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Friday 31st May 2024
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Election priorities – fixing the apprenticeship levy, calling out bad phone behaviour, we need to rethink how we talk about beer, RFI documents – help or hindrance
Authors: Jill Whittaker, Glynn Davis, Rachel Au … view
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Friday 31st May 2024
Revolution Bars Group ends FSP and launches restructuring and fundraising plan, administration ‘expected’ if it is unsuccessful
Revolution Bars Group ends FSP and launches restructuring and fundraising plan, administration ‘expected’ if it is unsuccessful: Revolution Bars Group – the operator of the Revolution, Revolución de Cuba and Peach Pubs brands – has en … view
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Friday 31st May 2024
Propel Friday News Briefing
Oakman Group about to enter a process, five sites in the pipeline: Peter Borg-Neal, founder and chief executive of the Oakman Group, has said the business is about to enter a process that might lead to the refinancing or outright sale of … view
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Thursday 30th May 2024
Nightcap ‘disappointed’ by Revolution Bars statement, does not intend to make an offer for business
Nightcap ‘disappointed’ by Revolution Bars statement, does not intend to make an offer for business: Nightcap – owner of the Cocktail Club, the Adventure Bar Group, Dirty Martini and the Barrio Familia group of 46 bars – has said it is … view
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Thursday 30th May 2024
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Creams to return to expansion trail with up to a dozen openings over summer months, led by further roll out of Tesco partnership and new venue types: Everett Fieldgate, chief executive of Creams, has told Propel the fast-growing dessert p … view
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Wednesday 29th May 2024
Admiral Taverns agrees deal to acquires 37 freehold pubs from Fuller’s for £18.3m
Admiral Taverns agrees deal to acquires 37 freehold pubs from Fuller’s for £18.3m: Admiral Taverns, the circa 1,500-strong, Proprium-backed business, has agreed a deal to acquire 37 freehold pubs from Fuller’s for £18.3m, to strengthen i … view
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Wednesday 29th May 2024
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Exclusive – Flip Out operator We Do Play signs deal to launch Canadian interactive gaming concept in the UK, seeking at least 30 sites for initial roll out: We Do Play, which is behind Flip Out and Putt Putt Social in the UK, has signed … view
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Tuesday 28th May 2024
Revolution Bar Group rejects proposal from Nightcap after concluding it is ‘incapable of being delivered’
Revolution Bar Group rejects proposal from Nightcap after concluding it is ‘incapable of being delivered’, pushing ahead with restructuring and recapitalisation plan: Revolution Bars Group – the operator of the Revolution, Revolución de … view
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Tuesday 28th May 2024
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Stonegate to begin trialling two new concepts for late-night venues: Stonegate Group, the UK’s largest pub company, is to trial two concepts that will be positioned in some of its late-night venues, Propel has learned. One will be a kar … view
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Saturday 25th May 2024
Greene King delivers improved revenue performance but profitability impacted by the cost of doing business
Greene King delivers improved revenue performance but profitability impacted by the cost of doing business: Greene King has said it delivered an improved revenue performance in the year to 31 December 2023 but its profitability was impact … view
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Friday 24th May 2024
Friday Opinion
Subjects: The invaluable gift of a study tour, they think it’s all over but it isn’t (even now), cost of alcohol, effective promotional strategies in a turbulent economy
Authors: Myles Doran, David Read, Phil Mellows … view
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Friday 24th May 2024
Propel Friday News Briefing
Pizza 1889 launches franchise programme, aiming for up to two further sites in 2024 and five a year thereafter: Pizza 1889 – the Italian Street pizza concept taking its name from the year the margherita pizza was invented and which oper … view
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Thursday 23rd May 2024
Megan’s reports record full-year revenue of £29.9m
Megan’s reports record full-year revenue of £29.9m: Megan’s, the all-day, neighbourhood restaurant concept, has reported revenue increased to a record £29.9m for the year ending 31 March 2024 compared with £26.5m the previous year. … view
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Thursday 23rd May 2024
Propel Thursday News Briefing
M&B CEO – I see Ego and Pesto growing to up to 80 sites over the next few years; Pesto founder – M&B can grow business into ‘national brand it deserves to be’: Phil Urban, chief executive of Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), has told Pro … view
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Wednesday 22nd May 2024
Exclusive: Boparan to launch Carl’s Jr in the UK plus M&B, Brunning & Price, Vagabond, Nightcap et al
Exclusive – Boparan Restaurant Group to launch Carl’s Jr in the UK: Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG), the owner of the Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Carluccio’s and Fishworks brands and operator of Slim Chickens in the UK, has signed a mast … view
