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Thursday 30th November 2023
Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit returns for 2024, open for bookings
Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit returns for 2024, open for bookings: Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit is returning for its sixth edition, and tickets are now on sale. The event is a partnership between Prope … view
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Thursday 30th November 2023
Update: M&B FY lfls up 9.1%, Cooks Coffee, business confidence, Gary Usher
M&B FY like-for-like sales up 9.1%: Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), the All Bar One, Toby Carvery and Harvester owner, has reported a 9.1% increase in like-for-like sales for the 53 weeks ended 30 September 2023, with growth all brands, suppor … view
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Thursday 30th November 2023
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Falling foodservice price inflation ‘now a clear trend’: Inflation, as measured by the CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index (FPI), decreased for the fifth consecutive month in October, dipping below 20% year-on-year at 16.7%, its lowe … view
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Thursday 30th November 2023
Falling foodservice price inflation ‘now a clear trend’
Falling foodservice price inflation ‘now a clear trend’: Inflation, as measured by the CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index (FPI), decreased for the fifth consecutive month in October, dipping below 20% year-on-year at 16.7%, its lowest le … view
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Wednesday 29th November 2023
Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Awards 2024 finalists revealed
Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Awards 2024 finalists revealed: Finalists have been announced for the sixth Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Awards, staged by Propel and Think Hospitality to recognise success in marketing and innovation in the … view
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Wednesday 29th November 2023
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Collins – we’re relatively confident about returning to volume growth in the coming months: Nick Collins, chief executive of café bar operator Loungers, has said the business is “relatively confident about returning to volume growt … view
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Tuesday 28th November 2023
Update: Loungers H1 lfl sales up 7.7%, on track to open 34 sites this year, CFO to step down
Loungers H1 lfl sales up 7.7%, on track to open 34 sites this year, Brightside progressing to plan: Café bar operator Loungers has reported revenue growth of 22.3% to £149.6m for the 24 weeks ended 1 October 2023, reflecting like-for-li … view
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Tuesday 28th November 2023
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Kbox Global had net liabilities of £15.7m when it was placed into administration: Kbox Global, the host kitchen business, had net liabilities of £15.7m and cash at bank and in hand of £200,000 when it was placed into administration las … view
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Monday 27th November 2023
Wagamama owner’s shareholders back circa £500m takeover
Wagamama owner’s shareholders back circa £500m takeover: Shareholders of The Restaurant Group (TRG), the owner of Wagamama and Brunning & Price, have formally approved the proposed cash acquisition of the company by US private equity f … view
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Monday 27th November 2023
Knoops raises £8.3m as it aims for 200 UK sites
Knoops raises £8.3m as it aims for 200 UK sites: Luxury hot chocolate shop brand Knoops is planning to more than double in size in 2024 following a milestone £8.3m fundraising that leaves the fast-growing business debt-free and positioned fo … view
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Monday 27th November 2023
Update: New Burger King UK chair, Joe & The Juice UK results, Wingstop, Marston’s
Burger King UK appoints Lance Batchelor as new chairman: Burger King UK has announced that Lance Batchelor, the former chief executive of Domino’s Pizza, will join its board as its new chairman from 1 December 2023, replacing Martin Rob … view
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Monday 27th November 2023
Propel Monday News Briefing
Pho sees strong underlying profit growth, well positioned to continue growth plan: Vietnamese street food restaurant group Pho has reported strong underlying profit growth in the year to 19 February 2023, after two covid-impacted years su … view
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Friday 24th November 2023
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Where do we go from a mixed autumn statement, the end of cheap money, dad was the embodiment of service before self, rising in the east
Authors: Kate Nicholls, Luke Johnson, Ann Elliott, Sarah Travell
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Friday 24th November 2023
Exclusive: Soho House acquires Hush Mayfair for new club
Exclusive – Soho House acquires Hush Mayfair for new club: Soho House is to open a new venue in London’s Mayfair, after acquiring the iconic Hush restaurant site, Propel has learned. The sale of the townhouse site in Lancashire Court, … view
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Friday 24th November 2023
Propel Friday News Briefing
Heartwood Collection aiming to more than double turnover by 2027, seven freeholds acquired for next year: Heartwood Collection, formerly Brasserie Bar Co, is aiming to more than double its turnover by 2027, as it plans to reach 90% of sit … view
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Thursday 23rd November 2023
Nightcap – ‘business not in a position to reach full potential until industrial action settled’
