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Monday 30th September 2024
Permanently Unique Group secures new £15m bank facility to fund UK and international expansion
Permanently Unique Group secures new £15m bank facility to fund UK and international expansion: Permanently Unique Group, the independent restaurant business formerly known as Tattu, has secured a new £15m revolving credit facility to f … view
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Monday 30th September 2024
Tasty and Brighton Pier Group results
Tasty – outlook ‘cautious’ for rest of 2024 but ‘optimistic’ about navigating current challenges, Harald Samúelsson steps down as NED: Wildwood operator Tasty has said its outlook remains “cautious” for rest of 2024 but that it … view
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Monday 30th September 2024
Propel Monday News Briefing
Southern Fried Chicken chairman – now focusing on UK expansion, potential for 200-300 sites here: Andrew Withers, chairman of FFS Brands, has told Propel it is now focusing on expanding its Southern Fried Chicken restaurants in the UK a … view
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Saturday 28th September 2024
Exclusive results: Hard Rock Café, Leon, Jollibee UK, Richard Corrigan, Burger & Lobster, Vaulkhard Group
Hard Rock Café UK reviewing operations and lease arrangement of London Piccadilly site, narrows losses as turnover hits record £32.5m: Hard Rock Café UK is reviewing the operations and lease arrangement of its site in London’s Piccad … view
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Friday 27th September 2024
Friday Opinion
Subjects: The changing face of wet-led pubs, why hospitality must prioritise allergen management, ops manager labour process, unlocking the potential of restaurant brands in delivery
Authors: Glynn Davis, Frankie Douglas, Ala … view
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Friday 27th September 2024
Former Pret CEO Clive Schlee to take the helm at Itsu
Former Pret CEO Clive Schlee to take the helm at Itsu: Clive Schlee, the former chief executive of Pret A Manger, is to become the new chief executive of Itsu’s circa 80-strong restaurant business with effect from the beginning of November. … view
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Friday 27th September 2024
Propel Friday News Briefing
Exclusive – Fairgame appoints advisors to accelerate expansion plans: Fairgame, the competitive socialising concept from Richard Hilton, the founder of Gymbox, and sector investor Paul Campbell has appointed advisors to advise on a fund … view
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Thursday 26th September 2024
Update: M&B, Adnams and Prezzo confirms James Brown as new CEO
M&B reports year-to-date like-for-like sales up 5.2% with all brands in growth: Mitchells & Butlers has reported year-to-date like-for-like sales are up 5.2% with all brands in growth. Total sales for the year to date are up 5.9% with lik … view
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Thursday 26th September 2024
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Tortilla CEO – business now perfectly placed to own the cuisine across Europe, we’ve bucked the trading trend: Andy Naylor, chief executive of fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand Tortilla, has told Propel that the business is in a … view
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Wednesday 25th September 2024
James Brown to become new Prezzo CEO
James Brown to become new Prezzo CEO: James Brown, who is stepping down as chief executive of BrewDog Bars, is to become the new chief executive of Prezzo, the Cain International-backed Italian dining group. Sky News reported that Brown will t … view
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Wednesday 25th September 2024
James Brown to step down as CEO of BrewDog Bars
James Brown to step down as CEO of BrewDog Bars: James Brown is to step down as chief executive of BrewDog Bars, after almost two years in the role, and nine years with the Scottish brewer and retailer. Brown joined the business, which wa … view
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Wednesday 25th September 2024
Update: Tortilla and Everyman results, Punch acquisition, Gaucho, Chick-fil-A
Tortilla reports lfls returning to growth with new strategic approach ‘progressing well’: Tortilla, Europe’s largest fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand, has said trading is steadily improving on the back of its investment in … view
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Wednesday 25th September 2024
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Parkdean Resorts reports ‘encouraging’ trading in 2024 as staycation market bounces back after ‘very challenging’ 2023: Parkdean Resorts, the UK’s largest holiday park operator, has said trading has been “encouraging” in 202 … view
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Wednesday 25th September 2024
NTIA – ‘unprecedented crisis’ as rate of nightclub closures accelerates over past six months
NTIA – ‘unprecedented crisis’ as rate of nightclub closures accelerates over past six months: The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has said the night-time economy is facing an “unprecedented crisis” with the rate of nigh … view
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Tuesday 24th September 2024
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Dishoom posts strong growth in FY23 with revenue up 23% to £116.8m, achieves B Corp status: Dishoom, the Indian restaurant group, reported a strong period of growth in its most recent financial year, with revenue up 23% to £116.8m in th … view
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Monday 23rd September 2024
