Exclusive – Costa Express pays £275m dividend as turnover hits record of almost £350m, rolling out world’s first integrated hot and cold beverage machine: Costa Express paid a dividend of £275m last year as it reported record revenue of almost £350m. The company reported turnover increased 5% to £348,127,000 for the year ending 31 December 2022 compared with £331,270,000 the year before as it starts to roll out the world’s first integrated hot and cold beverage machine. Revenue generated in the UK was £329,841,000 (2021: £322,266,000) and non-UK revenue was £18,286,000 (2021: £9,004,000). The business, which is owned by Coca-Cola alongside its cafe division, saw pre-tax profit fall to £70,417,000 from £73,186,000 the previous year due to increased costs. A total of 1,466 net new installations were made, down 49% from 2,885 the previous year, giving the business a total of 14,625 machines, up 11% on the year before. In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “Costa Express continued to innovate in respect of its coffee vending technology and invest in its sales, marketing and customer service departments through the year. The company has started to roll out the world’s first integrated hot and cold beverage machine, with placements in several cities across the UK. Iced coffee now accounts for one in five global purchases, and this offer ensures that the business is well placed to deliver the next level of growth, capitalising on Coca-Cola’s strength and complimentary expertise in vending. In the year, Costa Express continued to place machines throughout the UK, driving higher year-on-year revenue growth. However higher cost of sales driven by exchange rates and increased depreciation charges has driven higher costs, resulting in slight year-on-year decline of operating profit.” A dividend of £275m was paid to its immediate parent company (2021: nil). In 2019, Coca-Cola bought Costa from Whitbread for nearly $5bn, with the fast-growing Costa Express business being a key attraction. At the time, Costa Express was turning over about £225m and generating a pre-tax profit of £47m. Today, the business is churning out a profit almost eight times the earnings of its UK cafe business.

 

Number of coffee shop launches included in next edition of The New Openings Database, features 107 site openings: Premium subscribers will receive the next edition of The New Openings Database on Friday (3 November) at midday, which features a number of launches by coffee shop businesses. North west independent coffee shop The Coffee House has opened its 17th site, in Macclesfield, with number 18 to follow soon. Coffee brand Grind has added sites in Canary Wharf and Ashford, Kent, to its estate. Meanwhile, London coffee shop concept District is to open its fourth site in the capital, in Parkgate Road in Battersea. The database will show the details of 107 site openings, including which company has opened a site or its plans to open one in the future. It will have details on what type of site it is and its location, and there will also be a website link to the businesses. The database is published on a monthly basis and Premium subscribers will also receive a 7,600-word report on the new additions to the database. Premium subscribers also receive access to five other databases: the Propel Multi-Site Database, produced in association with Virgate; the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book; the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database; the Who’s Who of UK Food and Beverage; and the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee 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 kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription. Premium subscribers are also being given exclusive access to the recording and slides to Propel Multi-Club Conferences. They 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.

 

KFC calls on government and businesses to invest in helping young people into employment: KFC has called on the government and fellow businesses to join it in investing in helping young people into employment. The company said last month it had so far supported 500 people through its “The Hatch” youth employment programme, which it launched last year. It has since also launched “The Kentucky Club”, which will host jobs-based pop-up events around the country for young people. Meg Farren, managing director of KFC UK & Ireland, said: “At KFC, we believe every young person who wants a job should be able to get one. After all, we’ve been the first job for thousands of people in the UK; 65% of our 29,000-strong workforce are under the age of 25. That’s why we’re calling for more investment in young people and their futures. That starts with employers, like us, investing in programmes that support and empower young people to take that first step in the world of work, whatever their background or experiences. But we can’t make that change alone – we need government and other businesses to give the next generation the tools and support they need.” It comes as a study of 4,000 16 to 25-year-olds and 500 businesses revealed that 61% of young people say it has got tougher to get a job without a “way in”, while 42% said their background is stopping them from landing their dream role. Some 68% of employers said young people were critical to their business and 78% said they have a positive impact on their workplace. But 65% of young people said there’s not enough support available to help them get into work, with 70% saying the government should do more to help.

