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Friday 30th September 2022
Exclusive: RedCat Pub Company appoints Phil Birbeck as CEO with Chris Hill leaving the business
Exclusive – RedCat Pub Company appoints Phil Birbeck as CEO with Chris Hill leaving business: RedCat Pub Company, the investment vehicle from ex-Greene King chief executive Rooney Anand, has appointed former Whitbread managing director Phil … view
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Friday 30th September 2022
Des Gunewardena leaves D&D London to pursue other ventures, David Loewi becomes interim CEO
Des Gunewardena leaves D&D London to pursue other ventures, David Loewi becomes interim CEO: Restaurant operator D&D London has appointed its co-founder, chief operating officer and deputy chairman David Loewi as interim CEO, as Des Gunewarden … view
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Friday 30th September 2022
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Dictatorial approach not helping Sam Smith’s, creating a F&B proposition relevant and meaningful to Generation Z, CRM – the answer to survival is right under your nose
Authors: Gly … view
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Friday 30th September 2022
Exclusive: McDonald’s UK turnover hits £1.5bn to exceed pre-pandemic levels
Exclusive – McDonald’s UK turnover hits £1.5bn to exceed pre-pandemic levels, returns to profit, paid £29m to buy out largest UK franchisee: McDonald’s UK has reported like-for-like sales in 2022 are up on last year as the business rep … view
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Friday 30th September 2022
Update: Cineworld and Parkdean Resorts
Cineworld reports slower than expected recovery with admissions below expectations: Cineworld Group, which operates 747 cinema sites and 9,139 screens globally, has reported a slower than expected recovery in the first half of the year a … view
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Friday 30th September 2022
Propel Friday News Briefing
Burger King starts roll out of ‘urban box-style’ concept, opening more sites in ‘traditional casual dining slots’: Burger King UK has begun the roll out of its fledgling “urban box-style” format, and chief executive Alasdair M … view
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Thursday 29th September 2022
Update: M&B and Caprice Holdings
M&B reports like-for-likes up 1.5% in fourth quarter, expects energy and utility costs to almost double to £150m: Mitchells & Butlers has reported like-for-like sales were up 1.5% in its fourth quarter compared with 2019 as it said … view
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Thursday 29th September 2022
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Exclusive – Downing acquires Pub People and commits to growth: Investment manager Downing has acquired Midlands pub company Pub People and committed to further funding for expansion, Propel has learned. Downing has acquired the company … view
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Thursday 29th September 2022
Exclusive: Downing acquires Pub People and commits to growth
Exclusive – Downing acquires Pub People and commits to growth: Investment manager Downing has acquired Midlands pub company Pub People and committed to further funding for expansion, Propel has learned. Downing has acquired the company … view
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Wednesday 28th September 2022
Exclusive: The Big Table Group acquires Banana Tree
Exclusive – The Big Table Group acquires Banana Tree: The Big Table Group, the operator of Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Café Rouge, has acquired the fast-casual pan-Asian chain Banana Tree, Propel has learned. Founded more than 30 years ag … view
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Wednesday 28th September 2022
Update: Ivy restaurants business passes £200m turnover
Ivy restaurants business passes £200m turnover: The Ivy restaurants business owned by Richard Caring passed £200m of turnover in the year to 2 January 2022. Turnover of £200.4m (2021: £125.8m) was also slightly above the pre-pandemic … view
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Wednesday 28th September 2022
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Parent company of Backyard Chicken placed into liquidation: The future of Backyard Chicken, the concept from former Jamie’s Italian chief executive Simon Blagden, has been thrown into doubt after its parent company was placed into liqui … view
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Tuesday 27th September 2022
Arc Inspirations outlines plans for significant growth as it reports record sales and profits
Arc Inspirations outlines plans for significant growth as it reports record sales and profits: Multi-site operator Arc Inspirations has outlined plans for significant growth as it reported record sales and profits. The Martin Wolstencroft-led … view
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Tuesday 27th September 2022
Update: Domino’s appoints interim CEO, Dishoom and SSP Group
Domino’s appoints interim CEO: Domino’s Pizza Group has appointed Elias Diaz Sese, currently a non-executive director of the company, as interim chief executive. This change will be effective from Monday, 10 October and Diaz Sese will … view
