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Thursday 28th February 2019
Confidence levels fragmented as leaders scale back expansion plans
Confidence levels fragmented as leaders scale back expansion plans: Confidence levels in the eating and drinking out industry are in the balance in early 2019 amid ongoing challenges and anxiety about Brexit, CGA’s 2019 Business Leaders’ S … view
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Thursday 28th February 2019
Update: Casual Dining award winners, Merlin and AB InBev results
Casual Dining awards winners are named: The nation’s best casual dining restaurants and pubs were revealed last night (Wednesday, 27 February) at the Casual Dining Restaurant & Pub Awards 2019. The event took place at the London Marriot … view
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Thursday 28th February 2019
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Megan’s looks to raise £6m for expansion to 17 sites by end of 2021, appoints managing director: Megan’s, the London-based cafe and deli concept owned by Tossed founder Vincent McKevitt, has begun fund-raising as it seeks to raise ci … view
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Wednesday 27th February 2019
Future of Patisserie Valerie management team thrown into doubt
Future of Patisserie Valerie management team thrown into doubt: The future of Patisserie Valerie’s management team led by Steve Francis, which was expected to take the troubled business forward after the majority of the brand’s estate … view
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Wednesday 27th February 2019
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Fishworks returns to expansion trail by securing Loch Fyne site: Fishworks, the Boparan Restaurant Group-owned brand, is to return to the expansion trail, Propel has learned. The company is understood to have secured the Loch Fyne restaur … view
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Tuesday 26th February 2019
Hotel Chocolat reports “encouraging start’ in New York and Japan
Hotel Chocolat reports “encouraging start’ in New York and Japan: Hotel Chocolat, the premium British chocolatier, has reported revenue up 13% to £80.7m for the 26 weeks ended 30 December 2018. Excluding its new US and Japan start-up … view
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Tuesday 26th February 2019
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Live&Loud, backed by former Punch boss, launches £500,000 crowdfunding campaign: Live music specialist Live&Loud has launched a £500,000 fund-raise on crowdfunding platform Crowdcube for expansion. The company, whose backers include for … view
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Monday 25th February 2019
Rufus Hall becomes chairman of Epic, Jo Probert become managing director
Rufus Hall becomes chairman of Epic, Jo Probert become managing director: Rockpool Investments, the private equity investment firm, has appointed a new chairman and managing director for its Epic Pubs, Heroic Pubs and Aspley Pubs business … view
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Monday 25th February 2019
Propel Monday News Briefing
UK’s casual dining restaurant numbers drop for first time in nine years while drink-led venue closure rate slows substantially: Britain’s supply of casual dining restaurants dipped for the first time in nine years in 2018 as a sustain … view
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Monday 25th February 2019
UK’s casual dining restaurant numbers drop for first time in nine years
UK’s casual dining restaurant numbers drop for first time in nine years while drink-led venue closure rate slows substantially: Britain’s supply of casual dining restaurants dipped for the first time in nine years in 2018 as a sustained de … view
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Friday 22nd February 2019
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Flying by the seat of their pants, pizza pressure and operators must be marketers too
Authors: James Hacon, Glynn Davis and Ann Elliott

Flying by the seat of their pants by James Haconview

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Friday 22nd February 2019
Propel Friday News Briefing
M Restaurants boss to introduce £10 per hour starting wage, urges other sector businesses to follow suit: M Restaurants will introduce a starting wage for all employees at £10 per hour, with founder Martin Williams urging other sector b … view
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Thursday 21st February 2019
Uber to cut food delivery fees as battle with Deliveroo and Just Eat hots up
Uber to cut food delivery fees as battle with Deliveroo and Just Eat hots up: Uber will cut fees for food delivery in the UK and Ireland and allow restaurants to use its app but carry out their own deliveries as competition hots up with J … view
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Thursday 21st February 2019
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Just Eat UK boss – new food hygiene programme about ‘driving up standards across takeaway industry’ but success down to operators: Graham Corfield, UK managing director of online food delivery business Just Eat, has told Propel its … view