D&D London owners in advanced talks to buy TGI Fridays UK
D&D London owners in advanced talks to buy TGI Fridays UK: The owners of D&D London are in talks to buy the UK operations of TGI Fridays, whose parent company collapsed into administration last week. Breal Capital and Calveton, which acqu … view
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Monday 23rd September 2024
Giggling Squid reports restaurant turnover up to £76.4m
Giggling Squid reports restaurant turnover up to £76.4m: Giggling Squid, the Thai restaurant brand backed by the Business Growth Fund, has reported restaurant turnover increased 4.3% to £76.4m for the year ending 31 March 2024, up from … view
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Monday 23rd September 2024
Propel Monday News Briefing
GGA by NIQ – new wave of investment with growth generally coming from mid-sized operators, big boom in Asian cuisine: There is a new wave of investment in the sector and growth is generally coming from mid-sized operators, with a big bo … view
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Friday 20th September 2024
WSH acquires Genuine Dining as Luke Johnson exits business, Cineworld restructuring plan approved
WSH acquires Genuine Dining as Luke Johnson exits business: WSH Group, the parent company of BaxterStorey and Benugo, has acquired catering company Genuine Dining with sector investor Luke Johnson exiting the business. Genuine Dining offe … view
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Friday 20th September 2024
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Teach a man to eat (fish), let’s not lose the human touch, bread and roses
Authors: Katherine Doggrell, Glynn Davis, Phil Mellows

Teach a man to eat (fish) by Katherine Doggrell

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Friday 20th September 2024
Five Guys UK FY turnover tops £316m, continues to believe there are ‘strong growth prospects’ here
Five Guys UK FY turnover tops £316m, continues to believe there are ‘strong growth prospects’ here: Better burger brand Five Guys saw its turnover in the UK for the year to 31 December 2023 increase 14% to £316,422,000 (2021: £278, … view
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Friday 20th September 2024
Propel Friday News Briefing
Julian Metcalfe – Itsu grocery will soon be bigger than the restaurant business, it’s taken 20 years of hard work to go head to head with McDonald’s on the high street: Itsu founder Julian Metcalfe has said the company’s grocery a … view
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Thursday 19th September 2024
Caffè Nero delivers strongest first quarter sales growth for five years
Caffè Nero delivers strongest first quarter sales growth for five years: Caffe Nero Group, the Gerry Ford-led, premium coffee house business that operates 1,072 stores across ten countries, has said it has delivered its strongest first quarte … view
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Thursday 19th September 2024
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Sector sees sales increase 1.3% in August for second successive month of below-inflation growth: Britain’s leading hospitality groups achieved “modest” year-on-year sales growth of 1.3% in August 2024, the latest edition of the CGA … view
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Thursday 19th September 2024
Sector sees sales increase 1.3% in August for second successive month of below-inflation growth
Sector sees sales increase 1.3% in August for second successive month of below-inflation growth: Britain’s leading hospitality groups achieved “modest” year-on-year sales growth of 1.3% in August 2024, the latest edition of the CGA … view
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Wednesday 18th September 2024
TGI Fridays UK operator appoints administrators, Robinsons reports record turnover
TGI Fridays UK operator appoints administrators as sale talks continue: Hostmore, the parent company of TGI Fridays in the UK, has been put into administration. The company stated: “The sale process for the group's corporate stores remains o … view
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Wednesday 18th September 2024
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
KFC UK MD – after several years of stabilising the business it’s about getting back to growth: Meg Farren, managing director of KFC UK & Ireland, has said after years of trying to stabilise and recover the foundations of the business, … view
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Tuesday 17th September 2024
Update: Pret H1 sales up 10%, Comptoir H1, Deliveroo, alcohol tax
Pret H1 sales up 10%, £1 in every £4 now spent by its customers outside the UK, raises £250m of new capital: Pret A Manger has this morning reported that its system sales across company-owned and franchise shops increased 10% year … view
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Tuesday 17th September 2024
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Exclusive – Chopstix to make debut in Europe, in a ‘very strong position to explore opportunities in new markets’: Chopstix Group, the operator of the eponymous, fast-growing, quick service restaurant brand, is to open its first site in … view
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Monday 16th September 2024
Exclusive: Stonegate Group places 20-strong investment portfolio on market
Exclusive – Stonegate Group places 20-strong investment portfolio on market: Stonegate Group, the UK’s largest pub company, has placed a 20-strong portfolio of investment sites on the market, with a combined asking price of just under … view
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Monday 16th September 2024
Propel Monday News Briefing
