Monday 21st October 2024 |
Update: Hollywood Bowl, Big Mamma Group and Greggs |
Hollywood Bowl reports record revenue driven by growing Canadian estate, UK lfl revenue flat reflecting ‘anticipated normalisation in trading’: Hollywood Bowl has reported record revenue for the year to 30 September 2024, driven by it … view |
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Monday 21st October 2024 |
Propel Monday News Briefing |
Hospitality bosses call for business rates action at the budget: A 170-strong cohort of business leaders from across the industry have backed UKHospitality's call for a lower level of business rates for the sector. In an open letter to th … view |
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Monday 21st October 2024 |
Hospitality bosses call for business rates action at the budget |
Hospitality bosses call for business rates action at the budget: A 170-strong cohort of business leaders from across the industry have backed UKHospitality's call for a lower level of business rates for the sector. In an open letter to the cha … view |
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Monday 21st October 2024 |
Hospitality bosses call for business rates action at the budget |
Hospitality bosses call for business rates action at the budget: A 170-strong cohort of business leaders from across the industry have backed UKHospitality's call for a lower level of business rates for the sector. In an open letter to the cha … view |
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Sunday 20th October 2024 |
Exclusive: Breal and Calveton paid £9.55m to acquire TGI Fridays out of administration |
Exclusive – Breal and Calveton paid £9.55m to acquire TGI Fridays out of administration: Breal Capital and Calveton, which acquired D&D London last year, paid a total consideration of £9.55m to acquire the bulk of TGI Fridays UK out of adm … view |
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Saturday 19th October 2024 |
McDonald’s UK sees FY pre-tax profit more than halve after impact of inflationary pressures |
McDonald’s UK sees FY pre-tax profit more than halve after impact of inflationary pressures: McDonald’s UK saw its pre-tax profit decline from £170,875,000 in 2022 to £66,327,000 last year, due to inflationary pressures impacting fo … view |
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Friday 18th October 2024 |
Costa Coffee reports turnover increases to £1.2bn but posts £9.6m pre-tax loss |
Costa Coffee reports turnover increases to £1.2bn but posts £9.6m pre-tax loss: Costa Coffee, the Coca-Cola Company-owned brand, has reported turnover increased 9% to £1,222,856,000 for the year ending 31 December 2023 compared with £1,117 … view |
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Friday 18th October 2024 |
Friday Opinion |
Subjects: Can AI save hospitality, experiment, experience and the experiential, tackling negative reactions to dynamic pricing, putting away the laptops, the hospitality hiring headache – why blind hiring could be the cure … view |
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Friday 18th October 2024 |
Propel Friday News Briefing |
Exclusive – Be At One co-founder to launch new concept Saviour Bars: Rhys Oldfield, the co-founder of the Be At One cocktail brand, is to launch a new concept called Saviour Bars, Propel has learned. The first site under the venture is … view |
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Thursday 17th October 2024 |
Marston’s outlines plans for five differentiated pub formats, appoints new COO |
Marston’s outlines plans for five differentiated pub formats, appoints new COO: Marston's has said it sees the opportunity for five differentiated pub formats as it looks to drive a “high-margin, highly cash-generative local pub company” … view |
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Thursday 17th October 2024 |
Update: Deliveroo and Rank Group trading, capital gains tax and Yolk crowdfund |
Deliveroo reports third-quarter UK orders rise 2% in ‘more stable but still uncertain’ consumer environment: Deliveroo has reported that UK orders rose 2% in the third quarter of 2024 to 39.5 million with gross transaction value (GTV) … view |
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Thursday 17th October 2024 |
Propel Thursday News Briefing |
Lithuanian ‘fast lunch but not fast food’ concept sets its sights on 100 UK sites after making international debut: Lithuanian “fast lunch but not fast food” concept iLunch, which uses smart technology to “deliver lunch in less … view |
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Wednesday 16th October 2024 |
BrewDog sees pre-tax losses double in 2023, Taco Bell to open first UK equity site |
BrewDog sees pre-tax losses double in 2023, global bars sales up 12.3%: Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog has reported that its pre-tax losses more than doubled in 2023 but insisted it had seen a “significant improvement in profitabi … view |
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Wednesday 16th October 2024 |
Whitbread to sell 51 pub restaurants for £56m, Marston's updates on strategy et al |
Whitbread accepts offers on 51 pub restaurants for total of £56m, five-year plan will see pre-tax profit increase by at least £300m: Whitbread has accepted offers on 51 of its pub restaurant sites for a total consideration of £56m. The … view |
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Wednesday 16th October 2024 |
Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
