Chaiiwala ‘conservatively’ looking at 500 stores in the UK, turned down offers for the business: Street food cafe franchise Chaiiwala is “conservatively” looking at 500 stores in the UK on top of its current 85-strong estate, including more drive-thru locations. Speaking at the Propel Multi-Club Conference, Simon Hooper, international business director of Chaiiwala, said the UK side of the company has already got “250 new stores on an opening schedule”. He said: “We’ve got seven corporate stores. The corporate stores are for us to understand the service we’re providing to our partners. And then we have a very select process where we bring in partners of various sizes. We are working with the top five retail groups in the UK. So, we’ve got partners who’ve got more than 6,500 stores, which gives us structure, scale, best practice and cutting-edge information intelligence. We also like to work with family operations, people who come looking to buy three to five stores, and looking for a 30-year plus relationship. When it’s their own money, they make really solid decisions. So, we’re under no pressure to open stores. We’re always under pressure to find the right location, find the right partner. And our process is about values. So, we’re looking at characteristics and values that align with ours. We have said no to very large groups internationally who tried to buy the business and set the direction for us. But we’re happier working with families who bring the family touch, passion and energy of a local community to the business. Conservatively, we’re looking at 500 stores in the UK at the moment for the next five years, on top of the current estate.” The brand operates seven formats, from an express one that sits in petrol forecourt stations, which might be a small unit with a menu of 60 items, right the way through to 2,000 to 3,000 square-foot sites. Hooper said: “In terms of average weekly sales, we’re seeing anything between £15,000 a week, up to £55,000 a week depending on location format.” Chaiiwala opened the first Indian drive-thru in the UK earlier this year, in Bolton, Greater Manchester, in partnership with the EG Group. Hooper said: “We are working with a number of retail groups, and they wanted some innovative approaches. So, we were approached for that particular site. We put the concept together, it was accepted and we moved on and there’s going to be many brothers and sisters. It’s been our good fortune to work with some of the big retail groups where they’re perhaps looking at their space rationalisation. They’re looking at new concepts, and they believe that our brand fits within a certain demographic, which has gone mainstream, so they see us as an interesting brand.” On working with the EG Group on more drive-thrus, Hooper added: “There’ll be more for sure.” Hooper’s presentation will be among the videos from the Propel Multi-Club Conference that Premium subscribers will be given exclusive access to tomorrow (Friday, 21 April) at 9am. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. The single subscription rate is £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Email jo.charity@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription.

 

Sponsored message – how HDI can help you with location planning, investment analysis and M&A due diligence: HDI works with more than 50 businesses across the hospitality sector, helping its clients make better decisions around offer development, pricing, customer targeting and location planning. Mark Bentley, business development director, said: “Our unique data provides insight across the hospitality sector at individual site, retail brand and sector level, based on three billion-plus hospitality card transactions, 150 million-plus hospitality food and drink prices and 85 million-plus grocery prices. We combine big-data expertise with an in-depth knowledge of the hospitality sector. We’re hospitality experts with a passion for big-data, analytics and insight, with more than 100 years of experience working for leading operators and drinks manufacturers. Our HDI panel tracks the purchasing behaviour of 10.2 million unique customers, covering 11% of UK debit and credit card transactions across circa 180,000 individually identified hospitality venues. We can go right down to postcode level to measure the value of hospitality spend in a specific area, supporting better decisions when it comes to location planning and mergers and acquisitions due diligence. Whether it’s evaluating the attractiveness of different sites in terms of their sales potential, deciding which retail brand/format is best suited to a specific location or evaluating the effectiveness of investments, we provide unrivalled insight into sales performance drivers and customer spending behaviour.” To find out how HDI can help your business, click here. If you have a sponsored story you would like to see featured in this newsletter position, email paul.charity@propelinfo.com.