Arc Inspirations reports ‘year of transformation’ as revenue nears £50m: Arc Inspirations, the premium bar operator, has described the 12 months to 31 March 2024 as a “transformational year for the business”, as turnover increase … view
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Friday 13th September 2024
Gavin George to step down as Laine Pub Co CEO
Gavin George to step down as Laine Pub Co CEO: Gavin George, chief executive of Laine Pub Company, is to step down from his day-to-day management role of the pub operator and brewer, and become a non-executive director within the wider Pu … view
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Friday 13th September 2024
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Time to fix the broken business rates system, there’s something missing, mastering September for post-summer success
Authors: Kate Nicholls, Katy Moses, Alastair Scott

Time to fix the b … view

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Friday 13th September 2024
Cubitt House reports lfl sales up 21.9% and makes ‘significant’ yoy Ebitda swing of more than £2m
Cubitt House reports lfl sales up 21.9% and makes ‘significant’ yoy Ebitda swing of more than £2m, looking to grow portfolio: London gastropub operator Cubitt House, which is backed by funds managed by TDR Capital, the owner of Sto … view
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Friday 13th September 2024
Propel Friday News Briefing
Exclusive – Flat Iron appoints advisors to explore strategic options: Flat Iron, the Piper-backed affordable steak concept, has appointed advisors to explore its strategic options, Propel has learned. The Tom Byng-led business, which op … view
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Thursday 12th September 2024
Exclusive: Kerb CEO – we plan to open smaller format concept in London next year
Exclusive – Kerb CEO – we plan to open smaller format concept in London next year, vision is to be most impactful hospitality company in the world: Street food collective Kerb is planning to launch a smaller format food hall concept i … view
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Thursday 12th September 2024
Exclusive: Inn Collection Group reports ‘incredibly robust’ current trading after turnover passes £50m
Exclusive – Inn Collection Group reports ‘incredibly robust’ current trading after turnover passes £50m: The Inn Collection Group has told Propel current trading is “incredibly robust” after turnover passed £50m in th … view
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Thursday 12th September 2024
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Sixes co-founder – franchising in the UK will allow us to focus on international expansion, keen to take on more premium city sites here: Andy Waugh, co-founder of Sixes, the cricket-based competitive socialising concept, has said franc … view
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Wednesday 11th September 2024
Legal Briefing

Rumour has it – cigarettes and alcohol by Leigh Schelvis

“Rumour Has It” was not only a romantic comedy featuring Jennifer Aniston and Kevin Costner in 2005 – and a chart-topping single for Adele in 2011 – but also aptly descri … view
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Wednesday 11th September 2024
Exclusive: Topgolf and Puttshack founders to launch new competitive socialising concept
Exclusive – Topgolf and Puttshack founders to launch new competitive socialising concept: Steve and Dave Jolliffe, the founders of Topgolf and World Golf Systems, are to launch a new competitive socialising concept called Poolhouse, Propel h … view
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Wednesday 11th September 2024
Exclusive: Greene King forms new executive board structure
Exclusive – Greene King forms new executive board structure, CFO to retire, Zoe Bowley to take a permanent MD role: Brewer and retailer Greene King has formed a new executive board structure, which sees Zoe Bowley become a pe … view
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Wednesday 11th September 2024
New CEO pledges to ‘get back to what makes Starbucks, Starbucks’
New CEO pledges to ‘get back to what makes Starbucks, Starbucks’: Brian Niccol has laid out his vision for his first 100 days as chief executive of Starbucks, promising improvements to both operations and marketing while vowing to “ … view
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Wednesday 11th September 2024
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Five Guys CEO – ready to load up our balance sheet for next stage of growth, three sites contributing £2m-plus profit each: John Eckbert, chief executive of Five Guys UK, has told Propel that the Sir Charles Dunstone-backed business is … view
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Tuesday 10th September 2024
Exclusive: Salt Bae’s Nusr-Et London sees turnover drop 31% to £180,000 per week
Exclusive – Salt Bae’s Nusr-Et London sees turnover drop 31% to £180,000 per week: Nusr-Et London, the Knightsbridge restaurant from Turkish restaurateur Nusret Gökçe – also known as Salt Bae – saw its turnover drop 31% to … view
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Tuesday 10th September 2024
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Robin Rowland – unlikely to look at pizza or burgers, chicken has become a very crowded market: Robin Rowland, senior operating partner at sector investor firm TriSpan, has said when looking for his next investment he is unlikely to loo … view
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Tuesday 10th September 2024
Admiral Taverns acquires 18 freehold pubs from Marston’s
Admiral Taverns acquires 18 freehold pubs from Marston’s: Admiral Taverns has made its second significant acquisition of the year after acquiring a portfolio of 18 freehold pubs from Marston’s for an undisclosed sum. The Proprium-back … view
