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Tuesday 23rd April 2024
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Bistrot Pierre to roll out new all-day dining concept if feedback is positive, launching Pierre’s in response to changing consumer demands: Bistrot Pierre has told Propel it will roll out its new all-day dining concept if the feedback i … view
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Monday 22nd April 2024
New tipping laws pushed back to October as government publishes final code of practice
New tipping laws pushed back to October as government publishes final code of practice: New tipping laws set to come into force have been pushed back from July until October this year to allow businesses more time for implementation. It comes … view
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Monday 22nd April 2024
Propel Monday News Briefing
Brother Marcus to return to the expansion trail, hires Dorian Waite as non-exec: Eastern Mediterranean restaurant concept Brother Marcus is to return to the expansion trail after 12 months of consolidation, with plans to reach ten sites i … view
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Friday 19th April 2024
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Getting the bug for sustainable eating, a tale of two Guinnesses, plus one management, fuelling a workforce for success
Authors: Glynn Davis, Phil Mellows, Alastair Scott, Alex Kristall

G … view

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Friday 19th April 2024
Propel Friday News Briefing
Individual Restaurants plans to launch premium pizza concept: Individual Restaurants, which comprises 31 venues across its Restaurant Bar & Grill, Piccolino, Piccolo and Riva Blu brands, is planning to launch a new premium pizza concept, … view
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Thursday 18th April 2024
Update: WatchHouse, Deliveroo, Loungers, Rank Group et al
WatchHouse to launch new crowdfunding campaign, plans more New York sites and US roastery: Specialty coffee concept WatchHouse is to launch its final crowdfunding campaign as it looks to open further sites in New York and a roastery in Brookly … view
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Thursday 18th April 2024
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Celebrations and early Easter holiday lift hospitality groups to 5.2% growth in March: Britain’s top hospitality groups achieved above-inflation like-for-like sales growth of 5.2% in March, the latest CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracke … view
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Thursday 18th April 2024
Celebrations and early Easter holiday lift hospitality groups to 5.2% growth in March
Celebrations and early Easter holiday lift hospitality groups to 5.2% growth in March: Britain’s top hospitality groups achieved above-inflation like-for-like sales growth of 5.2% in March, the latest CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker rev … view
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Wednesday 17th April 2024
Exclusive: Asda hires Mac Plumpton as new Leon MD
Exclusive – Asda hires Mac Plumpton as new Leon MD: Supermarket chain Asda has hired Mac Plumpton, formerly of Tapas Revolution and Rosa’s Thai, as the new managing director of its natural fast food brand Leon, Propel has learned. Plumpton … view
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Wednesday 17th April 2024
Update: Just Eat Takeaway, Time Out Market, inflation and wages et al
Just Eat Takeaway reports 11% growth in UK and Ireland in first quarter of 2024: Just Eat Takeaway has reported 11% growth in its UK and Ireland operations in the first quarter of 2024. In a trading update, the company said its UK and Ireland … view
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Wednesday 17th April 2024
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Exclusive – Wasabi looking for new expansion opportunities after restaurants post strong lfl growth in 2023: Wasabi, the sushi and bento chain backed by Capdesia, has told Propel it is looking for new UK restaurant expansion opportuniti … view
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Tuesday 16th April 2024
Revolution Bars Group sets out three-year strategic focus, expansion proposed to recommence in FY27
Revolution Bars Group sets out three-year strategic focus, expansion proposed to recommence in FY27: Revolution Bars Group – the operator of the Revolution, Revolución de Cuba and Peach Pubs brands – has set out its proposed strategic foc … view
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Tuesday 16th April 2024
Hostmore to acquire TGI Fridays US brand owner and franchisor, Hollywood Bowl and Everyman results
Hostmore to acquire TGI Fridays US brand owner and franchisor: Hostmore has announced that it has reached an agreement on a proposed all-share acquisition of TGI Fridays Inc (including affiliates TGI Fridays), the global hospitality business t … view
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Tuesday 16th April 2024
