RedCat heralds ‘transformational year’, emerged as a ‘stronger, leaner and more coherent business’: RedCat Hospitality, the operator of Coaching Inn Group and RedCat Independent Pubs, has heralded the 12 months to the end of March 2025 as a “transformational year” with the company emerging from it a “stronger, leaner and more coherent business”. The circa 95-strong business, which was founded and chaired by Rooney Anand, said adjusted Ebitda for the period was up 290% to £8.8m (2024: £2.2m), with site Ebitda up 42% to £18.7m (2024: £13.2m), and like-for-like sales up 2%. Total revenue for the group was down slightly, 4.3% to £124.3m (2023: £129.8m), but the business said it expected to be back in revenue growth in 2025. RedCat also said the drop in revenue reflected the disposal of a number of non-core sites during the year, some of which were loss-making, with the proceeds invested back into the core business via its investment programme. The business, which earlier this year launched an £8m capital investment programme, said the 12-month period marked a number of significant milestones for the group, including a restructuring, a refinancing, a return to investment in the estate, and a jump in underlying profits. Richard Lewis, chief executive of RedCat Hospitality, said: “This was a transformational year for RedCat. The team has worked through a huge amount of change. What has emerged is a stronger, leaner and more coherent business, which is performing well, is in good growth and has lots of exciting opportunities ahead. We have delivered a significant rise in site Ebitda which in part reflects the very strong performance of The Coaching Inn Group, demonstrating the continued demand for good quality rooms coupled with excellent customer service. This part of the business remains very much the jewel in our crown with plenty of potential for the future as a proven format for growth. During this period, RedCat Independent Pubs executed a strategic disposal of several non-core sites, reinvesting proceeds into a targeted investment programme that is already driving material growth. A flagship example is the £3m refurbishment of the iconic Castle of Brecon Hotel in South Wales, which has delivered a 94% sales uplift in the first quarter since reopening. Further investments across sites in Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire are also performing strongly, with these pubs collectively delivering 20.3% like-for-like sales growth in the first quarter of the current financial year, supporting RedCat Independent Pubs' overall 6.2% like-for-like uplift.” Earlier this month, the business reported a 6.7% increase in like-for-like sales in the three months to the end of June 2025. The business said total sales during the period stood at £32.7m, with Coaching Inn Group contributing £19.1m, and RedCat Independent Pubs £13.6m. The company also returned to the acquisition trail with the purchase of The Warwick Arms Hotel, Warwick, in July.

Tokyo Industries founder Aaron Mellor to speak at final Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2025, open for bookings: Aaron Mellor, founder and chief executive of Tokyo Industries, the UK’s largest private operator of bar and nightclubs alongside multiple international operations in Los Angeles, Palm Springs, New York, Palma, and Ibiza, will be among the speakers at the final Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2025. Mellor will talk about the late-night market, developing a new West End theatre, operating mid-century hotels in California, trading in Palma and Ibiza, operating multiple festivals, building skyscrapers in Manchester and buying a shopping centre in Hull. The all-day conference takes place on Wednesday, 5 November, at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in London’s Kensington. For the full speaker schedule, click here. Operators can book up to three free places per company while Premium subscribers who are operators can book up to four free places. To book, email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com

Premium Club subscribers to receive new searchable and segmented New Openings Database on Friday: The next Propel New Openings Database will be sent to Premium Club subscribers on Friday (3 October). The database will show the details of 152 site openings, including which company has opened a site or its plans to open one in the future. The database 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 Club subscribers will also receive a 10,029-word report on the 152 new additions to the database. It is segmented into seven categories – cafe bakery, casual dining, experiential leisure, fine dining, hotels, pubs and bars and quick service restaurants – making it even easier for users to search. The database includes new openings in the casual dining sector such as Inamo Sukoshi in London’s Tower Bridge Collective, Detroit-style pizza and natural wine bar concept Ria’s in London’s Notting Hill, and Brazilian dining concept Beleza Rodizio with an opening in Solihull. Premium Club subscribers also receive access to five other databases: the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, the Multi-Site Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database and the Who’s Who of UK Hospitality. All Premium Club subscribers will be offered a 20% discount on tickets to Propel paid-for events and discounts on specialist sector reports. Operators that are Premium Club subscribers are also able to send up to four members of staff to each of our four Multi-Club Conferences for free. Premium Club subscribers receive their daily Propel Info newsletter 11 hours earlier than standard subscribers, at 7pm the evening before. They also receive videos of presentations at eight Propel conference events two weeks after they are held. This represents around 100 videos of industry insight over the course of the year. Premium Club subscribers also receive exclusive opinion columns every Friday at 5pm, which include the thoughts of Propel group editor Mark Wingett and a host of industry leaders from across the sector. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