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Wednesday 20th February 2019
Exclusive – Polpo seeks CVA as it struggles with £550,000 unpaid VAT bill
Exclusive – Polpo seeks CVA as it struggles with £550,000 unpaid VAT bill: Award-winning central London business Polpo, owned by Russell Norman and Richard Beatty, is to seek a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) and sell two loss-maki … view
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Wednesday 20th February 2019
Crate plans £500,000 crowdfunding campaign to bring Silo to London
Crate Brewery to launch £500,000 crowdfunding campaign to bring Silo to London: London-based Crate Brewery is to launch a £500,000 crowdfunding campaign next month to fund a major refurbishment of its Hackney Wick home that would also see ze … view
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Wednesday 20th February 2019
Cat Rock increases pressure on Just Eat to consider merger by releasing transcript
Cat Rock increases pressure on Just Eat to consider merger by releasing transcript: Investment fund Cat Rock Capital, which owns 2% of the shares in online food delivery business Just Eat, has released a transcript of a conference call with 22 … view
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Wednesday 20th February 2019
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Market Halls founder – we want to bring ‘new lease of life’ to shopping centre food environment, at least 15 similar opportunities: Market Halls founder Andy Lewis-Pratt has told Propel the company aims to bring a “new lease of li … view
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Tuesday 19th February 2019
Market Halls to launch new dining concept, at Intu Lakeside
Market Halls to launch new dining concept, at Intu Lakeside: Food hall business Market Halls is to launch a new concept at Intu Lakeside shopping centre in Thurrock, Essex. Market Halls opened two major central London sites in Fulham and … view
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Tuesday 19th February 2019
Greggs reports like-for-likes up 9.6%, likely to beat profit expectations
Greggs reports like-for-likes up 9.6%, likely to beat profit expectations: Greggs has reported an “exceptionally strong” start to 2019 wit total sales up 14.1% for the seven weeks to 16 February 2019. Company-managed shop like-for-lik … view
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Tuesday 19th February 2019
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
London kitchen pay rises as front-of-house salaries fall for second year: Average salaries for chefs and kitchen employees in London increased 14.8% in 2018 but front-of-house staff saw a decrease for the second year in a row, according t … view
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Monday 18th February 2019
Propel Monday News Briefing
Sector like-for-likes down 1.8% in January: Britain’s managed pub and restaurant groups saw like-for-like sales fall 1.8% in January compared with the previous year, according to the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker. Pub and restaur … view
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Monday 18th February 2019
Sector like-for-likes down 1.8% in January
Sector like-for-likes down 1.8% in January: Britain’s managed pub and restaurant groups saw like-for-like sales fall 1.8% in January compared with the previous year, according to the latest Coffer Peach Business Tracker. Pub and restaur … view
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Friday 15th February 2019
Exclusive: Giggling Squid set to appoint advisors to consider its options
Exclusive: Giggling Squid set to appoint advisors to consider its options: Giggling Squid, the Thai tapas brand founded by Andy and Pranee Laurillard and backed by Business Growth Fund (BGF), is set to appoint advisors as it considers its … view
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Friday 15th February 2019
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Recipe boxes are a flash in the pan, the slow death approach and turning teams into your USP
Authors: Glynn Davis, Paul Chase and Sally Whelan 

Recipe boxes are a flash in the pan by Gly … view

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Friday 15th February 2019
Update: Patisserie Valerie, Pret A Manger, Restaurant Group
Baker & Spice sold to Department of Coffee and Social Affairs for £2.5m: Patisserie Holdings has completed the sale of Baker & Spice to the Department of Coffee & Social Affairs for a total consideration of £2.5m. The company stated: … view
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Friday 15th February 2019
Propel Friday News Briefing
EasyCoffee raises more than £3.5m to open 24 sites this year: Cafe bar operator EasyCoffee, part of the EasyGroup family of brands, has raised more than £3.5m in private equity to open 24 coffee shops this year, Propel has learned. Foun … view
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Thursday 14th February 2019
Patisserie Valerie and Philpotts sold in separate deals for total of £13m
Patisserie Valerie and Philpotts sold in separate deals for total of £13m: Patisserie Valerie and Philpotts have been sold out of administration in two separate deals totalling £13m. Irish private equity firm Causeway Capital has acquired a … view