 

Lord – government won’t meet economic growth targets if business rate relief is not extended: Sacha Lord, the night-time economy adviser for Greater Manchester, has warned the government will not meet its growth objectives before the next General Election if the business rates relief discount is removed as planned next April. Lord said unless chancellor Jeremy Hunt decides to extend the relief in November’s autumn statement, growth of the hospitality sector will falter, leaving a significant black hole in the UK’s economy. In 2019, the industry generated £40.4bn for the UK economy. Currently, hospitality, retail and leisure venues benefit from a 75% discount on business rates, which is due to end on 31 March 2024. According to UKHospitality, the resulting increase would create a £850m rates uplift for the sector, where the planned inflation-linked rise in April will add an additional £234m, while the ending of rates relief for the financial year 2023-24 would represent £630m. Lord said: “In a high-inflation, challenging economy, the decision whether to freeze the current business rates relief will be the difference between the sector growing or retracting, and without this commitment, the government’s pledge to increase economic growth ahead of the next General Election will not come to fruition.” In addition to business rates, Lord has called on Hunt to review VAT tax breaks and create parity between retail and service sectors. Meanwhile, retail boss and former Dragons’ Den investor Theo Paphitis has warned high street businesses – including pubs and restaurants – are being “devastated” by outdated taxes. Paphitis criticised the business rates system, which he said unfairly hits bricks and mortar businesses while online and technology giants only face the tax on their warehouses. “It’s another ridiculous tax that is unfair – it damages investment, damages business, and damages our communities,” he said. “It is communities that have been devastated by a ridiculous taxation from the 1500s.”

 

Small businesses slowly regaining confidence in the economy but hospitality has lowest levels: Small businesses are slowly regaining confidence in the economy, but hospitality is showing the lowest levels, a new survey shows. Optimism was measured at minus 8 points in the third quarter of the year, up from minus 14.2 points in the second but still below the first quarter reading of minus 2.8. It means that overall confidence among small companies has been in negative territory for about 18 months, reports The Times. The quarterly report by the Federation of Small Businesses showed that most do not predict growth over the next year, while one in eight expect to contract. The share of small firms planning to hire more staff in the fourth quarter has fallen back slightly, to about one in nine, while two in five reported a fall in revenue in the three months to the end of September. Hospitality businesses had the lowest level of confidence, at minus 31.1 points for accommodation and foodservices activities. Martin McTague, chairman of the federation, said: “After the economic turmoil wrought by the cost of doing business crisis over the past year and a half, [there are] signs of stabilisation in small firms’ performance. We need to beware that stabilisation does not turn into stagnation and that intentions to invest and grow are not thwarted by economic circumstances.”

 

Menu variety and affordability score highest with consumers when choosing where to eat: Menu variety and affordability score highest with consumers when choosing where to eat, according to new research from Deliverect. The Belgian online food delivery management software start-up surveyed 5,000 people, with 89% of respondents seeking for affordability when looking for a restaurant, followed closely by variety of menu options (87%) and a high standard of health and safety (86%). It showed that 33% of UK consumers use Google and 30% use food delivery apps to find new restaurants. When asked what makes people feel loyal to a restaurant, 34% said friendly and attentive staff, 23% fast delivery and 22% reliable and accurate service. Ease of use scores highest in terms of importance when using a delivery app, followed by menu details (47%) and access to reviews and ratings (35%). In terms of the role robotics will play in restaurants, only 34% feel comfortable with drones, and 35% and 38% respectively with robots carrying out food preparation or service.

 

Propel subscribers to receive third episode of Tipjar webinar series to help understand the complexities of new tipping legislation today: Cashless tipping platform Tipjar is giving Propel subscribers exclusive early access to a webinar series to help understand the complexities of the new tipping legislation poised to make waves in the hospitality industry next year. The “Fair Tips Talks” series, presented in partnership with The Tronc Advisor and hosted by KAM managing director Katy Moses, alongside tips and tronc expert Andy Hamman, offers expert insight and actionable strategies. The third episode will be released today (Tuesday, 31 October) at 9am featuring a deep dive into how the new tipping legislation supercharges inclusive workplace cultures. Moses and Hamman will be joined by Chantal Wilson, people director at NQ64; Philip Eeles, co-founder of Honest Burgers; Paddy Gardiner, brand drinks manager at Cote; and Matt Gough, head of people operations at BrewDog as they share their tales of adapting while keeping that people-first approach alive. They will also explore the benefits for businesses that make fair treatment and satisfaction the stars of their tipping and tronc practices. 

