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Tuesday 30th April 2019
Toby Smith joins Coffeesmiths Collective as chief executive
Toby Smith joins Coffeesmiths Collective as chief executive: Toby Smith, who recently stepped down as chief executive of Novus and served as chief executive of Stonegate Pub Company, has joined the fast-growing Coffeesmiths Collective speciali … view
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Tuesday 30th April 2019
McDonald’s reports like-for-likes up 5.4% in first quarter helped by ‘continued UK growth’
McDonald’s reports like-for-likes up 5.4% in first quarter helped by ‘continued UK growth’: McDonald’s has reported global like-for-like sales rose 5.4% in its first quarter to 31 March 2019, helped by continued growth in the UK. Chief … view
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Tuesday 30th April 2019
PizzaExpress reports UK and Ireland underlying like-for-likes flat in 2018, group Ebitda falls 15.3%
PizzaExpress reports UK and Ireland underlying like-for-likes flat in 2018, group Ebitda falls 15.3%: PizzaExpress has reported underlying like-for-like sales grew 0.1% in the UK and Ireland, excluding the impact from adverse weather (down 1.0 … view
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Tuesday 30th April 2019
Update: Whitbread, Greene King and Hop Stuff Brewery
Whitbread set to return £2bn to shareholders: Whitbread will launch a tender offer in June to return up to £2bn of sales proceeds arising from the sale of Costa Coffee to Coca-Cola in January. Meanwhile, the company reported UK accommod … view
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Tuesday 30th April 2019
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Oakman completes acquisition of seven freehold pubs operated for Downing: Oakman Inns and Restaurants has completed the acquisition of seven freehold pubs with combined Ebitda of £2.8m from funds managed by Downing. The transaction was c … view
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Tuesday 30th April 2019
Oakman completes acquisition of seven freehold pubs operated for Downing, new Hickory's site
Oakman completes acquisition of seven freehold pubs operated for Downing: Oakman Inns and Restaurants has completed the acquisition of seven freehold pubs with combined Ebitda of £2.8m from funds managed by Downing. The transaction was comple … view
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Monday 29th April 2019
Hall & Woodhouse appoints new managing director and chairman
Hall & Woodhouse appoints new managing director and chairman: Dorset brewer and retailer Hall & Woodhouse has appointed Matthew Kearsey as managing director following 10 years of service at the company, and Anthony Woodhouse as chairman. Mark … view
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Monday 29th April 2019
Update: Escape Hunt, The Ivy Collection, Loungers, Wahlburgers and Asahi
Escape Hunt signs heads of terms with US franchise partner: Escape Hunt has announced that it has signed heads of terms with a US franchising partner for a roll-out of new franchisee sites across the US and Canada. Although the heads of terms … view
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Monday 29th April 2019
Propel Monday News Briefing
Junkyard Golf directors behind new Manchester bar and restaurant venture: Junkyard Golf directors Lyndon Higginson, Bart Murphy and Mat Lake are part of the team that has taken over the site of former vegan cafe Folk & Soul in Manchester … view
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Sunday 28th April 2019
Laine expands to Birmingham with Urban Art Bar acquisition
Laine Pub Company expands to Birmingham with Urban Art Bar acquisition: Multiple pub operator and brewer The Laine Pub Company has agreed to acquire Birmingham pub group Urban Art Bar from its founder Graham Smith for an undisclosed sum. Urban … view
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Friday 26th April 2019
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Time to take back control of delivery, outlets adapt to keep ahead of the game, to tip or not to tip, and perfect fit
Authors: Glynn Davis, Giles Membrey, Sally Whelan and Ann Elliott