Almost half of Brits believe their local high street is in decline as UKHospitality calls for Budget measures to help their revival: Almost half of Brits (42%) believe their local high street is worse than it was a year ago, according to a new survey. The findings, published during the Labour Party Conference, reveal the sense of high street decline is felt most significantly in suburban and rural areas. The survey of 5,000 consumers, produced by CGA by NIQ in partnership with technology provider Zonal, showed that those in suburban areas (55%) believe their high street is worse than it was a year ago, with a similar response from consumers in rural areas (48%). In contrast, only 19% of consumers in city centres hold this view. UKHospitality said the results make clear many communities living outside of big cities feel that they are being left behind, with their high streets declining. The trade body said the survey reinforces the urgent need for chancellor Rachel Reeves to introduce measures at the Budget that can revive and regenerate high streets. UKHospitality is calling for the chancellor to implement the maximum possible business rates discount for all hospitality properties under £500,000 rateable value, alongside a zero rate surcharge for properties above that rateable value, which will level the playing field for the high street, reduce costs and remove barriers to investment. The survey revealed the public overwhelmingly (74%) believe hospitality needs and deserves more support from government. UKHospitality chief executive Allen Simpson said: “We should not be faced with the situation where our towns, suburbs and villages feel that their high streets are in decline. It affects our sense of local pride and place, and has wider implications for our communities and local economies. This needs urgent action, and it’s no coincidence this is happening at the same time as hospitality businesses are being taxed out. One of the major barriers to high street investment and regeneration is the outdated business rates system. Bricks and mortar businesses, like our pubs, restaurants, hotels and cafes, have for decades paid far more than their fair share and it’s time to level the playing field.”

‘Staying in fast becoming the new going out’: Staying in is fast becoming the new going out, as Brits cut back spending ahead of likely tax increases in November’s Budget, retailers have said. As the nights draw in, more people are “cocooning” in the comfort of their homes, enjoying gourmet-type ready meals. This market is already estimated to be worth £7.4bn a year, as recipes evolve. Marks & Spencer (M&S) has its Gastropub range, Tesco offers a Finest range, Sainsbury's has Taste The Finest, Aldi offers Specially Selected, while Lidl has its Deluxe range. Giles Hurley, UK head of Aldi, told The Mail: “While inflation is proving stubborn, we're seeing more shoppers switching to our award-winning premium, own label range. Shoppers are treating themselves at home rather than eating out.” The desire to recreate the restaurant experience at home is even changing the way people decorate their homes. Nick Wilkinson, the outgoing chief executive of the furniture and homeware retailer Dunelm, said in the summer attention was being lavished on outdoor dining areas. Retailers are also reporting an early surge in interest for festive food. M&S launched its festive food ordering service last week and immediately reported demand that was 8% higher than last September. More than 56,000 orders were placed on the first day – for turkeys but also for puddings such as The Reindeer Dashing Through The Snow, a £22 confection of caramel and chocolate mousse. Alex Freudmann, M&S managing director of food, said: “Right now, people are prioritising spending time with family and friends and protecting celebrations. Looking forward to and planning a special Christmas at home is more important than ever.”

JD Wetherspoon chairman Sir Tim Martin – ‘I don’t believe youngsters are drinking less than previous generations’: JD Wetherspoon chairman Sir Tim Martin has said he does not believe youngsters are drinking less than previous generations. Speaking to The Sunday Times ahead of Wetherspoons opening two new London pubs – The Sun Wharf in London Bridge and The Sir Alexander Fleming in Paddington – tomorrow (Tuesday, 30 September), he said: “The world is full of myths, and my suspicion is that this is one.” He said his own “personal observations” and feedback from bar managers suggests a reality that is different from the headlines. An IWSR survey of drinking habits across the world in 2023 suggested 66% of young Britons drank. This year, that number had tipped up to 76%. Regardless, Sir Tim said he wants Wetherspoons to sell “twice as much” beer in the next ten years. The Sun Wharf opens inside the arches outside the main entrance to London Bridge station at 50 Tooley Street. The pub occupies the premises that was home to the London Dungeon until 2013, when the attraction moved to County Hall on the South Bank. Meanwhile, The Sir Alexander Fleming opens at Paddington Basin. Sir Tim said the openings reflect his confidence in post-pandemic city centres but added: “Lots and lots [of businesses] are struggling, let alone the pub closures around the country. It’s particularly noticeable, I think, in small and medium-sized towns and in the suburbs of big towns.”

