Propel Newsletter Archive Page

Coca-Cola CEO – ‘coffee remains a super attractive category but we expected much more growth in the non-retail side of Costa business’: Coca-Cola chief executive James Quincey has said coffee remains a “super attractive” category for the group amid reports it is looking to sell Costa – but that it expected “much more growth” in the non-retail side of the business. Coca-Cola acquired Costa from Whitbread in 2019 for £3.9bn, and in July 2025, Quincey told investors that the US beverage company was “reflecting” on Costa after conceding its investment “is not where we wanted it to be” following lower-than-expected returns. Quincey said during Coca-Cola’s third quarter earnings call that Costa had returned to volume growth. He added: “The coffee category is a super attractive category. It’s very large, it’s profitable and it’s growing, and it’s relatively unconsolidated. We’ve tried a number of things over the last decades to find a path that works for us in coffee, Costa being the most recent iteration of that. The summary on what’s happening there is actually, the Costa business is doing well – it’s returned to volume growth. We’ve been reinvesting in the stores, principally in the UK, continuing to increase the footprint of Costa Express and doing kind of beans to machines in a number of other countries. The business is doing well and is getting some good growth from the top to the bottom line. The investment hypothesis hasn’t worked out as we expected in the sense that we were looking for much more growth in the non-retail store side of the business, which much more suits the Coca-Cola system. We have not found a path to that in the last number of years. We are kind of standing back and reflecting on what that means for us and where we should go next in coffee. Costa is a great business, and we continue to run it to be successful. It just hasn’t created the multiplier so far that we’re looking for into our broader business.” Costa operates 2,700 sites in the UK among a portfolio of 4,100 coffee shops across 38 markets globally. Costa also has a global network of nearly 17,000 Costa Express machines and a growing ready-to-drink coffee portfolio. In August, Sky News reported that Coca-Cola was looking to sell Costa and was prepared to accept in the region of £2.7bn. Earlier this month, the FT reported US private equity firm Bain Capital, which backs Gail’s and PizzaExpress, and TDR Capital, owner of UK supermarket company Asda, were reportedly among the parties interested in acquiring Costa. Costa reported an annual loss of £13.8m on revenue of £1.2bn in 2023, according to the most recently available set of accounts.

Industry News:

Sponsored message – unlocking profitability in hospitality with Opsyte and AI innovation: Running a successful hospitality business has never been more challenging or full of opportunity. The industry continues to face growing financial and operational pressures, making efficiency and accuracy more vital than ever. Matt Taylor, chief executive of Opsyte, said: “From discussions with industry experts and experienced operators, they are increasingly focused on practical strategies to manage cost pressures. With Opsyte’s artificial intelligence (AI)-driven profit and loss system, hospitality leaders can transform how they view performance by gaining real-time visibility, smarter forecasting and data-led decision-making. Opsyte is helping rethink profitability from the ground up, turning financial insight into measurable success. Smart site management and AI can help operators strengthen margins, improve profit and loss performance and prepare for the future. Spend less time running your accounts and more time actioning improvements.” Find out how you can join the discussions and future proof your business here. If you have a sponsored story you would like to see featured in this newsletter position, email paul.charity@propelinfo.com.

The After School Cookie Club founder Jesse Jenkins to speak at final Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2025, open for bookings: Jesse Jenkins, founder of plant-based cookie concept The After School Cookie Club, in which John Vincent, co-founder and former chief executive of Leon, is an investor, will be among the speakers at the final Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2025, which is open for bookings. Jenkins will discuss expanding across London, the concept’s strong community focus and the role of social media in its success. 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.