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Wednesday 22nd May 2024
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
BrewDog Bars CEO – we are working on a global deal with SSP, I’m hopeful history is much kinder to James Watt: James Brown, chief executive of BrewDog Bars, has said the business is working on a global deal with SSP to open in more tr … view
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Wednesday 22nd May 2024
Nory raises $16m in Series A funding to roll out AI across the hospitality industry
Nory raises $16m in Series A funding to roll out AI across the hospitality industry following 400% revenue growth: Nory, the artificial intelligence (AI) powered operating system for hospitality businesses, has secured $16m in a Series A … view
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Tuesday 21st May 2024
Update: SSP and Comptoir Group results
SSP reports UK revenue up 19.6% in first half as trading momentum continues: SSP Group, the operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations worldwide, has reported UK revenue increased 19.6% to £392.1m for the six months to 31 … view
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Tuesday 21st May 2024
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Itsu – seeing great lfl sales growth, gearing up to open Paris flagship, set to launch in Holland: Julian Metcalfe, founder of Itsu, the healthy Asian food brand, has told Propel that the business is seeing “really great like-for-like … view
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Tuesday 21st May 2024
Foodservice inflation returning to ‘more normal levels’
Foodservice inflation returning to ‘more normal levels’: Foodservice inflation is returning to “more normal levels”, according to the latest Foodservice Price Index report from Prestige Purchasing and CGA. The report shows April 2024 s … view
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Monday 20th May 2024
Exclusive: State of Play Hospitality targets franchise growth for Hijingo and Bounce concepts
Exclusive – State of Play Hospitality targets franchise growth for Hijingo and Bounce concepts: State of Play Hospitality, the Toby Harris-led international experiential leisure operator, has targeted franchise growth for its Hijingo and Bou … view
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Monday 20th May 2024
Propel Monday News Briefing
Whitbread sold interest in Pure holding company for £1: Whitbread, the Premier Inn owner, sold its interest in Healthy Retail, a joint venture that operated Pure, the healthy food-to-go concept, for £1, Propel has learned. The Brewers F … view
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Saturday 18th May 2024
Exclusive: Big Table Group FY sales up 10%, seeing ‘great results’ from acquisitions, remains interested in opportunities
Exclusive – Big Table Group FY sales up 10%, seeing great results from Banana Tree and TRG Leisure acquisition, remains interested in acquisition opportunities: The Big Table Group – the operator of Las Iguanas, Bana … view
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Friday 17th May 2024
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Curse of the strong, Whitbread goes to the mattresses, something borrowed something new, how single sites can be their best
Authors: Shereen Ritchie, Katherine Doggrell, Sarah Travell, Alastair Scott
< … view
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Friday 17th May 2024
Update: Joe & The Juice FY same stores sales up 35%, UK a nation of savers, et al
Joe & The Juice back on track for profitable growth: Joe & The Juice, the juice and cafe bar brand, is forecasting significant growth across all its markets after posting an operating profit last year and achieving record 2023 revenues. T … view
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Friday 17th May 2024
Propel Friday News Briefing
Exclusive – Hub Box appoints advisors to explore funding options: Hub Box, the south west-based burger brand, has appointed advisors as it looks to explore its funding options going forward, which could involve the ten-strong business t … view
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Thursday 16th May 2024
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Manchester operators set to take secret bar concept international through franchising, interest from across Europe: Manchester operators Patrick Hall and Jon Charles are set to their take launderette-themed secret bar concept internationa … view
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Wednesday 15th May 2024
Legal Briefing

Sport and hospitality – a timeless bond by Tim Shield

Sport, whether broadcast or as activities integrated into night-time experience, has always gone hand in hand with the hospitality industry. Whether patrons are engaging in friendly … view
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Wednesday 15th May 2024
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Creams co-founder – new seafood concept could be even bigger, targets 50-70 stores in five years with second site to open this summer: Creams co-founder Balal Aqil has told Propel his new seafood concept could be even bigger than the ci … view
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Tuesday 14th May 2024
Update: Marston’s, Franco Manca, Revolution Bars, Greggs and Various Eateries
Marston’s reports current trading ‘encouraging’, first-half like-for-like sales up 7.3% ‘outperforming the broader market’: Marston’s has reported a 7.3% increase in like-for-like sales in the 26 weeks ended 30 March 2024 compared … view