Bear – ‘2025 will be a year of really seeing what we can do as a brand’, exploring new regions: Craig Bunting, co-founder of coffee house, kitchen and bar business Bear has told Propel that “2025 will be a year of really seeing wh … view |
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Tuesday 15th October 2024 |
Starbucks acquires largest UK franchisee 23.5 Degrees |
Starbucks acquires largest UK franchisee 23.5 Degrees: Starbucks has acquired its largest franchise in the UK, 23.5 Degrees, which operates 113 sites, for an undisclosed sum. The global coffee brand said the deal would further expand its portf … view |
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Tuesday 15th October 2024 |
Update: Sector warns Labour that raising employer national insurance contributions will be ‘tax on jobs’ |
Sector warns Labour that raising employer national insurance contributions will be ‘tax on jobs’: Chancellor Rachel Reeves has warned businesses that taxes will have to rise as she faced accusations of breaking a manifesto pledge on n … view |
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Tuesday 15th October 2024 |
Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
Galito’s planning UK entry, sees potential for it being brand’s biggest overseas market: South African peri peri chicken franchise Galito’s has told Propel it is planning to enter the UK and sees the potential for it being the brand … view |
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Monday 14th October 2024 |
Update: Papa John’s UK FY lfls down 5.7%, Revel Collective board changes, The Ned |
Papa John’s UK’s FY loss widen to £19.3m, lfl sales down 5.7%: Papa John’s UK saw its pre-tax loss for the year to 31 December 2023 widen to £19,289,000 (2022: £3,846,000), which was affected by the closure of 43 sites post year … view |
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Monday 14th October 2024 |
Propel Monday News Briefing |
Heron & Brearley Group names Mark Crowther as chairman: Mark Crowther, who is currently chairman of Portobello Starboard and Midlands pub company Pub People, has been named as the new chair of the Isle of Man-based Heron & Brearley. … view |
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Monday 14th October 2024 |
Heron & Brearley Group names Mark Crowther as chairman |
Heron & Brearley Group names Mark Crowther as chairman: Mark Crowther, who is currently chairman of Portobello Starboard and Midlands pub company Pub People, has been named as the new chair of the Isle of Man-based Heron & Brearley. The f … view |
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Friday 11th October 2024 |
Friday Opinion |
Subjects: What the new Employment Rights Bill means for hospitality, a winning intersection of technology and genuine hospitality, are youngsters really drinking less alcohol, is a ‘best of breed’ technology stack the right way to go< … view |
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Friday 11th October 2024 |
TGI Fridays to pay redundant staff, Revolution to become The Revel Collective |
TGI Fridays agrees to pay staff after redundancy row: The restaurant group TGI Fridays has agreed to pay workers the money they are owed after being made redundant, despite initially refusing to do so. More than 1,000 staff lost their job … view |
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Friday 11th October 2024 |
Propel Friday News Briefing |
Patisserie Valerie turns to franchising to help rebuild its estate, plans 20 new locations by 2026: Patisserie Valerie, which is backed by Irish private equity firm Causeway Capital, has turned to franchising to rebuild its estate. The br … view |
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Thursday 10th October 2024 |
Toca raises $100m to accelerate global expansion, Sticks‘n’Sushi hires new CFO |
Toca raises $100m to accelerate global expansion: Toca Football, the soccer experience company, has raised circa $100m (£76.4m) in private offerings to accelerate its global growth by investing in new technologies, upgrade its Toca Socce … view |
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Thursday 10th October 2024 |
Luke Johnson acquires cinema and entertainment operator The Light |
Luke Johnson acquires cinema and entertainment operator The Light: Cinema and entertainment operator The Light has been acquired by serial sector investor Luke Johnson and Risk Capital Partners along with a co-investment from Melcorpo, ci … view |
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Thursday 10th October 2024 |
Propel Thursday News Briefing |
Loungers CEO – decent like-for-like growth in Brightside, new menu saw virtually no price increase ‘for first time in some time’: Nick Collins, chief executive of café bar operator Loungers, has told Propel that its Brightside conc … view |
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Thursday 10th October 2024 |
UKHospitality: Rushing to introduce new workers’ rights measures too quickly could damage the sector |
UKHospitality – rushing to introduce new workers’ rights measures too quickly could damage the sector, government must take its time: UKHospitality has warned the government that rushing to introduce new workers’ rights measures too quic … view |
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Wednesday 9th October 2024 |
Legal Briefing |
The road ahead for pavement licensing by Luke ElfordAmid the buzz of party conference season, the awful weather and chatter about which politicians received free clothes, 30 September passed by almost unnoticed. I’m willing to bet mos … view |