 

Ole & Steen appoints Graham Hollinshead as new UK MD: Danish bakery brand Ole & Steen has appointed Graham Hollinshead as its new UK managing director, Propel has learned. Hollinshead, who will join Ole & Steen from November, arrives after 18 months as managing director of Rockwater Group. Prior to that, he was operations director of London restaurant and coffee-roasting concept Caravan for more than two years. Before joining Caravan, he was managing director of the Soho House joint venture Quentin Restaurants, which oversaw Cafe Monico, Chicken Shop, Dirty Burger, Farm Shop and Pizza East among other concepts. He also worked on the Mollie’s Motel & Diner concept and spent more than five years at Wagamama. His appointment follows the departure of Lee Nixon earlier this year, and a six-month interim stint by Tim Selby in the role. It also comes after Propel revealed this week that Ole & Steen had begun the search for a new group chief executive after the departure of Jason Cotta, who has been in the role since summer 2019. Ole & Steen currently operates 26 bakery shops in and around London. The UK is the largest market for Ole & Steen outside of its home one, where it has its roots dating more than 30 years. Hollinshead, who also previously worked at Starbucks, said: “The opportunity to join a brand that has revolutionised the premium fresh bakery market is really just a no-brainer. I’m looking forward to working with the fantastic team both here and in Denmark as we set out to reach the full potential of our business in London and the UK.” Jesper Mark Dixen, interim group chief executive at Ole & Steen, added: “Since opening our first UK bakery in 2016, we have been focused on expanding to new communities in and around London. Now we are at a point where a seasoned leader like Graham is key to the continued success of the brand in the UK.” In May, David Campbell, the former chief executive of Wagamama and PizzaExpress, was appointed chairman of Danish Bake Holding, the parent company of Ole & Steen.

 

TRG completes sale of leisure division to Big Table Group: Wagamama-owner The Restaurant Group (TRG) has announced the completion of the sale of its leisure business to the Big Table Group, the Epiris-backed operator of the Café Rouge, Bella Italia, Banana Tree and Las Iguanas brands. The deal comprises 75 sites and the associated restaurant management team and employees. Last month, TRG confirmed it was selling its loss-making leisure division, which includes Frankie & Benny’s and Chiquito, to Big Table Group for £1. As part of the transaction, TRG said it would pay a cash contribution of £7.5m. Last month, Propel revealed the Alan Morgan-led Big Table Group had appointed Debbie Husband, formerly of Rank Group and Travelodge, as managing director for the incoming leisure division. Also included in the division are the Firejacks, Coast To Coast, Filling Station and EST brands, and it takes Big Table Group to operating more than 220 restaurants across the UK. Morgan said: “We’re pleased to have completed the deal and delighted to have the teams fully on board under Debbie's leadership.” Last week, Propel revealed that Big Table Group is to test fast-casual versions of its existing brands, through the launch of a number of pop-ups. It is thought the testing could also include some of the “dark” brands that the business has inherited. Of possible site conversions from the leisure division, Morgan told Propel last month that the priority early on is to welcome the new team, ensure a smooth transition and deliver a great Christmas period. He added: “We will look at the opportunities the Big Table Group has to provide additional support to the brands as well as exploring how some of the sites may fit into our existing portfolio in time.”

 

Vapiano sees sales uplift from switch to QR code ordering, smaller format seen as new global standard: Vapiano, which is owned by the Mario C Bauer-led consortium Love & Food Restaurant Holdings, has said it is now seeing 86% of all in-house orders across its UK business taken via its QR code and mobile ordering app. The original Vapiano model had RFID card-style ordering where guests ordered directly with Vapiano chefs. However, the entire model had to adapt in September 2020 due to government covid regulations. Spearheaded by its then managing director Craig Goslin, the five-strong Vapiano UK adapted its entire model across all sites to QR code ordering within a week. The business said: “The digital ordering guest journey established first within the UK is now heralded as the future for the global brand and is being developed in Vapiano’s other main markets around the world. Vapiano UK is now seeing 86% of all in house orders taken via QR code and mobile ordering app, an increase of 6% from 2022 driving £3m in sales for the third quarter of 2023.” At the same time, the business told Propel its Paddington site, launched by Goslin at the end of last year, was “trading significantly above expectations”. The first smaller format site is 5,000 square foot and houses 160 covers. The company said: “This is another UK success story within the Vapiano business, as this smaller restaurant with some key feature differences, is now being rolled out as a new global Vapiano brand standard.” As reported by Propel last week, Goslin has stepped down and is concluding a handover to the incoming team. Propel revealed the business had appointed Steve Collard, formerly of Nando’s and Gourmet Burger Kitchen, as its new UK operations director to oversee the next phase of Vapiano growth in the UK.

