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Thursday 29th February 2024
Coffee#1 first-half lfl sales up 8%
Coffee#1 first-half lfl sales up 8%: Coffee#1, the Caffe Nero-owned business, has reported an 8% increase in like-for-like sales for the six months to November 2023, with sales of £29.5m, representing total sales growth of 18.8% over the … view
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Thursday 29th February 2024
Propel Thursday News Briefing
More than 100 hospitality leaders sign letter to chancellor asking for ‘urgent action’ in Budget: More than 100 hospitality leaders have signed a letter to chancellor Jeremy Hunt asking him to take “urgent action” in his forthcomi … view
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Thursday 29th February 2024
More than 100 hospitality leaders sign letter to chancellor asking for ‘urgent action’ in Budget
More than 100 hospitality leaders sign letter to chancellor asking for ‘urgent action’ in Budget: More than 100 hospitality leaders have signed a letter to chancellor Jeremy Hunt asking him to take “urgent action” in his forthcomi … view
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Wednesday 28th February 2024
Update: Just Eat, Black Sheep Brewery CEO to depart, Pubs Code adjudicator reappointed
Just Eat Takeaway reports ‘strong momentum’ in UK and Ireland business: Just Eat Takeaway has reported “strong momentum” in its UK and Ireland business with adjusted Ebitda improving “significantly” to €135m in 2023 from €23m i … view
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Wednesday 28th February 2024
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
New York’s number one rated immersive experience plans UK launch: Spyscape, the number one-rated immersive concept in New York, is planning to launch its Spygames experience in the UK and has begun searching for sites in London, Propel … view
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Tuesday 27th February 2024
Exclusive: Shares in Tortilla surge 17% as Luke Johnson takes stake in business
Exclusive – shares in Tortilla surge 17% as Luke Johnson takes stake in business: Shares in Tortilla, the UK’s largest fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand, climbed circa 17% in afternoon trading to 49.50p, after serial investor Luke … view
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Tuesday 27th February 2024
Breal rebrands as Keystone Brewing Group, plans to play pivotal role in brewing industry
Breal rebrands as Keystone Brewing Group, plans to play pivotal role in brewing industry: London-based investment firm Breal Group is set to rebrand as Keystone Brewing Group, a move it said is designed to reflect the company's “commitment t … view
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Tuesday 27th February 2024
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Cornish Bakery lines up at least ten new stores this year, Ebitda close to £5m, lfl sales up 7%: Fast-growing independent chain Cornish Bakery has told Propel it is lining up at least ten new sites in 2024. Cornish Bakery recently hit th … view
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Monday 26th February 2024
Update: Flight Club operator sees sales exceed £100m, likely to fundraise towards end of 2024
Flight Club operator sees sales exceed £100m, likely to fundraise towards end of 2024: Red Engine, the team behind Flight Club and Electric Shuffle, saw sales rise to more than £100m in 2023 as the popularity of “competitive socialisi … view
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Monday 26th February 2024
Propel Monday News Briefing
Bob & Berts resets growth goal to 100 sites, set to open five more in 2024 with focus on north of England, first half lfl sales up 3.9%: Cafe brand Bob & Berts has reset its growth goal to 100 sites and told Propel it is set to open five … view
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Friday 23rd February 2024
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Driving sales through sustainability – don’t ignore the green elephant, overstaffing is the biggest enemy, taking centre stage, can data help fight rising prices in the hospitality industry
Authors: Rachel Marsh … view
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Friday 23rd February 2024
Propel Friday News Briefing
Exclusive – Gong Cha relaunching franchise programme and looking to bring more franchisees on board to help realise ambitious UK expansion plans: Gong Cha, the fast-growing bubble tea brand headquartered in the UK, has told Propel it is … view
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Thursday 22nd February 2024
Tortilla announces CEO succession as Richard Morris steps down
Tortilla announces CEO succession as Richard Morris steps down: Tortilla has announced Richard Morris has decided to step down as chief executive after a 35 year career in hospitality and ten years with the company, at the end of March. Andy N … view
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Thursday 22nd February 2024
Propel Thursday News Briefing
The Vurger Co to cease trading: The co-founders of vegan fast-food concept The Vurger Co have decided to close its three restaurants “for the last time”. Rachel Hugh and Neil Potts, who founded the business in 2016, operated sites in … view
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Thursday 22nd February 2024