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Thursday 14th February 2019
Patisserie Valerie saved by Irish private equity firm
Patisserie Valerie saved by Irish private equity firm: Patisserie Valerie has been rescued by Irish private equity firm Causeway Capital Partners. A total of 96 of Patisserie Valerie’s 121 remaining outlets are to be saved preserving most of … view
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Thursday 14th February 2019
Andy McCue to step down as The Restaurant Group boss
Andy McCue to step down as The Restaurant Group boss: The Restaurant Group has announces that chief executive Andy McCue has informed the board of his decision to leave the company due to extenuating personal circumstances. The company st … view
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Thursday 14th February 2019
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Whitbread now targeting more than 110,000 rooms in UK, looks at streamlining number of restaurant brands: Whitbread is now targeting more than 110,000 hotel rooms in the UK and has said it will look at streamlining the number of restauran … view
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Wednesday 13th February 2019
EAT owners put business up for sale, My Million Pound Menu winner takes Deliveroo residency
EAT owners put business up for sale: Fresh food to go retailer EAT is being put up for sale amid a glut of competition from high street and online delivery rivals. Sky News has reported EAT's owners, led by the private equity firm Horizo … view
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Wednesday 13th February 2019
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
YO! Sushi launches UK’s first DNA-based dining experience: YO! Sushi has launched a “DNA dining experience” in partnership with genetic testing company DNAFit. YO! Dinner, YO! Way has been launched on the back of a report by YO! Sus … view
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Tuesday 12th February 2019
Stonegate reports full-year like-for-likes up 4.7% as it sees revenue and Ebitda growth
Stonegate reports full-year like-for-likes up 4.7% as it sees revenue and Ebitda growth: Stonegate Pub Company has reported like-for-like sales increased 4.7% for the 53 weeks ending 30 September 2018. Total revenue was up 11.0% to £774.4m wh … view
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Tuesday 12th February 2019
Update: Black Sheep and Travelodge expansion plans, Douglas Jack on Domino's, JD Wetherspoon
Black Sheep Coffee reveals plans to double UK estate and for international growth: London-based independent coffee shop Black Sheep Coffee, which operates 24 sites, plans to double the size of its UK operation within 12 months, while link … view
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Tuesday 12th February 2019
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Canada-based bakery cafe Cinnzeo seeks partner to launch in UK: Canada-based bakery cafe Cinnzeo is eyeing a move into the UK market. The company is looking for a UK master franchisee or experienced area developer that can lead the roll-o … view
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Monday 11th February 2019
Everards reports 17% boost to Ebitda
Everards reports 17% boost to Ebitda: Leicestershire-based brewer and pub retailer Everards has reported Ebitda of £5.9m in the year ending 20 September 2018, 17% ahead of the prior year reflecting good trading performance and a reduction in … view
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Monday 11th February 2019
Propel Monday News Briefing
Firezza founder launches Neapolitan pizza concept in Norway: Firezza founder Edin Basic has launched a Neapolitan pizza concept in Norway, Propel has learned. Basic, who sold Firezza to PizzaExpress in 2016, has opened Mano with plans for … view
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Sunday 10th February 2019
Propel exclusive: Farmer J secures £1.9m investment to support London expansion
Farmer J secures £1.9m investment to support London expansion: City of London-based, all-day market food concept Farmer J has secured £1.9m of investment capital to support its London expansion, Propel can exclusively reveal. The investment … view
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Friday 8th February 2019
Sports Direct confirms Patisserie Valerie bid
Sports Direct confirms Patisserie Valerie bid: Sports Direct, owned by Mike Ashley, has confirmed it has made a bid to buy Patisserie Holdings, the parent company of Patisserie Valerie, out of administration. The offer is one of a number … view
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Friday 8th February 2019
Friday Opinion
Subjects: What the Dickens, sowing the seeds of sustainable success, the village with no pub, and politics and its influence on food trends
Authors: Glynn Davis, Louise Ellison, Ann Elliott and Lucy Pedrickview
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Friday 8th February 2019
Update: Chapati Man, Shaftesbury, Leadership Summit
Chapati Man sells London franchise rights: Chapati Man, the spicy Indian wrap festival and event catering business, created in London by husband and wife team Chris and Andrea Rai in 2007, has sold the Chapati Man franchise rights for Lon … view
