Exclusive – Guy Hands’ private equity firm Terra Firma amongst Amber Taverns bidders: Terra Firma Capital Partners, the private equity firm founded by Guy Hands, is amongst the bidders for Amber Taverns, the circa 170-strong, wet-le … view

M&B reports like-for-like sales up 5.7% year-to-date with all brands in growth: Mitchells & Butlers has reported like-for-like sales were up 5.7% for the 42 weeks ended 20 July 2024 with all brands in growth. The company said the level of … view

Pasta Evangelists opens first restaurant site, eyes 100-strong UK estate: Pasta Evangelists has opened its first restaurant site in London’s Richmond and told Propel it thinks it can have more than 100 sites under the new concept operat … view

Marston’s lfl sales up 5.2% year to date: Marston’s has reported that its like-for-like sales increased by 5.2% for the 42 weeks to 20 July 2024, comparted to the previous year, with like-for-like sales up 2.4% in the 16-week period t … view

Weather cools Euros effect as hospitality groups record 2.9% sales growth in June: Britain’s managed hospitality groups recorded year-on-year sales growth of 2.9% in June 2024, the latest CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker reveals. Th … view

Weather cools Euros effect as hospitality groups record 2.9% sales growth in June: Britain’s managed hospitality groups recorded year-on-year sales growth of 2.9% in June 2024, the latest CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker reveals. Th … view

Fuller’s reports like-for-likes up 5.3%, margins recovering as inflationary pressures ease: Fuller’s has reported like-for-like sales were up 5.3% for the 16 weeks to 20 July 2024 as “our trading momentum continues” while margins … view

The Alchemist – seeing growth in key trading days, midweek activity slower in regional cities, secures Monument site: Simon Potts, chief executive of bar and restaurant brand The Alchemist, has told Propel that current trading is “oka … view

Döner Shack – potential in US is ‘huge’, pushing to get something open by first quarter of 2025: Fast casual kebab concept Döner Shack has told Propel the potential for the brand in the US is “huge” and it is pushing it make i … view

Center Parcs targeting wellness market as it reports pre-tax profit dip amid ‘challenging external environment’: Center Parcs is tapping into the wellness market as it reported a fall in annual pre-tax profit amid a “challenging ext … view

Maguro Group set to expand regional footprint as part at least three new Bunsik openings this year after launching franchise programme: Maguro Group has told Propel it is set to expand its regional footprint as part at least three new Bun … view

Pret to shake up Club Pret subscription offer: Pret A Manger is shaking up its Club Pret subscription scheme. Currently, subscribers receive five free drinks a day for £30 a month. However, from 3 September, subscribers will receive 50% … view

Benito’s owner sets out expansion plans, launches new pizza concept, adds Bruce Isaacs to board: Elangeni Hospitality Group (EHG), the owner of Benito’s, has set out plans to open a further 12 sites under the Mexican brand over the co … view

Sector welcomes new policies outlined in King’s Speech: The sector has welcomes several new policies outlined in the King’s Speech today (Wednesday, 17 July). Among the policies announced by the Labour government are Bills addressing … view

Wagamama launches first-ever loyalty programme: Wagamama, The Restaurant Group-owned brand, has launched ‘soul club’, its first-ever loyalty programme. The business said that soul club is a unique platform where members can redeem fre … view

Exclusive – James Horler to step down as CEO of Ego: James Horler is to step down as chief executive of Ego Restaurants, of which Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) agreed to acquire the remaining 60% last June, Propel has learned. Horler has de … view

More than 130 companies now signed up to have unlimited Propel Premium access: More than 130 companies have now paid to ensure their staff have unlimited access to Propel Premium Club, a 30% increase since the start of the year when the s … view

Exclusive – Mark McQuater-chaired Deckhouse concept secures new investment, hires James Spragg as MD: Deckhouse, the new all-day dining cafe and bar concept chaired and backed by Mark McQuater, the former chief executive of Revolution a … view

Brewhouse & Kitchen FY lfl sales down 0.9%, completes rights issue to raise funds for its next stage of growth: Brewhouse & Kitchen, the UK’s largest brewpub group, has reported a 0.9% decline in like-for-like sales for the year to 30 S … view

Plan Burrito appoints advisors as it eyes national and international expansion, including 500 UK sites: Burrito franchise Plan Burrito has appointed advisors to assist with its next stage of growth as it eyes national and international ex … view

Pizza Hut launches ‘major brand reset’ and new handcrafted range: Pizza Hut has launched a “major brand reset” alongside a new range of handcrafted pizzas. It said all team members have been retrained in “the art of handcrafte … view