Zonal – nearly a quarter of Christmas Eve diners opt for breakfast: Christmas Eve breakfast is proving a surprising hit this December, with new insight from hospitality tech firm Zonal showing that bookings for the occasion account for 23% of all reservations made for that day. Overall, festive bookings for 2025 are up 8% year-on-year, with a strong number of reservations already made for key holiday dates including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, compared to the same point in 2024. Of these, the number of Christmas Eve breakfast bookings has emerged as one of the most surprising trends, although dinner still takes the top spot, accounting for 41% of bookings made to date. With just nine weeks to go, Christmas Day continues to lead the season, with an increase of 9% compared to this time last year – almost all of these (99%) for Christmas lunch. Planning ahead is a clear a priority, with August emerging as the peak month for securing Christmas lunch reservations (36%). Zonal said this early surge in bookings reflects the growing culture of booking in advance, while the emergence of Christmas Eve breakfast as a key occasion demonstrates the growing popularity of earlier day parts for eating out. Chief commercial officer Tim Chapman added: “It’s clear that festive dining is evolving, with breakfast emerging as a surprising new favourite. This shift, combined with the surge in early bookings, highlights how important Christmas is for hospitality operators. Venues that plan ahead and adapt to changing consumer habits will be best placed to maximise the opportunity this season.”

Danny Meyer-curated food hall and pub opens in JP Morgan’s new $3bn headquarters: A 19-restaurant food hall curated by Shake Shack founder Danny Meyer and an “English pub” have opened in JP Morgan’s new $3bn headquarters in New York. The 60-storey building at 270 Park Avenue, which houses 14,000 employees, offers staff an “unparalleled range of venues and leisure activities”, according to its designer, Lord Foster. Alongside the food hall, there are cafés and coffee shops and an English pub, called Morgan’s. Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group consulted on the project. Head of JP Morgan real estate, David Arena, said the aim was to “create an environment like Eataly or something even better”. There is also an on-site, fully functioning medical office plus yoga rooms, spin rooms, mothers’ rooms and meditation spaces. The skyscraper also has its own gym and is also the tallest structure in New York that is 100% powered by hydroelectric energy.

New pilot programme launches to find next generation of street food stars: Up to 36 street food businesses in the West Midlands are to receive free training, mentoring and live trading opportunities as part of a new six-month programme to develop the next generation of traders. The Street Food Incubator Pilot, led by Digbeth Dining Club (DDC) and the Nationwide Caterers Association, is backed by mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, and the West Midlands Combined Authority. Successful applicants will graduate from the programme in spring 2026. Jack Brabant, co-founder of DDC, said: “For more than a decade, we’ve been passionate about giving independent street food traders a platform to grow, and it’s amazing to see how far the scene has come across the region. This pilot is a brilliant opportunity to take that support even further – helping the next generation of traders gain the skills, confidence, and experience they need to turn their ideas into sustainable businesses.”

Michelin Guide GB and Ireland ceremony to take place in Ireland for first time: The Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland ceremony is to take place in Ireland for the first time. The 2026 event will be held on Monday, 9 February at The Convention Centre in Dublin. The event will see the announcement of not just the Michelin stars, but also the green stars, which recognise pioneers in the field of sustainable gastronomy. A range of special awards, celebrating outstanding industry professionals, will also be presented on the night. Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guides, said: “We are delighted to bring the Michelin Guide ceremony to Dublin, a city whose energy and creativity mirror the vitality of the region’s gastronomy. Hosting the event here highlights Ireland’s growing place on the culinary map and the excellence of chefs across Great Britain and Ireland. Dublin offers the perfect setting to celebrate the talent and passion that drive our industry forward.”

Company News:

Bread Ahead in advanced US talks as it ramps up international growth, Manchester pop-up ‘only the beginning’ of regional expansion: Bread Ahead founder Matthew Jones has told Propel that the independent bakery and baking school business is in advanced talks regarding a debut site in the US as it ramps up its international growth, and that there is “more to come” in terms of regional UK expansion. From Monday, 3 November, the company will be operating a three-month pop-up at Harvey Nichols in Manchester, offering Bread Ahead’s doughnuts such as crème brûlée, vanilla, sea salted caramel and seasonal specials. Founded in 2013, Bread Ahead has grown to eight London locations and four in the Middle East, and at the end of last year, signed a franchise agreement to open an initial 15 bakeries and a bakery school in the Philippines. Jones told Propel: “The next year is shaping up to be particularly exciting. We plan to open our first bakery in Bangkok, Thailand, in spring 2026, followed by two or three further locations in the Philippines later in the year. We’re also in advanced conversations about expanding into New York City – a significant step in our international growth journey. We’re very pleased with how trading is going at the moment. In the UK, we’re about to launch a three-month doughnut pop-up in Harvey Nichols, Manchester, which has already generated a lot of excitement. We’ve long wanted to branch out regionally, and this felt like the perfect way to do it. We hope this is just the first of many visits – there’s so much more to come! Overall, the business is performing strongly, and the momentum we’ve built gives us great confidence as we head into the next phase of expansion.” In January, Jones told Propel that the company is focusing on international growth as it eyes a long-term estate of 1,000 sites globally. Bread Ahead features in Propel’s UK Food & Beverage Franchisor Database, which is exclusive to Premium Club subscribers. The next edition will be sent on Wednesday, 12 November and feature 380 companies.

Chef Ivan Orkin to open debut permanent UK restaurant in partnership with Sessions: Chef Ivan Orkin is to open his debut permanent restaurant in the UK, in partnership with Sessions, the growth platform for original food brands. Last year, Orkin partnered with Sessions to bring his eponymous Ivan Ramen concept to London, with plans to eventually open in 50 sites across the UK. The deal meant the brand became available on UK high streets for the first time. Following a London pop-up in early 2023, Sessions began working with Orkin and his team to find experienced operators to become their first Ivan Ramen partners. Now Orkin, who has a restaurant in New York and previously operated in Tokyo, will open his first permanent restaurant in the UK, at 98 Farringdon Road in London, on Wednesday, 19 November. The opening is the first step in ambitious plans to bring the brand to multiple locations across the country. The 26-seater restaurant will offer tonkotsu, chicken paitan, spicy miso ramen, and Orkin’s kara-age chicken. Joining the line-up is a new creation for London – the salt beef bao, which is inspired by the flavours of a classic East End bagel and filled with warm salt beef, pickled cucumbers, and fiery karashi mustard mayo. Orkin said: “Tokyo, New York and now London – what an incredible honour to share our food in three of the world’s most iconic cities. London isn’t just a world-class restaurant destination – it is home to one of the most exciting ramen scenes anywhere. I’ve always loved this city, and I’m thrilled to finally be a part of it.” Dan Warne, chief executive and founder of Sessions, said: “Bringing Ivan Ramen – created by one of the world’s most celebrated ramen chefs – to the UK is a milestone for Sessions. Showcasing Ivan’s globally acclaimed ramen alongside our growing portfolio of original brands reinforces our commitment to delivering world-class food to new audiences.”

Sticks’n’Sushi to open in Manchester: Danish-Japanese premium restaurant group Sticks‘n’Sushi – in which McWin, the backer of Gail’s and Big Mamma Group, acquired a majority stake earlier this year – will open in Manchester next spring. The group will open its 17th UK restaurant in Manchester’s Spinningfields, following hot on the heels of its Glasgow opening, marking the next step in its northern expansion. The two-storey restaurant will accommodate 246 guests across a ground-floor dining area, a mezzanine level and an expansive L-shaped outdoor terrace. The menu will feature the brand’s signature sharing dishes of sushi, sashimi, salads and grilled sticks, available à la carte or in set menus. Dishes include Ebi Bites, tempura shrimp with miso aioli, lime and chilli and the Maki Maki selection of four signature rolls, while the drinks menu showcases sake, Japanese tea, wine, cocktails, premium spirits and beer – including the brand’s own-label yuzu pale ale. With 1,500 staff employed globally, the group is set to create 75 jobs with the launch of its Manchester restaurant. Andreas Karlsson, Sticks’n’Sushi group chief executive, said: “Manchester is an important milestone in our UK growth strategy. It’s been on our radar for many years, and we’re delighted to have found the perfect space for us.” In August, Sticks‘n’Sushi said its UK performance had continually improved through 2025 as it reported turnover of £86,822,861 for the period from 16 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 – its first year since McWin acquired a majority stake. Adjusted Ebitda stood at £6,611,000 while Sticks‘n’Sushi posted a pre-tax loss of £9,759,602.