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Friday 8th February 2019
Propel Friday News Briefing
Hop Stuff assessing funding options for next stage of growth as it eyes eventual IPO: Hop Stuff Brewery is assessing its options as it prepares for its next stage of growth, Propel has learned. Founder James Yeomans said the company would … view
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Thursday 7th February 2019
Boparan appoints advisor for Ed's and Giraffe, Mark Wingett joins Propel
Boparan reviews options for Giraffe and Ed’s: Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG) has appointed advisors to review options for its Giraffe and Ed’s Easy Diner chains, Propel has learned. The company, which is led by Tom Crowley, has starte … view
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Thursday 7th February 2019
Faucet sold in pre-pack agreement to Steve Cox
Faucet Inn sold in pre-pack agreement to Steve Cox: Faucet Inn has been sold in a pre-pack agreement, Propel has learned. Geoff Rowley and Jason Baker, partners at FRP Advisory, were appointed administrators of the company, which was founded b … view
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Thursday 7th February 2019
Update: Ei Group, M&B, C&C Group, Domino’s Poland
Ei Group reports 2% like-for-like net income growth in leased estates, managed pubs up 5.7%: Ei Group, the largest owner and operator of pubs in the UK, has reported that the financial year, the 18 weeks to 2 February, has started well fo … view
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Thursday 7th February 2019
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Former FSA boss calls on industry to ensure ‘every customer has the information they need to make the right choice’ as Pret prepares to roll out full ingredient labelling: Pret A Manager will roll out full ingredient labelling across … view
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Wednesday 6th February 2019
Richoux Group to go private following shareholder backing
Richoux Group to quit AIM stock market and go private following shareholder backing: Shareholders of Richoux Group, which owns and operates Richoux, Friendly Phil’s, Villagio and The Broadwick restaurants, have backed the board’s proposal … view
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Wednesday 6th February 2019
Update: Dishoom, Vinoteca, NewRiver and Champneys
Dishoom and Vinoteca in negotiations to open in Birmingham: Dishoom and Vinoteca are in negotiations to open in Birmingham city centre later this year – taking two sites at a new development, 1 Chamberlain Square. Development managers … view
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Wednesday 6th February 2019
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Luke Johnson supportive of legal action against Patisserie Valerie auditor following £21m Assetco damages award: Patisserie Valerie chairman Luke Johnson has confirmed he is supportive of potential legal action against Grant Thornton. T … view
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Tuesday 5th February 2019
Update: Papa John’s, Meatliquor, Bob & Berts and Eden Mill
Papa John’s takes £192m investment from hedge fund: Pizza firm Papa John’s has unveiled an investment of up to $250 million (£192 million) from hedge fund Starboard Value, rejected a rival offer from founder John Schnatter, who is s … view
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Tuesday 5th February 2019
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Tortilla boss – there’s scope to treble UK estate: Richard Morris, managing director of Mexican restaurant group Tortilla, has told Propel there’s scope to treble the size of the company’s UK estate. Morris said he plans to open s … view
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Monday 4th February 2019
Propel Monday News Briefing
Google continues to be customers’ go-to review platform: Google continues to outstrip Facebook and TripAdvisor for its percentage share of online reviews, according to new statistics from Feed It Back’s monthly social review tracker. … view
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Friday 1st February 2019
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Stepping up to tackle social mobility, innovating in all the right places, end of an era, chasing unicorns, and Treasury must get SBR review right
Authors: Rooney Anand, James Hacon, Elton Mouna, Paul Chase and Ian … view
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Friday 1st February 2019
Update: Patisserie Valerie set to be sold off piecemeal, Comptoir Group trading
Patisserie Valerie set to be sold off piecemeal: Patisserie Valerie looks increasingly likely to be sold off in chunks, with its unreliable accounts deterring even those bidders that specialise in distressed companies, reports the Financi … view
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Friday 1st February 2019
Propel Friday News Briefing
Opportunity for operators to turn ‘competitive socialising concepts into national brands’ as market rapidly expands: Significant opportunities exist for entrepreneurial brands to establish themselves within the competitive socialising … view
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