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Wednesday 9th October 2024 |
Update: Marston’s lfls up 4.8%, management change at HOP, XP Factory |
Marston’s FY lfl sales up 4.8%: Marston’s, the operator of 1,339 pubs, has reported a 4.8% rise in like-for-like sales for the 52 weeks to 28 September 2024, with food and drink occasions having “shown good momentum”. The company … view |
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Wednesday 9th October 2024 |
Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
KellyDeli UK launches new partnership with Morrisons, seeing positive like-for-like performance and improved profitability in 2024: KellyDeli, the owner of international sushi franchise Sushi Daily, has launched a new UK partnership with … view |
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Tuesday 8th October 2024 |
Update: Loungers lfl sales up 4.7%, KFC FY, Cooks Coffee Company, McDonald’s |
Loungers lfl sales up 4.7%, consumers are feeling increasingly confident: Café bar operator Loungers saw its like-for-like sales increase by 4.7% in the 24 weeks ended 6 October 2024, compared to the previous year and said it contin … view |
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Tuesday 8th October 2024 |
Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
Amber Taverns looking to expand geographical reach following Epiris deal, trading ‘solid’ in 2024: James Baer, chief executive of community pub operator Amber Taverns, has told Propel it will look to expand its geographical reac … view |
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Monday 7th October 2024 |
Future of TGI Fridays in the UK secured following successful sale of 51 restaurants to D&D owners |
Future of TGI Fridays in the UK secured following successful sale of 51 restaurants to D&D owners: The owners of D&D London have completed a deal to acquire TGI Fridays, securing more than 2,000 jobs. Breal Capital and Calveton, which acquired … view |
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Monday 7th October 2024 |
Exclusive: Popeyes UK on track to deliver sales of £100m-plus in FY24 as it reports 2023 turnover jumps to £58m |
Exclusive – Popeyes UK on track to deliver sales of £100m-plus in FY24 as it reports 2023 turnover jumps to £58m: Popeyes UK, the US fried chicken quick service restaurant brand backed here by TDR Capital, has said it is on track to delive … view |
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Monday 7th October 2024 |
Amber Taverns acquired by Big Table Group backer Epiris |
Amber Taverns acquired by Big Table Group backer Epiris: Amber Taverns, the community pub operator, has been acquired by Epiris, the private equity backer of Big Table Group, for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition has been made through E … view |
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Monday 7th October 2024 |
Propel Monday News Briefing |
Blind Tiger Inns’ ‘adult playground’ concept could be ‘blueprint for future venues’, challenges ‘encouraging us to explore new opportunities’: Blind Tiger Inns managing director Chris Tulloch has told Propel its new “adul … view |
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Sunday 6th October 2024 |
D&D owners could finalise rescue bid for TGI Fridays this weekend |
D&D owners could finalise rescue bid for TGI Fridays this weekend: The owners of D&D London could finalise rescue bid for TGI Fridays this weekend, salvaging more than 2,000 jobs. Sky News has reported that Breal Capital and Calveton, whi … view |
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Friday 4th October 2024 |
Exclusive: Sir Tim Martin – my ambition is to double JD Wetherspoon revenue to £4bn in ten years |
Exclusive – Sir Tim Martin – my ambition is to double JD Wetherspoon revenue to £4bn in ten years: JD Wetherspoon chairman Sir Tim Martin has told Propel he is aiming for the company to double its sales to £4bn in the next ten years … view |
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Friday 4th October 2024 |
Exclusive: Wendy’s UK turnover passes £30m |
Exclusive – Wendy’s UK turnover passes £30m: Wendy’s UK, the British arm of the third-largest quick service restaurant chain in the US, saw its turnover pass £30m in the year to 31 December 2023. Its revenue grew from £21,266,567 … view |
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Friday 4th October 2024 |
Friday Opinion |
Subjects: A genuinely good result, long-term financial well-being will help stop staff churn, what other businesses can teach hospitality about customer loyalty, life beyond the tipping legislation – the exciting road ahead for hospitality< … view |
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Friday 4th October 2024 |
JD Wetherspoon revenue passes £2bn for first time, current lfl sales up 4.9% |
JD Wetherspoon revenue passes £2bn for first time, current lfl sales up 4.9%: JD Wetherspoon’s revenue passed £2bn for first time in the year to 28 July 2024. The company’s turnover for the year was up 5.7% from £1,925.0m to £2,035.5m, … view |
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Friday 4th October 2024 |
Propel Friday News Briefing |
We Do Play co-founder – Flip Out thriving, new concept Activate will be UK ‘game changer’, experiential sector ripe for consolidation: Richard Beese, the co-founder of multi-concept experiential leisure operator We Do Play, has reve … view |
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Thursday 3rd October 2024 |
Exclusive: New World Trading Co to undergo restructuring process, to close three sites |