Former Domino’s family franchise worker opens second site for his grilled chicken concept, plans expansion through franchise and equity launches: Former Domino’s family franchise worker Ricky Sahota has opened a second site for his grilled chicken concept and is planning expansion through a mix of franchise and equity launches. Sahota said he learnt the ropes in hospitality working as an order-taker in his dad and uncle’s Domino’s franchise, before deciding to “take things to the next level and start our very own franchise”. The first Cluck’d opened in the summer of 2023, in the former Mindoro dessert parlour unit in Norwich’s Westlegate. Site number two will open on Thursday, 30 October, at 653 Silbury Boulevard in Lloyds Court, Milton Keynes. The new restaurant will operate from 11am–11pm daily, serving Cluck’d’s signature grilled chicken, freshly made sauces and comfort dishes. Sahota said the opening forms part of Cluck’d’s wider growth strategy, as it looks to identify high-footfall regional city locations and expand its footprint through a mix of company-owned and future franchised sites. He added: “Cluck’d was born from years in the restaurant world and a genuine love for great food. We wanted to take something simple – chicken – and make it our own with bold flavours, sauces made in-house, and a fresh, energetic vibe. Milton Keynes marks an exciting next step for us, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone in to experience what Cluck’d is all about.”

New Mahiki owner plan to transform business, ‘confront significant legacy issues’ and ‘restore its rightful position as a world-class lifestyle brand’: The new owner of nightclub brand Mahiki has said it plans to transform the business, “confront significant legacy issues” and “restore its rightful position as a world-class lifestyle brand”. Founded by Piers Adam and Nick House, Mahiki first opened in 2006 as a nightclub with a Polynesian and tiki theme in London’s Mayfair. Further Mahiki clubs subsequently opened in Dubai, Marbella, Sardinia, Manchester, Gothenburg and London’s Kensington, many of which have now closed, while the original Mayfair club came under the ownership of Adam and David Phelps. The brand has now been acquired by EBH Holdings, part of private equity fund Innova. A company statement said that behind the scenes of its “exotic cocktails, island-inspired décor and high-profile clientele”, Mahiki “endured years of global uncertainty, hospitality sector instability and a series of ownership changes that ultimately led to financial management challenges, operational decline and insolvency”. EBH Holdings said: “Following an extensive and deeply forensic period of due diligence, EBH Holdings has completed the acquisition of Mahiki to transform the business with decisive leadership and structural reform, confronting significant legacy issues, unresolved creditor positions, complex contractual entanglements and the erosion of brand value. EBH Holdings will move swiftly to stabilise the business and protect what remains one of the most recognisable names in the global leisure and hospitality industry. In the coming weeks, the new owners will begin addressing historic creditor and partner obligations and implementing a comprehensive strategic recovery and redevelopment plan aimed at restoring Mahiki to its rightful position as a world-class lifestyle brand. The relaunch will focus on reinvigorating the brand’s heritage, re-establishing Mahiki in key international destinations, and introducing a new generation of venues and experiences that blend the original escapist ethos with a forward-thinking, sustainable, and culturally relevant vision.” EBH Holdings said it will work closely with Mahiki’s existing suppliers, partners and supporters as it works to “rebuild, reimagine and reintroduce Mahiki to a global audience”. House, who also operates restaurant and bar Gold in London’s Notting Hill, will next month launch Mediterranean riverside restaurant and bar Tower House in Richmond.