McDonald’s – providing customers with new experiences further elevating value perceptions: McDonald’s chief financial officer Ian Borden has said the global fast-food chain is providing customers with “new experiences further elevating their value perceptions”. Borden was speaking after the brand reported its global like-for-like sales rose 8.8% in its third quarter to 30 September 2023 compared with the previous year. He said: “Many markets are using our digital app to drive engagement and increase loyalty participation with our fans, through exclusive activations. This was on display through recent Monopoly campaigns in several markets. In the UK, Monopoly returned for the 17th consecutive year, featuring a double-peel option, encouraging customers to scan their game pieces into the app. Monopoly once again ignited our fans’ love of the brand and delivered higher levels of app engagement than ever before.” Borden said Spain had seen similar success with the Monopoly promotion over the summer, delivering significant increases in both app downloads and registrations. “This is another great example of sharing best bets across our system to fuel our digital growth ambitions,” he said. “In fact, in our top six markets (which includes the UK), digital sales represented more than 40% of system-wide sales, or nearly $9bn for the third quarter. We now have over 57 million 90-day active members across these top markets, and our relationship with them continues to grow. We’re learning when they visit, how they visit and what they buy, with more and more of our sales coming through identified channels than ever before. By continuing to elevate the McDonald’s digital experience, our customers feel more connected to the brand, driving those incremental visits that we believe would otherwise go uncaptured.” He said value continued to be a big focus for the brand as menu innovations, including the launch of new value options such as “saver meals” in the UK, were highlighted. The business said strong franchise sales performance continues to be “partially offset by targeted and temporary franchisee assistance, provided mainly to our European franchisees where elevated costs continue to pressure restaurant cash flows”. It said: “We’re still anticipating that these efforts will have an impact of $100m to $150m on our full year results.”

 

Mobile Indian street food business opens first permanent restaurant and eyes expansion through franchising: Mobile Indian street food business Chapati Man has opened its first permanent restaurant and is looking to expand through franchising. Chapati Man was founded by husband-and-wife team, Chris and Andrea Rai, in 2007. It quickly became a fixture as festivals such as Glastonbury, Bestival and Lovebox Weekender, and the British Grand Prix, and has more recently targeted office workers with pitches in the City of London. It has also launched retail ranges in Morrisons and Waitrose and earned praise from Peter Jones on Dragon’s Den, despite failing to land an investment. It has now opened its first bricks and mortar location, in London’s Whitechapel, and launched a franchise programme which offers food truck, fixed kiosk, store and dark kitchen formats, with master franchise rights already sold for New York and Sri Lanka. The Whitechapel premises, in New Road, includes a central production unit to serve the restaurant, takeaways and further planned outlets in London and across the UK. “This is another huge step forward for the Chapati Man brand and concept,” Chris said. “Building on the success of our food trucks and franchise outlets, we feel the brand has grown up, while keeping its original concepts of authentic tasty recipes in a fun and relaxed environment. The plan is to launch further corporate stores and franchise stores, using this flagship store model, across the UK and worldwide. We’ve adapted the menu a bit, which we’re excited about. The central production unit will turn out not just wraps and curries, but curry poké bowls, Indian snacks and chai, all made from scratch daily using modern cooking techniques.” Chapati Man has partnered with property experts Charles Pearse and Rez Khan and franchising expert Brett Larrabee – who was responsible for Little Caesars Pizza’s international franchise development – to assist with its expansion plans. “With this calibre of partners and depth of their collective expertise, Chapati Man is going to boom it big time, starting right here in Whitechapel,” Chris added. Chapati Man will feature in the next Propel UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database, which is an exhaustive guide to the companies offering a food and beverage franchise in the UK and is available exclusively to Premium subscribers. The database is updated every two months and the latest version features 215 businesses. 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 kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription.

