Chick-fil-A hires Paul Claxton to lead UK operation: US brand Chick-fil-A, which made its debut site in Northern Ireland earlier this year as it begins its return to these shores, has hired Paul Claxton, formerly of PizzaExpress and Paul UK, to lead its operations in the UK, Propel has learned. Claxton has been appointed as senior principal operations lead, UK for the brand, which operates more than 3,100 sites across the US, Puerto Rico and Canada. He spent more than 15 years at PizzaExpress, including most recently as regional operations director and country director for Ireland, for just over two years. He also recently spent a brief spell as head of operations at Paul UK. This summer, Chick-fil-A confirmed it was to open a site on the former Clarks unit in Commercial Street in Leeds. The brand said the opening in Leeds was part of the company’s commitment to open five restaurants in the UK in the next two years and invest $100m in the market throughout the next ten years. Earlier this year, Chick-fil-A entered a new licensing partnership for Northern Ireland with service station operator Applegreen. The first of two Northern Irish Chick-Fil-A locations opened at Applegreen’s Lisburn South motorway service area on the M1, and at Applegreen Templepatrick on the M2. The brand will also open single sites in Liverpool and London, the latter in Kingston. Propel understands that the brand is in talks to take the former Goldsmiths jewellery store in Liverpool’s Church Street. Last year, Propel revealed Chick-fil-A had added three new hires to its UK operational team, ahead of its launch here. The business hired Matt Broom as technology lead UK. Broom previously spent just over nine years at PizzaExpress, including the last two and a half years as director of restaurant technology. Chick-fil-A also hired Alyson Scott as its senior principal lead, international supply chain. Scott joined the business from TGI Fridays, where she spent more than 16 years, including the last five and a half as its procurement, supply chain and technical director. Katie Grinstead was hired as head of marketing, and joined Chick-fil-A after more than six years at Burger King UK, including the last two years as head of brand experience.

Sponsored message – Mosaic by MethodWorx launches: Mosaic, a new SaaS-based mobile app platform for hospitality, has been launched by MethodWorx – an award-winning development agency with more than 15 years’ experience in the sector. Currently aimed at medium to large-sized operators, Mosaic said it delivers all the benefits of a bespoke build but at the price point of a SaaS-based solution. Mosaic’s Loyalty 2.0 credentials are bolstered thanks to MethodWorx’s partnership with AIR platform Eagle Eye, which hands operators a full suite of personalisation and gamification tools, plus the ability to cross-market to alternative brands within a portfolio. Additionally, operators can choose to integrate their booking platform, ordering technology, guest feedback solution and other technology solutions through a raft of plug-and-play integrations. Mosaic commercial director, David Charlton, said: “As operators look to drive guest frequency and engagement, the need for flexible and customisable technology has never been more important. Our solution gives them the ability to control the look, feel and user experience. After a successful pilot with Mowgli, Mosaic is now available to the wider market. Combining loyalty tools with operational features like pay at table, it’s the perfect vehicle to drive footfall, customer engagement and brand loyalty.” For more information, click here. If you have a sponsored story you would like to see featured in this newsletter position, email paul.charity@propelinfo.com

Industry veteran David Page to speak at final Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2025, open for bookings: Industry veteran David Page – the former chairman of Franco Manca, owner of Fulham Shore, ex-chief executive of PizzaExpress and chair of Wildwood operator Bow Street Group – will be among the speakers at the final Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2025, which is open for bookings. Page will talk to Propel group editor Mark Wingett about his return to the sector, why now and what he makes of the current landscape and opportunities for growth. 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 new UK Food & Beverage Franchisee Database tomorrow: Premium Club subscribers will receive the latest Propel Food & Beverage Franchisee Database tomorrow (Friday, 17 October), at 12pm. The database will feature ten new entries, plus updates to existing entries, to take the total number to 270 and more than 109,000 words of content. The new entries include Edinburgh-based TY ZY SY, which is the first Scottish franchisee for acai brand Oakberry and opened its debut site in Edinburgh this summer. The new entries also include London-based Costa Coffee franchisee YCC, which was founded in 2006 by Badar Zaman, who earlier this year also this year signed up as the first franchisee for healthy eating brand Tossed. Premium Club subscribers also receive access to five other databases: the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, the New Openings Database, the Multi-Site Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor 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.