Robinson MD – ‘scrapping business property relief could encourage family-run brewers to sell up or dilute their ownership’: William Robinson, joint managing director of north west brewer and retailer Robinsons, has said scrapping business property relief (BPR) could encourage family-run brewers to sell up or dilute their ownership, threatening local brewing. As part of an overhaul of inheritance tax rules, set to be introduced by chancellor Rachel Reeves next year, BPR – which allows for business assets to be passed down without incurring inheritance tax – is to be vastly scaled back and capped at £1m. Robinson told The Telegraph: “All of our businesses are rooted in the heritage and the communities of which they’re a part. If you start to challenge the long-term viability of them through generational succession, if those businesses are sold, you can go back to the 1960s and 1970s and see what happened at that time. All the big multinationals came in – it did a huge amount of damage to local breweries.” As well as making beer, Robinsons runs an estate of around 250 pubs, with the company turning over a record £98m in sales in 2024. Robinsons recently warned in its accounts that “the long-term impact of these changes will be incredibly damaging”. At the same time, Oliver Robinson, joint managing director, worries raising prices risks turning customers off at a time when household budgets are already stretched and the soaring cost of food and drink has turned pub visits into a luxury. According to a recent analysis of government data, approximately eight pubs are now closing every week, with almost 2,300 lost in the past five and a half years. William Robinson said: “That loss of community in an urban, suburban or rural environment is devastating, because pubs are one of the few truly accessible places where anyone can go in and just become part of that community. Quite often, when people move to a new area, they go to try to meet people, to try to make new friends. They go to the pub. If you start taking that away, and you’ve already got an issue with loneliness and social isolation, there is a layering effect.”

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a high-end global hospitality business that is looking for an operations director for the UK and Europe. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The business’ exceptional growth has seen a need to create this new position. As the business continues its rapid growth across the UK and Europe, the role will be at the forefront of day-to-day operations. Combined with operations, the position will have a hand in new business strategy as the business expands into new regions. Logistical challenges of launching and delivering operations across multiple countries will be an exciting prospect. This role requires strong leadership, experience of managing change and building new teams plus new openings and site mobilisation. The operations director must have multi-site, senior management experience across Europe or globally as well as excellent financials.” The role is based in London and offers a salary of up to £125,000. For more information, email contact dan@corecruitment.com

Inception Group – 2025 forecast to see revenue exceed £30m for first time, actively looking for sites outside of London both regionally and internationally: Inception Group, the London hospitality group known for its immersive venues, has said its revenue for 2025 is forecast to exceed £30m for the first time, and told Propel that it is actively looking for sites outside of London both regionally and internationally. It comes as the business, which was founded by Charlie Gilkes and Duncan Stirling, posted revenue of £28.9m in 2024, a 9.4% increase on the previous year.  The 15-strong business said like-for-like revenue in the year was up 6.4%, while Ebitda increased 3.4% to £3.1m. Earlier this month, the company opened Bunga 90, a completely reimagined concept, centred around the 1990s on its former Bunga Bunga site in London’s Covent Garden. Gilkes said: “2024 saw strong like-for-like revenue growth and in October of last year we opened our second Cahoots location in Borough Yards, which continues to trade beyond expectations. Margins came under pressure in 2024 due to a multitude of cost inflation. Total group revenue will exceed £30m for the first time in 2025 and margins have started to improve. In September of this year Bunga Bunga relaunched as 'Bunga 90', a completely reimagined concept with incredibly promising early signs. We will shortly be announcing some exciting pipeline sites for 2026.” Gilkes told Propel the upcoming Christmas period is “looking very strong, especially the corporate bookings”. He added workers generally are spending less time in offices due to working from home and therefore have an even greater desire to get people together at this time of year. He said: “As long as we aren't derailed by tube strikes, we should have our best Christmas period ever.” He said the business still sees “so much growth potential in London”. He said: “So our next couple of sites announced are likely to be in the capital but we are actively looking outside of London both regionally and internationally.” Gilkes said growth is being driven from sites across the board “as consumers gravitate towards experiential venues”. He said: “We are finding the Tavern format (found in our Mr Fogg's and Cahoots estate) is proving to be particularly popular with our consumers.” In terms of any timeline on investment options, he said: “We have a very supportive bank in OakNorth and for now we are continuing to fund growth through debt and cash reserves.”

Chicken Shop CEO – ‘2024 was a transformational year’, ‘new sites trading well’, ‘made significant improvements to cost base’: John Nelson, chief executive of Chicken Shop, the Sir Charles Dunstone-backed business that was previously known as Chik’n, has told Propel that 2024 was a “transformational year” for the brand, with a “significant increase in like-for-like sales”, and the company had “made significant improvements to our cost base” in the year to date. The company, which in 2023 received a further £8.275m investment from Dunstone, currently operates eight sites across the capital, after opening in Hammersmith and Canary Wharf, earlier this year. Revenue increased 26.1% to £9,396,391 for the year to 31 December 2024 compared with £7,449,296 the year before, which the business said reflected the like-for-like growth in all sites. The company reported a pre-tax loss of £7,552,954 (2023: loss of £6,362,748). During the year, the company drew down a further £2.575m (2023: £3.75m) of an existing loan facility from Dunstone. Nelson told Propel: “2024 was a transformational year for Chicken Shop, with a significant increase in like-for-like sales alongside strengthening margins despite the economic headwinds. We finished the year planning for further expansion in London and have opened two new restaurants in Hammersmith and Canary Wharf, both of which are trading well. We continue to look to London to expand our brand. As we trade through this year, we have made significant improvements to our cost base as we face into the well-publicised challenges that have not been kind to anyone in our sector. We have invested into our loyalty programme, which now has more than 70,000 members all enjoying London's best fried chicken even more frequently.” The company said it continued to increase sales from its existing six restaurants with steady growth across 2024. Chicken Shop said: “The directors believe there are strong growth prospects in the premium fried chicken market and intend to continue the roll out of Chicken Shop in the UK.” Last year, Nelson said Chicken Shop was aiming for 70 UK sites long-term and is thinking about European expansion.