Uber Eats becomes exclusive nationwide delivery partner to Rosa’s Thai: Uber Eats has become the exclusive nationwide delivery partner to Rosa’s Thai, the TriSpan-backed business. To celebrate, Rosa’s Thai and Uber Eats are launching a new limited edition t-shirt collection, with each tee features a new Rosa’s red hot Thai classic – the khao soi and the tom yum noodle soup. The exclusive shirts are only available when ordering a red hot Thai classics bundle via Uber Eats at selected Rosa’s restaurants including Norwich, Edinburgh, York, Liverpool, Exeter, Greenwich, Hackney and Tooting, while stocks last. Rosa’s Thai founder Saiphin Moore said: “Our exclusive Uber Eats bundle celebrates the spills and stains that come with truly great Thai comfort food.” Saskia de Jongh, vice president Uber Eats EMEA, added: “Our limited-edition t-shirt line is a fun and unique way to celebrate that people across the UK can now get their Rosa’s Thai exclusively through Uber Eats.”

Starbucks slowdown creates bad blood with landlords: Starbucks has reportedly left some landlords in the lurch as it slows an aggressive store expansion, alienating developers critical to its growth. Starbucks has hit the brakes on new cafés in the face of rising construction costs and falling like-for-like sales. Last month, Starbucks suddenly shut hundreds of sites in the US and has earmarked “some” of its circa 520 UK company-owned stores for closure. The FT reported the pullback in the US has created bad blood – and led to at least one lawsuit – with the commercial real estate industry, which said it has long embraced Starbucks as a reliable, investment-grade tenant and in turn supported its rapid spread across the US retail landscape. “Starbucks is not a deal or a tenant that I would ever consider again,” said Max Ullman, principal at Growth Property Group, a developer who had a project with the brand cancelled this year. “I haven’t even had one cup of Starbucks since. I have such a bad taste in my mouth.” Starbucks this year has refused to move into some custom-built stores, real estate executives said, denting its appeal as a tenant. “There are a lot of extremely frustrated stakeholders: brokers, principals, developers, et cetera,” said Patrick Luther, co-head of national net lease at SRS Real Estate Partners, a commercial property broker. He said Starbucks developers have been calling him to say: “I just won’t work with Starbucks again,” or “This is the last one I’ll be building for the company.” While Starbucks stands out for its large retail footprint, it is not alone. “There’s nothing that feels different about what Starbucks is doing than any other national, Fortune 500 tenant that slows down their expansion,” said Shai Wolkowicki, managing principal of Chicago-based developer the W Companies. However, Wolkowicki expected Starbucks’ slowdown would lead to more legal battles and potentially shake developers’ confidence. “A pullback from a brand that once defined ‘prime corner’ locations signals a more cautious consumer environment and a shift in how retailers evaluate long-term performance,” he said.

Urban Pubs & Bars to reopen newly acquired north London site after £1m investment: Urban Pubs & Bars, the London pub operator founded by Malc Heap and Nick Pring and backed by Davidson Kempner and Global Mutual, is to reopen St John’s Tavern in Archway, north London, on Friday, 31 October after a £1m investment. The Chris Hill-led business, which operates circa 60 sites, said the relaunch will retain the venue’s distinctive character while introducing a refreshed design, updated garden space and extended lounge area. The reimagined space will accommodate around 250 guests across its bar snug, main bar area, lounge, dining room and garden. Hill said: “St John’s Tavern is one of north London’s true gems, a classic Victorian pub with an incredible history and a loyal local following. Our investment ensures it remains a neighbourhood favourite while evolving into something fresh and exciting.” The business, which added St John’s Tavern to its portfolio last month, also acquired the Bald Faced Stag in East Finchley from brewer and retailer Greene King’s Metropolitan Pub Company division.