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Exclusive – Six by Nico owner appoints advisors as it assesses strategic options: Six Company, the company behind the Six by Nico restaurant business, has appointed advisors to assess its funding options as it looks to step up its expan … view
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Monday 15th April 2024
Propel Monday News Briefing
Red Engine – UK competitive socialising concepts leading the way in the US: Steve Moore, founder and chief executive of Red Engine, the Flight Club and Electric Shuffle operator, has told Propel that UK-founded competitive socialising c … view
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Friday 12th April 2024
Friday Opinion
Subjects: The trouble with chicken, singing Suffolk’s praises, we are at a tipping point, breakfast is a growth opportunity in a challenging market 
Authors: David Read, Ann Elliott, Ben Thomas, Maria Vanifatova 
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Friday 12th April 2024
Update: Busaba results, Hospitality Rising initiative paused
Busaba ‘well placed to meet challenges ahead’, latest opening at Lakeside profitable and ‘exceeding expectations’: Busaba, the ten-strong Thai chain founded by Alan Yau, has said it is “well placed to meet the challenges ahead … view
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Friday 12th April 2024
Propel Friday News Briefing
Chestnut sees turnover rise to £27.5m and site Ebitda jump 220% in FY24, set to add couple of sites to portfolio: East Anglian pub company Chestnut has seen turnover increase to circa £27.5m and site Ebitda jump 220% to reach £6.2m for … view
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Thursday 11th April 2024
Propel Thursday News Briefing
London Shuffle Club seeks investors to drive growth as it looks to expand across the UK and overseas, opens new venue and rebrands: London Shuffle Club is seeking investors to help drive its growth plans and has rebranded to just Shuffle … view
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Wednesday 10th April 2024
Revolution sets out £12.5m fundraise plan, launches sales process, Luke Johnson proposed as new chair
Revolution sets out £12.5m fundraise plan, launches sales process, Luke Johnson proposed as new chair: Revolution Bars Group, the operator of the Revolution, Revolución de Cuba and Peach Pubs brands, has set out its proposed restructuri … view
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Wednesday 10th April 2024
Legal Briefing

Paving the way: the evolution of pavement licensing by Patrick Robson

External seating has always been of great benefit to licensed premises, especially for driving customer sales on those rare, but well-loved, hot summer weekends. Those site … view
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Wednesday 10th April 2024
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Exclusive – Portobello Pub Company acquires Darwin & Wallace: Portobello Pub Company, the pub and restaurant operator backed by private equity firm Zetland Capital, has acquired Darwin & Wallace, the London neighbourhood bar-restaurant … view
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Tuesday 9th April 2024
Wildwood operator Tasty unveils plans to exit 20 loss-making sites
Wildwood operator Tasty unveils plans to exit 20 loss-making sites after ‘challenging’ start to FY 2024: Wildwood operator Tasty has unveiled proposals to exit around 20 loss-making sites as part of a restructuring plan after a “cha … view
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Tuesday 9th April 2024
Stonegate seeing ‘material improvements in profitability’ as it reports full-year turnover increases to £1.7bn
Stonegate seeing ‘material improvements in profitability’ as it reports full-year turnover increases to £1.7bn: Stonegate Group, the UK’s largest pub company, has said it is now seeing “material improvements in profitability”. … view
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Tuesday 9th April 2024
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Red Engine secures new £60m banking facility to support global expansion plans: Red Engine, the Flight Club and Electric Shuffleboard operator, has secured a new £60m facility from Santander, HSBC and Barclays to support its global expa … view
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Tuesday 9th April 2024
Red Engine secures new £60m banking facility to support global expansion plans
Red Engine secures new £60m banking facility to support global expansion plans: Red Engine, the Flight Club and Electric Shuffleboard operator, has secured a new £60m facility from Santander, HSBC and Barclays to support its global expansion … view
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Monday 8th April 2024
Update: Loungers hires Kate Eastwood as Lounge MD, Justin Carter becomes group MD
Exclusive – Loungers hires Kate Eastwood as MD of its Lounge concept, Justin Carter promoted to group MD: Cafe bar operator Loungers has hired Kate Eastwood, formerly of Fuller’s and Revolution Bars Group, as the new managing directo … view
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Monday 8th April 2024