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Tuesday 14th May 2024
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Market Halls appoints advisors to aid fundraise, secures Paddington Square site: Market Halls, the London food market hall operator, has appointed advisors to help it secure new funding as it looks to aid its expansion plans, Propel has l … view
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Tuesday 14th May 2024
Sector wages rose by year-on-year average of 7.9% but increases helps bring vacancies down
Sector wages rose by year-on-year average of 7.9% but increases helps bring vacancies down: Sector wages rose by a year-on-year average of 7.9% between February 2023 and February 2024 but these increases have helped bring vacancies down, CGA b … view
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Monday 13th May 2024
Update: Pizza Pilgrims reports record results, WFH, business parks
Pizza Pilgrims reports record results: Pizza Pilgrims, the pizzeria brand, has reported record results and laid out plans to expand into Scotland and Wales. In the year to 25 June 2023, revenue at Pizza Pilgrims increased by 37% to £28. … view
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Monday 13th May 2024
Propel Monday News Briefing
Imbiba closes £90m funding round, invests in gym brand 1Rebel: Sector investor Imbiba, which backs the likes of Farmer J, Pizza Pilgrims, Clays and F1 Arcade, has announced the final close of its oversubscribed £90m second fund. At the … view
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Saturday 11th May 2024
Update: Gordon Ramsay FY results, sector well represented in Best Places to Work list
Gordon Ramsay Restaurants sees 12 months of positive like-for-like sales, secures new bank facility: Gordon Ramsay Restaurants has reported twelve months of positive like-for-like sales for the period to 27 August 2023, during which its s … view
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Friday 10th May 2024
Soho House reports losses rise to $46m in first quarter, UK membership numbers up 48% in two years
Soho House reports losses rise to $46m in first quarter, UK membership numbers up 48% in two years, overall waitlist exceeds 100,000 for first time: Members’ club group Soho House has reported its net loss in the 13 weeks to 31 March 20 … view
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Friday 10th May 2024
Soho House reports losses rise to $46m in first quarter as UK membership numbers pass 70,000, overall waitlist exceeds 100,000 for first time: Members’ club group Soho House has reported its net loss in the 13 weeks to 31 March 2024 increased … view
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Friday 10th May 2024
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Hospitality groups must innovate or die, bagels leading the charge of baked goods, what are you looking to deliver
Authors: Everett Fieldgate, Glynn Davis, Jasper Reid

Hospitality groups … view

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Friday 10th May 2024
Update: Punch Pubs and Gordon Ramsey Restaurants
Punch reports ‘encouraging’ trading with lfl profitability up, expects ex-Wear Inns portfolio to ‘positively contribute to Ebitda from acquisition’: Punch Pubs & Co, the Fortress Investment Group-backed business, has reported “encour … view
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Friday 10th May 2024
Propel Friday News Briefing
Exclusive – Gusto Italian appoints advisors to explore strategic options: Gusto Italian, the Palatine and Beechbrook-backed, premium Italian restaurant and bar group, has appointed advisors to explore its strategic options, Propel has l … view
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Thursday 9th May 2024
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Boparan Restaurant Group plans to triple Giraffe estate with global airports focus: Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG), the owner of the Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Carluccio’s and Fishworks brands, is planning to more than triple its 15-strong … view
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Wednesday 8th May 2024
James Watt to stand down as BrewDog CEO
James Watt to stand down as BrewDog CEO: James Watt, who co-founded Scottish brewer and bar operator BrewDog 17 years ago, is to step down as its chief executive, with James Arrow, who joined the business as its chief operating officer last su … view
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Wednesday 8th May 2024
Update: WatchHouse, Brighton Pier Group, JD Wetherspoon, XP Factory et al
WatchHouse closes funding round after raising ‘record’ amount of more than £7.2m: Specialty coffee concept WatchHouse has closed its final crowdfunding campaign early after raising more than £7.2m, in what is thought to be a record … view
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Wednesday 8th May 2024
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Rate of hospitality closures slows as managed groups see resilient start to 2024: Closures in Britain’s hospitality sector slowed from eight sites a day in 2023 to four a day in the first quarter of 2024, the latest Hospitality Market M … view
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Wednesday 8th May 2024
Rate of hospitality closures slows as managed groups see resilient start to 2024
Rate of hospitality closures slows as managed groups see resilient start to 2024: Closures in Britain’s hospitality sector slowed from eight sites a day in 2023 to four a day in the first quarter of 2024, the latest Hospitality Market Monito … view