Former MD of Wishing Well pub business acquires Hertfordshire pub and restaurant to take family portfolio to 30: The former managing director of the Wishing Well pub business has acquired a Hertfordshire pub and restaurant to take his family’s portfolio to 30 sites. Terence O’Sullivan is the new operator of The Trooper in Aldbury, near Tring, is a deal brokered by Christie & Co. The village pub and barn have been renovated “while retaining their traditional charm and character” and O’Sullivan plans to “continue elevating the pub’s presence and create a vibrant destination for locals and visitors alike”. He said: “The Trooper is one of three acquisitions our family has made in October, bringing our estate to 30. What attracted us to The Trooper was the high quality and charm of its fit out and we are excited about establishing it as one of the best food destinations in this part of Hertfordshire.” O’Sullivan originally developed the Wishing Well format in 1994, with the estate growing to five freehold sites by 1997, when the group was purchased by Ushers of Trowbridge. A further seven sites were purchased and converted to Wishing Wells, as well as Ushers converting one of its existing pubs to the Wishing Well format, leaving an estate of 13 by 1999. The following year, Ushers sold its managed estate, including the Wishing Well pubs, to Unique Pub Co (later Enterprise Inns) and leased them back to O’Sullivan. After regaining the 13 sites, an additional eight were acquired. The company then embarked on the development of two Central London sites, The Springbok Bar in Covent Garden and a further site off Baker Street, before the group was sold in September 2003. Following the sale of the Wishing Well group, O’Sullivan said he has continued to operate in the sector and currently has ten pubs, while his daughters have also acquired their own pubs over the last decade – taking the family’s group total to 30. O’Sullivan is currently a director of several pub companies listed on Companies House including Just Pubs, Copper Comet, Poachers Stevenage, Trooper of Aldbury and S&T Trooper.

Cornish and Welsh holiday park operator boosts profit but drop in caravan sales hits overall turnover: Holiday park operator Vale Holiday Parks, which operates 12 sites across Wales and Cornwall, has said it saw a year of growth “for most areas of the business” as it boosted profit, but a drop in caravan sales led to overall turnover falling. The company reported turnover fell to £17,539,589 for the year ending 31 January 2025 compared with £18,099,686 the previous year. Of the 2025 turnover, £5,800,000 came from site fees (2024: £5,139,000), £5,952,000 from caravan sales (2024: £7,617,000), £2,551,000 from holiday packages (2024: £2,034,000) and £3,236,000 from on-site facilities (2024: £3,310,000). The group made an operating profit of £2,911,987, up from £2,547,511 the year before. Pre-tax profit grew to £1,501,596 from £1,179,618 the previous year. In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “Most areas of the business have shown growth during the period, and this has left the group in a good financial position at the end of the period, in line with our expectations.” A dividend of £236,000 was paid (2024: £348,000). Vale Holiday Parks opened its first location in 1983.

Indian street food concept set to make Scottish debut after passing ten-site mark: Indian street food concept Chai Green is set to make its Scottish debut after passing the ten-site mark with three openings this year. The business opened at 97a Commercial Road in Portsmouth and 13 The Burgess in Coventry this summer, following a launch at 28 Vicarage Road in Watford earlier in the year. Chai Green is now preparing to move north of the border for the first time by opening at 1 Kilmarnock Road in Glasgow. The site is one of two new openings the company has in the pipeline, along with a fourth site in his home city of Birmingham, at 2,162 Coventry Road in Sheldon. Hasnain Siddiqui founded Chai Green in 2020 as a tribute to his father, a popular florist in the city who was forever giving back to the community, and who died from covid. Siddiqui, a chartered accountant who had formerly operated two branches of a piri piri franchise brand in Birmingham, pledging to use Chai Green to help give back to the community as his father had. Having launched a first franchise location in 2022, Siddiqui told Propel the following year that he was aiming for 30 sites in the UK followed by an overseas roll-out.