 

Meal kit platform used by London restaurants hits minimum £1.4m crowdfunding target ahead of public launch: Dishpatch, the finish-at-home meal kit platform that is used by London restaurants including Angela Hartnett’s Cafe Murano and Michel Roux Jr, has hit its £1.4m crowdfunding target to support its growth ahead of its public launch today (Tuesday, 31 October). The campaign will run for a further two weeks as it welcomes overfunding, with the business offering 8.85% equity, giving a pre-money valuation of £15,223,140. Since launching the business three years ago, Dishpatch has delivered in excess of 230,000 meals, with more than 75% outside of London. With this additional support, Dishpatch said it will be able to expand its offering to its existing customer database and expand to reach a new audience, as well as growing the business throughout the UK, and in turn, internationally. It will also allow significant investment into marketing, new partners and support the expansion of its annual membership programme. Dishpatch said with current investment, the business has managed its steady growth following the initial launch. Existing investors, including LocalGlobe and Stride, have also committed to further investment in the business as part of this fundraising round. Chief executive and co-founder of Dishpatch, Pete Butler, said: “We’re so proud to have reached this milestone in our business. Knowing that people want to support our growth in the industry and beyond is a great feeling. We have lots of exciting plans in the works.” The business generated revenue of £3.8m with Ebitda of minus £3.5m for the 12 months to August 2023. Gross profit increased from minus 11% in August 2022 to plus 24% in August 2023.

 

Krispy Kreme secures new UK flagship site in London’s Oxford Street: Krispy Kreme, the doughnut retailer, has secured a new UK flagship site in London’s Oxford Street. The 2,783 square-foot store, which is at 25-27 Oxford Street and arranged over ground and first floors, will be the first in the UK after the brand’s flagship site in New York to feature the brand’s “Hotlight” theatre – providing customers with “a unique immersive experience in which they can try Krispy Kreme’s fresh original Glazed hot doughnuts straight off the line”. Jamie Dunning, president and managing director of Krispy Kreme UK & Ireland, said: “I’m delighted to be bringing the joy of Krispy Kreme to the West End, offering London’s shoppers and workers a one-of-a-kind experience to share an indulgent treat in world-class surroundings. I’m proud that we will be playing a key role in the wider regeneration of Oxford Street by delivering our flagship Hotlight theatre, inspired by our founder Vernon Rudolph’s promise of awesome doughnuts that melt in the mouth.” Josh Braid, of Knight Frank, acted on the deal on behalf of landlord Emperor Group, while Savills and Nick Goodman, of Bruce Gillingham Pollard, acted on behalf of Krispy Kreme. 

 

WatchHouse launches in Belsize Park: Specialty coffee concept WatchHouse has further increased its presence in London with a launch in Belsize Park. Situated on a corner site opposite the tube station, the 14-strong company said its newest addition has been “carefully designed to enhance the customer experience”. It said: “The menu features a combination of specialty WatchHouse bakes and an exceptional modern coffee offering, all prepared on-site. It’s a place where simplicity meets abundance, and the essence of WatchHouse’s quality is served in every cup and bite.” The Roland Horne-founded business is set to open additional Houses before the end of the year, in Fenchurch Street and Hampstead. It is also set to make its international debut, and its first US site, at 660 5th Avenue, New York, this December. The company said the opening will “kickstart its expansion in the city in an under-served specialty coffee environment”. 

 

Mitchells & Butlers appoints Kai Hepworth as new ops director: Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), the All Bar One, Toby Carvery and Harvester owner, has appointed Kai Hepworth, formerly of Marston’s, Bill’s Restaurants and Costa Coffee, as a new operations director, Propel has learned. Hepworth, who recently stepped down as operations director for Marston’s community food side business after 18 months with the company, joins M&B as operations director for its Stonehouse brand that operates more than 90 sites across the UK. Before joining Marston’s last spring, Hepworth was previously operations director at Ten Entertainment Group. He spent more than two years as operations director at Bill’s, and in excess of four as an operations director at Costa.