Tim … view

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Friday 26th April 2019
Update: Just Eat, Starbucks, Beer + Burger Store
Just Eat reports orders up 21%: Just Eat, the marketplace for online food delivery, has reported group orders increased 21% to 61.4 million in Quarter One, the three months to 31 March 2019. Group revenues were up 28% to £227.9m. The com … view
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Friday 26th April 2019
Propel Friday News Briefing
M&B starts exploring opportunities to expand Son of Steak concept: Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) is to start exploring opportunities to expand its fast-casual concept Son of Steak. Propel understands the company, which launched the concept tw … view
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Thursday 25th April 2019
Delivery is industry’s fastest-growing channel as breakfast and lunch orders surge
Delivery is industry’s fastest-growing channel as breakfast and lunch orders surge: Delivery is the foodservice industry’s fastest-growing channel with the breakfast and lunch segments growing 86% and 99% respectively since 2015, according … view
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Thursday 25th April 2019
Update: Heineken, Chipotle and BigDish
Heineken to invest £50m in pub estate: Heineken, which operates the UK’s third largest pub business with 2,700 sites under the Star Pubs & Bars banner, has announced a record investment of £50m to refurbish nearly 150 pubs across the … view
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Thursday 25th April 2019
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Loungers founders cash in shares worth close to £9m: Alex Reilley and Jake Bishop, founders of Loungers, which will begin its life as a plc on Monday morning (29 April), are each cashing in shares worth £4.43m and retaining a 7.03% stak … view
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Wednesday 24th April 2019
Casual Dining Group appoints James Spragg as chief executive
Casual Dining Group appoints James Spragg as chief executive: Casual Dining Group (CDG), the operator of circa 280 mid-market restaurant brands including Bella Italia, Las Iguanas and Cafe Rouge, has promoted James Spragg to chief executi … view
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Wednesday 24th April 2019
Shares in Loungers to begin trading next Monday
Shares in Loungers to begin trading next Monday: Loungers, the operator of 146 cafe bars across England and Wales under the Lounge and Cosy Club brands, has launched its IPO admission document with a conditional placing of 41,625,000 ordinary … view
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Wednesday 24th April 2019
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Former Gordon Ramsay Holdings chief executive Gillies plans new venture in Chislehurst: Stuart Gillies, who stepped down as chief executive of Gordon Ramsay Holdings last year after more than 15 years with the company, is to return to the … view
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Tuesday 23rd April 2019
Update: YO! Sushi, Domino’s and Buzzwork Holdings
The Times – YO! Sushi to open eliminate its conveyor belts: YO! Sushi is to eliminate the conveyor belt from some of its restaurants in an attempt to broaden its appeal, The Times has reported. The newspaper stated: “This summer the c … view
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Tuesday 23rd April 2019
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Propel launches Coffee Conference: Propel has launched the Coffee Conference, which aims to help operators develop their coffee offer and capitalise on opportunities in a market that has shown 20 consecutive years of growth. The full-day … view
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Friday 19th April 2019
Propel Friday News Briefing
Body Text Here … view
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Thursday 18th April 2019
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Morso targeting outlying areas of London as it looks to build 20-plus estate: Pasta and grappa concept Morso is aiming to build a 20-plus estate, targeting outlying communities of London, Propel has learned. Morso has just gone public on … view
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Wednesday 17th April 2019
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Byron founder Tom Byng invests in Bundobust: Tom Byng, founder and former chief executive of Byron, has invested an undisclosed sum in Bundobust, the Indian street food and craft beer concept, Propel has learned. Byng, who left the better … view
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Tuesday 16th April 2019
Just Eat acquires software service Practi for £6.7m
Just Eat acquires software service Practi for £6.7m: Online food delivery business Just Eat has acquired Practi, a software service that provides independent restaurants and small chains with tablet-based point-of-sale and restaurant manageme … view
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Tuesday 16th April 2019
Update: Pod reduces operating losses
Pod reduces operating losses: Pod, the 22-strong London healthy eating operator, has reported a reduction in operating losses for the year ending 3 January 2019. Operating losses were £432,551, compared with £1,452,566 the year before. … view
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Tuesday 16th April 2019
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
UK spend on delivery soars 19% in 2018 compared with 3% rise for overall dining sector: Spend on delivery services rose 19% in 2018, significantly outperforming the rest of the sector and driving growth in UK dining from a category level, … view
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Monday 15th April 2019
Propel Monday News Briefing
Sector like-for-likes up 3.8% in March against snow-hit 2018: Britain’s managed pub and restaurant groups saw collective like-for-like sales grow 3.8% in March compared with the previous year, when trading was hit badly by the effects o … view
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Monday 15th April 2019
Sector like-for-likes up 3.8% in March against snow-hit 2018
Sector like-for-likes up 3.8% in March against snow-hit 2018: Britain’s managed pub and restaurant groups saw collective like-for-like sales grow 3.8% in March compared with the previous year, when trading was hit badly by the effects of the … view
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Friday 12th April 2019
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Digital dangers, update on Scotland’s MUP and sector deal for tourism remains essential
Authors: Glynn Davis, Paul Chase and Brigid Simmonds