Propel Monday News Briefing
New World Trading Co makes ‘promising start to new financial year’, hires Glenn Pearson as new CFO: New World Trading Company (NWTC), the operator of 35 bars and restaurants under six brands including The Botanist, saw its financial y … view
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Sunday 7th April 2024
Exclusive: Britannia Hotels reports record turnover, RedCat posts losses of £31m
Exclusive – Britannia Hotels sees turnover increase to record £154.8m after ‘exceptional’ year: Britannia Hotels, the UK’s largest private hotel group with 64 locations offering more than 10,000 bedrooms, has turnover increased 3 … view
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Friday 5th April 2024
Exclusive: Starbucks UK reports systemwide sales pass £1bn for first time
Exclusive – Starbucks UK reports systemwide sales pass £1bn for first time: Starbucks UK has reported it surpassed £1bn in systemwide sales for the first time for the year ending 1 October 2023. The company stated: “The company achieved … view
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Friday 5th April 2024
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Pricing dynamics, lowest common denominator management, alcohol prices and political costs, making some dough
Authors: Glynn Davis, Alastair Scott, Phil Mellows, Sarah Travell

Pricing dyn … view

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Friday 5th April 2024
Majestic acquires Vagabond Wines
Majestic acquires Vagabond Wines: Majestic, the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer, has bought Vagabond Wines out of administration. The deal saves nine of the 12 wine bars from closure and 171 jobs. The sites in London’s Battersea Powe … view
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Friday 5th April 2024
Propel Friday News Briefing
Red Engine CEO – we think we can do more than 200 Flight Club sites in the UK: Steve Moore, founder and chief executive of Red Engine, the Flight Club and Electric Shuffleboard operator, has said he believes the company can grow to more … view
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Thursday 4th April 2024
Update: Ping Pong to trial 15% “brand charge”, takeaways research, new Greggs director
Ping Pong to trial 15% “brand charge” ahead of new tipping legislation: Ping Pong, the London dim sum chain, has said it is transitioning to a “service included company” and is to trail a discretionary 15% “brand charge” ahead … view
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Thursday 4th April 2024
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Knoops – ‘we are just touching the surface of a huge market as we establish a new category’: William Gordon-Harris, executive chairman and chief executive of luxury hot chocolate shop concept Knoops, has said the company is “just … view
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Wednesday 3rd April 2024
Update: Comptoir finalises new leadership structure
Comptoir Group finalises new leadership structure: Comptoir Group, the Comptoir Libanais and Shawa operator, has finalised its leadership structure, including the hiring of James Fisher as its new finance director. Fisher, who joins from … view
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Wednesday 3rd April 2024
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Food price inflation in hospitality falls again but remains more than double the rate seen in retail sector: Food price inflation in hospitality remains more than double the rate seen in the retail sector despite steady easing over the la … view
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Wednesday 3rd April 2024
Food price inflation in hospitality falls again but remains more than double the rate seen in retail sector
Food price inflation in hospitality falls again but remains more than double the rate seen in retail sector: Food price inflation in hospitality remains more than double the rate seen in the retail sector despite steady easing over the last 12 … view
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Tuesday 2nd April 2024
Update: Trading in Revolution shares suspended, new £50m investment vehicle, Amber lfls
Trading in Revolution Bars Group shares temporarily suspended: Trading in shares in Revolution Bars Group, the operator of the Revolution, Revolución de Cuba and Peach Pubs brands, has been temporarily suspended after the business was un … view
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Tuesday 2nd April 2024
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
The Salad Project plans to reach 20 sites in London by 2026, raises £1m toward expansion: The Salad Project, the all-day dining concept that launched in London in 2021, is looking to open a further 16 sites in the capital over the next t … view
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Monday 1st April 2024
Exclusive results: Wahaca, The Breakfast Club, Brindisa, Innventure, Thornbridge Brewery
Wahaca completes refinancing, provides a strong platform for the business to develop and grow: Mexican-inspired restaurant group Wahaca has completed refinancing, which it told Propel provided “a strong platform for the business to deve … view