Exclusive – portfolio of pubs operated by Antic placed into administration: A 13-strong portfolio of London-based pubs operated by Antic have been placed into administration, Propel has learned. Steve Absolom and Will Wright from Interp … view

Ocean Basket ready to franchise in the UK after refining model, 50 sites here a ‘very conservative’ estimate: Ocean Basket, the South African seafood-focused casual dining brand, has told Propel it is ready to franchise in the UK afte … view

Exclusive – Fatto a Mano secures new investment to aid further growth: Fatto a Mano, the independent pizza concept founded in Brighton in 2015 by Rupert Davidson and Dav Sahota, has secured new investment, including from Middleton Enter … view

What a week! The general election has ushered in the first change of government in 14 years, a monumental shift in the political landscape. The British Grand Prix has also brough … view

Loungers – ‘open-minded’ to acquisition opportunities, determined to double-down on Lounge performance: Alex Reilley, chairman of café bar operator Loungers, has told Propel that on the back of the group’s new management structur … view

Mission Mars CEO – we’ve got our staff turnover close to 55%, we think there is room for ten Albert’s Schloss in the UK: Roy Ellis, chief executive of Mission Mars, the Business Growth Fund-backed operator of Albert’s Schloss and … view

Exclusive – Azzurri Group to bring US brand Dave’s Hot Chicken to the UK: Azzurri Group, the hospitality investment platform which operates ASK Italian, Zizzi, Coco di Mama and Boojum, has signed a deal to launch Dave’s Hot Chicken, … view

Exclusive – Toridoll takes full control of Marugame Udon Europe, Capdesia and Keith Bird exit: Toridoll Holdings Corporation has assumed full control of Marugame Udon Europe after the succesful exit of Capdesia Group, four years after t … view

Sector warns new Labour government – ‘the real work begins now’: Sector leaders have warned the Labour government: “the real work begins now.” Labour has swept to power with a landslide victory that sees Sir Keir Starmer become … view

Exclusive – Czech fast-food brand aiming for at least 200 UK sites as it seeks partners to expand here, plans to launch by next spring: Czech fast-food brand Bageterie Boulevard is aiming for at least 200 UK sites as it seeks partners t … view

Benugo reports record turnover and profit: Benugo, the operator of deli cafes and catering in high-profile venues, has reported turnover increased to a record £123,501,000 for the year ending 27 December 2023 compared with £98,668,000 t … view

Exclusive – Honest Burgers co-founders invest in pizza concept Breadstall, plan roll out: Philip Eeles and Dorian Waite, two of the co-founders of Honest Burgers, have invested in Breadstall, the London-based, biga-style pizza business, … view

Exclusive – Hawksmoor kicks off process exploring future funding options: Steakhouse concept Hawksmoor is understood to have officially kicked off a process to explore its future funding options, which could involve a sale of the award … view

MFA Bowl chair and CEO acquires Triple Two brand, plans 30-strong business: Mehdi Afshar, the chairman and chief executive of MFA Bowl, has acquired the Triple Two coffee business out of administration, with plans to grow a 30-strong esta … view

Sides surpasses £1m weekly revenue, targets 20-strong restaurant estate: Sides, the food business from YouTube collective Sidemen, has surpassed the £1m weekly revenue mark for the first time, following the launch of its new tie-up with … view

San Carlo Group reports record turnover of £76.9m: San Carlo Group has reported turnover increased to a record £76,949,811 for the year ending 30 September 2023 compared with £68,942,784 the previous year. The company – which operate … view

Jones the Grocer planning at least 22 sites here after making UK debut, targeting university towns and high streets as well as travel hubs: Dubai-based artisan café, bakery and deli concept Jones the Grocer has told Propel it is planning … view

Nightcap sets out plans to go private: Nightcap – owner of the Cocktail Club, the Adventure Bar Group, Dirty Martini and the Barrio Familia group of 46 bars – has set out plans to go private after deciding its current public market v … view

Exclusive – Cote recent lfls up 5%, cover growth returning: Côte, the French brasserie brand backed by the Partners Group, has said it is “excited by current trading”, with like-for-like sales performance ahead 5% across its last t … view

Various Eateries H1 lfl revenues down on back of wet weather and cost increases: Various Eateries, the Hugh Osmond-backed business, has reported that its like-for-like revenues for the 26-week period ending 31 March 2024 were slightly do … view

Exclusive – KFC franchisee Adil Group to acquire 40-strong former Caskade restaurants estate: KFC franchisee Adil Group will acquire 40 former Caskade restaurants, adding to its portfolio of 73 existing KFC restaurants across the countr … view