McManus Pub Company invests £350,000 in rebrand of Northampton venue: McManus Pub Company is investing £350,000 to transform Northampton venue The Sir Pickering Phipps, into The Phipps. The Wellingborough Road site first opened in 1998 and now enters a new chapter. While the “Sir Pickering” name is being retired, McManus said the new identity honours its heritage and the town’s connection, whilse the updated look and feel brings The Phipps into a new era. The redesign centres around a new bar with an offer including a range of crafted cocktails, premium sharing dishes and beer, alongside live music, DJs and a strong focus on sport, with major events screened throughout the week. Gary McManus, managing director of McManus Pub Company, said: “The Phipps represents everything we love about the modern British pub, heritage, hospitality, and great times. This investment allows us to create a venue that reflects Northampton’s character while offering something fresh, vibrant, and relevant for today’s customers. It’s about evolving with our community and keeping that sense of pride and fun alive.” The project will create 15 additional jobs when it reopens in early December. McManus Pub Company has been trading for more than 55 years and employs more than 200 staff across the county.

Mexi Bean Express confirm location and operator for first franchise location: Mexican food concept Mexi Bean Express has confirmed the location and operator for its first franchise location. Propel revealed last month that the six-strong Mexi Bean Express, which launched a franchise programme last year, would open its first franchise site in Peterborough – also its first location outside of Yorkshire. The company has now said the restaurant will be located at 41 Bridge Street in the city, and that it will be operated by franchise partners Manoj Kumar Maruthan and Mohamed Fayas Athambawa. Fit-out is underway at the former Julian Graves health food store, with an opening expected later this year. “Here in Peterborough city centre, there are lots of food options, but we noticed there wasn’t much in the way of good Mexican food,” said Maruthan. “We saw that as a great opportunity. It’s a proud moment to be part of the Mexi Bean Express franchise journey – and even more special knowing we’re the first of many franchisees to come. We’re ready to tempt the tastebuds of Peterborough and build our Mexi Bean Express cartel.” Maruthan previously worked in cybersecurity and cloud architecture, while Athambawa has managed his own convenience store. Danielle Best, who founded the business as a Mexi Bean restaurant in 2020 before developing the Mexi Bean Express takeaway concept the following year, said: “We’ve built something special in Yorkshire, and it’s amazing to see it catching fire beyond our home turf. Manoj and Fayas have that perfect mix of energy, ambition and community spirit – exactly what we look for in our franchisees – and this is only the beginning of our mission to bring fresh Mexican flavour to every corner of the UK and beyond.” Mexi Bean Express also has locations in Wakefield, Halifax, Brighouse, Huddersfield and Bradford, and this summer opened its first travel hub site, at Wakefield Westgate railway station.

Country Creatures to bring The Double Red Duke concept to Bicester Village: Sam and Georgie Pearman, the duo behind Country Creatures and founders of the Lucky Onion business, are to bring their The Double Red Duke concept to Bicester Village. The original Double Red Duke is a 17th-century coaching inn reimagined as a boutique hotel and restaurant in the Oxfordshire village of Clanfield. Now, the Pearmans are opening The Double Red Duke at Bicester Village on Monday, 3 November. The kitchen will offer dishes “celebrating cooking over flame” as well as mains including fish and chips with peas and tartare sauce, and pie with mash, greens and gravy. There will also be an à la carte menu. The drinks list will include wine, a concise list of classic cocktails and a selection of beer and cider. Early next year, the pub will introduce afternoon tea, with a selection of house-made scones, served with clotted cream and jam, cakes and sandwiches. “We’ve always believed in creating spaces that feel generous, relaxed and beautifully made,” said Sam Pearman. “Opening The Double Red Duke at Bicester Village allows us to bring that same spirit.” The Country Creatures business also includes the Wild Duck Inn, near Cirencester, in the Cotswolds, which is set to reopen next summer, and The Mason’s Arms in Clanfield. The Pearmans are also on the board of London premium pub operator Cubitt House.