Rachel Reeves eyes tax hikes as economy suffers ‘severe and long-lasting’ Brexit impact: Chancellor Rachel Reeves has acknowledged she was looking at potential tax rises and spending cuts to fill a £50bn black hole in her Budget, which she said was partly due to the lingering impact of Brexit. Reeves told Sky News the economy was still suffering from the impacts of leaving the European Union, austerity policies and Liz Truss’ “mini-Budget”. Reeves said the Office for Budget Responsibility had carried out a review over the summer and found “it has consistently overestimated our productivity performance”. Asked if she was now in a “doom loop” of having to constantly hike taxes to fill a black hole, Reeves said she would not use those words but “nobody wants that cycle to end more than I do”. She said: “Challenges are being thrown our way, whether that is the geopolitical uncertainties, the conflicts around the world, the increased tariffs and barriers to trade and now this review looking at how productive our economy has been in the past and then projecting that forward. But I won't duck those challenges. Of course, we're looking at tax and spending as well, but the numbers will always add up with me as chancellor because we saw just three years ago what happens when a government, where the Conservatives, lost control of the public finances – inflation and interest rates went through the roof.” She said reforms to the planning system would help “get back to building in Britain”.

Competitive socialising ‘remains one of the least cut-back social outings’: Competitive socialising remains one of the least cut-back social outings – with nearly one third of respondents suggesting it is the area of spend they are least likely to reduce, according to a new report by 125 Data & Insights. The report, taken from a survey of 3,000 UK consumers to have visited a competitive socialising venue in September, found 57% of respondents said they have already cut down on their “leisure” expenses, but when it came to competitive socialising, 42% are visiting one to two times a year, 38% are visiting more than three times a year, with 9% visiting more than ten times. The report highlighted the quality of games have the greatest impact on visitor satisfaction. Half (50%) said the games or activities are the most important factor when deciding where to go, compared with 13% deciding on price. More than four fifths (82%) said activities above £15 per person are too expensive. The quality of the games and activities stood out as having the biggest influence on value for money – with 67% of respondents stating this, followed by the overall vibe (19%) and quality of service (11%) with food and drink hardly taken into consideration. The report found the occasions that have been cut back the most are restaurant dining (40%) and nights out (28%) with 30% saying competitive socialising is the area they are least likely to cut back on. The data also highlighted the top drivers that would encourage more frequent visits, with 35% of respondents saying varied pricing and peak and off-peak pricing would encourage them to visit more, especially when it comes to family focused venues. 125’s sales director Luci Cunningham said: “Despite pressures in the industry, we are still able to spot opportunities for sector growth. The question we try to help answer is, how does the competitive socialising industry shift from an 'occasional treat' to a more regular social option.”

Charlie Bigham launches new ready meal range inspired by cost of eating out: Entrepreneur Charlie Bigham has launched a range of ready meals priced at under £30, which he said had been motivated by the rising cost of eating in restaurants. The entrepreneur’s new “Brasserie” range is in certain Waitrose branches and offers shoppers the chance to pay £29.95 for pre-prepared beef wellington, £19.95 for a salmon wellington and £16.95 for Coq au Vin, duck confit and venison bourguignon. Bigham, who founded his eponymous meal company almost 30 years ago, told The Telegraph: “Eating out has got more expensive but people still want the dining-out experience. Food inflation, wage and utility costs and rents have gone up and these costs have been passed to the consumer. People still want the dining-out occasion but are happier to do this in, rather than out. We want to create an occasion that is worth lighting a candle for.” At the top end, the new meals will be almost three times as expensive as Charlie Bigham’s traditional offerings. The company offers meals including chicken tikka masala, chicken ham and leek pie, and lasagne for around £10 for a two-person serving. However, Bigham argued the new range is still significantly cheaper than eating out. He said: “Think about it as the cost per head. At a gastropub, the average is around £50. We are between £8.50 to £15 a person.”