Digital dangers by Glynn Davis

When … view
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Friday 12th April 2019
Update: Tasty, Bao and Ultimate Experience
Tasty looks to raise £3.25m with new share placing: Wildwood operator Tasty, which has 57 restaurants in total, is to raise £3.25m before expenses through the issue of 75,000,000 shares at 4p each. Keith Lassman, chairman of Tasty, said … view
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Friday 12th April 2019
Propel Friday News Briefing
Patty & Bun ‘tests water’ with chicken concept: Better burger brand Patty & Bun is “testing the water” with a new chicken concept at two west London venues. The company will launch Jefferies as part of the summer line-up at The Pr … view
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Thursday 11th April 2019
Kevin Georgel steps down at Admiral Taverns to become St Austell chief executive
Kevin Georgel steps down at Admiral Taverns to become St Austell chief executive: The board of Admiral Taverns confirms that, after nine years with the company, Kevin Georgel will step down from his role as chief executive. He leaves the … view
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Thursday 11th April 2019
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Leon plans up to 30 openings in next 12 months: Natural fast food brand Leon is planning to open up to 30 sites in the next 12 months, Propel has learned. Leon is looking to open between ten and 15 company-owned outlets and a “similar n … view
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Wednesday 10th April 2019
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Clive Watson – City Pub Group has no plans to move into country inns market on back of Hoste Arms deal: City Pub Group chairman Clive Watson has told Propel its purchase of The Hoste Arms country hotel in Norfolk is a “one-off” and … view
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Tuesday 9th April 2019
The City Pub Group buys Hoste Arms, Burnham Market for £8.65m
The City Pub Group buys Hoste Arms, Burnham Market for £8.65m: The City Pub Group has exchanged contracts on the iconic Hoste Arms in Burnham Market for £8.65m – completion is the end of this month. The company stated: “(It is) a 53 … view
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Tuesday 9th April 2019
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Casual Dining Group reports first quarter like-for-likes up 4.2%: Casual Dining Group (CDG), the circa 280-strong operator of the Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Café Rouge brands, has reported an encouraging start to the year with like-fo … view
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Tuesday 9th April 2019
CDG results, record foodservice inflation, online bookings overtake calls
Casual Dining Group reports first quarter like-for-likes up 4.2%: Casual Dining Group (CDG), the circa 280-strong operator of the Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Café Rouge brands, has reported an encouraging start to the year with like-fo … view
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Monday 8th April 2019
Exclusive: TRG puts 22 new sites on market
Exclusive: TRG puts 22 new sites on market: The Restaurant Group (TRG) has put 22 new sites on the market as part of its ongoing disposal programme, Propel has learned. TRG has instructed agent Savills to handle the sale of the restaurants, wh … view
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Monday 8th April 2019
Propel Monday News Briefing
BrewDog launches new £50m crowdfunding push: Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog has launched another crowdfunding round, looking to raise £7m initially with a stretch goal of £50m. The company wants to open two breweries in China, th … view
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Friday 5th April 2019
Friday Opinion
Subjects: No-shows are a no no, mitigating Brexit food threats, sweat the small stuff, and PPL-ease don’t stop the music
Authors: Glynn Davis, Mike Williams, Ann Elliott and Andy Hill

No-shows ar … view

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Friday 5th April 2019
CGA reports on category winners in Brand Momentum Report
CGA reports on category winners in Brand Momentum Report: Greggs and McDonald’s are sustaining their momentum in the on the go and quick service sectors, JD Wetherspoon leads the way in high street bars, while Mitchells & Butlers brand … view
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Friday 5th April 2019
Propel Friday News Briefing
Martin Williams – new Gaucho team has made ‘dramatic change’: Martin Williams, chief executive of Rare Restaurants, the new parent vehicle of Gaucho and M Restaurants, has told Propel the former brand’s new management team has a m … view
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Thursday 4th April 2019
Gaucho owner acquires M Restaurants, Leon sales boost:
Gaucho owner acquires M Restaurants: Gaucho owner Lomo Bidco, which is owned by Investec Bank and SC Lowy, has acquired M Restaurants for an undisclosed sum. The deal brings together M Restaurants’ three sites and Gaucho’s 16 venues, with … view
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Thursday 4th April 2019
Update: Pret, Crepeaffaire, Disco Bowl and Ditto Coffee
Pret A Manger launches biggest menu shake-up: Pret A Manger, the JAB Holdings-owned group, is launching its biggest menu shake-up. A total of 20 new products are being added to the company’s offering next week, with many targeted at “ … view
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Thursday 4th April 2019
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Rosa’s Thai founders invest in Maray Restaurant Group: Rosa’s Thai Cafe founders Alex and Saiphin Moore have invested in Liverpool-based, Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant and cocktail bar concept Maray Restaurant Group as it targets … view
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Wednesday 3rd April 2019
Update: Time Out Market, Bruce Group and The Gate
Time Out Group to open Time Out Market in Dubai under management: Time Out Group has entered into a management agreement with Emaar Malls, the shopping malls and retail business majority-owned by Emaar Properties, to open a new Time Out M … view
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Wednesday 3rd April 2019
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
London’s hospitality gender pay gap narrows to 5.9%: The gender pay gap in London’s top hospitality establishments narrowed to 5.9% (or £1,784) in 2018 as a result of salaries for female employees rising at a higher level than those … view
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Tuesday 2nd April 2019
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
EMEA Capital founder makes ‘significant’ investment in Little Farm: Osman Semerci, founder of private equity firm EMEA Capital, has made a “significant” investment in London-based healthy food shop and restaurant Little Farm. Foun … view
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Monday 1st April 2019
Loungers set for AIM float, plans 25 new openings a year
Loungers set for AIM float, plans 25 new openings a year: Loungers plans to float on the Aim market with a value of between £250m and £300m – and is targeting 25 new openings a year. The company, which is backed by Lion Capital, the p … view
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Monday 1st April 2019
Propel Monday News Briefing
Wahaca building business for long term as it continues recovery from norovirus aftermath: Mark Selby, co-founder of Mexican restaurant brand Wahaca, has told Propel it is continuing to recover from the aftermath of the norovirus outbreak … view
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