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Purple Story to host exclusive webinar for Propel subscribers to help them empower their teams to mitigate the national minimum wage increase in five easy steps: Entrepreneurial performance consultancy Purple Story is to … view
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Wednesday 21st February 2024
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Exclusive – Brasseria Family launches crowdfund to open third site, already raised almost £1.2m with YO! founder Simon Woodroffe among backers: Neighbourhood all-day Italian restaurant Brasseria Family has launched a crowdfunding campa … view
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Tuesday 20th February 2024
Update: Nightcap acquires The Piano Works
Nightcap acquires The Piano Works business, recent trading “been far softer than expected”: Nightcap – owner of the Cocktail Club, the Adventure Bar Group, Dirty Martini and the Barrio Familia group of 46 bars – has acquired The Piano … view
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Tuesday 20th February 2024
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Exclusive – Pho set to continue national expansion following strong 2023: Pho, the Vietnamese restaurant group led by Pat Marrinan and backed by TriSpan, plans to open a further six or seven sites in 2024 on the back of a strong 12 mon … view
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Monday 19th February 2024
Salt Bae’s Nusr-Et London sees turnover more than halve to £262,000 a week
Salt Bae’s Nusr-Et London sees turnover more than halve to £262,000 a week: Nusr-Et London, the Knightsbridge restaurant from Turkish restaurateur Nusret Gökçe – also known as Salt Bae – has seen its turnover more than halve – to £ … view
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Monday 19th February 2024
Permanently Unique Group to launch new restaurant and music venue
Permanently Unique Group to launch new restaurant and music venue: Permanently Unique Group, the independent restaurant business formerly known as Tattu, is to launch a new restaurant and musical venue called Louis in Manchester, this aut … view
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Monday 19th February 2024
Exclusive: Kbox Global acquired by UAE-based virtual brand operator The Cloud
Exclusive – Kbox Global acquired by UAE-based virtual brand operator The Cloud: Abu Dhabi-based virtual brand operator The Cloud is set for expansion in the UK, after acquiring Kbox Global, the host kitchen business, out of administrati … view
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Monday 19th February 2024
Exclusive: Rekom UK acquired out of administration for c£19.5m
Exclusive – Rekom UK acquired out of administration for c£19.5m: The number of companies, which made up Rekom UK, the nightclub and bar operator, were acquired out of administration for circa £19.5m, which included the rolling over of … view
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Monday 19th February 2024
Propel Monday News Briefing
Mitchells & Butlers launches Orleans Smokehouse concept, expects ‘to see it grow across the UK’: Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), the All Bar One, Toby Carvery and Harvester operator, will today (Monday, 19 February) launch its new Orleans … view
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Monday 19th February 2024
Quarter of hospitality businesses have run out of money as VAT cut tops priority asks
Quarter of hospitality businesses have run out of money as VAT cut tops priority asks: A joint survey by UKHospitality, the British Beer & Pub Association, the British Institute of Innkeeping and Hospitality Ulster shows that a quarter of hosp … view
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Friday 16th February 2024
Friday Opinion
Subjects: From festive highs to January lows: charting the path forward for hospitality, building monsters, a positive start to 2024 for the foodservice industry, the growth of desi pubs
Authors: Mark Bentley, David Read, Mar … view
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Friday 16th February 2024
Propel Friday News Briefing
Wendy’s CEO – the UK is a very strong market and has tons of potential for the future: Kirk Tanner, president and chief executive of Wendy’s, the third-largest quick service restaurant chain in the US, has said the UK is a very stro … view
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Friday 16th February 2024
Exclusive: Greene King Pub Partners to launch second franchise concept ‘Nest Pubs’
Exclusive – Greene King Pub Partners to launch second franchise concept ‘Nest Pubs’: Greene King Pub Partners, the leased, tenanted and franchise division of Greene King, is to launch its second franchise pub concept under the name “Ne … view
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Thursday 15th February 2024
UKHospitality: UK entering technical recession ‘hugely concerning’
UKHospitality – UK entering technical recession ‘hugely concerning’: UKHospitality has said the UK entering a technical recession is “hugely concerning”. New data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that the UK … view
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Thursday 15th February 2024
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Knoops – phenomenal momentum across the business, enjoys record start to 2024: William Gordon-Harris, executive chairman and chief executive of Knoops, the luxury hot chocolate shop brand, has told Propel there is “phenomenal momentu … view
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Wednesday 14th February 2024