 

Scottish leisure operator Jungle Rumble opens fifth adventure golf site with two more to follow this year: Scottish leisure operator Jungle Rumble has opened its fifth adventure golf site, in Birmingham, with two more to follow this year. It has acquired the former Star City Adventure Golf in Birmingham’s StarCity complex, offering two 18-hole courses themed around a forgotten tropical paradise and a mysterious Mayan jungle. There is also a bar serving soft drinks, with an alcohol licence being awaited, and a selection of classic arcade games. Co-owner Vivienne White said: “We’re thrilled to join the StarCity family. It’s a vibrant destination with something for everyone, and our mini-golf course is the perfect way to add some adventure to your day!” The Birmingham site joins existing Jungle Rumble locations in London, Bristol, Brighton, and Glasgow – with Liverpool and Brighton also set to launch by the end of 2023.

 

Colicci reports turnover increases to £22m as tourism nears pre-pandemic levels, average spend almost 20% higher: Colicci – which operates 13 cafes, restaurants and kiosks across London parks and a kiosk at Westfield Stratford – has reported turnover increased 27% to £22,177,931 for the year ending 31 December 2022 compared with £17,483,997 the previous year. Pre-tax profit was down to £1,686,319 from £2,954,497 the year before as costs increased by more than £5.5m. In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “2022 was a stronger year for the business with the negative effect the pandemic posed, lessening. Tourism grew to near pre-pandemic levels and while working from home was becoming the norm, given the sector of the market of which Colicci operates, this did not have a material effect on trade. All sites were able to trade unencumbered and perform strongly. The demand for takeaway products reduced with all sites resuming a full ‘dine in’ offer. This drove average spend close to 20% higher than previous years. Transactions were also up on the previous year, which signalled a return to normal operations.” A dividend of £85,236 was paid (2021: £166,594). Founded in 1982 by Ernie and Josephine Colicci, the family business started out as a single ice cream van.

 

Trust Inns acquires Weston-super-Mare pub: Trust Inns, which is owned by the family interests of the late Trevor Hemmings, has acquired a pub in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. On behalf of joint fixed charge receivers’ James Liddiment and Paul Greenhalgh, of Kroll Advisory, Christie & Co has sold The Bear Inn to Trust Inns, which owns more than 350 leased and tenanted pubs across the UK. The Bear, which is in Walliscote Road, opened in 2012 and trades as a pub with two bars, a skittle alley and 23 guest rooms. The business was sold to Trust Inns as an investment opportunity, which produces £62,400 per annum. A Trust Inns spokesperson said: “We continue to seek and acquire pubs and diversified pub business nationwide, which offer opportunity for growth development and longevity in the sector. The Bear fits with our objectives and we are pleased to welcome it into our estate.” Richard Wood, regional director at Christie & Co, who handled the sale, added: The property attracted strong interest resulting in a best and final bid process, culminating in multiple bids. This shows the renewed demand we are seeing across the south for tenanted pubs.”

 

PizzaExpress sees loyalty club hit two million members: PizzaExpress has seen its loyalty scheme, PizzaExpress Club, hit two million members. To mark the achievement, all customers have been upgraded to “Gold” status on the PizzaExpress Club app until Wednesday (1 November). For customers who are already “Gold” members, they have received an additional free soft drink reward. The PizzaExpress Club was launched in December 2021 as a key pivotal moment in the brand’s digital transformation. Customers progress through “Bronze”, “Silver” and “Gold” tiers by collecting stamps to access more rewards from the menu. The PizzaExpress Club has recently had a revamp that has been applied across the app and website, in line with the brand’s refreshed look. Arslan Sharif, digital and loyalty director at PizzaExpress, said: “The PizzaExpress Club was designed to reward our loyal customers with instant value and it’s proved incredibly popular. Our focus is offering club members exciting new products alongside our iconic menu favourites, as well as the very best offers – enticing members to visit more often and encouraging new members to join the club.”