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Tuesday 27th September 2022
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
James Watt – ‘mini-Budget’ will cost hundreds of thousands if not millions of jobs as costs soar further due to falling value of pound: James Watt, co-founder of Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog, has argued the “mini-Budget” … view
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Monday 26th September 2022
JD Wetherspoon places 32 pubs on the market
JD Wetherspoon places 32 pubs on the market: JD Wetherspoon has placed a package of 32 of its pubs on the market. The properties, which comprise a mix of ten freehold and 22 leasehold units, are located in town and city centre locations across … view
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Monday 26th September 2022
KFC and Starbucks franchisee Soul Foods receives investment to double 400-strong portfolio
KFC and Starbucks franchisee Soul Foods Group receives investment to double 400-strong portfolio in next five years: Soul Foods Group, a multinational quick-service restaurant franchisee with almost 400 sites across the UK and Canada, has rece … view
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Monday 26th September 2022
Update: Brighton Pier Group and Chapel Down results, Domino's UK to hire 10,000 staff
Brighton Pier Group reports record revenue but warns of significant trading challenges ahead: The Brighton Pier Group, which owns and trades Brighton Palace Pier, as well as indoor mini golf sites and premium bars nationwide, has reporte … view
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Monday 26th September 2022
Propel Monday News Briefing
Upham attracts potential investor partners, seeing another ‘new normal’ emerge: Ian Dunstall, director at Upham Inns, the Hampshire operator, has said the 15-strong company has attracted interest from potential investor partners. Prop … view
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Friday 23rd September 2022
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Is prime minister Liz Truss a libertarian part two, biggest is not necessarily the best, keeping the restaurant revival afloat during cost-of-living crisis
Authors: Paul Chase, Glynn Davis, Chris Harris
view
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Friday 23rd September 2022
Anger as chancellor’s mini-Budget ignores pleas for VAT reduction and business rates relief
Anger as chancellor’s mini-Budget ignores pleas for VAT reduction and business rates relief: Industry leaders have lambasted chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-Budget after it offered little in the way of support for struggling hospitality … view
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Friday 23rd September 2022
Update: Hospitality hit as consumers cut back, consumer confidence falls, cask ale, Creams, Mollies
Hospitality hit as consumers cut back: More than a quarter of businesses reported a fall in revenues last month, with restaurants, pubs and bars in particular struggling as hard-up consumers tightened their purse strings. The Times repor … view
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Friday 23rd September 2022
Propel Friday News Briefing
Hospitality underpins city centre vibrancy, but cost pressures threaten recovery: Pubs, bars and restaurants are still driving the post-covid-19 renaissance of Britain’s top cities, research from CGA by NielsenIQ and Wireless Social sho … view
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Friday 23rd September 2022
Hospitality underpins city centre vibrancy, but cost pressures threaten recovery
Hospitality underpins city centre vibrancy, but cost pressures threaten recovery: Pubs, bars and restaurants are still driving the post-covid-19 renaissance of Britain’s top cities, research from CGA by NielsenIQ and Wireless Social shows … view
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Thursday 22nd September 2022
Exclusive: Brewhouse & Kitchen set to appoint advisers as it assesses options
Exclusive – Brewhouse & Kitchen set to appoint advisers as it assesses options, trading ahead of pre-pandemic levels: Brewhouse & Kitchen, the UK's largest brewpub operator, is set to appoint advisers as it assesses its options, Propel … view
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Thursday 22nd September 2022
Update: Comptoir update, Adnams H1 update, new non-exec at Tortilla, Various Eateries CFO steps down
Comptoir Group sees trading improve but cautious about the immediate-term outlook: Comptoir Group, the Comptoir Libanais operator, has said it has seen trade continue to improve “week to week” but said it was “cautious about the im … view
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Thursday 22nd September 2022
Propel Thursday News Briefing
WatchHouse launches crowdfunding campaign to aid further expansion, more than £2m raised already: Edition Capital-backed coffee concept WatchHouse has launched a new crowdfunding campaign, to aid further expansion in the UK and online, w … view
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Wednesday 21st September 2022
Dame Karen Jones to step down as executive chair of Prezzo