Maltese hospitality group CEO – opening in London will be the ‘ultimate test’, hopes to have a ‘handful’ of restaurants in capital in coming years: Robert Debono, chief executive of db Group, the parent company of hospitality group, Lifestyle Group, has told Propel that opening in London will be the “ultimate test” for the business as it makes its UK debut. Lifestyle Group will launch Aki, its Japanese dining brand, in London today (Monday, 29 September) and Debono said the aim is to have a “handful” of its restaurant brands in the capital in the coming years. Aki London will be the first international outpost for the group, marking the inception of its “ambitious global expansion plans”. Opening in Cavendish Square, Aki London will reflect the original outpost in Malta, which opened in Valletta in 2020 and has held a place in the Michelin Guide for four consecutive years. Debono said: “London is one of the greatest cities in the world. It’s home to some dynamic brands and we see it as the ultimate test – if we can succeed there, then we can succeed anywhere. The aim is to build a foundation in London – we’d like to have a handful of restaurants there in the coming years. We’d look at various parts of London, including Marylebone and Mayfair. We have various brands – from family restaurants to more upmarket ones such as Aki – so we’re open to exploring most areas. It’s exciting to go into a new market.” db Group has grown from a family-run business into Malta’s foremost player in the tourism, hospitality and leisure sectors. In its portfolio sits the Seabank Resort & Spa, the San Antonio Hotel & Spa, the Melior Boutique hotel and 11 independent restaurants – including Loa, Aki, Amami and Tora – as well as all the Maltese outposts of Hard Rock Cafe, Starbucks and Grom.

Tonkotsu full-year turnover tops £15m, seeking a further two to four sites in the next two years: Tonkotsu, which is backed by YFM Equity Partners and chaired by Sarah Willingham, saw its turnover in the year ending 29 December 2024 top £15m, as it said it is seeking to add a further two to four sites in the next two years. The 18-strong company saw turnover reach £15,361,385 (2023: £13,781,615), while pre-tax loss stood at £198,739 (2023: loss of £212,786), in a year when it opened a new site in Bristol. The business said: “The company's primary objective remains unchanged: maximising conversion to generate cash flow for new site acquisitions. We have two new sites expected to open in the next six months and are seeking a further two to four in the next two years.” Earlier this month, Emma Reynolds, co-founder of Tonkotsu, told Propel that the business plans to explore strategic opportunities over the coming year after reaching a scale “where inbound interest is growing”. It came after the business, which was founded by Reynolds and Ken Yamada in Soho in 2012, announced it will open a new site in Birmingham, and confirmed it is also set to make its debut in Wales, with an opening in Cardiff, early next year. Reynolds told Propel: “Despite ongoing macroeconomic challenges, we continue to outperform the market (CGA) and maintain strong trading momentum. With the peak summer heat behind us, trade has picked up well, and we’re optimistic about the run-up to Christmas. The recent bank holiday week and the following week delivered good results. However, tube strikes have impacted London restaurant sales significantly, with a decline of approximately 20% this week. We’re actively pursuing new site opportunities across London and key regions.”

French café concept Copains to make UK debut as part of a trio of openings in London’s Covent Garden: French café concept Copains is to make its UK debut as part of a trio of openings in London’s Covent Garden. Copains – which operates 16 outlets in France, the majority of which are in Paris – has agreed a deal with Shaftesbury Capital for a 460 square-foot café, opening at 54 Neal Street. Also securing a site in Covent Garden is Hagen, the Danish espresso bar known for its Scandinavian-inspired coffee houses. The 300 square-foot café just off the Piazza in Russell Street, designed around its Room 606 concept, is an 18th site in the capital. Oliphant & Pomeroy, which sells its bakery goods and ice cream on its website and from pop-up kiosk, is opening its debut London bricks-and-mortar store. Oliphant & Pomeroy will launch a 600 square-foot café in the South Wells of the Market Building. 

Coffi Lab founder – aiming to open five or six coffee shops a year, revenue at circa £10m: Coffi Lab, the dog-friendly coffee shop concept that was launched in 2021 by Coffee#1 founder James Shapland, aims to open five or six coffee shops a year, in “lovely market towns” no more than 100 miles from its base in Cardiff. Shapland, who sold Coffee#1 to SA Brain in 2011 for circa £10m, told the Sunday Times that Coffi Labs next site, its 12th, will open soon in Pontcanna, with three more to follow over the next year in Wiltshire and Shropshire. Shapland aims to open five or six coffee shops a year for the five years after that. “I feel quite strongly about being able to visit frequently and touch the tables of the shops, so it’s not going to become a one-a-week blind expansion,” he said. Revenue is about £10m, with Ebitda of £1m. Coffi Lab has 170 members of staff, with about ten to 15 people working in each shop, plus its bakery and coffee roastery employees and delivery drivers. Figures submitted by the company showed it had sales of £6.2m in 2024. The company began doing its own baking in 2023, when Shapland decided buying pre-packaged pastries and sandwiches wouldn’t keep customers coming back. “In the previous business model, the coffee came first and we outsourced the food, but when you do that, it’s very much identikit offerings,” he said. Fierce cost-pressures this time around also meant that “you end up with mediocrity that you’re selling for £5 and it’s not what people want” – especially when they are paying £4 for a coffee. “For months we held off on increasing the price to £4, but we’ve had no alternative with the minimum wage, national insurance and all the input prices,” he said. Coffee prices reached a record earlier this year, after bad weather hit crops in Brazil and Vietnam. Deciding to build the bakery and roastery was a “turning point” Shapland said, because “we now have responsibility for quality and all the elements of the supply chain”. He has invested £3m of his own money in Coffi Lab, in addition to raising £1.7m from the Development Bank of Wales. However, as Coffi Lab is profitable, he doesn’t expect to take on outside investors and prefers to remain the sole shareholder.

Cinnamon Collection looking to expand ‘at a sustainable rate’: Cinnamon Collection, which operates five restaurants in London and one in Dubai and is owned by Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG), has said it is looking to expand “at a sustainable rate”. It comes as Cinnamon Collection reported pre-tax losses increased to £341,000 for the year ending 31 December 2024 from £58,000 the previous year off turnover of £12,603,000 compared with £12,372,000 in 2023. Of this, £12,560,000 came from the UK (2023: £12,364,000) and £43,000 from the rest of the world (2023: £8,000). Ebitda was down from £0.6m in 2023 to £0.2m. BRG chief executive Satnam Leihal said: “Cinnamon Collection will look to expand at a sustainable rate, with restaurants suitable for the environment continuing in its ethos of evolution, innovation and creativity.” No dividend was paid (2023: nil). On 22 November 2024, the company received a final dividend of £3,645,000 from its subsidiary undertakings, Indian Restaurants and Indian Restaurants (City), and subsequently impaired its investment in these companies to the value of nil.

Paris Baguette aiming to more than double its UK estate by next year: Paris Baguette, the South Korean bakery cafe brand that made its debut in the UK in 2022, has said it is aiming to more than double its UK estate by next year. The company, which has more than 4,000 stores globally, has sites here in Canary Wharf, Battersea Power Station and Kensington High Street. Paris Baguette, which plans to reach 200 sites here by 2036, will open its next UK site in the fourth quarter, in Notting Hill Gate. Chief operating officer Nicolas Gaillot, speaking on the Rise of the Café Bakery panel at Lunch! 2025, said this will be followed by another London opening, also in the fourth quarter, with a further three sites already in the pipeline for next year. Gaillot also said the brand has “had to adapt” since entering the UK market and introduced sausage rolls, which it sells 1,000 of a month, alongside Paris Baguette’s high-quality cakes, of which it sells 800 whole cakes and 6,800 slices a month. He said despite the brand’s range of premium sandwich fillings, such as salmon and cream cheese and smoked salmon benedict, the company’s top sellers here are tuna and ham and cheese baguettes. “We’ve had some adjustments and we’re still adjusting,” he said.

East London smashed burger concept looking to expand across the UK through franchising: East London smashed burger concept Chicos has said it is looking to expand across the UK through franchising. Chicos, founded by Mohammed Iqbal in 2019, has five locations across the capital – in East Ham, Aldgate East, Leyton, Wood Green and Edgware Road. Last year, Chicos opened its first franchise location and first outside of its east London heartland, and it has now signed with consultants whichfranchise. We are delighted to be working with Chicos, one of London’s most exciting up and coming quick service restaurant brands,” Whichfranchise said. “With five stores across London, it is now looking to expand across all major UK towns and cities. Chicos is seeking first-time entrepreneurs, experienced operators, multi-unit developers, investors and owner-operators. Food experience not essential.” A Chicos franchise has average start-up costs of £150,000 to £180,000 and it is seeking single and multi-unit operators, with area development rights also available. There is a £15,000 franchise fee, plus royalties of 5% and marketing contributions of 2%. “With five successful locations and a clear strategy, our journey is just beginning,” a Chicos spokesman said. “We have ambitious plans for nationwide expansion and, eventually, a global presence.”

Esquires UK head of operations to step down: Esquires head of operations Colin Mason-Byers is to step down from the role. Mason-Byers joined the business, which is owned by Cooks Coffee Company, in 2016 following general and store manager roles with Ed’s Easy Diner, Mitchells & Butlers, Starbucks and PizzaExpress. Initially Esquires UK operations manager, he became head of operations UK in 2019. During that time, Esquires has grown from 17 to 76 UK stores, plus 19 in Ireland, with sites in Chesham, Congleton, Gateshead, Gerrards Cross, Kingston-upon-Thames, Walthamstow and Wantage in the pipeline. “After nine years, I’ll be stepping down from my role as head of operations at Esquires Coffee UK,” Mason-Byers said. “When I joined, we were a 17-site business selling packaged sandwiches and four menu boards of drinks. Today, we’re at 76 stores, with solid foundations that simply didn’t exist back then. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of personally opening 25 sites and refreshing four more; leading two rebrands and two till system changes; writing operations manuals and training guides; project-managing store builds and overhauling design standards; creating our brunch menu from scratch, now a cornerstone of our offer; many successful trials, many failed – pizza, small plates, four evening menus, alcohol, ice cream, deli many times and finally landing sliced sourdough; transitioning from packaged sandwiches to an in-house deli; and doubling our average transaction value. Good luck to the regional developers, who have an impressive lineup of sites to come. I’m really excited to share soon where I’ll be taking the next stage of my career – with a great brand, strong team and loads of opportunities to develop people and build success. It’s been an incredible journey.” Esquires most recent openings were in Buxton, Westerham, Eastcote, Camberley, Crowthorne and Leighton Buzzard.

London brunch restaurant concept Friends of Ours set for fundraise to support expansion plans, trading in 2025 ‘excellent’: Tim Grant, owner of London brunch restaurant concept Friends of Ours, has told Propel the businesses is set to embark on a fundraise to support its growth plans. Grant also said trading this year has been “excellent”, boosted by its new opening last month at The Magazine restaurant in Hyde Park in partnership with Serpentine, which added to its outlet in Hoxton. He said: “Expansion in London is very much part of our growth plan. We believe the business can support around five sites over the next five years, provided we secure the right funding. We’re particularly interested in King’s Cross and London Bridge – both areas with a strong mixed-use profile, where we know our brunch and weekend lifestyle offer excels. In the near term, we’re exploring a winter pop-up to follow the Serpentine Summer Pavilion project. It’s an opportunity for us to test new locations, welcome new customers, and build momentum ahead of a wider roll-out. We’ll shortly be embarking on a fundraise to underpin this growth. Trading has been excellent – we’ve tripled revenue on the prior year, largely thanks to our new operations across the Serpentine campus in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. The site has allowed us to showcase the concept at scale, and we’re seeing strong repeat business, particularly around our French toast, which is fast becoming a house speciality. That said, we’re acutely aware that people are being careful with their spend. Our focus has never been greater on ensuring quality in our food and drink and managing the customer journey carefully, so that every visit feels like a valuable experience worth returning for.” Grant said while London “remains our core platform”, it sees opportunity outside the capital in cities such as Brighton, Bristol, and Manchester. He added: “Beyond high street locations, we’re also interested in developing a retail range that lets customers enjoy a piece of Friends of Ours at home, and in partnering with hotels. Guests’ tastes are evolving, and there’s a growing appetite for independent, innovative food and drink concepts within hospitality.” Grant said the biggest challenge, as for many operators, remains the cost base but added while keeping a tight P&L is a focus, “making sure the team is supported with strong career opportunities remains a priority”.

Marcus Denison-Smith steps down as Honest Burgers CMO: Marcus Denison-Smith has stepped down as chief marketing officer at Honest Burgers, the Active Partners-backed business, after three years in the role, to set up his own consultancy business. Denison-Smith joined the 39-strong Honest Burgers in summer 2022 after spending more than seven years at Caffe Nero, including three years as its marketing director. He said: “After three brilliant years at Honest Burgers, it’s time for the next chapter. What an adventure – launching the best smash burger in the industry, raising £3m on Crowdcube, opening the first Honest Smash + Grab, and driving significant growth in delivery sales. Next up: I’m taking the plunge to build my own venture. With experience from Caffè Nero and Honest, I’ve learned what it takes to build and scale a standout brand – and now I’m bringing that know-how to ambitious founders and operators.”

Insomnia Cookies UK lines up Bristol and Liverpool openings: Insomnia Cookies UK, the late-night bakery business, has lined up openings in Bristol and Liverpool. The business, which last month opened its seventh site in the UK, in Birmingham’s Bennetts Hill, is set to open at 27-29 College Green, in Bristol. Insomnia Cookies UK is also believed to have lined up a site in Liverpool city centre. The brand made its UK debut in Manchester in 2023 and has since opened three sites in the city, along with outlets in Leeds, Nottingham and Sheffield. Talking to Propel last summer, Ben Lacey, managing director of Insomnia Cookies UK, said the business still had an ambition to build a nationwide presence and had an appetite to have up to ten new sites over the next 12-18 months. Last year, Krispy Kreme sold its majority stake in Insomnia Cookies, which has circa 250 locations worldwide, to investment firms Verlinvest and Mistral Equity Partners, in a deal that valued the late-night bakery brand at $350m (£271.1m). Insomnia Cookies has circa 250 locations worldwide.

