| Wednesday 25th May 2022 |
| Food and drink sales in Britain’s cities back in growth but footfall ‘some way off’ pre-covid levels |
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Food and drink sales in Britain’s cities back in growth but footfall ‘some way off’ pre-covid levels: Restaurants, pubs and bars in Britain’s major city centres are achieving solid growth in sales from pre-covid levels, new resear … view |
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| Tuesday 24th May 2022 |
| Update: TRG, SSP and Shaftesbury |
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TRG reports Wagamama like-for-likes up 15% year to date, concessions business shows strong recovery, food and drink inflation set to be 10% this financial year: The Restaurant Group (TRG) has reported a strong performance with Wagamama l … view |
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| Tuesday 24th May 2022 |
| Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
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Chilango sale delivers a three-times return for RDCP: RDCP Group (RDCP) has said that the sale of Chilango to Tortilla for £2.75m delivered a three-times return for the London-based investment firm. RDCP Group acquired Chilango out of ad … view |
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| Monday 23rd May 2022 |
| Starbucks to pull out of Russia, 130 sites to close |
| Starbucks to pull out of Russia, 130 sites to close: Starbucks has said it will exit the Russian market after nearly 15 years following the country’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The Seattle-based coffee chain has 130 stores in Russia, ope … view |
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| Monday 23rd May 2022 |
| Tortilla acquires Chilango, deal adds a ‘complementary, premium brand’ |
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Tortilla acquires Chilango, deal adds a ‘complementary, premium brand’: Tortilla has announced the acquisition of rival Chilango for a total consideration of up to £2.75m from investment firm RDCP Group. Chilango currently operates e … view |
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| Monday 23rd May 2022 |
| Propel Monday News Briefing |
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Jones – we are not worried about a recession, targets 85 Soho Houses by 2027: Nick Jones, founder and chief executive of Soho House, has said the company is not worried about the prospect of a recession as past experience showed its mem … view |
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| Friday 20th May 2022 |
| Friday Opinion |
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Subjects: Hospitality needs another crisis-level government response, customers crying out for support when buying wine, seating dilemma for restaurants, bringing traditional experiences up to date Authors: Neil Ma … view |
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| Friday 20th May 2022 |
| Propel Friday News Briefing |
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Young’s set to ‘ramp up’ its internal flexible working platform: London pub operator Young’s is looking to “ramp up” its new internal staff rota, the Ram Agency, and get up to 1,000 employees signed up. Young’s launched the … view |
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| Friday 20th May 2022 |
| Tourism and recreation businesses see growth slow, delivery sales more than four times higher than pre-covid but growth eases in 2022 |
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Tourism and recreation businesses see growth slow as sector braces for weaker consumer demand: Tourism and recreation businesses, which includes pubs and restaurants, continued to benefit from the relaxation of covid-19 restrictions in Ap … view |
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| Thursday 19th May 2022 |
| Update: Young’s managed house revenue up 17%, Soho House owner targets $1bn revenue this year |
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Young’s managed house revenue up 17%: Young’s has reported that its managed house revenue for the last 13 weeks, against the pre-pandemic levels of 2019, were up 17% and for the last five weeks versus a year ago up 38.5%. The company … view |
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| Thursday 19th May 2022 |
| Propel Thursday News Briefing |
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Andrea – Two for One has been our worst performing format coming out the pandemic: Andrew Andrea, chief executive of Marston’s, has told Propel the company’s 76-strong Two for One value food pub format has been the company’s worst … view |
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| Wednesday 18th May 2022 |
| Update: Mitchells & Butlers Q2 lfls up 3.8%, Marston’s H1 lfls at 97% of FY2019 |
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M&B Q2 lfls up 3.8%: Mitchells & Butlers has reported like-for-like sales growth in the second quarter of 3.8%, resulting in overall like-for-like sales growth of 1% in the 28 weeks to 9 April, despite the adverse impact of Omicron over … view |
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| Wednesday 18th May 2022 |
| Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
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The Acai Girls aiming to build 20-strong estate in next three years as it secures first standalone sites: Healthy plant-based concept The Acai Girls is aiming to build a 20-strong estate in the next three years as it secures its first sta … view |
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| Wednesday 18th May 2022 |
| New £2.2m industry-backed trial aims to prove peanut and milk products can be used for food allergy treatment |
| New £2.2m industry-backed trial aims to prove peanut and milk products can be used for food allergy treatment: A new ground-breaking study backed by the industry is aiming to prove that peanut and milk products can be used as a treatment for … view |
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| Tuesday 17th May 2022 |
| Update: C&C sells Admiral stake, Prezzo appoints new CEO, Bank governor warning, Wadworth results, Pret Index |
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C&C Group sells stake in Admiral Taverns: C&C Group has announced the sale of its 47% stake in Admiral Taverns to Proprium Capital Partners, with whom it originally invested into the circa 1,600-strong community pub operator in September … view |
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| Tuesday 17th May 2022 |
| Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
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Managed groups’ like-for-like sales up 2% in April on pre-pandemic levels but cost pressures stunt growth, major challenges ‘yet to come’: Britain’s leading managed restaurant, pub and bar groups recorded like-for-like sales growt … view |
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| Tuesday 17th May 2022 |
| Managed groups’ like-for-like sales up 2% in April on pre-pandemic levels but cost pressures stunt growth, major challenges ‘yet to come’ |
| Managed groups’ like-for-like sales up 2% in April on pre-pandemic levels but cost pressures stunt growth, major challenges ‘yet to come’: Britain’s leading managed restaurant, pub and bar groups recorded like-for-like sales growth of … view |
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| Monday 16th May 2022 |
| McDonald’s facing $1.4bn hit as it reveals plans to sell Russian business |
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McDonald’s facing $1.4bn hit as it reveals plans to sell Russian business: McDonald’s has said it will pull out of Russia after more than 30 years of operation in the country and take a write-off of $1.2bn to $1.4bn for the move. McDo … view |
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| Monday 16th May 2022 |
| Update: Greggs update, McDonald’s UK investment, bouncer shortage, Long Chim debut UK site |
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Greggs lfls up 27.4% but cost pressures increasing: Food-to-go retailer Greggs has reported a 27.4% like-for-like increase in sales growth for the first 19 weeks of the year, but said that cost pressures are increasing. The company said … view |
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| Monday 16th May 2022 |
| Propel Monday News Briefing |
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Lipscombe – not a week goes by without another supplier putting their prices up: James Lipscombe, chief executive of The Chesterford Group (TCG), which operates circa 40 sites under brands including Churchill’s and Bankers Fish & Chip … view |
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| Friday 13th May 2022 |
| Friday Opinion |
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Subjects: Solving mass disposability, the investor appetite, over here and planning to go everywhere, alcohol and obesity Authors: Louise Palmer-Masterton, Rob Johnson, Sarah Travell, Paul Chase So … view |
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| Friday 13th May 2022 |
| Propel Friday News Briefing |
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Foodomnia plans fundraising to fuel growth for Burgerism concept, looks to become the “Domino’s for burgers”: Foodomnia, the north west-based business which builds digitally native food concepts for the delivery food market, is pla … view |
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| Thursday 12th May 2022 |
| Deliveroo and GMB sign historic union deal as riders recognised as self-employed |
| Deliveroo and GMB sign historic union deal as riders recognised as self-employed: Deliveroo and the GMB union have signed an historic union recognition deal covering the company’s more than 90,000 self-employed riders. The Voluntary Partners … view |
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| Thursday 12th May 2022 |
| BT to form joint venture with Warner Bros Discovery to create premium sports channel |
| BT to form joint venture with Warner Bros Discovery to create premium sports channel: BT Group has agreed with Warner Bros Discovery to form a 50:50 joint venture company to create a new premium sport offering for the UK and Ireland and to tra … view |
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| Thursday 12th May 2022 |
| Propel Thursday News Briefing |
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Scottish government outlines proposals to allow outdoor restaurant seating without planning permission: Outdoor restaurant seating could be permitted in Scotland without a planning application under new proposals to support the hospitalit … view |
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| Wednesday 11th May 2022 |
| Legal Briefing |
Navigating ever-changing enforcement action by Tim ShieldEver since the Licensing Act 2003 came into force in 2005, the industry has seen enforcement action take a much more prominent role in day-to-day operations. Over the years, succe … view |
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| Wednesday 11th May 2022 |
| Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
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Exclusive – St Austell Brewery makes strong recovery and returns to profit, company ‘in good stead for 2022 and beyond’: Cornwall-based St Austell Brewery, which operates 180 pubs, inns and hotels across the south west, returned to … view |
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| Tuesday 10th May 2022 |
| Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
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Foodservice inflation hits record 13.6% as supply issues mount: Year-on-year inflation in the foodservice sector hit 13.6% in March 2022, the latest CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index has revealed. The figure is the highest in the histo … view |