 

Cambridgeshire operators acquire third site: Cambridgeshire operators Rodger Scotton and Justine McKenzie have acquired their third site. The pair have taken on the lease of The Royal Oak in St Ives, which is owned by brewer and retailer Greene King. It is Scotton and McKenzie’s second pub with Greene King, having operated The Windmill pub in the nearby village of Somersham for the past 15 years. They also run The Slepe Hall Hotel in St Ives. The Royal Oak, which had previously been closed for two years in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic, has reopened after a £230,000 transformation by Greene King. The pub specialises in serving a range of craft lager and ale. To complement this, The Royal Oak serves “pub charcuterie” including cheeseboards and ploughman’s lunches. Phil Arnold, operations director for Greene King Pub Partners, said: “We are delighted to see the Royal Oak reopen and back to its best after two years of closure. We are pleased as well to be operating the pub with Rodger and Justine, expanding our 15-year partnership with them.”

 

Space housing Marcus Wareing’s restaurant at The Berkeley goes on market for first time in 20 years: The space housing Marcus Wareing’s restaurant at The Berkeley Hotel in London has gone on the market for the first time in 20 years. Wareing will close Marcus on Tuesday, 26 December as the former MasterChef: The Professionals judge looks to take a new direction in 2024. The lease of the site is now being marketed by Restaurant Property on behalf of The Maybourne Group, Propel has learned. “With Marcus Wearing set to the leave The Berkeley Hotel, this is the first time the space has been available to the open market since 2003,” said Restaurant Property director David Rawlinson. “The offering combines the Marcus space with the existing Collins Room to create a ground floor area of 5,575 square feet and a basement: 1,227 square feet. A new private entrance, separate from the hotel, will be created along with outside terraced for alfresco dining. This is a rare opportunity to be part of the bustling Knightsbridge community and benefit from the impressive clientele of The Berkeley.” The new terrace will be 678 square feet, for an overall site size of 6,801 square feet. The space has a Class E – restaurant/bar use and a licence to 1.30am.

 

The Kati Roll Company to open second UK site: The Kati Roll Company (TKRC), which was founded in New York City in 2002, is to launch its second site in the UK, in London’s Spitalfields. The business, which was founded by Payal Saha shortly after she moved from her hometown of Kolkata to New York City, has secured the 700 square-foot, ex-Street Greek site in Artillery Lane. TKRC has four locations in Manhattan and a further site in London, in Soho’s Poland Street. The company said: “What sets TKRC apart is the quality of its ingredients including all halal meats, antibiotic and hormone-free chicken, hand ground spices and fresh produce. We marinate all of our ingredients daily and never ever use pre-packaged foods or sauces. Our lassis are made from house made, organic yogurt and natural flavours.” MKR Property, acting on behalf of Street Greek, negotiated an assignment of the lease at 7 Artillery Lane, for a premium of £65,000.

 

Sides adds Kent site to openings pipeline: YouTube collective The Sidemen have added a site in Kent to the openings pipeline for its Sides restaurant brand. Propel understands Sides is set to open a restaurant within the Bluewater shopping centre near Dartford. It comes after The Sidemen this month opened its first high street Sides location, in London’s Dalston. It has also secured standalone sites within the Merry Hill and Arndale shopping centres, in the West Midlands and Manchester. The brand also had locations within Boxpark Wembley and Croydon, Gravity Wandsworth and Market Place Harrow. Founded in 2021, Sides grew initially as a delivery-only brand but intends to expand across the country, with as many as 200 sites over the next decade. 

 

Irish operator Press Up Hospitality Group closes UK restaurant sites: Irish operator Press Up Hospitality Group has closed both its restaurant sites in the UK. The company has closed its Elephant & Castle and Wowburger outlets at the Frenchgate Shopping Centre in Doncaster. The business opened its debut UK Wowburger site at the end of 2020 at the scheme in South Yorkshire. It followed this up with opening an Elephant & Castle site in May the following year on the first floor of Frenchgate’s North Mall Gallery. Press Up Hospitality Group currently operates 13 Wowburger sites and 11 Elephant & Castle restaurants in Ireland. 

 

Cake Box appoints new non-executive chairman: Cake Box, the specialist retailer of fresh cream cakes, has appointed Martin Blair as non-executive chairman. Blair, who is a non-executive director, succeeds Nilesh Sachdev in the role. Blair will continue to chair the company’s audit committee until a replacement for that role is found. Cake Box chief executive Sukh Chamdal said: “Neil has been instrumental in the delivery of Cake Box’s significant growth since our initial public offering more than five years ago, with the store estate almost tripling during his tenure. Neil had a particular focus on improving diversity in our business, helping to significantly increase the number of female franchisees to more than 40 today. Martin has a deep understanding of our business and was the standout candidate among a strong field to help guide our business through the next stage of our growth.” Blair added: “There are many exciting growth opportunities ahead for the business and I look forward to working with the board and executive management team to help us to capitalise on these. With an experienced leadership team and ambitious strategy, I am confident that the group will continue to deliver growth for all stakeholders.” Cake Box has also appointed Adam Batty as senior independent director.”