Former Sega Amusements International CEO Paul Williams passes away: The former chief executive of Sega Amusements International, Paul Williams, has passed away following a period of illness. Well respected across the industry, Williams was the driving force behind the company that he led for more than two decades. Williams began his career working in nightclubs in his hometown of Cardiff and worked his way through the ranks of First Leisure to a senior level. He first joined Sega in 1997, taking on a role at Sega World that marked the beginning of his long association with the brand. In 2021, he led a management buyout of Sega Amusements International. In a statement, the company said: “More than a business success story, Paul’s legacy is one of empowerment. He built and inspired a strong, capable leadership team that continues to embody his values and vision. Those who worked closely with him will remember Paul not only as a visionary thinker, but as a mentor who led with fairness, humour, and authenticity. His belief in people and his deep sense of purpose will remain at the heart of Sega Amusements International for generations to come. In Paul’s memory, Sega Amusements International carries his spirit forward, reaffirming its commitment to the vision he championed – one of innovation, integrity, and lasting impact on a global scale.”

Teams sought for 2026 Drinks Trade Regatta featuring new two-day format: Teams are being sought for the brewing industry’s annual sailing event, the Drinks Trade Regatta, which will feature a new two-day format. The regatta sees operators and suppliers in the industry battling it out in a series of races on the Solent. Next year’s event will take place on 4-5 June. Over the past nine years, the event has raised more than £125,000 for various charities, and the regatta is open to experienced sailors as well as novice crews. Full racing support and kit are included, and the event also includes the opportunity to have dinner at the Royal Ocean Racing Club in Cowes. Organisers said the new format creates lower charter fees and only one night’s accommodation, but still two full days of racing and networking. To see the full schedule and find out more, click here. For booking enquiries, email Terry Hunt at thunt@prometneus-sailing.co.uk

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a UK wine distributor that is seeking a senior brand. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The role will be responsible fundamentally for driving the strategy, growing the brand awareness and ensuring day-to-day commercial initiatives are managed. Experience is required in brand management across the drinks fast moving consumer goods sector.” The role is based in a London office (Monday to Friday) and the salary is up to £60,000. For more information, email mark@corecruitment.com

Wagamama to make Northern Ireland return: Wagamama, The Restaurant Group-owned brand, is set to make its return to Northern Ireland after the closure of its two sites in the country this summer. The brand, which operates circa 170 sites in the UK and Ireland, closed its sites in Belfast’s Victoria Square and Dundonald in August. Wagamama will now reopen the former next Wednesday (22 October) as a company-owned site. Kelan O'Reilly, territory manager for Wagamama Northern Ireland, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Wagamama back to Belfast, offering the iconic dishes fans love along with exciting new additions. We can’t wait to open the doors and bring back the fresh flavours, speedy service, and unique Wagamama atmosphere everyone has been missing.” This summer, the brand made its return to Ireland. Last year, Wagamama closed the doors of three Dublin restaurants – in South King Street and in Blanchardstown and Dundrum – after receivers failed to reach an agreement with the company on a restructuring of its franchise arrangement. Wagamama subsequently opened company-owned sites in Liffey Valley and Dundrum town centre.

Mathew Carver to take Pick & Cheese to the US: London cheese specialist Mathew Carver is to open a site under his Pick & Cheese conveyor belt restaurant concept in the US. He will open the site next year in New York’s Shaver Hall, a new food hall taking over the former Lord & Taylor flagship in Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. Earlier this year, Carver – who runs The Cheese Barge in London and Rind in North Yorkshire –opened a third site for Pick & Cheese at Camden Market. It built on his original restaurant at street food collective and hospitality group Kerb’s Seven Dials Market and at Das Canter in Berlin. “We definitely felt like New York was the right fit – the restaurant scene is so similar to London,” Carver told Travel + Leisure magazine. “I just wanted to make sure it was done with the same values – sourcing really good American cheese and caring about where it comes from. Pick & Cheese attracts people who love the idea of an endless conveyor belt of cheese – that's what gets them through the door. But once they're here, they realise they're learning about local producers and regional cheese in a really fun way.”

Gerry’s Hot Sub raises £250,000 as it builds towards ‘becoming a pioneer in the premium submarine sandwich market’: Gerry’s Hot Subs, the fledgling concept from André Blais, founder of American barbecue diner-deli brand Bodean’s, has raised a further £250,000 of funding, which it said it will go toward “our next major milestone: launching our second site very soon”. Propel understands that Blais has lined up an opening in St Thomas Street, at London Bridge station, for Gerry’s Hot Subs. Blais opened the first stand-alone site for the concept last spring, at 50 Exmouth Market, in London’s Clerkenwell. He previously piloted the concept out of the FoodStars kitchen in Battersea. Longer-term, Gerry’s Hot Subs previously said it planned to open 11 sites over the next five years. Blais said: “Proud to announce that Gerry's Hot Subs has successfully closed a £250,000 funding round as we build towards becoming a pioneer in the premium submarine sandwich market and the best Americana brand. Thank you to all our investors, team, advisors, and supporters who believe in our vision. This investment powers our next major milestone: launching our second site very soon. We are reopening the round for a short time for top-up investments. This is your chance to get in before the second site launches and to help us accelerate our expansion.”