 

Half of operators see recruiting the right people as biggest opportunity to drive growth over next 12 months: Just under half (49%) of sector operators view recruiting the right people as the biggest opportunity to drive growth for their businesses over the next year, just ahead of marketing and communications (48%), according to a new exclusive survey by Propel and KAM. The State of the Hospitality Nation survey, which is produced in association with MAPAL Group, also showed 43% believed new openings would be the biggest opportunity to drive growth, followed by differentiating from the competition (40%), loyalty schemes (25%), targeted promotions (22%), technology-driven customer service (13%) and the acquisition of other companies (11%). When it comes to what areas businesses will be investing in over the coming 12 months, the report found 92% would be focusing on staff wages, 65% on marketing and communications, 56% on staff training, 52% on staff numbers and 49% on new sites. In terms of the top three areas in which businesses will be saving costs in 2023, 21% stated existing site refurbishments, 21% capital expenditure and 17% recruitment. On staffing, Ben Stackhouse, founder of PubLove, the hostel-pub company, said: “It is easing slightly and retention is strong, but there are still very slim pickings and no depth of candidates. It is still a challenge and the focus is on retention, through improved training/reward/engagement/culture, which also has a positive knock-on impact on recruitment through reputation enhancement.” Yishay Malkov, chief executive of Various Eateries, added: “We’ve invested heavily in recruitment over the past three years so our vacancy rates are still low. Direct recruitment and more resources for the recruitment team is a must. Job boards and open days are less effective than pre-pandemic – you need to come to them and not just wait for them to come to you. Labour is still the biggest cost to doing business.” Operators who would like a free copy of the 40-page survey report should email paul.charity@propelinfo.com.

 

Premium subscribers to receive latest Who’s Who of UK Food and Beverage and access to videos from latest Propel Multi-Club Conference tomorrow: Premium subscribers are to receive the latest Who’s Who of UK Food and Beverage and access to the videos from the latest Propel Multi-Club Conference tomorrow (Friday, 21 April). The Who’s Who of UK Food and Beverage is the first database where full profiles of 667 of the UK’s top food and beverage operators are available in one place. It features more than 174,000 words of content, including 74 updated entries, while 16 new companies have been added. The companies, listed in alphabetical order, will have their most recent results reported as well as broader information around Ebitda, plans and trading style available. The database merges Companies House information, interviews and other public information to provide an easy to reference and exhaustive guide to the sector. Also on Friday, Premium subscribers are to be given exclusive access to the recording and slides from the latest Propel Multi-Club Conference. They will be sent 12 videos at 9am that will include: AlixPartners managing director Graeme Smith; Karen Turton, founder and chief executive of entrepreneurial learning consultancy Purple Story; and Sanjeev Sanghera, co-founder of Döner Shack. Premium subscribers also receive access to four other databases: the Propel Multi-Site Database, produced in association with Virgate; the New Openings Database; the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book; and the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. The single subscription rate is £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Email jo.charity@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription. Premium subscribers also receive their morning newsletter 11 hours early, at 7pm the evening before; regular video content and regular exclusive columns from Propel group editor Mark Wingett.

 

Kate Nicholls – increasingly concerning that inflation is not decreasing as quickly as many hoped: UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls has said it is becoming “increasingly concerning” that inflation is not decreasing as quickly as many hoped. Figures released by the Office for National Statistics showed inflation slowed to 10.1% in March from 10.4% in February, but food prices continued to surge. The sharpest rises were seen for products including olive oil (up 49%) and milk (up 38%). Nicholls said: “Hospitality businesses are doing all they can to shield consumers from price rises, which means they’ve absorbed as much cost as they can, but that is becoming unsustainable for many. Our sector can help the government achieve its aims of halving inflation – if it is given a helping hand by the government to ease recruitment challenges and energy suppliers are reigned in so energy costs are able to fall. I would strongly urge it to do so and harness the power of hospitality to create employment and economic growth, and reduce inflation.” Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, added: “Feedback from members is that trading conditions have not eased, and many are struggling to survive over the next few months. There is no consideration for the immediate issues faced by the sector, with a willingness or an acceptance that a proportion of businesses will fail, as collateral damage due to the crisis.”

 

BBPA – Ofgem’s lack of urgency is putting hundreds of thousands of businesses at risk: Ofgem’s lack of urgency in enforcing a fair and sustainable energy market for business customers is putting hundreds of thousands of companies across the UK at risk of failure due to the “unacceptable” conduct of energy suppliers, the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has warned. Following news that Ofgem has introduced measures to protect some domestic customers from the forced installation of pre-payment meters, the trade body said the regulator is “not moving fast enough to introduce measures to save millions of businesses from failure in the coming months”. With just weeks to go until energy bills come in at the increased rate since government support fell away on 1 April, the BBPA is insisting Ofgem steps in and instruct suppliers to offer renegotiations of contracts for businesses. BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “Ofgem’s failure to adequately regulate energy suppliers who are profiteering at the expense of small businesses and domestic customers alike is astonishing. Swathes of community-minded, cherished businesses will be wiped out and high streets decimated if nothing is done. The fact Ofgem stepped in to protect domestic customers shows it can act on misconduct but is doing very little to respond quickly to the hundreds of examples provided by our industry and others of unfair charges and unacceptable behaviour by energy suppliers to business customers. At the very least, renegotiation of contracts must be offered to those businesses who were forced to sign up to extortionate tariffs and are now completely unable to afford the costs following the reduction in energy support from government.”