Dame Karen Jones to step down as executive chair of Prezzo: Prezzo, the Cain International-backed Ital … view

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Wednesday 21st September 2022
Sector welcomes ‘unprecedented’ intervention to cap energy bills but warns further support must be forthcoming
Sector welcomes ‘unprecedented’ intervention to cap energy bills but warns further support must be forthcoming in mini-Budget: Sector leaders have welcomed the “unprecedented” intervention by government to cap energy bills for bus … view
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Wednesday 21st September 2022
Update: UK businesses to benefit from price cap on energy bills, Fridays and City Pub updates
UK businesses to benefit from price cap on energy bills: UK businesses will be protected from soaring energy bills under an emergency government scheme that ministers hope will prevent a wave of corporate collapses. The support scheme … view
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Wednesday 21st September 2022
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Managed groups’ August sales up from pre-covid levels but inflation wipes out growth: Like-for-like sales at Britain’s managed restaurant, pub and bar groups in August were 2.0% ahead of the pre-covid-19 levels of 2019, the new editio … view
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Wednesday 21st September 2022
Managed groups’ August sales up from pre-covid levels but inflation wipes out growth
Managed groups’ August sales up from pre-covid levels but inflation wipes out growth: Like-for-like sales at Britain’s managed restaurant, pub and bar groups in August were 2.0% ahead of the pre-covid-19 levels of 2019, the new editio … view
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Tuesday 20th September 2022
Sector demands urgent clarity on energy cap and need for wider government support to avoid ‘unfolding catastrophe’ on industry
Sector demands urgent clarity on energy cap and need for wider government support to avoid ‘unfolding catastrophe’ on industry: Sector trade bodies have demanded the government gives urgent clarity on the energy cap for businesses as well … view
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Tuesday 20th September 2022
Update: Fuller’s sales continue to rebuild, Tasty update, Pret expansion, sector looks to mini-Budget, Tortilla
Fuller’s sales continue to rebuild, total gas and electricity costs expected to rise by c.£10m: Fuller’s has reported that its sales continue to rebuild from the impact of the pandemic with total sales in the first 25 weeks of the f … view
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Tuesday 20th September 2022
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Kwarteng considers blanket discount on business energy bills, gas prices forecast to more than halve by next spring: A blanket discount on business energy bills is being considered by chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng ahead of this week’s mini- … view
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Friday 16th September 2022
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Taking showing sports to the next level, future sales and profitability, consumer spending in the cost-of-living crisis 
Authors: Glynn Davis, Paul Pavli, Simon Stenning

Taking showing s … view

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Friday 16th September 2022
Propel Friday News Briefing
Martin – we don’t have a labour shortage but do have a profitability issue, wage costs £120m more than before pandemic: Tim Martin, chairman of JD Wetherspoon, has argued his business, and the wider sector, “doesn’t have a labour … view
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Thursday 15th September 2022
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Sector warns only ‘immediate and large-scale interventions can save huge parts of the industry’ despite government confirming business energy support from October: Businesses will receive money to help them with increases to their fue … view
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Wednesday 14th September 2022
Legal Briefing

Trust in Truss to fix hospitality’s cost-of-living and energy concerns by Chris Grunert

Within the space of a few days, the nation said farewell to Her Majesty the Queen as well as former prime minister Boris Johnson. It does feel like … view
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Wednesday 14th September 2022
Update: Businesses warned of energy support delay, inflation falls, Hawksmoor, Center Parcs, Starbucks et al
Businesses warned of delay to state energy support: Companies have been warned by UK government officials they will have to wait longer than households for help from its £150bn energy package, due to the difficulty of launching a support syst … view
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Wednesday 14th September 2022
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Two Magpies sees potential for growth to 50 sites, aiming for £10m turnover to attract ‘big investment’: Co-founder Steve Magnall believes Two Magpies Bakery has the potential to grow to 50 sites but is determined to get to £10m in … view
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Tuesday 13th September 2022
Liberation Group lfl sales up 6.3%, even with support announced UK utility costs will double in October
Liberation Group lfl sales up 6.3%, even with support announced UK utility costs will double in October: Channel Islands and West Country brewer and retailer Liberation Group has reported a strong summer of trading across its pubs and brewing … view
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Tuesday 13th September 2022
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Butchies plans ‘aggressive expansion’ in 2024: Garrett FitzGerald, founder of London chicken sandwich concept Butchies, said he plans “aggressive expansion” in 2024. Fitzgerald, who founded the company in 2013 after a visit to New … view
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Monday 12th September 2022
Propel Monday News Briefing
Murdoch – the digital transformation is allowing us to get back on to the high street and establish new markets: Alasdair Murdoch, chief executive of Burger King UK, has said embracing digital has allowed the brand to “get back on to … view
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Friday 9th September 2022
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Is prime minister Liz Truss a libertarian, staying ahead of the game, still opening for business 
Authors: Paul Chase, Glynn Davis, Sarah Travell