Cambridge cafe and bakery concept returns to crowdfunding to raise £200,000 to fuel expansion: Stir, the Cambridge cafe and bakery concept, has returned to crowdfunding to fuel its expansion. Founded in 2015 by Judith and Matt Harrison as a family-owned cafe in the neighbourhood of Chesterton, and followed by a bakery in 2017, Stir now operates five locations – each serving handcrafted bread, pastries, cakes and treats, as well as coffee from various independent suppliers. The latest fundraise has already secured almost £150,000 of its £200,000 target on crowdfunding platform Republic Europe. Stir Cambridge is offering investors 4% equity in return for the investment. The Harrisons intend to open more locations in the city – with plans progressing on a future venue to open next year – as well as roll out a new concept designed for smaller sites, with three locations now in discussion. They have just launched a new young adult-focused gourmet sandwich venue, Marvin's Sandwiches, and have already identified a second site for the concept. There are also plans to launch a range of self-produced sauces, jams and pickles, with the first products set to be available before Christmas. The funds will also be put towards increasing the business’ centralised production capacity – meaning improvements to its kitchen and bakery to support the expansion. “Our beautiful city is full of chains,” the pitch said. “Housing estates get built without cafes or pubs. New offices and labs spring up, with basic canteens run by faceless conglomerates. Since 2015, Stir has been instrumental in shaping Cambridge’s food and drink scene through our specialty coffee, modern brunch and award-winning craft bakery offering. We have a track record of growth and new thinking, having delivered major innovation and opened new outlets on a regular basis. We now have outlets open across Cambridge, a thriving online business, annual sales of £4m-plus, and ambitious growth plans. Stir knows the Cambridge market inside out and has made a difference, but Cambridge needs us to do more, and opportunities abound.” In June last year, Stir raised more than £180,000 on Republic Europe (then Seedrs) to support its expansion.

Nando’s increases prices due to rising cost of food and staffing: Nando’s has increased its prices due to the rising cost of food and staffing. The price of the Sunset burger meal with one side has gone up from £13 to £14.50 – a 12% rise, reports The Sun. The Fino Pitta plus one side has risen from £13 to £14.50. The Full Platter has increased from £25.75 to £27.95 – almost 9% – while a quarter chicken with two sides has risen 55p from £11.20 to £11.75 – a 5% increase. Nando’s confirmed the latest price increases but stated it had frozen the price of a Nandino (kids) meal, which includes a choice of main and two sides with a drink, at £6.25. The brand, which has circa 480 restaurants in the UK, said: “Like everyone else in hospitality, we’re dealing with rising costs – especially when it comes to food and staffing. We strive to offer value for our customers, focusing on quality ingredients, customer experience, and one of the best loyalty programmes out there – Nando’s Rewards.” In November last year, Nando’s reported revenue increased by 7.5% to £1.37bn for the year ending 28 February 2024, while pre-tax losses were cut from £86.2m to £50.1m. The group reported an operating profit of £59.8m for the year. However, Nando's stressed cost inflation has stayed at “elevated levels”, highlighting it was still seeking to address its costs across the business.

Gaming and leisure company Real Fun Group expanding UK operations and online presence after securing six-figure funding deal: Gaming and leisure company Real Fun Group is expanding its UK operations and online presence after securing a six-figure funding deal. The funds from alternative finance provider Reward Funding has allowed Real Fun Group to acquire a bingo hall in Lowestoft, Suffolk, from Merkur. Founded in 2023 by entrepreneurs Kevin McGinnigle and David Gallimore, Real Fun Group now operates 11 traditional bingo clubs across England and Wales. McGinnigle and Gallimore said the investment will support the company’s strategy to grow its portfolio of UK venues while strengthening its digital offering in the gaming sector. The funding follows a seven-figure facility from Reward Funding last year, which enabled Real Fun Group to acquire the Majestic Bingo estate. That transaction included eight venues purchased out of administration in December 2023, giving Real Fun Group the licences and infrastructure to accelerate growth. McGinnigle said: “The Lowestoft bingo hall was still trading prior to the acquisition and an established relationship with Reward Funding meant that it was in a strong position to act quickly when the opportunity arose and have the finance in place to secure the site and reopen immediately to avoid losing additional revenue.”