Nightcap reports like-for-likes down 16.7% as rail strikes impact sales, ‘business not in a position to reach full potential until industrial action settled’: Nightcap – owner of the Cocktail Club, the Adventure Bar Group, Dirty Martini … view
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Thursday 23rd November 2023
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Fuller's CEO – disappointing autumn statement 'will fuel inflation and influence future investment in sector': Fuller's chief executive Simon Emeny said a “disappointing” autumn statement will “fuel inflation” next year and “i … view
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Wednesday 22nd November 2023
Sector leaders warn two thirds of industry still facing business rates hike despite extension of relief
Sector leaders warn two thirds of industry still facing business rates hike despite extension of relief, lack of VAT reduction seen as ‘missed opportunity’: Sector leaders have warned that two thirds of the industry are still facing a bus … view
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Wednesday 22nd November 2023
Update: Jeremy Hunt to cut business tax and national insurance
Jeremy Hunt to cut business tax and national insurance: Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will use his autumn statement to cut national insurance for 28 million people and unveil permanent tax cuts for businesses. Hunt is expected to reduce the head … view
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Wednesday 22nd November 2023
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Sector criticises government over increase in minimum wage: The hospitality sector has criticised the government’s announcement that the National Living Wage will increase by more than a pound an hour from April next year. Chancellor Je … view
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Tuesday 21st November 2023
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
London champagne and cheese concept targets up to 15 UK sites ahead of overseas expansion: London champagne and cheese concept, Champagne + Fromage, is targeting up to 15 UK sites ahead of overseas expansion. Stefano Frigerio founded the … view
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Monday 20th November 2023
Opinion Special: Tributes to Ian Payne’s extraordinary career

Thank you Mr Payne by Mark Wingett

I once asked Ian Payne, who will step down as chairman of Stonegate Group at the end of January, what he thought his greatest achievement was in the pub industry. After the answers around building busin … view
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Monday 20th November 2023
Dame Karen Jones and Hamish Stoddart join Punch as strategic advisors
Dame Karen Jones and Hamish Stoddart join Punch as strategic advisors: Punch Pubs & Co, the Fortress Investment Group-backed business, has appointed three strategic advisors to the board. The business has secured the services of Dame Kare … view
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Monday 20th November 2023
Propel Monday News Briefing
Farmer J secures backing from Edition Capital: All-day market concept Farmer J has secured new investment from Edition Capital, which will aid its plans to expand in London and across the UK, Propel has learned. The level of investment fr … view
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Friday 17th November 2023
Friday Opinion
Subjects: It’s not too late to make the case for business rates, making Black Friday count in hospitality, sunshine on Leith, creating a culture of excellence
Authors: Kate Nicholls, Dan Brookman, Phil Mellows, Alastair Sco … view
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Friday 17th November 2023
Ian Payne to step down as Stonegate chairman after announcing his retirement
Ian Payne to step down as Stonegate chairman after announcing his retirement: Ian Payne MBE will step down as chairman of Stonegate, the UK’s largest pub group, after announcing his retirement. The 70-year-old has informed the board of his d … view
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Friday 17th November 2023
Marston’s appoints former Merlin CSO as its new CEO after Andrew Andrea steps down
Marston’s appoints former Merlin CSO as its new CEO after Andrew Andrea steps down: Pub company Marston’s has appointed a new chief executive after Andrew Andrea stepped down with immediate effect. It has brought in former Merlin Ente … view
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Friday 17th November 2023
Propel Friday News Briefing
Exclusive – Lane7 to make German debut for first international site: Boutique bowling company Lane7 is to make its German debut, Propel has learned. Ten years after the opening of the first Lane7 in the UK, the brand is launching in The … view
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Thursday 16th November 2023
Legal Briefing

Dynamic pricing – it’s not as straight forward as you think by Michelle Hazlewood

Today, I had the privilege of speaking at the Propel Multi-Club Conference about legislative changes in licensing, followed by some thoughts on dynamic … view
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Thursday 16th November 2023
Young’s agrees deal to acquire City Pub Group for £162m
Young’s agrees deal to acquire City Pub Group for £162m: Young’s has agreed a deal to acquire City Pub Group, in a deal which values the owner and operator of circa 50 pubs across southern England and Wales at around £162m. City Pub Grou … view
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Thursday 16th November 2023
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Emeny – our pubs in the City have been the strongest part of our business, we have firepower to go out and look at acquisitions: Simon Emeny, chief executive at Fuller’s, has told Propel that the group’s pubs in the City of London h … view
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Wednesday 15th November 2023
Update: Fuller’s current lfl sales up 11.7%, Christmas bookings 11% ahead of last year
Fuller’s current lfl sales up 11.7%, Christmas bookings 11% ahead of last year, headroom for acquisitions to drive long-term growth: Fuller’s has said its current like for like sales, for the 32 weeks to 11 November, are up 11.7% on t … view
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Wednesday 15th November 2023
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Ex-Wear Inns business placed into administration: The old Wear Inns business, which was purchased by real estate investment company Aprirose five years ago, has been placed into administration, Propel has learned. Aprirose acquired the ma … view
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Wednesday 15th November 2023
Growth softens for managed operators, Camm & Hooper acquires first site outside of London
Growth softens for managed operators as wet weather dampens sales: Britain’s leading hospitality groups saw year-on-year growth slow to 3.2% in October amid widespread poor weather, the new CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker reveals. … view
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Tuesday 14th November 2023
McDonald’s investigating 79 cases of sexual harassment, MPs publish seven written testimonies from whistleblowers
McDonald’s currently investigating 79 cases of sexual harassment, MPs publish seven written testimonies from whistleblowers: McDonald’s is currently investigating 79 cases of sexual harassment in the UK and Ireland, and has received 4 … view
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Tuesday 14th November 2023
Update: Hawksmoor experiencing ‘record sales and profitability’
Hawksmoor experiencing ‘record sales and profitability’: Steakhouse concept Hawksmoor has said it is experiencing record sales and profitability. In its accounts for the year ending 31 December 2022, the company said: “At the date of sig … view
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Tuesday 14th November 2023
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Joe & the Juice valued at $600m after securing new investment for growth, including UK: US private equity firm General Atlantic has reached an agreement to buy a majority stake in Joe & the Juice, the juice and café bar chain, which is t … view
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Monday 13th November 2023
Update: ‘Significant potential’ for Loungers in north west and north east, ‘big plans’ for Oxford after city debut
Collins – we see significant potential for more Loungers sites in north west and north east, ‘big plans’ for Oxford following city debut: Loungers chief executive Nick Collins has said he sees “significant potential” for more Lounger … view
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Monday 13th November 2023
Propel Monday News Briefing
Soho House revenue falls short despite membership growth, UK MD appointed group COO: Soho House & Co, which owns 42 private members’ clubs around the world, saw its third-quarter revenue fall short of expectations, after its performance … view
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Saturday 11th November 2023
Exclusive: Oakman Group appoints advisors as it gears up to consider options
Exclusive – Oakman Group appoints advisors as it gears up to consider options: Oakman Group, the award-winning pub-restaurant operator, has appointed advisors as it gears up to consider options available to facilitate a liquidity event … view
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Friday 10th November 2023
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Looking to the US for M&A, Nico knew how to deal with no-shows, defining ‘value for money’
Authors: Graeme Smith, Glynn Davis, Ann Elliott

Looking to the US for M&A inspiration by … view

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Friday 10th November 2023
Bosses of more than 230 sector companies warn of further closures without business rates freeze
Bosses of more than 230 sector companies warn of further closures without business rates freeze: The bosses of more than 230 hospitality companies have warned the government that pubs and restaurants will shut without a tax freeze. Compan … view
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Friday 10th November 2023
Propel Friday News Briefing
Exclusive – The Piano Works to take up residency within Nightcap Covent Garden following relocation: Live music concept The Piano Works is set to take up residency within the Covent Garden venue of Nightcap – owner of the Cocktail Clu … view
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Friday 10th November 2023
Exclusive: The Piano Works to take up residency within Nightcap Covent Garden following relocation
Exclusive – The Piano Works to take up residency within Nightcap Covent Garden following relocation: Live music concept The Piano Works is set to take up residency within the Covent Garden venue of Nightcap – owner of the Cocktail Clu … view
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Thursday 9th November 2023
Update: Domino’s, McDonald’s, Nightcap, interest rates, Airbnb
Domino’s Pizza reports total orders return to growth in fourth quarter, now expects to open at least 60 stores this year, starting Uber Eats trial in 2024: Domino’s Pizza UK has reported total orders have returned to growth in the fou … view
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Thursday 9th November 2023
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Wendy’s – QSR burger market offers huge growth potential in UK and we’re here to challenge the competition: Michael Clarke, senior managing director – Europe for Wendy’s, the third-largest quick service restaurant chain in the U … view
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Wednesday 8th November 2023
Update: JD Wetherspoon and Time Out Market