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| Tuesday 10th May 2022 |
| Foodservice inflation hits record 13.6%, spending on both nights in and nights out declines |
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Foodservice inflation hits record 13.6% as supply issues mount: Year-on-year inflation in the foodservice sector hit 13.6% in March 2022, the latest CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index has revealed. The figure is the highest in the histo … view |
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| Monday 9th May 2022 |
| Singer Paul Heaton puts £60,000 behind the bar of UK pubs to mark 60th birthday |
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Singer Paul Heaton puts £60,000 behind the bar of UK pubs to mark 60th birthday: Singer Paul Heaton has put £60,000 behind the bar at pubs around the UK today (Monday, 9 May) to mark his 60th birthday. A total of 60 pubs were given the … view |
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| Monday 9th May 2022 |
| Propel Monday News Briefing |
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Watt – if we show our profit-share scheme can work, maybe we can get other businesses to do the same: James Watt, co-founder and chief executive of Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog, has told Propel that if the business can show its … view |
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| Sunday 8th May 2022 |
| West End landlords Shaftesbury and Capco close to £3.5bn merger |
| West End landlords Shaftesbury and Capco close to £3.5bn merger: West End landlords Shaftesbury and Capital & Counties (Capco) are in talks over a £3.5bn merger that would bring together some of central London’s best known tourist destinat … view |
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| Friday 6th May 2022 |
| Friday Opinion |
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Subjects: Delivering the right result, providing hope for wet-led pubs, great places to visit Authors: Charlie McVeigh, Glynn Davis, Ann Elliott |
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| Friday 6th May 2022 |
| Propel Friday News Briefing |
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HOP Vietnamese raises £2.25m on back of new operating model, to return to the expansion trail: London-based Vietnamese street food concept HOP is to return to the expansion trail after completing a £2.25m fundraise, on the back of the p … view |
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| Thursday 5th May 2022 |
| Pistachio Holdings increases stake in Creams, government shelves tipping legislation |
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Pistachio Holdings increases stake in Creams as founders step away from day-to-day operations: The majority shareholder of dessert parlour operator Creams, Pistachio Holdings, and co-investor, Salonica Maroon, have acquired a further shar … view |
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| Thursday 5th May 2022 |
| Update: Domino’s, AB InBev and consumer spending |
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Domino’s Pizza Group reports ‘strong’ first quarter but sees impact of VAT rise, orders grow 5.5%: Domino’s Pizza Group has reported “strong” trading in the first quarter with like-for-like system sales, excluding the impact … view |
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| Thursday 5th May 2022 |
| Propel Thursday News Briefing |
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Stonegate makes first move into food-led arena with launch of new Premium Division: Stonegate Group has launched a new division aimed at growing an estate of premium food-led pubs, Propel has learned. The circa 4,580-strong, Simon Longbot … view |
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| Wednesday 4th May 2022 |
| Incipio Group plans expansion as it receives fresh investment |
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Incipio Group plans expansion as it receives fresh investment: Incipio Group, the Edition Capital-backed operator of venues including The Prince and Lost In Brixton, has outlined its expansion plans as it received fresh investment. The Ed … view |
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| Wednesday 4th May 2022 |
| Update: JD Wetherspoon and Starbucks |
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JD Wetherspoon reports like-for-likes turn positive in last two weeks, Su Cacioppo to step down: JD Wetherspoon has reported like-for-like sales have turned positive in the last two weeks with the company set to “break even” this fina … view |
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| Wednesday 4th May 2022 |
| Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
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Donkin – the next few months could be more difficult to navigate than the last couple of years: Sean Donkin, managing director of The Inn Collection Group, thinks the next three to four months could be more difficult to navigate for the … view |
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| Tuesday 3rd May 2022 |
| BrewDog unveils £100m staff share award, to give workers 50% of bar profits |
| BrewDog unveils £100m staff share award, to give workers 50% of bar profits: James Watt, co-founder of Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog, is to donate a fifth of his personal stake in the business, worth £100m, to staff to mark the firm … view |
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| Tuesday 3rd May 2022 |
| Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
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Chiabra – Neat Burgers’ US expansion will take lead from UK strategy: Tommaso Chiabra, co-founder and chairman of Neat Food Co, the parent company of the plant-based Neat Burger, has told Propel that the brand’s expansion in the US … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Monday 2nd May 2022 |
| Greene King results, Star Pubs & Bars to invest £42m in estate this year |
Propel reports on Greene King’s full-year results and speaks to chief executive Nick MackenzieFinancial overview: Greene King reported group revenue of £1.34bn for the 52 weeks ended 2 January 2022, up 41.6% on the previous ye … view |
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| Friday 29th April 2022 |
| Friday Opinion |
Subjects: Help us put an end to the hospitality recruitment crisis forever, the war on food and drink resumes, saying ‘I do’ to pub nuptialsAuthors: Mark McCulloch, Paul Chase, Glynn Davisview |
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| Friday 29th April 2022 |
| Update: Merlin CEO Nick Varney to retire, Nightcap Q3 update, higher prices, empty shop numbers |
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Nick Varney to step down as CEO of Merlin Entertainments: Merlin Entertainments has announced that Nick Varney, its chief executive, intends to retire. Varney has a 12-month notice period during which the company said it will identify hi … view |
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| Friday 29th April 2022 |
| Propel Friday News Briefing |
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London’s hospitality sector edges back as sales and footfall rise in Britain’s city centres: London’s pubs, bars and restaurants are gradually returning towards pre-covid-19 levels of visits after two years of disrupti … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Friday 29th April 2022 |
| London’s hospitality sector edges back as sales and footfall rise in Britain’s city centres |
| London’s hospitality sector edges back as sales and footfall rise in Britain’view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 28th April 2022 |
| McDonald's first-quarter results, Leonardo DiCaprio joins Neat Burger as strategic investor as it launches fundraise |
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McDonald’s reports global like-for-likes up 11.8% in first quarter with strong UK growth: McDonald’s has reported global like-for-likes were up 11.8% in its first quarter ending 31 March 2022 – with the UK seeing “strong” growth … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 28th April 2022 |
| Update: Whitbread reports strong current trading momentum, but pub restaurants experience slower recovery |
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Whitbread reports strong current trading momentum, pub restaurants seen slower recovery: Whitbread has this morning reported “sustained outperformance in UK with strong current trading momentum”. The Premier Inn owner reported a “st … view |
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| Thursday 28th April 2022 |
| Propel Thursday News Briefing |
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Global bakery brand Paris Baguette plans ‘significant push’ into UK, eyes 250 sites: South Korean-born bakery brand Paris Baguette, which operates just under 4,000 sites worldwide, plans a “significant push” into the UK, and initi … view |
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| Wednesday 27th April 2022 |
| Exclusive: Roger Wade to step down as CEO of Boxpark |
| Exclusive – Roger Wade to step down as CEO of Boxpark: Roger Wade is to step down as chief executive of Boxpark, the multi-award-winning hospitality and leisure operator he founded more than a decade ago, Propel has learned. Wade, the former … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Wednesday 27th April 2022 |
| Exclusive: Amber Taverns appoints advisors as its gears up to review its options |
| Exclusive – Amber Taverns appoints advisors as its gears up to review its options: Amber Taverns, the wet-led, freehold community pub operator, has appointed advisors as its gears up to review its options, which could include a sale of the c … view |
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| Wednesday 27th April 2022 |
| Update: City Pub Group confident that 2022 trading will exceed 2019 by the end of Q2, to acquire Mosaic Pubs next year |
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City Pub Group confident that 2022 trading will exceed 2019 by the end of Q2, to acquire Mosaic next year: City Pub Group, which owns and operates 41 premium pubs across southern England and Wales and a further three development sites, h … view |
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| Wednesday 27th April 2022 |
| Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
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Burger King becomes first UK QSR brand to use reusable packs: Burger King UK is to trial reusable and returnable packaging, in support of its efforts to slash single-use plastic from its restaurants by 2025. The company has partnered with … view |
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| Tuesday 26th April 2022 |
| Update: Loungers, Nightcap, Costa, Barkby Group |
| Loungers announces record sales for the 52 weeks to 17 April 2022: Loungers, the operator of 164 Lounge cafe-bars and 31 Cosy Club restaurant-bars, has announced record sales for the 52 weeks ending 17 April 2022. The company said: “Our sig … view |
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| Tuesday 26th April 2022 |
| Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
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JD Wetherspoon set to invest £750m over next decade on new pubs and extensions, Lloyds performing better than rest of estate: JD Wetherspoon has said it expects to invest about £75m a year in opening new pubs and enlarging existing ones … view |
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