Is prime minister Liz Truss a libertaria … view

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Friday 9th September 2022
Propel Friday News Briefing
Industry leaders pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II: Industry leaders have paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II after the UK’s longest-serving monarch passed away on Thursday afternoon (8 September). The Queen, who reigned for 70 years, d … view
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Thursday 8th September 2022
Liz Truss unveils £150bn UK energy plan but limits business support to six months
Liz Truss unveils £150bn UK energy plan but limits business support to six months: Industry leaders have warned further support needs to come after Liz Truss agreed to cap energy prices for businesses for just six months. The new prime minist … view
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Thursday 8th September 2022
300 sector bosses sign letter asking chancellor to urgently deliver package of support
300 sector bosses sign letter asking chancellor to urgently deliver package of support as survey lays bare industry’s struggles to survive: More than 300 sector businesses have signed an open letter asking new chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, for … view
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Thursday 8th September 2022
Update: Truss to unveil £150bn energy scheme, TRG results, price rises
Truss to unveil £150bn scheme to freeze energy bills for two years: Prime minister Liz Truss will today (Thursday, 8 September) announce a £150bn package to freeze energy bills for up to two years for businesses and households as she en … view
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Thursday 8th September 2022
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Frequency of visits set to decline over next year, operators must focus on increasing spend per head and visit: The frequency of consumer visits are expected to decline over the next 12 months, but this will create opportunities to increa … view
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Thursday 8th September 2022
Foodservice inflation stays in double digits for sixth month running despite easing in commodity markets
Foodservice inflation stays in double digits for sixth month running despite easing in commodity markets: The foodservice sector continues to face high levels of inflation despite relief in some commodities, the latest edition of the CGA Prest … view
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Wednesday 7th September 2022
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
UKHospitality welcomes new prime minister’s energy prices pledge, calls for VAT cut to 10% and business rates holiday: UKHospitality has welcomed new prime minister Liz Truss’ energy prices pledge but renewed calls for VAT to be cut t … view
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Tuesday 6th September 2022
Itsu increases pay by up to 13% across its entire workforce, second rise in 12 months
Itsu increases pay by up to 13% across its entire workforce, second rise in 12 months: Itsu, the healthy Asian food chain, has announced an inflation-busting pay rise of up to 13% across its entire workforce to help staff cope with rising pric … view
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Tuesday 6th September 2022
Update: Truss plans energy bill freeze for businesses, Rekom UK trading, Deliveroo
Truss plans energy bill freeze for businesses amid fear of mass bankruptcies: Liz Truss is expected to freeze energy bills for every household and business in the country in one of her first acts as prime minister. Truss, who will be app … view
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Tuesday 6th September 2022
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Peckwater hits crowdfunding target within hours of campaign launch: Peckwater Brands, the virtual food brands operator in which Stonegate Group has a stake, hit its crowdfunding target of £14.65m within hours of launching the campaign an … view
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Monday 5th September 2022
Sector urges new PM Liz Truss to ‘act quickly and decisively’ to save industry
Sector urges new PM Liz Truss to ‘act quickly and decisively’ to save industry: Sector trade bodies have urged new prime minister Liz Truss to “act quickly and decisively” to save the sector. UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicho … view
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Monday 5th September 2022
Exclusive: Peckwater acquires Honest Food Company to become Europe's largest virtual food brand operator
Exclusive – Peckwater acquires Honest Food Company to become Europe’s largest virtual food brand operator, plans crowdfund: Peckwater Brands, in which Stonegate Group has a stake, has acquired the operations of Honest Food Company (H … view
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Monday 5th September 2022
Propel Monday News Briefing
Industry calls on government to provide immediate comprehensive package of support on energy: The hospitality industry has called on the government to provide an immediate comprehensive package of support on energy, and action on the cost … view
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Friday 2nd September 2022
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Observations from the Propel Conference, building the occasion in pubs, why NIMBYs are also posing a threat to pubs 
Authors: Ann Elliott, Mark Marshall, Glynn Davis

Observations from th … view

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Friday 2nd September 2022
Update: Chancellor covid-style tax breaks for firms, Starbucks appoints new CEO
Zahawi plans covid-style tax breaks for firms facing ruin: Nadhim Zahawi has drawn up plans for a multibillion-pound package of tax cuts to help businesses facing bankruptcy because of rising energy costs. The Times reports the chancello … view
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Friday 2nd September 2022
Propel Friday News Briefing
Fixed term contracts being ‘ripped up’ by utility companies, operators warned: Sector operators have been warned that fixed term energy contracts are not necessarily a safeguard against rocketing utility bills. Businesses across the U … view
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Thursday 1st September 2022
Update: Patisserie Valerie to close nine sites, Fulham Shore energy bill, Truss plans business rates cut
Patisserie Valerie to close nine sites: Patisserie Valerie, which is backed by Irish private equity firm Causeway Capital, is to close nine sites that the company feels will “not recover sufficiently” following the pandemic, Propel ha … view
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Thursday 1st September 2022
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Martin Williams – restaurant industry is on ‘knife-edge of collapse’: Martin Williams chief executive of Rare Restaurants, the owner of Gaucho and M Restaurants, has warned the restaurant industry is on a “knife-edge of collapse … view
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