Rick Stein shuts Cornwall coffee shop and earmarks Wiltshire restaurant for closure amid mounting losses: Rick Stein has shut his Cornwall coffee shop permanently amid mounting losses at his restaurant empire. The venue closed last week with a spokesman adding that another one of the company’s branches in Wiltshire could also shut for good. The closure of The Stein's Coffee Shop in Padstow came as Stein's restaurants, hotels, shops, cookery school and online business reported a decline in trading in the year to 29 December 2024, “reflecting the wider pressures on the industry from rising costs, supply chain disruption and shifting consumer spending patterns”. The group reports under two companies – Seafood Restaurant (Padstow) and Steins Trading – and the former saw its pre-tax loss more than double, from £204,000 in 2023 to £459,000. Turnover dropped from £20,206,000 in 2023 to £18,878,000. Group revenue of £30.4m was down 5.4% year on year. In a recent interview, Stein railed against chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget. He said: “Because the economy is not looking too good, people aren't going out as much, so the one thing you don’t want to do is impose a heavy tax on the sorts of industries that are actually producing stuff.” A spokesman for the Rick Stein Group told Cornwall Live: “We can confirm we have permanently closed our small coffee shop with the three-strong team offered alternative positions with the business. Rick Stein's Michelin Bib Gourmand Café remains open.” The group – which operates ten restaurants in Cornwall, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset and London – is also currently consulting on the closure of its restaurant in Marlborough, Wiltshire. When it published the accounts last week, the group said it was seeking new partners to expand the brand into new markets in the UK and internationally.

Aqua Restaurant Group to make French debut: Aqua Restaurant Group, the David Yeo-founded business that operates a portfolio of restaurants across the globe, is to make its French debut. The company will launch its Japanese dining brand Aqua Kyoto in Paris, adding to its locations in London, Hong Kong and New York. Set atop 26 Avenue des Champs-Élysée in the French capital, the sushi counter and bar will take centre stage at the venue, which will host up to 180 guests, while the private dining room will offer views of the Eiffel Tower. Signature dishes will include the Crystal Sushi – scallops with rose jelly, salmon with mint and sake jelly – and Miso Gindara black cod. The bar will offer a range of cocktails inspired by Japanese ingredients. The group, which has seven London sites including Shiro, Aqua Shard, Aqua Nueva and Luci, also operates northern Chinese brand Hutong, with outposts in London, Miami, New York, Dubai, and Hong Kong.

Richard Carlng set to cull membership at London private members’ club Annabel’s: London private members’ club Annabel’s, which is owned by Richard Carlng, is set to cull its membership. The list of who belongs to the club is to be “recurated”. Members who do not make the cut will be told in the coming weeks. A source told The Sunday Times: “Annabel’s is globally famous for its exclusivity and elegance. This latest look at those who belong will ensure that it remains so.” Annabel’s was founded in 1963 by Mark Birley, an entrepreneur who named the venue after his then-wife Lady Annabel Vane-Tempest-Stewart. The club once turned away George Harrison, the Beatles’ lead guitarist, for not wearing a tie. Annabel’s is said to be the only nightclub visited by Queen Elizabeth II. The business was bought by Caring in 2007. In 2018, he move the club two doors down from where it began in Berkeley Square in Mayfair. Membership costs £3,750 a year and there is a £1,850 joining fee. The club has a vetting process and waiting list. Annabel’s declined to comment. Caring owns The Ivy and its sister brands as well as Bill’s. In May, the FT reported Caring was in advanced talks to sell a significant portion of his UK hospitality empire to an entity controlled by the Abu Dhabi royal Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed al-Nahyan in a deal that could exceed more than £1bn. Representatives for Caring declined to comment on the sales process. Latest available accounts show Annabel’s turned over £52,275,000 for the year ending 31 December 2023 and generated adjusted Ebitda of £11,502,000 and pre-tax profit of £4,369,000.

Joe & The Juice makes debut in Africa: Joe & The Juice, the juice and cafe bar brand, which operates circa 75 sites in the UK, has opened its first site in Africa, in Morocco. Founded in Copenhagen in 2002, Joe & The Juice operated 397 stores in 20 countries globally at the end of 2024, and is aiming to grow to 1,000 stores globally within the next five years. In July, it was reported Joe & The Juice’s majority owner, General Atlantic, was exploring a potential US initial public offering of the brand as soon as next year. That hasn’t put a check on the brand’s global expansion plans. Earlier this month, the brand opened its first site in Turkey, in Emaar Square, Istanbul. Joe & The Juice has now followed this up with its first site in Africa, in Morocco – its 100th franchise store globally. Chief executive Thomas Noroxe said: “Reaching this milestone is not just about numbers. It’s a reflection of our strong partnerships, our scalable model, and the passion of our teams worldwide. Franchise growth is a vital part of Joe’s journey. It allows us to expand faster, reach new guests, and bring the Joe spirit to markets where we see incredible potential. Morocco is a perfect example; dynamic, promising, and ready for Joe. This is only the beginning – the next chapter of Joe’s global journey is just getting started.”