Entertainment venue operator Bistro Live acquired in pre-pack deal: Entertainment venue operator Bistro Live has been acquired in a pre-pack deal. John Lowe and Yasmin Bhikha, of FRP Advisory, were appointed as joint administrators to Bistro Live – which operates locations in Nottingham, Leicester and Milton Keynes – on 17 October 2025. Following an accelerated sale process, the administrators secured a pre-pack sale of the business to FM Hospitality, saving more than 100 jobs. Fred Harlow, director of FM Hospitality, said: “It’s business as usual for customers and the brilliant team and we are looking forward to hosting many more years of amazing parties.” Bistro Live was significantly affected by the covid-19 pandemic, facing a mandatory closure for 18 months. Despite government support and internal cost-saving measures, the business accrued substantial debt during this period. Although the group achieved a rebuild in subsequent years, the burden of pandemic-era debt remained a persistent challenge. Following a quieter summer in 2025 caused by cost-of-living pressures, the business eventually ran out of cash. Lowe said: “There are many businesses still struggling with legacy debt from covid and wider economic pressures. This proved insurmountable for Bistro Live. We are therefore pleased to have secured a new future for the business.”

South London operator to open third site: South London operator Andrew Murray-Watson is set to open a third site in Brixton. Murray-Watson, head of UK media at government-backed development finance institution British International Investment, opened gourmet food store Guzzl Club in Brixton Village in 2017. He followed this by launching the Brixton Spirits gin distillery, also within Brixton Village, in 2020. Now, he will next month open Guzzl Canteen, a gourmet hot dog and rum bar, again within Brixton Village. Hot dog toppings will include Graham’s mustard, Torres black truffle crisps, JD’s smoked hot honey and Calabrian pecorino; London Borough of Jam strawberry and rose water jam, White Mausu peanut rayu and cheddar cheese; vegan kimchi, kimchi mayo and crispy onions; and Gymkhana butter masala, Bombay mix and wild garlic and chive dip. Murray-Watson told Hot Dinners: "Guzzl is renowned as a purveyor of the finest ketchups, chilli sauces, relishes and other delicious condiments from the UK’s best independent producers. It made complete sense for us to open a new establishment that puts them on a plate for our customers.” The cocktail list will be mainly rum based, while beer and cider will also be on offer.

Street food operator Grub to launch European-inspired food hall in Manchester city centre: Street food operator Grub is launching a European-inspired food hall in Manchester city centre. Every Saturday from 8 November, the historic Campfield campus in Manchester’s St John’s neighbourhood will transform into a city market spanning 50 artisan shops, the food hall and local produce market. Developed by Allied London and operated by Department, Campfield is now a technology and artificial intelligence campus set within three historic grade II-listed buildings with production studios, workshops and flexible workspaces. Grub director Jason Bailey told the Manchester Evening News: “Manchester has been crying out for a proper market experience, and we hope the city can get behind this ambitious new destination in the most amazing location.” The food hall will be in the Campfield Studios building and feature family-owned Spanish brewery Estrella Galicia, a European wine bar, and 12 stalls serving European produce such as charcuterie, oysters, sourdough, sushi, cheese, pickles and tapas. Visitors will be able to create their own sharing platters and enjoy them in a new 120-capacity European food hall experience at the heart of the market. Meanwhile, Castlefield House will serve as the “social hub” of the market, offering street food favourites and a farmers’ market. Grub began life as a gourmet street food truck operating across north Staffordshire, which it still operates.

Friends come together to relaunch Hampshire pub under new enterprise: A group of friends have come together to relaunch their Hampshire local pub, saving it from being turned into a residential property. The Candover Pub Company is a new enterprise spearheaded by Andrew Dunn that will open The Candover, a country pub with ten guest rooms in the village of Preston Candover, in the spring. The site was formerly the Purefoy Arms, which shut in January last year. The Candover’s menu will “celebrate honest British food” cooked over the coal and wood open grill. The dining room will have 50 covers with another 50 seats in the main pub, serving pub classics, bar snacks and an à la carte menu. Luke Ashwood, operations Manager of The Candover and previously of Cubitt House Group, said: “With the amazing Hampshire countryside on our doorstep and so few places to stay nearby, The Candover set out to create something special. We’ve shaped it to feel timeless and full of character, offering a high standard of hospitality that stays true to its heritage as a traditional pub.”

Story of the Day:

Industry News:

Company News: