Greene King revenue up 3.2% in year of transition: Greene King saw revenue increase 3.2% to £2.45bn in the 12 months to 29 December 2024, with all four divisions experiencing growth, in what it said was a year of transition as it shifted … view

Starbucks franchisee aiming to almost triple the size of both its UK and overseas F&B estates in the next five years: Starbucks and KFC franchisee Queensway is aiming to almost triple the size of both its UK and overseas estates in the ne … view

Britain’s managed groups’ like-for-likes fall 0.6% in March but pub sales heat up in the sunshine: Britain’s managed groups’ like-for-like sales fell 0.6% in March, the new CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker reveals. It complete … view

Yumpingo acquired by US platform Black Box Intelligence: Black Box Intelligence (BBI), the US restaurant data and operational performance solution platform, has acquired guest experience management and survey platform Yumpingo. BBI said t … view

Deliveroo shares climb as CEO set for £172m payout if deal agreed: Shares in Deliveroo climbed 27.4p to 174p in initial trading this morning after the board of the delivery firm said late last week that it would be “minded to recommend … view

WatchHouse – 62% revenue growth in FY24, second US opening imminent, plans ten openings in 2026: Specialty coffee business WatchHouse has told Propel it remains focused on deepening its presence in London and New York, while laying the … view

Ivy Collection sees profit and turnover grow despite inflationary headwinds, lines up Nottingham launch as it looks to add to estate: The Ivy Collection, the Richard Caring-backed restaurant chain, saw its profit and turnover grow in the … view

Deliveroo opens the door to £2.7bn takeover: Deliveroo has indicated it is open to a £2.7bn takeover by US rival Doordash. The food delivery firm said today (Friday, 25 April), after markets closed, that it had received a proposal from … view

Propel to launch ‘deep-dive’ parallel sessions at Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference: Propel is launching “parallel sessions” at this year’s Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference, which offer the chance to deep- … view

Chocoberry aiming for 100 locations as its targets Turkey for next overseas market: Dessert brand Chocoberry has said it is aiming to grow to 100 locations, as its targets Turkey for its next overseas market. Founded in Leicester in 2018 … view

Domino’s reports positive sales growth in first quarter with delivery up but collection down, most of targeted 50 new stores for 2025 to open in second half: Domino’s has reported positive sales growth in the first quarter of 2025, wi … view

Hospitality market stability under threat from new costs with 20 net closures per week in first quarter of 2025: Britain’s pub, restaurant and hotel market has achieved marginal growth in outlets over the last 12 months, the new Hospita … view

Hospitality market stability under threat from new costs with 20 net closures per week in first quarter of 2025: Britain’s pub, restaurant and hotel market has achieved marginal growth in outlets over the last 12 m … view

Exclusive – Federal Cafe appoints advisors as it targets growing a national presence: Manchester cafe concept Federal Cafe, which offers Australian and New Zealand-inspired brunch dishes, has appointed advisors as it looks to secure new … view

Greene King to invest £10m into Hickory’s this year, plans to triple size of chain by 2030: Brewer and retailer Greene King has said it plans to invest £10m into its American-style smokehouse and barbecue brand Hickory’s this year, … view

Exclusive – Loungers CEO invests in Bosco Pizzeria: Nick Collins, chief executive of café bar operator Loungers, has invested in pizza concept Bosco Pizzeria, Propel has learned. Propel understands that Collins, who has been chief exec … view

Stonegate well-positioned to ‘maintain trajectory of profitable growth’: Stonegate Group, the UK’s largest pub company, has said it is “well positioned to maintain our trajectory of profitable growth”. It comes as the group rep … view

Giggling Squid co-founder – new labour costs mean focus on larger sites and a possible rethink on how big we can grow, casual dining sector will be a very different place in a decade: Andy Laurillard, co-founder of Giggling Squid, the T … view

Exclusive – Big Mamma Group to open four new UK sites this year as turnover nears record £45m: Big Mamma Group, which is backed by McWin, has said it plans to open four new UK sites in 2025 as it reported turnover increased to a record … view

Jonathon Swaine to step down as Shepherd Neame MD, Pubs: Kent brewer and retailer Shepherd Neame has announced that Jonathon Swaine is to step down as managing director, Pubs, on 17 April 2025. Swaine, formerly of Rank Group and Fuller� … view

Caprinos looking to make motorway services and airport debuts and seeking to grow company-owned estate: Fast-growing pizza franchise Caprinos has told Propel it is looking for its first motorway services and airport locations this year an … view

Topgolf founders’ new Poolhouse concept secures $34m of funding, gears up for London launch: The founders of Topgolf and World Golf Systems have secured $34m (£25.9m) of funding to launch their new competitive socialising concept calle … view

Heavenly Desserts to kickstart international expansion this year with openings in Canada, Germany, Pakistan and India: Artisan dessert restaurant Heavenly Desserts is to kickstart its international expansion this year with openings in Can … view

Big Licks aiming to open first franchise stores this year as it targets 100 UK sites and overseas expansion: Smash burger and dessert concept Big Licks has told Propel it is aiming to open its first franchise stores this year, as it targe … view

Esquires owner reports ‘strong trading momentum’ as full-year sales climb to £35.1m, strong pipeline of new stores anticipated in UK: Cooks Coffee Company, owner of the Esquires brand, has reported “strong trading momentum” with … view

Foodservice price inflation remains calm amidst global economic crosscurrents: The latest CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index (FPI) indicates a continued easing of inflationary pressures, with the Index remaining relatively flat in Febru … view

Being asked to contribute to this month’s legal briefing happened to coincide with a classic parenting moment: my youngest lost his wallet on a night out. Of course, it contained not jus … view

Church’s Texas Chicken plans UK launch in next two years, could grow to between 300 and 500 sites here: Church’s Texas Chicken, one of the largest quick-service chicken restaurant brands in the world, is targeting a launch in the UK i … view

SushiDog gears up to open ‘landmark site’, plans a further eight venues in next 18 months including regional debut: Quick service sushi roll concept SushiDog will open its tenth site in London – and largest yet – later this month, … view

Gong Cha reports record sales as it steps up expansion: Gong Cha, the fast-growing bubble tea brand headquartered in the UK, enjoyed record sales last year as it stepped up aggressive expansion plans. The brand said system sales, comprisi … view

Yard Sale Pizza secures Piper backing, sees potential for more than 500 UK locations: Piper, the private equity backer of Flat Iron and Turtle Bay Restaurants, has acquired a stake in Yard Sale Pizza, the restaurant and delivery business … view

Pubs and clubs could open later under new powers for London mayor, licensing reform panel formed: London councils that block pubs and clubs from opening later could have their decisions overturned by the mayor of London under new governme … view

Tokyo Industries CEO partners with Manchester operators for new vehicle to acquire their former sites out of administration: Tokyo Industries chief executive Aaron Mellor has partnered with Manchester operators Joel Wilkinson, Dan Mullen … view

JD Wetherspoon targeting hotels as it steps up search for franchise partners with Christie & Co hire: JD Wetherspoon is stepping up its search for franchise partners as it targets hotels to open its pubs. The company has hired Christie & … view

PizzaExpress secures refinancing deal: PizzaExpress has agreed a refinancing deal with more than 97% of its existing bondholders. The company said the refinancing agreement follows a good opening quarter for the brand with like-for-like s … view

Hugh Osmond ups stake in Various Eateries: Serial sector investor Hugh Osmond has upped his stake in Various Eateries, the Coppa Club and Noci concept operator. Xercise2 Limited – a company owned and controlled by Osmond – has purchas … view

Banana Tree MD – the brand could grow to 75 sites and ‘maybe beyond’, Cardiff site is Big Table Group’s single biggest investment project: Kate Wilton, managing director of the Big Table Group-owned Banana Tree, has said the south … view

Brighton Pier Group sets out plans to go private: Brighton Pier Group has announced its proposal to go private and to cease trading on AIM after undertaking a review of its strategic options. It comes as the business said that trading res … view

Kaspa’s – diversification of the model is essential to our 500-store target, looking to expand into new dayparts: Kaspa’s group managing director Francesco Arcadio has said diversification of the brand’s model is essential to reac … view

Marugame Udon signs UK master franchise agreement with Karali Group to accelerate growth: Marugame Udon, the international udon noodles and tempura restaurant brand has signed a UK master franchise agreement with Karali Group to accelerat … view

RedCat Hospitality’s FY25 underlying profit expected to more than double, after transitional year: RedCat Hospitality, the recently rebranded operator of Coaching Inn Group and RedCat Independent Pubs, has said that its adjusted Ebitda … view

Wingstop UK breaking global records, confident in going after larger locations: Wingstop UK has had a record-breaking start to the year, including setting new global standards, according to chief executive Chris Sherriff. Since launching … view