Muffin Break and Jamaica Blue operator closes in on 100 UK stores with Tunbridge Wells launch: FoodCo, which operates the Muffin Break and Jamaica Blue brands in the UK, is closing in on 100 UK stores after an opening under the latter brand in Tunbridge Wells. The company, which earlier this year said it would reach 100 UK locations by the end of 2025, chalked up store number 98 by launching a Jamaica Blue at the Kent town’s Royal Victoria Place. The site is a 22nd Jamaica Blue location in the UK, while sister brand Muffin Break has 76. Michael Johnson, FoodCo UK’s franchise development executive, said: “FoodCo has opened its 98th franchised store in The Royal Victoria Place, Tunbridge Wells. Jamaica Blue has opened in 1,800 square-foot unit adjacent to Primark.” Chief executive Mike Arbuckle said the demand from landlords for the Jamaica Blue café brand has seen a surge in leasing opportunities. He added: “Jamaica Blue trends in fifth wave coffee and made to order fresh food while Muffin Break has a strong pipeline of new store growth. With two further stores in the design stage, this should see FoodCo achieve 100 stores before the end of 2025!” In its accounts for the year to 30 June 2024, FoodCo UK reported turnover of £9,638,483, up from a restated £8,270,758 in 2023. The company’s pre-tax profit dropped from £1,029,855 in 2023 to £763,566 and it made a £347,571 gain on disposal of assets (2023: loss of £40,000). Dividends of £525,000 were paid (2023: £750,000).

Maguro Group to open the UK’s largest Korean barbecue restaurant next month: Maguro Group will next month open the UK’s largest Korean barbecue restaurant, in Manchester Piccadilly. The group will the 165-cover site, under its premium Korean barbecue concept Bullgogi, on Friday, 10 October at 6a Piccadilly Plaza. This will be a second Bullgogi site for the group, following the first in London’s Notting Hill Gate, which opened in 2019. The opening is also a second Manchester site for the group, which has operated a restaurant under its Korean street food business Bunsik in Piccadilly Gardens since 2023. The new Bullgogi site will offer an interactive Korean barbecue experience, with guests cooking, sharing and dining together around tabletop grills. Each booth will feature a digital interactive menu, with mounted tablets allowing guests to explore dishes “and order seamlessly”. South Korean-born chef Hans Boo will lead a menu that sees guests cook premium cuts of meat, marinated specialities, seafood and vegetables at the table, creating a dining experience that is theatrical. Beyond barbecue, the menu will also offer a range of classic Korean dishes such as pancakes and signature noodles. There will also be soju-based cocktails and Somaek, a beer cocktail made by mixing soju and beer. Maguro Group founder Jae Cho said: “Manchester has embraced Korean food with such enthusiasm since Bunsik opened in 2023, and we are thrilled to be bringing Bullgogi here next. Korean barbecue is all about gathering around the table, cooking together and enjoying the moment – it is fun, sociable and delicious.” Earlier this month, Maguro Group opened its first franchise location with a launch under its Bunsik concept in Bristol’s Cabot Circus. The site is being operated by Will Bray, a former Subway franchisee in the south west who sold his estate to focus on Bunsik.

Soho House reveals long-awaited Manchester site to open in November: Soho House has revealed its long-awaited Manchester site will open in November. The project was first announced four years ago with the top floors of the old Granada Studios building within the St John’s district being transformed to include a rooftop pool, gym and a late-night bar and lounge. The venue will take over five floors of the property, while another five floors of the vast space will become home to sister concept Mollie's. Soho House Manchester had originally been set to open at the end of 2022 but “unforeseen building delays” have forced bosses to push back its grand unveiling a number of times. A concrete opening date of Tuesday, 25 November has now been revealed. The Drawing Room will offer a club menu specially curated for the Manchester venue, while the House Kitchen will serve “Soho House classics”. The Pool Lounge will also offer a menu of drinks. There will also be a late-night club bar and 22 bedrooms on the sixth floor, alongside an 80 square-metre two-bedroom private apartment. There will also be a gym with studio space for classes, as well as a steam room and sauna that will open on to a balcony. Last month, Soho House, which operates 45 sites globally, announced it is being taken private in a $2.7bn deal by a group led by MCR Hotels, the third-largest hotel owner-operator in the US and owner of the BT Tower in London. Actor-turned-investor Ashton Kutcher is leading a consortium providing new funding to the business – and will join Soho House's board of directors once the transaction is complete, while the MCR chief executive, Tyler Morse, will be vice-chair.