 

Job of the day: Market-leading labour management company S4labour is seeking a product manager for HR and engagement. as it continues to invest in its product and find better ways to support the hospitality industry. As well as developing new products, the new hire will also be the product expert, as well as leading in any consultancy work. S4labour’s chief growth officer, Richard Hartley, said: “S4labour is proud to work with many industry-leading and award-winning operators such as Mowgli, JKS and Liberation. We want a professional who is experienced and passionate about the industry and can support us as we enter this new and exciting chapter of growth.” For more information and find out how to apply, click here.

 

Licensing update: John Gaunt & Partners licensing solicitors has published its latest licensing update. This month sees a few more local authorities considering late-night levies, while Westminster Council has launched a campaign aimed at women’s safety in the night-time economy entitled “It’s her city too”. There is also news on the Home Office writing to licensing authorities about an informal consultation on licensing fees. The full update can be accessed here.

 

Mackenzie – we are investing more in our leased and tenanted business as a whole than we were pre-covid: Nick Mackenzie, chief executive of brewer and retailer Greene King, has said the company is investing more now in its leased and tenanted estate than it was pre-covid and its Hive franchise agreement will incorporate 50 pubs by the end of this year. Speaking at Propel’s latest Multi Club Conference, Mackenzie said: “The whole industry really stepped up to support tenants through covid. I think that did a lot to support the leased and tenanted model, which has often been criticised over the years. The one thing I know is that tenants are incredibly resourceful. They will adapt and with our support, both financial and other, I hope and believe they’ll get through the next 12 months. I think we need more support from the government, particularly on energy, as we go through the next 12 months, but I’m fairly confident the model continues and will adapt. We will adapt in the sense we’ve got to franchise now and will invest in franchise, but we are investing more money now in our leased and tenanted business as a whole than we were pre-covid. I think we’re lucky we have a very good estate, but I still believe there’s a long-term future there.” The company launched its Hive franchise agreement in autumn 2021 and opened the 30th site under the model in February. Mackenzie said: “That is going really well. We’ll look to have probably about 50 in our estate by the end of this year, and those conversions are going well.” On the coming 12 months, Mackenzie said: “I think the focus on cost and efficiency is going to be real, but we can’t lose sight of our customers and our people through this. Our people have got us through the last three years. They love what they do, but it’s probably the hardest time to be an operator right now, maybe than it’s ever been. I think we’ll continue to support people and will continue to invest through it. But I think as we come out the other side, it should be good. The customer has changed. From our own perspective as a brewer, we're seeing cask ale being challenged. We’re seeing day parts in terms of when people come to the pub and drink changing. And we’re certainly seeing changes in working habits that are affecting markets like London, which again, we’re going to have to adapt to. What I do know is our industry is resilient, and we’ll find a way through whatever challenge comes to us.” Mackenzie’s presentation will be among the videos from the Propel Multi-Club Conference that Premium subscribers will be given exclusive access to tomorrow (Friday, 21 April) at 9am. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. The single subscription rate is £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Email jo.charity@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription.

 

Star Pubs & Bars reaches settlement with PCA that sees fine reduced from £2m to £1.25m: Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars has reached a settlement with the pubs code adjudicator (PCA) which has seen its fine reduced from £2m to £1.25m. The agreement brings to an end the litigation between them in the High Court after Star Pubs & Bars had challenged the imposition and amount of the financial penalty. On 14 October 2020, the PCA issued an investigation report that found Star Pubs & Bars had breached the pubs code, which the operator accepted. The PCA made eight binding recommendations to Star Pubs & Bars aimed at improving processes and governance, and overall compliance with the pubs code. Star Pubs & Bars has fully co-operated with the PCA and implemented the recommendations, as well as taking significant steps to reform its processes in order to comply with the code. Both parties have now agreed to settle all outstanding litigation connected to the report and fine. As well as the reduced fine, Star Pubs & Bars will pay a contribution to the PCA’s legal costs. Separately, Star Pubs & Bars will also pay a contribution to the PCA’s costs of conducting the investigation. A PCA statement said: “The PCA and Star Pubs & Bars consider settlement of this litigation will help to facilitate the positive regulatory relationship between them, building on Star Pubs & Bars’ constructive work in respect of compliance, to the benefit of the tied pub industry.”