Joe and The Juice set to open first site in Ireland: Joe & The Juice, the juice and cafe bar brand, which operates circa 75 sites in the UK, is set to make its debut in Ireland, in Dublin. The business is understood to be in talks on a site in the city’s Grafton Square, also known as 60 Dawson Street, for a proposed opening next year. Earlier this month, Joe & The Juice opened its first site in Africa, in Morocco – its 100th franchise store globally. 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. Propel revealed earlier this week that the brand had hired Graham Fenwick, formerly of PizzaExpress, as operations director for the UK & Ireland.

Rudy’s to open Cambridge site next month: Rudy’s Pizza Napoletana, the Mission Mars-owned brand, will open its new site in Cambridge next month. The restaurant will launch on Saturday, 1 November in the former TSB bank St Andrews Street, creating up to 35 jobs. Spanning 2,100 square foot across two floors, the space will accommodate up to 200 guests. The restaurant is the brand’s 35th and it has said it has a healthy pipeline of openings in place. Neal Bates, managing director of Rudy’s, said: “Cambridge is the perfect next stop for Rudy’s as one of the UK’s most beautiful cities and home to a vibrant student community.” Last week, Propel revealed Mission Mars, which also operates the four-strong Albert’s Schloss bar business, has hired Houlihan Lokey to assess its funding options for its next stage of growth, which could include the exit of current backer Business Growth Fund (BGF). Mission Mars, which is led by Roy Ellis, who co-founded the Revolution bar chain, was launched in 2015. The BGF invested £10m into Mission Mars in summer 2018, and after seven years of backing is now set to explore exit options.

Ever So Sensible Restaurants secures 11th site: East Midlands independent restaurant group Ever So Sensible Restaurants has secured its 11th site. The company has acquired The George Inn in the Lincolnshire village of Langworth, marking the group’s fifth venue in the county. The George Inn will undergo a sensitive refurbishment, which will focus on “reviving the pub’s charm”, with a planned reopening in the spring. James Cann, commercial director of Ever So Sensible, said: “We’re proud to bring The George into the Ever So Sensible family. It’s a beautiful, historic pub that deserves to be at the heart of village life once again. Our goal is to restore it with care, celebrate its heritage, and create a warm, inviting space. This acquisition reflects our ongoing commitment to investing in Lincolnshire, helping to keep great local pubs at the heart of our communities.” Last month, the company told Propel it will open two more sites this year as it was awarded Investors in People platinum accreditation.

 

Steve Haslam-led AIM business to open eighth site, ‘such projects are almost impossible to do solo’: AIM, the pub and restaurant operator founded and led by Steve Haslam, is set to open its eighth site – but warned such projects are “almost impossible to do solo”. Speaking at Propel’s Operational Excellence Conference in July, Haslam said the business was to invest £1m in a new joint venture site with Star Pubs. AIM is taking on the lease of The Plough in Elstree, Hertfordshire, which has been closed for nine years. Previously it operated as an Italian restaurant called Kiss Kiss, and before that as a Chinese restaurant called East. The refurbishment will see it revert to a pub and reinstate its original name when it reopens in the spring of 2026. The project will enlarge The Plough’s interior by 25% creating a bar area with casual seating; a former stable with seating for 25, which will be available for private dining; and a restaurant seating 35 overlooking the garden. The exterior is being completely overhauled with seating for 400. Haslam said: “We’re looking forward to giving the Elstree community a pub once again. However, if it wasn’t for Heineken/Star Pubs’ support we wouldn’t be doing this project. They have made it possible for us to revive The Plough. It’s almost impossible to do something like this solo in today’s market. This is our first foray towards London. We still have ambitions to grow our estate further but our plans will be dependent on how the government treats hospitality and that means being serious about the tax burden, lowering VAT like they have in Ireland, and replacing outdated business rates.” Last year, the company acquired its seventh pub – The Bread & Cheese in Benfleet in Essex – following a £500,000 joint investment with Heineken-owned Star Pubs. The Bread & Cheese was a second lease with Star for Haslam and his family, who also operate the pub with rooms Victory, in Mersea. At the conference, Haslam said the business planned to add up to four more sites over the next four years.