Exclusive – New World Trading Co to undergo restructuring process, to close three sites: Graphite Capital-backed pub restaurant group The New World Trading Company (NWTC) intends to restructure its business to focus on its large Botanis … view |
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Thursday 3rd October 2024 |
SSP UK sales increased by 12% in Q4 driven by high demand in air sector and lower level of disruption in rail |
SSP UK sales increased by 12% in Q4 driven by high demand in air sector and lower level of disruption in rail: SSP Group, the operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations worldwide, has reported its UK sales increased by 12% in th … view |
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Thursday 3rd October 2024 |
Propel Thursday News Briefing |
Inception Group FY turnover up 16.7%, international expansion on the horizon for Mr Fogg’s: Inception Group, the London hospitality group, has said international expansion is on the horizon for its Mr Fogg’s brand. It comes as th … view |
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Thursday 3rd October 2024 |
Inception Group FY turnover up 16.7%, international expansion on the horizon for Mr Fogg’s |
Inception Group FY turnover up 16.7%, international expansion on the horizon for Mr Fogg’s: Inception Group, the London hospitality group, has said international expansion is on the horizon for its Mr Fogg’s brand. It comes as the com … view |
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Wednesday 2nd October 2024 |
Piano Works founder Alan Lorrimer leaves business |
Piano Works founder Alan Lorrimer leaves business: Alan Lorrimer, founder of The Piano Works, has left the business after starting it nine years ago with operations director Tristan Moffat. Chief financial officer and founding shareholder … view |
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Wednesday 2nd October 2024 |
Update: Shepherd Neame and Scoffs Group results |
Shepherd Neame reports a ‘positive and encouraging’ year with record revenue, current tenanted pub lfl income up 3.1% versus rest of 2024: South east brewer and retailer Shepherd Neame has reported a “positive and encouraging” yea … view |
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Wednesday 2nd October 2024 |
Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
Swiss QSR platform acquires majority stake in Chopstix to drive expansion in UK and new European markets: Switzerland quick service restaurant platform QSRP has acquired a majority stake in Chopstix, the fast-growing, quick service restau … view |
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Wednesday 2nd October 2024 |
Swiss QSR platform acquires majority stake in Chopstix to drive expansion in UK and new European markets |
Swiss QSR platform acquires majority stake in Chopstix to drive expansion in UK and new European markets: Switzerland quick service restaurant platform QSRP has acquired a majority stake in Chopstix, the fast-growing, quick service restau … view |
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Tuesday 1st October 2024 |
Greggs reports total sales up 10.6% in third quarter |
Greggs reports total sales up 10.6% in third quarter supported by menu development, extended trading hours and new digital channels: Food-to-go retailer Greggs has reported “strong like-for-like sales growth” with total sales up 10.6% in … view |
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Tuesday 1st October 2024 |
Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
Foodservice inflation eases again but beverages drive month-on-month rise: Year-on-year inflation in foodservice eased to 2.8% in August 2024, the latest Foodservice Price Index report from Prestige Purchasing and CGA by NIQ shows. It is … view |
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Tuesday 1st October 2024 |
Foodservice inflation eases again but beverages drive month-on-month rise |
Foodservice inflation eases again but beverages drive month-on-month rise: Year-on-year inflation in foodservice eased to 2.8% in August 2024, the latest Foodservice Price Index report from Prestige Purchasing and CGA by NIQ shows. It is the 1 … view |
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Monday 30th September 2024 |
Permanently Unique Group secures new £15m bank facility to fund UK and international expansion |
Permanently Unique Group secures new £15m bank facility to fund UK and international expansion: Permanently Unique Group, the independent restaurant business formerly known as Tattu, has secured a new £15m revolving credit facility to f … view |
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Monday 30th September 2024 |
Tasty and Brighton Pier Group results |
Tasty – outlook ‘cautious’ for rest of 2024 but ‘optimistic’ about navigating current challenges, Harald Samúelsson steps down as NED: Wildwood operator Tasty has said its outlook remains “cautious” for rest of 2024 but that it … view |
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Monday 30th September 2024 |
Propel Monday News Briefing |
Southern Fried Chicken chairman – now focusing on UK expansion, potential for 200-300 sites here: Andrew Withers, chairman of FFS Brands, has told Propel it is now focusing on expanding its Southern Fried Chicken restaurants in the UK a … view |
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Saturday 28th September 2024 |
Exclusive results: Hard Rock Café, Leon, Jollibee UK, Richard Corrigan, Burger & Lobster, Vaulkhard Group |