 

Rick Stein – being left £14,000 by unknown German relative paved the way for my restaurant business: Rick Stein has said being left £14,000 by an unknown German relative paved the way for his restaurant business. Stein now operates ten UK restaurants – plus two in Australia – alongside an accommodation business, a cookery school and an online fishmonger. He told The Telegraph he went straight from Oxford University to running a mobile disco in Padstow, but his career took a different path when he inherited a vast sum from a distant German relative. “I was running a mobile disco in the early 1970s when I was left £14,000 by an unknown German relative, Uncle Otto,” he said. “At around the same time, my best friend was left some money, so we bought a nightclub. It turned out to be the best thing I could have done, putting this money into bricks and mortar. We never needed to pay rent, and we ran it for two years until it was closed down by the police because we didn’t know how to run nightclubs at all. I bought the restaurant in Padstow as a result, and eventually bought my friend out, so it was a piece of real good luck.” Stein said in the first year he owned the restaurant outright, it turned over £9,000, and in the second year, it turned over £21,000. “When you look at the increase, and with a restaurant on the quayside selling fresh fish, we were probably on to something,” he added. “It wasn’t like ‘whoopee, we were in the money’, after all it was a seasonal restaurant and we were closed for four or five months a year, but there was a certain sense we were going places.”

 

Sheffield gourmet burger bar opens first franchise site: Sheffield gourmet burger bar Unit has opened its first franchise site, at the Valley Centertainment leisure complex in the city’s Don Valley. Founded in 2016 by Mohamed Adbulrub and Nabeil Asker as an independent restaurant catering for families and students in Sheffield, the new venue builds on Unit’s debut site, at 88 Headford Street in the city’s Broomhall area. Unit launched its franchise programme earlier this year, with Abdulrub telling Propel he was aiming for 20 sites by 2030. The concept found fame in 2020 when, during lockdown, it went viral on YouTube by delivering orders via “sending them into space”. It teamed up with YouTuber Niko Omilana and space marketing business Sent Into Space to send a pizza, burger, fries and milkshake 19,000 metres into the atmosphere (officially “near space”) via weather balloons, and then to paying customers.

 

Nobu’s Marylebone restaurant launches catering business: Nobu’s restaurant in London’s Marylebone has launched a catering business exclusive to the Portman Square site. It includes delivery service Nobu at Home, events service Nobu Social, luxury dining experience Nobu Ultra, and Nobu Corporate for work lunches, meetings and events. Nobu at Home, which means anyone in the UK can now order the brand’s Japanese cuisine with Peruvian influence to their homes, will also offer at-home sushi masterclasses. Executive chef Michael Paul said: “We’re excited to offer Nobu guests our special dining experiences wherever they are in the UK and beyond. It’s an honour to introduce Nobu Catering exclusively from the Nobu Hotel London Portman Square kitchen and be the first Nobu in the expanding portfolio to offer this to our guests.” Nobu also operates hotels with restaurants in London’s Shoreditch and Mayfair, among a global portfolio of circa 57 restaurants and hotels.

 

Claridge’s hires new culinary director: Claridge’s has hired former Gleneagles Hotel and estate executive chef Simon Attridge as its new culinary director. Prior to this, he held senior culinary positions with BaxterStorey and Shangri-La and gained his first Michelin star at the age of 25. In his new role at Claridge’s, Attridge will oversee all culinary operations across the hotel, which recently unveiled the new Claridge’s Restaurant and is home to four bars, including The Painter’s Room. Attridge said: “I look forward to working with the incredibly talented team as Claridge’s continues to step into the future while celebrating its timeless tradition.” Paul Jackson, general manager at Claridge’s, added: “Simon will undoubtedly bring the perfect balance of innovation and creativity, while being respectful of our distinguished heritage, to ensure we continue to maintain Claridge’s position as one of the leading hotels in the world.”