Wasabi founder to open second site for Sushinoya concept tomorrow: Sushinoya – the new sushi concept from Wasabi founder Dong Hyun Kim – will open its second site tomorrow (Friday, 17 October), in Lonon’s Chinatown. Sushinoya said the launch in Shaftesbury Avenue is its “most ambitious opening yet”. Sushinoya, which offers sushi, hot dishes, and rice bowls made fresh daily, made its debut earlier this year, in St Pancras station. Following Chinatown, Sushinoya will open in Charing Cross Road in November and Moorgate in spring 2026. The concept has also secured a site at Broadgate Central, in the City, as it aim to open 20 locations across the UK by 2030. Kim said: “Most grab-and-go sushi shops today rely on digital screens or pre-packed boxes from the fridge, where you often don’t know who made it or how fresh it is. We’re doing the opposite, bringing the craftsmanship and care of traditional sushi into a convenient, on-the-go format without compromising quality.” Sushinoya is part of Kim’s Group, which also includes Kineya Mugimaru, which has four sites in London and one in Cambridge, and Kimchee in King's Cross in the capital. Kim founded Wasabi in 2003 and exited the business in 2021.

Ex-Petersham Nurseries MD to open Florentine trattoria Trogolo in London’s Notting Hill: Lara Boglione, former managing director of Petersham Nurseries, and her husband Giovanni Mazzei, of Marchesi Mazzei, are to open Trogolo, a contemporary trattoria and bar inspired by the spirit of Florence, in London’s Notting Hill this autumn. Located in Westbourne Grove, the couple said visitors to Trogolo will be able to drop in for a “quick plate of pasta and glass of wine at lunch, vibrant aperitivos with boards of cheese and charcuterie, or dinners that unfold as they do in Italy; slow, loud, and generous”. The name Trogolo, Italian for “trough”, nods to the stone basins that were found in farmyards across Tuscany. The business said: “More than just a drinking spot for animals, the trogoli were the heart of rural life: raw, communal, and essential. This spirit of convivial simplicity runs through the restaurant, from its long, shared tables where guests dine shoulder to shoulder, to its stripped-back, ingredient-led menu.” The site will be spread across two floors with a secluded outdoor courtyard. Boglione said: “The Tuscan spirit is warm and effusive. We’re bringing this hearty sense of hospitality to Trogolo, a place that captures the feel of Florence, where the chatter of guests at noisy trattorias and wine bars spills out on to the streets and into the night.”

Brazilian all-you-can-eat steakhouse concept Estabulo opens second Leeds site: Brazilian all-you-can-eat steakhouse concept Estabulo has opened a new restaurant at the Merrion Centre in Leeds – its second in the city. Adjoining the Ibis Styles Leeds City Centre Arena hotel, the venue seats more than 80 people. Guests can expect Estabulo’s rodizio dining experience, where a variety of meat are slow-roasted over open flames and carved at the table. Every meal also includes unlimited access to Estabulo’s salad bar. The restaurant also serves the group’s à la carte menu launched earlier this year, including the flat iron steak, Scottish bavette, and the Estabulo burger. New for this location, Estabulo has confirmed the adjoining hotel’s breakfast service features a mix of its own menu items alongside breakfast staples from the hotel. Sophie Blackburn, operations manager at Estabulo, said: “Opening our new restaurant marks a really exciting step for the business. We’re passionate about sharing authentic Brazilian flavours and creating a vibrant dining atmosphere, and this venue gives us the perfect opportunity to welcome even more guests to enjoy the rodizio experience.” Estabulo already operates a site in Leeds, at The Light shopping centre, as well as restaurants in Aberdeen, Barnsley, Norwich and Wakefield.

Café Beam founders to open new restaurant concept next month, plan further openings: Ozgur and Sidar Akyuz, founders of the Café Beam business, are to open their new restaurant Nora in London’s Canary Wharf, next month. The brothers said Nora will honour the Turkish capital Istanbul with a “conflation of diverse offerings”, merging seyyar satici, or street food, with mangal cookery and more modern interpretations of classics. Nora will be an elevated version of Café Beam, and will be an all-day modern Turkish restaurant. The menu will be overseen by head chef Daniel Alt, formerly of The Barbary and Ottolenghi. Park Lord Commercial represented Nora on the Wood Wharf deal and is “actively seeking further opportunities for Nora in prime Central London locations throughout 2026 onwards”. Cafe Beam made its debut in Crouch End in 2013 before opening a second site, in Highbury, five years later. The company then opened in Westbourne Grove in 2020, and subsequently launched in Muswell Hill two years later. 