JD Wetherspoon reports like-for-likes up 9.5% as it outperforms market for 13 consecutive months: JD Wetherspoon has reported like-for-like sales for the 14 weeks to 5 November 2023 were up 9.5% compared with the previous year. Bar sales incre … view
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Wednesday 8th November 2023
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Harden’s – 50% year-on-year rise in restaurants charging £150 per head or more for a meal sees ‘new tier of hyper-luxurious restaurants’: A “new tier of hyper-luxurious restaurants” is being created by a 50% year-on-year rise … view
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Wednesday 8th November 2023
Harden’s: 50% year-on-year rise in restaurants charging £150 per head or more for a meal
Harden’s – 50% year-on-year rise in restaurants charging £150 per head or more for a meal sees ‘new tier of hyper-luxurious restaurants’: A “new tier of hyper-luxurious restaurants” is being created by a 50% year-on-year rise … view
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Tuesday 7th November 2023
PizzaExpress will not make offer for Wagamama owner TRG ‘due to market conditions’
PizzaExpress will not make offer for Wagamama owner TRG ‘due to market conditions’: The owner of PizzaExpress has said it will not make an offer for Wagamama owner The Restaurant Group. Last month Wheel Topco, the owner of PizzaExpres … view
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Tuesday 7th November 2023
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Manchester secret bar concept looking to open first franchise location next year ahead of expansion to ‘major cities’ in UK and overseas: Manchester hidden bar concept Washhouse is looking to open its first franchise location next yea … view
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Monday 6th November 2023
Oakman full-year sales rise to £70m, undergoing refinancing and plans further fundraise
Oakman full-year sales rise to £70m, undergoing refinancing and plans further fundraise: Oakman Group has reported the business has seen its most profitable quarter since December 2021 as it undergoes a refinancing and plans a further fundrai … view
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Monday 6th November 2023
Update: Pace of closures slows as managed segment sees site net growth
Pace of closures slows as managed segment sees site net growth, sector contraction ‘masks evolution of market’: The pace of closures of licensed premises has slowed in the last three months while the standard of offer across the secto … view
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Monday 6th November 2023
Propel Monday News Briefing
Blank Street Coffee targets regional expansion: Ignacio Llado, UK managing director of US coffee chain Blank Street Coffee, which made its debut in Britain last July, has told Propel that the business is “seeing more and more demand fro … view
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Saturday 4th November 2023
More than half of sector companies to reduce investment and cut staff without business rates support
More than half of sector companies to reduce investment and cut staff without business rates support: More than half of sector companies will reduce investment and cut staffing levels without business rates support, a new survey has revea … view
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Friday 3rd November 2023
Friday Opinion
Subjects: From sloppy service (bad) to sloppy service (really good), delivering the goods, being a best-in-class operator, quality drinking time
Authors: Elton Mouna, Glynn Davis, Alastair Scott, Phil Mellows
view
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Friday 3rd November 2023
Update: Papa John’s CEO – we continue to be confident in long-term potential of the UK market
Papa John’s CEO – we continue to be confident in long-term potential of the UK market: Rob Lynch, president and chief executive of Papa John’s, has said the business continues to be confident in the long-term potential of the UK mar … view
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Friday 3rd November 2023
Propel Friday News Briefing
Wendy’s CEO – UK franchisees have increased their development agreements, highlighting confidence in the brand: Todd Penegor, president and chief executive of Wendy’s, the third-largest quick service restaurant chain in the US, has … view
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Thursday 2nd November 2023
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Exclusive – Glenn Edwards to stand down as Leon managing director: Glenn Edwards is to stand down as managing director of natural fast food brand Leon, Propel understands. Edwards, who has been with Leon since spring 2011, has been mana … view
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Wednesday 1st November 2023
Don't miss Propel's best conference presentations in 2023
Don't miss Propel's best conference presentations in 2023: For the first time, Propel group editor Mark Wingett has chosen the best videos from the Propel conferences in 2023, picking out a selection of talks and interviews that resonated … view
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Wednesday 1st November 2023
Exclusive: McDonald’s lfl sales grow in 2023 due to success of delivery and drive-thru following increase in profits and turnover
Exclusive – McDonald’s lfl sales grow in 2023 due to success of delivery and drive-thru following increase in profits and turnover: McDonald’s has said its UK like-for-like sales have grown in 2023 due to the success of its delivery and … view
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Wednesday 1st November 2023
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Buns from Home targets 15-20 new openings as it appoints first ops director: Buns from Home, the London independent bakery brand, has appointed John Brooks as its first operations director as it gears up to open 15-20 new sites within the … view
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