and raised additional f … view

Exclusive – Heavenly Desserts co-founder eyeing 100 sites by end of 2026, smaller scale kiosk format to attract more franchisees, open to further menu collaborations: Yousif Aslam, co-founder of Heavenly Desserts, has told Prop … view

Jollibee plans to ‘significantly increase its number of UK stores by end of 2028’ as it reports record turnover but increased losses: Jollibee, the Philippines fast food group, has said it plans to “significantly increase its number … view