 

London private members’ club group turns first profit in four years as turnover exceeds pre-pandemic levels: Home House Collection, which operates two private members’ clubs in London, turned its first profit in four years in the year ending 31 December 2022 as turnover exceeded pre-pandemic levels. The group reported a pre-tax profit of £942,867 for the period, up from a loss of £907,236 in 2021. It was the first profit the group has made since 2018, when it reported a profit of £759,837. Turnover grew from £13,343,458 in 2021 to £19,984,334 and is higher than the last pre-pandemic figure of £17,568,199, for the year ending 31 December 2019. The group, which operates Home House Club in Portman Square and Home Grown Club in Great Cumberland Place, received £8,076 in government grants compared with £887,495 in 2021. It achieved Ebitda of £3.8m compared with £1.8m in 2021. It had an operating cash inflow of £3.7m, from which £1.2m of loan repayments deferred during covid were repaid to the bank, in addition to regular loan amortisation of £1.2m. In his report accompanying the accounts, director Charles Tuke said the group has “proven resilient to difficult market conditions” and is “well positioned for continued growth”. He added: “Both clubs grew their respective memberships, which was a pleasing result given the higher numbers of leavers due to changes in personal circumstances and the difficult economic backdrop. Bedroom revenue in both clubs performed above expectation, driven by a strong bounce back due to the return of the business traveller and increased inbound tourism following the end of covid restrictions. General spending on food and beverage returned to pre-covid levels, although the larger corporate events returned very late in the year due to lagging covid concerns and employees working from home. At Home House, the garden and recently refurbished House 21 enjoyed significant growth on pre-covid sales, while at Home Grown, its first uninterrupted year of trading led to a good Ebitda performance driven by excellent growth in subscription, bedroom and food and beverage revenues.” A “digital transformation project” is underway and full integration is expected by the summer, while the range of offerings to members “continues to be refined”. Home House Collection features in the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book, the latest version of which was released on Friday (14 April). Its turnover of £19,984,334 is the 286th highest in the database. Its pre-tax profit of £942,867 is the 342nd highest in the database. The Blue Book ranks companies by turnover, profit and profit conversion, listing directors’ earnings for the past five years. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. The single subscription rate is £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Email jo.charity@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription.

 

Sky News – buyout firms eye joining forces in £8bn Subway sale: Some of the world’s biggest buyout firms are exploring the possibility of a joint bid for Subway, which is valued at $10bn (£8.3bn). Sky News reported Advent International, Bain Capital and TPG are considering teaming up in a so-called “club deal” as the auction of Subway nears the conclusion of a second round of bidding. Bidders have so far been prohibited from joining forces, but the size of the prospective deal means private equity firms will need to secure partners if they are to complete a takeover of one of the world’s biggest fast-food operators. Bankers expect the chain to fetch a valuation of between $8bn (£6.6bn) and $10bn (£8.3bn) after its controlling family shareholders instructed JP Morgan to oversee an auction. Sky News revealed in March that rival bidders include Goldman Sachs’s asset management arm and TDR Capital, which jointly owns Asda with the billionaire brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa. Advent, Bain and TPG all declined to comment.

 

Busaba to enter breakfast market: Busaba, the Thai chain founded by Alan Yau, is to enter the breakfast market with a trial at three sites this summer. The 11-strong business, which last month opened in the Lakeside Shopping Centre, Essex, will begin the pilot with launches into two central London sites – Westfield London and Westfield Stratford, and also at its flagship Kingston restaurant in early June – before opening up to the wider group. The company said each dish will offer a “twist on a classic British or American breakfast staple with all sauces and methods being made in-house”. The menu will feature an omelette pad Thai, an “incredible Bangkok Breakfast with home-made pork, lemongrass and garlic sausages”, a crispy grilled pork belly BLT and “Pandan Pancakes with Thai glazed pecans”. There will also a chilli beef loaded roti, chilli beans on toast and coconut porridge with mango coulis. Busaba marketing director Neve Rabbou said: “We’ve long wanted to become an all-day dining concept and we are thrilled with this menu. It carries all our signature creativity, authenticity, and flavour, which we know bring our customers back time and again. It’s delicious – healthy if you want, indulgent if you’re having one of those days, and the flavours rock really hard. It’s a great time for the Busaba brand.”