Legal Briefing

Digital identification – a look at how things might work by Luke Elford

Cards on the table, never in my life have I had to produce ID when visiting a licensed premises or buying alcohol. Not once. I’ve no idea why. Maybe I just look … view
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Wednesday 14th February 2024
Update: Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just East delivery drivers set to strike today
Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just East delivery drivers set to strike today: Takeaway delivery drivers are planning to strike today (Wednesday, 14 February) to demand better pay and improved working conditions. The Valentine’s Day action, impact … view
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Wednesday 14th February 2024
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Kevin Charity to step down as Coaching Inn Group CEO and retire, Richard Lewis to become RedCat group CEO: RedCat Pub Company, the investment vehicle founded and chaired by Rooney Anand, has announced Kevin Charity, the founder and chief … view
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Wednesday 14th February 2024
Kevin Charity to step down as Coaching Inn Group CEO and retire, Richard Lewis to become RedCat group CEO
Kevin Charity to step down as Coaching Inn Group CEO and retire, Richard Lewis to become RedCat group CEO: RedCat Pub Company, the investment vehicle founded and chaired by Rooney Anand, has announced Kevin Charity, the founder and chief … view
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Tuesday 13th February 2024
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Caffè Nero H1 UK sales up 10.1%, achieves record £8.4m in weekly sales, FY sales up 19%: Caffè Nero, the Gerry Ford-led, premium coffee house brand, has reported a 10.1% rise in sales for the first half of its financial year to Novemb … view
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Monday 12th February 2024
Azzurri Group: strong trading across all brands, FY Ebitda up 21%
Azzurri Group – strong trading across all brands, FY Ebitda up 21%, margins back to pre-covid levels: Azzurri Group, the hospitality investment platform, which operates ASK Italian, Zizzi, Coco di Mama and Boojum, has reported a 9% incr … view
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Monday 12th February 2024
Propel Monday News Briefing
Epic Bars and Clubs looks to become the UK’s largest chain of bars and nightclubs: Epic Bars and Clubs, the venture from Mark Shorting and Nigel Blair, two of the founders of the Fever Bar business, is looking to become the UKs largest … view
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Friday 9th February 2024
Soho House may go private, rejects short-seller claims
Soho House may go private, rejects short-seller claims: Members club group Soho House has said its biggest shareholders are weighing taking the New York-listed company private, in a response to a short seller report published this week. Soho H … view
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Friday 9th February 2024
Oakman demerging Seafood Pub Company, first-half sales up 4.1% to £32m
Oakman demerging Seafood Pub Company, first-half sales up 4.1% to £32m: Oakman Group is demerging its Seafood PubCo division, which it acquired three years ago and had grown to 11 sites. Seafood Pub Company was founded in 2011 by Jocelyn Neve … view
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Friday 9th February 2024
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Pouring energy into what matters, grabbing an ever bigger chunk of the market, what is the right differential for minimum wage between ages 
Authors: Ann Elliott, Glynn Davis, Alastair Scott

view
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Friday 9th February 2024
Propel Friday News Briefing
Auntie Anne’s UK master franchisee sees ‘plenty of scope’ here, looking to open six stores in 2024 and add to regional locations: Pretzel business Auntie Anne’s UK master franchisee has told Propel it sees “plenty of scope” he … view
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Thursday 8th February 2024
Gaucho owner reports record year, pipeline of 30 UK locations
Gaucho owner reports record year, pipeline of 30 UK locations, continues to consider funding options: Rare Restaurants, the Gaucho and M Restaurants owner, has hailed 2023 as an “outstanding year” for the business with revenue reachin … view
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Thursday 8th February 2024
Exclusive: Döner Shack relaunches franchise programme following ‘brand transformation’ plus KFC UK
Exclusive – Döner Shack relaunches franchise programme following ‘brand transformation’, aiming for 50-50 estate split going forwards: Berlin fast casual kebab concept Döner Shack has relaunched its franchise programme following a … view
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Thursday 8th February 2024
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Exclusive – Sessions plans to expand Ivan Ramen concept to 50 sites across UK: Chef Ivan Orkin is to expand his eponymous Ivan Ramen concept to London in partnership with Sessions, the growth platform for original food brands, with plan … view
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Wednesday 7th February 2024
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Big Fang Collective secures £5.5m funding for further UK expansion, eyes three new major cities for 2024 launches: Big Fang Collective, the Imbiba-backed entertainment venue operator that owns the Golf Fang brand, has secures £5.5m in f … view