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Monday 9th September 2024
Hostmore in advanced stages of selling TGI Fridays UK business, acquisition of US parent ‘no longer being actively pursued’
Hostmore in advanced stages of selling TGI Fridays UK business, acquisition of US parent ‘no longer being actively pursued’: Hostmore, the parent company of TGI Fridays in the UK, is in advanced talks to sell the business as it revealed it … view
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Monday 9th September 2024
Propel Monday News Briefing
Exclusive – Azzurri Group secures debut UK site for Dave’s Hot Chicken: Azzurri Group, the hospitality investment platform which operates ASK Italian, Zizzi, Coco di Mama and Boojum, has secured a UK debut site for Dave’s Hot Chicke … view
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Friday 6th September 2024
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Outside smoking ban would take things too far, is sustainability really sustainable, on the right tracks, the effects of summertime on the UK’s foodservice market
Authors: Phil Mellows, Shereen Ritchie, Glynn Davi … view
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Friday 6th September 2024
Richard Caring close to clinching £1bn sale of Ivy Collection
Richard Caring close to clinching £1bn sale of Ivy Collection: Richard Caring is close to clinching a sale of his collection of Ivy restaurants, paving the way for a new owner of the business. Sky News reported Caring, who began exploring an … view
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Friday 6th September 2024
Propel Friday News Briefing
Doner Shack looking to roll out own delivery network, pivoting away from shopping centres to focus on the high street: Fast casual kebab brand Doner Shack has told Propel it is looking to roll out its own delivery network following a succ … view
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Thursday 5th September 2024
Exclusive: TRG CEO – 2023 transformational year, takes 100% ownership of Wagamama US
Exclusive – TRG CEO – 2023 transformational year, takes 100% ownership of Wagamama US: Andy Hornby, chief executive of The Restaurant Group (TRG) has told Propel that 2023 was a transformational year, with strong growth across all of … view
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Thursday 5th September 2024
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Exclusive – Rhode Island Coffee appoints new MD as it sets out ‘big’ expansion plans: Rhode Island Coffee, the award-winning north west independent coffee group, has appointed Ravi Ruia as its new managing director and he is aiming … view
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Wednesday 4th September 2024
Exclusive: Neos Hospitality secures £25m of new funding
Exclusive – Neos Hospitality secures £25m of new funding, to launch two new concepts: Nightclub and bar operator Neos Hospitality, formerly Rekom UK, has secured £25m of new funding to expand its “party bar” business, Propel has l … view
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Wednesday 4th September 2024
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Itsu sees ‘solid’ growth in 2024 as it reports record full-year revenue of £161m, extends banking facilities to support expansion: Itsu, the healthy Asian food brand, has seen “solid” growth in 2024 as it reported group turnover … view
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Wednesday 4th September 2024
Itsu reports record full-year revenue of £161m, extends banking facilities to support expansion
Itsu sees ‘solid’ growth in 2024 as it reports record full-year revenue of £161m, extends banking facilities to support expansion: Itsu, the healthy Asian food brand, has seen “solid” growth in 2024 as it reported group turnover … view
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Tuesday 3rd September 2024
Baton Berisha resigns as CEO of The Wolseley Hospitality Group
Baton Berisha resigns as CEO of The Wolseley Hospitality Group: Baton Berisha has resigned as chief executive of the Minor Hotels-owned The Wolseley Hospitality Group, to “pursue new opportunities”. Berisha joined The Wolseley Hospita … view
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Tuesday 3rd September 2024
Update: Tortilla, Shake Shack UK, Long Chim and Wagamama
Tortilla hires former Groupe Le Duff VP as MD in France: Tortilla, Europe’s largest fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand, has hired Eric Wauthier-Wurmser as managing director to lead its French business. Wauthier-Wurmser joins Tortilla … view
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Tuesday 3rd September 2024
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Five Guys revamping stores to attract Generation Z including introducing more kiosks, 60% of new UK sites to be drive-thrus: John Eckbert, chief executive of Five Guys UK, has told Propel it is revamping its stores to attract Generation Z gu … view
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Monday 2nd September 2024
Clive Watson launches leisure cricket venture
Clive Watson launches leisure cricket venture: Clive Watson, co-founder of Capital Pub Company and City Pub Company, is launching Sixes Growth, an innovative leisure cricket venture. As chairman, Watson joins forces with fellow co-founders – … view
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Monday 2nd September 2024
Propel Monday News Briefing
Exclusive – Mr Bao Group looking to expand ‘beyond just Taiwanese restaurants’, planning more standalone concepts and further Master Baos: Frank Yeung, co-founder of Mr Bao Group, has told Propel he is looking to expand “beyond ju … view
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