Former Bunga Bunga site in Battersea goes on the market: The former Bunga Bunga site in Battersea, south London, has gone on the market. The brand, which offers pizza, cocktails and live entertainment, closed its site at 37 Battersea Bridge Road last summer. Leisure property agency Shelley Sandzer, acting on behalf of a private landlord, is marketing the site, which is available on a sublease. Comprising 6,059 square feet across four floors, the venue benefits from an alcohol and entertainment licence to 1am Sunday to Thursday, and 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. Previously set up with a mix of uses – including a pizzeria, a club and private dining and karaoke areas – the landlord is targeting a similar pub or bar offer. Richard Thomas, director of agency at Shelley Sandzer, said: “The following that Bunga Bunga developed in its time in Battersea shows what can be achieved at this amazing site. We are seeing a real determination from people to get out and socialise, and this unit provides a great opportunity to tap into that market.” Bunga Bunga still has a site open in Covent Garden.

Fortnum & Mason to open immersive bar and exhibition space: London store Fortnum & Mason is reimagining its 3’6 space to transform it into an immersive bar and exhibition area. 3’6 Bar – which will open on the third floor on Monday, 1 May – will “reflect the evolution of Fortnum’s as an experimental industry leader”. In the daytime, it will act as a bookable workspace serving hand-roasted small batch coffee, tea, smoothies and soft drinks and morph in the evening into a laboratory for Fortnum’s mixologist Mustafa Tumburi to offer creative cocktails and dining. Customers can experience the world of mixology and watch as the bar teams who work across Fortnum & Mason trial new techniques. The design of the bar also allows for exclusive events and private dining, with the opportunity to separate the space from the rest of the third floor. The cocktail menu will be separated into five sections, evolving continuously with the seasons and invention of new techniques.

 

Marc Wilkinson reveals plans to move Michelin-starred restaurant Fraiche to Shropshire: Chef Marc Wilkinson has revealed plans to move his Michelin-starred restaurant Fraiche to Shropshire. Wilkinson closed the restaurant in the Merseyside village of Oxton last year having opened it in 2004. He has not revealed the new location, but the restaurant plans to open bookings on 1 June. Announcing the news on the restaurant’s Facebook page, Wilkinson said: “The eagle-eyed local guests may have noticed the Fraiche signage has been removed and the infamous moon is now down and safely into my backpack. This can only mean Fraiche is indeed on the move, and I leave Oxton filled with many memories and pride of what I have achieved so far with Fraiche, not forgetting the wonderful people I have met along the way. Now it’s time to evolve Fraiche and relocate it to the stunning countryside of Shropshire. A huge thank you to all who have supported the restaurant, and I hope some of you venture down to try the new environment this summer.” Wilkinson promised the same, award-winning menu style “will continue at the same high standards”. The previous home of Fraiche has been acquired by chef Andrew Sheridan and business partner Sam Morgan under their Open Restaurant Group vehicle. The property will be transformed into an upmarket neighbourhood restaurant called Restaurant OXA, focused on seasonal British produce.

 

Welsh hotel and spa goes on the market: Cwrt Bleddyn Hotel and Spa, in Llangybi near Usk, in south Wales, has been put on the market. Graham + Sibbald and Hilco Global Real Estate Advisory have been instructed by Paul Cooper and Paul Appleton, of Begbies Traynor, the business’ joint liquidators, to offer the 17th century former manor house for sale and are inviting offers. The hotel has 46 bedrooms, a restaurant and bar, function facilities and a spa and is set in 14.75 acres of grounds. The hotel remains open and is being operated under licence by Lester Hotels, which will assist in facilitating the transfer of the business. Cooper said: “We have been pleased with the positive level of interest that has been shown for the property and we are seeking to expedite the sale process with the intention being to secure the future for the hotel.” The venue made a statement on its Facebook page last month that challenging economic conditions had made it “sadly unviable”. It added: “While we can’t speak on behalf of any future owners, we hope the long-held affection we have in the local community will enable us to continue to welcome guests long after a new buyer is found.” The venue was bought by leisure investment firm Oxshott Global in 2012 and operates as a Ramada property managed by Lester Hotels.