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Tuesday 7th May 2024
Update: Revolution Bars – 32 participants in FSP, ‘board welcomes interest and open to exploring all options’
Revolution Bars – 32 participants in FSP, ‘board welcomes interest and open to exploring all options’: Revolution Bars Group – the operator of the Revolution, Revolución de Cuba and Peach Pubs brands – has revealed that 32 parties … view
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Tuesday 7th May 2024
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Bistrot Pierre reports record trading days, more personalised loyalty scheme ‘doing well’: Bistrot Pierre has reported record trading days at the end of last year and start of this one. On Thursday (2 May), the business launched its n … view
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Monday 6th May 2024
Propel Monday News Briefing
Body Text Here … view
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Monday 6th May 2024
Heineken UK to invest £39m upgrading and reopening pubs, Tenpin reports record sales of £135.3m
Heineken UK to invest £39m upgrading and reopening pubs as it aims to attract broader customer range: Heineken UK is investing £39m in upgrading and reopening pubs in its Star Pubs’ estate in 2024 as it aims to attract a broader custo … view
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Friday 3rd May 2024
Big Mamma hits back at criticism over ‘checkout fee’ on payment app
Big Mamma hits back at criticism over ‘checkout fee’ on payment app: Big Mamma Group has hit back at criticism after customers complained it had introduced a “checkout fee” on its payment app. The restaurant group was responding to an … view
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Friday 3rd May 2024
Exclusive: Rekom UK separates from Rekom Group and renames
Exclusive – Rekom UK separates from Rekom Group and renames: Rekom UK, the nightclub and bar operator, has separated from its owner, the Danish Rekom Group, and will be controlled by its main lender, ACG/Axiom Group, Propel has learned. Reko … view
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Friday 3rd May 2024
Friday Opinion
Subjects: On the Crooked House saga, uncovering the most impactful food-to-go transaction trends into 2024, labour training, tackling the UK’s ageing hotel stock to create a greener future
Authors: Phil Mellows, Paul Langst … view
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Friday 3rd May 2024
TGI Fridays operator substantially narrows losses in transitional year
TGI Fridays operator substantially narrows losses in transitional year: Hostmore, the parent company of TGI Fridays, has reported revenue fell to £190.7m for the year ending 31 December 2023 compared with £195.7m the previous year. Grou … view
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Friday 3rd May 2024
Propel Friday News Briefing
Wingstop CEO – UK average unit volumes now exceeding $2.5m: Michael Skipworth, president and chief executive of Wingstop, has said that average unit volumes (AUV) for its business in the UK are now exceeding $2.5m (£2m). Skipworth was … view
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Thursday 2nd May 2024
Nightcap – we’re assessing a number of options for Revolution Bars Group
Nightcap – we’re assessing a number of options for Revolution Bars Group: Nightcap ­– owner of the Cocktail Club, the Adventure Bar Group, Dirty Martini and the Barrio Familia group of 46 bars – has said it is “assessing a number of … view
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Thursday 2nd May 2024
Nightcap explores deal for Revolution Bars Group but hasn’t yet made an offer
Nightcap explores deal for Revolution Bars Group but hasn’t yet made an offer: Revolution Bars Group – the operator of the Revolution, Revolución de Cuba and Peach Pubs brands – has revealed that Nightcap ­– owner of the Cocktai … view
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Thursday 2nd May 2024
Propel Thursday News Briefing
WatchHouse raises more than £6.1m in record time, plans international franchise programme: Specialty coffee concept WatchHouse has raised more than £6.1m in one day from its latest crowdfunding campaign, in what is thought to be the fas … view
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Wednesday 1st May 2024
Exclusive: The Coffee House eyes estate of more than 80 sites after securing £4m investment from AJ Bell founder
Exclusive – The Coffee House eyes estate of more than 80 sites after securing £4m investment from AJ Bell founder, targets 30 locations by end of 2024: North west independent coffee shop The Coffee House is eyeing an estate of more than 80 … view
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Wednesday 1st May 2024
Update: Domino’s Pizza trading and TGI Fridays parent temporarily suspends stock market listing
Domino’s reports slow start to second quarter after orders fall in first three months, at advanced stage to sell London corporate estate to franchisees: Domino’s Pizza Group has reported a slow start to its second quarter “against t … view
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Wednesday 1st May 2024
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Chicken Shop CEO – we’re aiming for 70 UK sites and thinking about Europe: Chicken Shop chief executive John Nelson has said the business is aiming for 70 UK sites long-term and thinking about European expansion. The Sir Charles Dunst … view
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