Hard Rock Café UK reviewing operations and lease arrangement of London Piccadilly site, narrows losses as turnover hits record £32.5m: Hard Rock Café UK is reviewing the operations and lease arrangement of its site in London’s Piccad … view |
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Friday 27th September 2024 |
Friday Opinion |
Subjects: The changing face of wet-led pubs, why hospitality must prioritise allergen management, ops manager labour process, unlocking the potential of restaurant brands in delivery Authors: Glynn Davis, Frankie Douglas, Ala … view |
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Friday 27th September 2024 |
Former Pret CEO Clive Schlee to take the helm at Itsu |
Former Pret CEO Clive Schlee to take the helm at Itsu: Clive Schlee, the former chief executive of Pret A Manger, is to become the new chief executive of Itsu’s circa 80-strong restaurant business with effect from the beginning of November. … view |
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Friday 27th September 2024 |
Propel Friday News Briefing |
Exclusive – Fairgame appoints advisors to accelerate expansion plans: Fairgame, the competitive socialising concept from Richard Hilton, the founder of Gymbox, and sector investor Paul Campbell has appointed advisors to advise on a fund … view |
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Thursday 26th September 2024 |
Update: M&B, Adnams and Prezzo confirms James Brown as new CEO |
M&B reports year-to-date like-for-like sales up 5.2% with all brands in growth: Mitchells & Butlers has reported year-to-date like-for-like sales are up 5.2% with all brands in growth. Total sales for the year to date are up 5.9% with lik … view |
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Thursday 26th September 2024 |
Propel Thursday News Briefing |
Tortilla CEO – business now perfectly placed to own the cuisine across Europe, we’ve bucked the trading trend: Andy Naylor, chief executive of fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand Tortilla, has told Propel that the business is in a … view |
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Wednesday 25th September 2024 |
James Brown to become new Prezzo CEO |
James Brown to become new Prezzo CEO: James Brown, who is stepping down as chief executive of BrewDog Bars, is to become the new chief executive of Prezzo, the Cain International-backed Italian dining group. Sky News reported that Brown will t … view |
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Wednesday 25th September 2024 |
James Brown to step down as CEO of BrewDog Bars |
James Brown to step down as CEO of BrewDog Bars: James Brown is to step down as chief executive of BrewDog Bars, after almost two years in the role, and nine years with the Scottish brewer and retailer. Brown joined the business, which wa … view |
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Wednesday 25th September 2024 |
Update: Tortilla and Everyman results, Punch acquisition, Gaucho, Chick-fil-A |
Tortilla reports lfls returning to growth with new strategic approach ‘progressing well’: Tortilla, Europe’s largest fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand, has said trading is steadily improving on the back of its investment in … view |
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Wednesday 25th September 2024 |
Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
Parkdean Resorts reports ‘encouraging’ trading in 2024 as staycation market bounces back after ‘very challenging’ 2023: Parkdean Resorts, the UK’s largest holiday park operator, has said trading has been “encouraging” in 202 … view |
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Wednesday 25th September 2024 |
NTIA – ‘unprecedented crisis’ as rate of nightclub closures accelerates over past six months |
NTIA – ‘unprecedented crisis’ as rate of nightclub closures accelerates over past six months: The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has said the night-time economy is facing an “unprecedented crisis” with the rate of nigh … view |
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Tuesday 24th September 2024 |
Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
Dishoom posts strong growth in FY23 with revenue up 23% to £116.8m, achieves B Corp status: Dishoom, the Indian restaurant group, reported a strong period of growth in its most recent financial year, with revenue up 23% to £116.8m in th … view |
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Monday 23rd September 2024 |
D&D London owners in advanced talks to buy TGI Fridays UK |
D&D London owners in advanced talks to buy TGI Fridays UK: The owners of D&D London are in talks to buy the UK operations of TGI Fridays, whose parent company collapsed into administration last week. Breal Capital and Calveton, which acqu … view |
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Monday 23rd September 2024 |
Giggling Squid reports restaurant turnover up to £76.4m |
Giggling Squid reports restaurant turnover up to £76.4m: Giggling Squid, the Thai restaurant brand backed by the Business Growth Fund, has reported restaurant turnover increased 4.3% to £76.4m for the year ending 31 March 2024, up from … view |
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Monday 23rd September 2024 |
Propel Monday News Briefing |
GGA by NIQ – new wave of investment with growth generally coming from mid-sized operators, big boom in Asian cuisine: There is a new wave of investment in the sector and growth is generally coming from mid-sized operators, with a big bo … view |
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