Deadline looms for entries to Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Awards and Rising Stars: The deadline for entries for The Restaurant Marketer & Innovator (RMI) Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements in marketing, technology and innovation across the food and beverage sector, is less than a fortnight away. Finalists will be honoured at a grand awards ceremony at Pergola on the Wharf in London on Wednesday, 21 January – the finale of the three-day Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit. The awards are open to any eating or drinking-out brand across Europe, with 14 categories. The categories are: Best new product development; best new website; best new/improved visual identity; best digital engagement; best use of technology; best use of data, insight or research; best use of artificial intelligence; best community or charitable initiative; launch campaign of the year; campaign of the year; and agency of the year; innovator of the year; marketer of the year; and chief technology officer/chief information officer of the year. The closing date for entries is Friday, 24 October. In addition to the main awards, the Rising Stars programme is also returning, recognising talented future leaders under 30 in marketing, technology, innovation and strategy roles. This programme is open to young professionals from anywhere in Europe, offering a platform for emerging talent in the sector. James Hacon, co-founder of the awards, said: “The RMI Awards celebrate the extraordinary creativity and forward-thinking that drives our sector. It’s a chance to stand out and be recognised among the industry’s best, whether you’re a start-up with bold ambitions or an established brand evolving to meet the demands of tomorrow’s market.” For more information and to enter the RMI awards, click here, and to nominate for the Rising Stars programme, click here.

Valiant Pub Group reports 2.7% like-for-like sales growth: Valiant Pub Group, which was founded by Hawthorn Leisure co-founders Gerry Carroll and Mark McGinty at the start of 2021, has reported a 2.7% increase in like-for-like sales across its mature sites in the year to 30 March 2025. The 80-strong company reported a “strong year of operational and financial performance, driven by continued expansion and strategic investment”. Total revenue in the period increased by 63% to £29.6m (FY24: £18.2m). Pub Ebitda increased to £5.5m (FY24: £2.8m), which the business said was underpinned by “disciplined cost control and strategic pricing”, while adjusted group Ebitda (post group overhead) turned positive at £0.8m. The business made 24 new pub acquisitions in FY25, with expansion in the North, Midlands and Wales and a growing foothold in the South. It said that increasingly, investments have a greater focus on food and rooms contributing to higher average weekly sales. During the year, the company secured a new £12m facility from Metro Bank, with an additional £14m facility drawn post year-end. Total committed bank funding now stands at £26m, supporting “continued acquisition and refurbishment momentum”. In 2024, Valiant introduced a new group structure to streamline operations, secure debt financing, and support its long-term growth objectives. The business said it remains well-capitalised and is actively pursuing further acquisitions to extend its reach into more UK communities. It said: “With solid financial backing from strategic partner Njord Partners and increasing support from Metro Bank, Valiant is well-positioned for its next phase of expansion. The group’s acquisition pipeline remains strong, with new pub investments planned for the year ahead.” McGinty, chief executive, said: “We are proud of the progress made this year – from expanding our footprint to improving profitability and securing new funding. Our flexible operating model, strong partnerships, and deep community focus have positioned us well for continued growth.” Arvid Trolle, co-founder of Njord Partners, said: “We are pleased with Valiant’s strong results this year, which clearly demonstrate that our commitment to revitalising community pubs is delivering real success. Building on this momentum, I am confident that the entire Valiant team will continue to achieve great performance and make a meaningful difference in the communities we serve.” In February, Carroll told Propel the group’s plan was to get to “200-300 pubs eventually”, and had noticed a spike in opportunities to acquire sites from independent operators post the Budget.

 

US fast-casual seafood brand Captain D’s to open UK debut site next week: US fast-casual seafood brand Captain D’s will open its debut site in the UK on Monday, 20 October. The brand, which was founded in Tennessee in 1969 and has grown to some 530 restaurants across the US, will open in the Westwood Cross scheme in Thanet, Kent. Propel revealed in January that Captain D’s was preparing to enter the UK market after signing a 20-store multi-unit franchise agreement with CD’s UK Holdings. UK chairman of Captain D’s, Daryl Stutchbury, said: “Captain D’s isn’t just another fast-food outlet – it’s a premium experience rooted in quality, community, and innovation. We’re proud to be setting the stage here in Kent and can’t wait to welcome our first guests.” Brad Reed, senior vice-president of Captain D’s added: “We’re excited to see the momentum building. The response from the local community has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are confident this launch will be a great success.” Captain D’s previously said it is currently looking for more multi-unit franchisees to open additional locations in the UK. “This is an exciting time in the growth of our brand,” said Hair Parra, senior vice-president of international operations and development for Captain D’s. “Our master franchisees are committed to making a sustainable impact in the UK, and we are committed to working alongside them and offering new opportunities to other entrepreneurs as we expand into new international markets.” Captain D’s serves a variety of seafood that includes the company’s signature batter dipped fish. The restaurants also offer grilled items such as shrimp, tilapia and salmon, as well as desserts and freshly brewed, Southern-style sweet tea. Further Captain D’s sites in the UK are set to follow in Sussex and Hampshire.