Whitbread expands inclusive employment programme: Whitbread, the owner of Premier Inn, has expanded its Thrive programme – an employer-led initiative supporting young people with special educational needs and disabilities into work – by opening a new Premier Inn training centre at Lincolnshire County Council’s InspireU campus. The replicated hotel facility features three en-suite bedrooms, a reception desk, corridor and linen room. Delivered in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council, the facility will be shared on a rota basis by local special schools, colleges and adult services. The employer-led initiative equips young people with special educational needs and disabilities with the skills, confidence and pathways they need to secure meaningful work. By 2026, Whitbread aims to create 100 supported internships every year. Rachel Howarth, chief people officer of Whitbread, said: “Thrive is a shining example of how business can lead the way in making employment more inclusive and accessible to all. At Whitbread, we believe there should be no barriers to entry and no limits to ambition – and Thrive proves that when employers step up, real change happens. Fewer than 5% of people with learning disabilities are in paid employment – we want to help change that by creating practical routes into work for young people with special education needs and disabilities.” The new Premier Inn training centre at InspireU is the second Thrive training centre to open this year following the one at Wirral Met College in July. Thrive is part of Whitbread’s Force for Good programme and has already helped hundreds of young people into work.

Basque cheesecake operator La Maritxu secures third site: Basque cheesecake operator La Maritxu has secured its third site in London, in Greenwich. The business, which is led by founder Lucía Larragoiti Fisher, is set to open on the former Joli Vintage Living store in Nelson Road that closed earlier this year. La Maritxu already has two sites – near Marble Arch (Connaught Street) and off Carnaby Street (Kingly Court). Originating in San Sebastian in 2021, La Maritxu specialises in Basque cheesecakes, which are baked at a high temperature “to produce a caramelised exterior and a rich, creamy centre”. La Maritxu serves a menu of single slices as well as eight and ten-inch cakes, alongside coffee and brand merchandise. La Maritxu said: “The recipe for our Basque burnt cheesecake, also known as San Sebastian cheesecake, has been in our family for generations and is made with a very special ingredient: love.” Sophie Street, of Street Property Consultants, acted on the Greenwich deal.

East London operator opens new deli concept: East London operator Simon Bays has opened the first site under his new deli concept called Donny’s Deli, in London Fields. The new site at 2 Westgate Street offers “a menu focused on east London’s best local suppliers, a vinyl exchange wall and community vibes”. This summer, Bays launched Donny’s as a “tongue-in-cheek homage to his lifelong love of kebabs” and said although it was well received by diners, the concept drew online criticism – with the proximity to Dalston’s long-standing Turkish community sparking debates around cultural sensitivity. Bays made the decision to close after just one month and instead came up with the idea of Donny’s Deli, a reimagined venture “focusing on community, London’s dining and music cultures and top-quality local ingredients”. Bays said: “After listening to the criticism of the first version of Donny's online, I felt deeply ashamed to have caused offence. However unintentional, I understand that impact matters more than intent, and that ignorance or naivety is no excuse. That's why I chose to close after a month and built Donny's Deli – a place that still celebrates the food and music I love, but does so with respect for cultural influences and a genuine commitment to giving back to the community.”

Former Coal Rooms operators find permanent home for nose-to-tail concept Whole Beast: Sam and Alicja Bryant, who were behind the Coal Rooms restaurant in Peckham, south east London, have found a permanent home for their nose-to-tail concept Whole Beast. Following a series of pop-ups, the concept is launching in Coldharbour Lane in Brixton, in the space that was Shrub and Shutter, reports Hot Dinners. As well as its aged cheeseburger – consisting of an aged beef patty, bread and butter pickles, smoked bone marrow, burger sauce, diced white onions, American cheese and a milk bun – dishes will include whipped smoked cod’s roe and hash browns, green chorizo tacos, and apple and cheddar pie. The drinks list will feature natural wine, craft beer and cocktails. As well as opening the Coal Rooms, the Bryants had a stint as heads of food at MeatLiquor.