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Wednesday 7th February 2024
Big Fang Collective secures £5.5m funding for further UK expansion
Big Fang Collective secures £5.5m funding for further UK expansion, eyes three new major cities for 2024 launches: Big Fang Collective, the Imbiba-backed entertainment venue operator that owns the Golf Fang brand, has secures £5.5m in fundin … view
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Tuesday 6th February 2024
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
McDonald’s CEO – UK digital engagement at an ‘all-time high’, well positioned to get balance right between price and traffic growth: Chris Kempczinski, chief executive of McDonald’s, has said that digital engagement with the bra … view
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Monday 5th February 2024
The Ledbury awarded third Michelin star
The Ledbury awarded third Michelin star: The Ledbury in London’s Notting Hill was awarded a third Michelin star at tonight’s Michelin Guide GB & Ireland ceremony in Manchester. The restaurant’s Australian chef Brett Graham was the sole n … view
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Monday 5th February 2024
McDonald’s reports global lfls up 3.4% in fourth quarter and 9% in full year, UK business sees ‘strong’ growth
McDonald’s reports global like-for-likes up 3.4% in fourth quarter and 9% in full year, UK business sees ‘strong’ growth: McDonald’s has reported global like-for-likes were up 3.4% year-on-year in its fourth quarter ending 31 December … view
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Monday 5th February 2024
Propel Monday News Briefing
US doughnut brand Randy’s eyes estate of 50 UK sites with planned regional launch ahead of London expansion: US doughnut brand Randy’s Donuts has said it sees the potential for 50 sites in the UK and would most likely launch with a re … view
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Friday 2nd February 2024
Hawksmoor reports record year of turnover and profit
Hawksmoor reports record year of turnover and profit: Steakhouse concept Hawksmoor has said that 2023 was a stand-out year for the business, as it saw turnover increase by more than 20% to a record £90m (2022: £73.9m). Meanwhile, its establi … view
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Friday 2nd February 2024
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Spring into action for the spring Budget, BrewDog’s change in strategy could mean last orders for craft beer drinkers, new year, new growth, and why we’re still wearing the brewery tie 
Authors: Kate Nicholls, … view
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Friday 2nd February 2024
Update: Rail strikes will tip sector over the edge, Everyman bid speculation
Rail strikes ‘will tip more hospitality businesses over the edge’: The hospitality industry has warned of an estimated £350m hit from the latest train strikes, lifting the cost to businesses to more than £4bn since the action began. … view
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Friday 2nd February 2024
Propel Friday News Briefing
Marugame Udon CEO – we are ready to go again, in talks with first UK franchisee: Keith Bird, chief executive of Marugame Udon Europe, the international udon noodles and tempura restaurant brand, has said the company is “ready to go ag … view
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Thursday 1st February 2024
Exclusive: Rekom UK completes pre-pack administration, 17 sites closed, to focus on bar brands
Exclusive – Rekom UK completes pre-pack administration, 17 sites closed, to focus on bar brands: Rekom UK, the nightclub and bar operator, has completed a pre-pack administration, resulting in the closure of 17 venues, as it looks to focus o … view
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Thursday 1st February 2024
Urban Pubs & Bars poised for further growth as it reports ‘exceptional’ Christmas and record £52.2m turnover
Urban Pubs & Bars poised for further growth as it reports ‘exceptional’ Christmas and record £52.2m turnover: Urban Pubs & Bars, the London pub operator founded by Malc Heap and Nick Pring and backed by Davidson Kempner and Global Mutual, … view
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Thursday 1st February 2024
Update: Various Eateries poised to accelerate, new AG Barr CEO
Various Eateries poised to accelerate following a “year of steady progress”: Various Eateries, the Coppa Club and Noci operator, has said it is poised to accelerate its growth plans following a “year of steady progress”, which saw … view
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Thursday 1st February 2024
Propel Thursday News Briefing
McWin co-founder – Sticks’n’Sushi deal has been years in the making: Henry McGovern, co-founding partner at McWin Capital Partners, has said the investment firm’s deal for Sticks’n’Sushi has been “years in the making”. McW … view
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Thursday 1st February 2024
More than 800 licensed premises lost in Q4 2023, data shows longer-term trend to food-led occasions in pubs
More than 800 licensed premises lost in fourth quarter of 2023, data shows longer-term trend to food-led occasions in pubs: Britain’s number of licensed premises dropped by 0.8% in the fourth quarter of 2023, the latest Hospitality Market Mo … view
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