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Monday 1st April 2024
Propel Monday News Briefing
body text here … view
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Saturday 30th March 2024
Bill’s to launch new café bar concept off back of record sales
Bill’s to launch new café bar concept off back of record sales: Bill’s, the Richard Caring-backed restaurant group, is to launch a new café bar format in two of its existing sites, which the company believes will open the “opportunity … view
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Friday 29th March 2024
Friday Opinion
Body Text Here … view
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Friday 29th March 2024
Propel Friday News Briefing
Body Text Here … view
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Thursday 28th March 2024
Adnams appoints first female CEO, Heartwood Collection, Jamie Oliver, Boxpark et al
Adnams appoints its first female CEO to succeed Andy Wood: Suffolk brewer and retailer Adnams has appointed chief financial officer Jenny Hanlon as its new chief executive. Hanlon, who will take up her new role following the company’s a … view
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Thursday 28th March 2024
Update: Esquires owner promotes Aiden Keegan to CEO
Esquires owner promotes Aiden Keegan to CEO, company to ‘build our UK-centric approach’ and ‘prioritise growth of franchise store network’: Cooks Coffee, the Esquires brand owner, has promoted Aiden Keegan to chief executive, effective … view
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Thursday 28th March 2024
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Haute Dolci lines up seven new locations following record-breaking sales, set to increase overseas presence in 2024: Premium dessert and gourmet burger concept Haute Dolci has told Propel it is lining up seven new locations following reco … view
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Wednesday 27th March 2024
Exclusive: RedCat to potentially exit more than a fifth of estate after strategic review
Exclusive – RedCat to potentially exit more than a fifth of estate after strategic review, forms new exec team: RedCat Pub Company, the investment vehicle founded and chaired by Rooney Anand, is to potentially exit more than a fifth of its … view
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Wednesday 27th March 2024
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Shares in Revolution Bars Group fall 50% on possible restructuring: Shares in Revolution Bars Group, the operator of the Revolution, Revolución de Cuba and Peach Pubs brands, dropped more than 50% in Tuesday’s (26 March) trading after … view
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Tuesday 26th March 2024
Papa John’s to shut 43 ‘underperforming’ UK restaurants
Papa John’s to shut 43 ‘underperforming’ UK restaurants: Papa John’s is to shut 43 restaurants across the UK, with the full list now being revealed. The business confirmed plans to axe the “underperforming” locations after launchin … view
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Tuesday 26th March 2024
Revolution Bars Group exploring all options including restructuring and sale of all or part of the business
Revolution Bars Group exploring all options including restructuring and sale of all or part of the business: Revolution Bars Group, the operator of the Revolution, Revolución de Cuba and Peach Pubs brands, has confirmed it is engaging with ke … view
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Tuesday 26th March 2024
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Exclusive – 200 Degrees appoints advisors as it explores next stage of growth: 200 Degrees, the Foresight-backed coffee roaster and retailer, has appointed advisors to help review strategic options for the next stage of its growth, Prop … view
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Monday 25th March 2024
Sky News: Revolution Bars in secret talks about sale and mass venue closures
Sky News – Revolution Bars in secret talks about sale and mass venue closures: Revolution Bars Group, the operator of the Revolution, Revolución de Cuba and Peach Pubs brands, is plotting the closure of a quarter of its venues as it holds … view
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Monday 25th March 2024
Arc Inspirations secures £7m investment to accelerate UK expansion, plans to almost double estate by 2029
Arc Inspirations secures £7m investment to accelerate UK expansion, plans to almost double estate by 2029: Arc Inspirations, the premium bar operator, has secured a £7m investment to accelerate its expansion across the UK. The Banyan, Box an … view
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Monday 25th March 2024
Propel Monday News Briefing
Exclusive – Black Sheep Coffee raising £15m of new funding, aiming for US IPO: Speciality coffee shop operator Black Sheep Coffee is currently raising £15m of new funding as it looks to step up its international expansion plans, while … view
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