 

Team behind Chiltern Firehouse and Allegra set to open new King’s Cross restaurant next month: The team behind Marylebone luxury restaurant and hotel Chiltern Firehouse and Allegra at The Stratford hotel will open its new restaurant in London’s King’s Cross next month. As previously reported, restaurateur and hotelier Harry Handelsman, who is also behind Booking Office 1869 at St Pancras and the restored St Pancras Hotel, will open The Midland Grand Dining Room in Euston Road, in collaboration with chef Patrick Powell, who will continue to oversee Allegra. Sitting alongside the restored restaurant, which will open on Tuesday, 2 May, will be a stand-alone bar called Gothic Bar, offering cocktails and a bar food menu by Powell. There will also be a private dining room, chef’s table experience and an expansive outdoor terrace. The opening will be the culmination of Handelsman’s decades-long regeneration of King’s Cross, which he spearheaded with the acquisition and redevelopment of St Pancras Chambers in 2002. The new restaurant is named after Midland Grand Hotel, the 19th century hotel which originally occupied the building. Powell spent four years as head chef at Chiltern Firehouse before being hand-picked by Handelsman to open Allegra. His regularly changing menu will have French origins but with a particular focus on British fish and meat. 

 

Hot Stone team launches new Japanese concept: The team behind Islington steak and sushi bar Hot Stone has launched a new Japanese concept. Kikabo, a contemporary Japanese restaurant that “blends traditional techniques with modern flair”, has opened in Fitzrovia’s Windmill Street. It was previously home to the “creative multi-course concept”, Rai, which was created by Shrabaneswor Rai and Padam Raj Rai, and for which a new home is being sought. The 50-cover site offers omakase-style boxes containing between six and 12 hand-crafted sushi and sashimi dishes per diner. Guests are able to choose between two of the restaurant’s three course set menus, both featuring a kibako to start – which includes dishes such as seared butterfish with red jalapeño sauce; hand dived scallop with plum and rock shrimp tempura – followed by a main dish and a dessert. The mains include grilled saba with spicy oroshi; 48-hour marinated grilled black cod with saikyo miso; and grilled aubergine with saikyo miso. Diners can also opt to go à la carte, selecting from a menu of sushi, sashimi, maki and carpaccio, as well as larger hot dishes. Before joining Hot Stone Group as executive chef and co-owner of its first restaurant in 2018, Padam Raj Rai worked at several London sushi restaurants including Tsukiji Sushi at the Westbury Hotel, Roka, Nobu and Sake No Hana.

 

Tim Hortons set to open in former Frankie & Benny’s in Chesterfield: Canadian quick service restaurant brand Tim Hortons is set to open a site in Chesterfield. SK Group, which is leading the rollout of the brand in the UK, is looking to launch at Alma Leisure Park in the premises previously occupied by The Restaurant Group-owned brand Frankie & Benny’s. Tim Hortons has submitted plans to Chesterfield Borough Council to convert the property into a drive-thru restaurant, reports Derbyshire Live. At the end of 2022, Mexican restaurant brand Taco Bell and Dunkin Donuts opened stores in the Alma Leisure Park, which is also home to Nando’s and Cineworld. Tim Hortons operates 75 sites in the UK, with openings due in Burton and Liverpool.

 

Former Allegra alumni opens east London cafe: Carlos Del Barrio, who has worked at Allegra at The Stratford hotel for the past few years, has launched a cafe in east London. Rastro has opened in Bethnal Green Road, in the former premises occupied by Second Shot. It is the first of a planned series of projects for Del Barrio and his team. Rastro draws on the Mediterranean for inspiration with sandwiches that are “twists on classics”. They include the Cubano – prosciutto cotto, pancetta, Emmenthal, pickles and smoked dijonnaise on brioche; and the Sababa – houmous with piquillo peppers, goats cheese and za’atar olive oil. In addition, there are crisps, pastries, espresso and juice. Del Barrio told Hot Dinners: “I always wanted to open an aperitif bar or small cocktail bar with nibbles with my background. But we thought we’d start with something small. At Rastro, we’re doing really good sandwiches for not crazy prices – that’s what the Mediterranean food culture is all about.”

Glasgow Mexican restaurant opens second site: Glasgow Mexican restaurant concept El Jefe’s has opened a second site. The restaurant is in Fenwick Road, Giffnock, and has created about 20 jobs, reports the Barrhead News. The original El Jefe’s is located in Argyle Street, Finnieston, while sister spot El Camino took over the Nomad nightclub in Waterloo Street in December. El Jefe’s is co-owned by Dave Wade, who also owns The Parlour in Vinicombe Street, and business partner Jonathan Lessani.