Coyote Ugly signs development agreement for first Western-themed bar in UK as part of franchise expansion: Coyote Ugly, the Western-themed bar that inspired a Hollywood movie, has signed a franchise agreement for the development of its first bar in the UK. The bar will open in Cardiff in March, near the Millennium Stadium. Coyote Ugly founder Liliana “Lil” Lovell said: “We couldn’t be more excited about exporting our version of honky-tonk to the United Kingdom and could not have found a better team with whom to partner as we enter the market. We expect a strong and positive reception in the UK.” The franchise will be owned by Steve Lewis, who operates two bars – Jack Murphy’s and The Adelphi – in Swansea. He said: “I’m a long-time fan of Coyote Ugly and think the brand is a perfect fit for my bar portfolio.” Coyote Ugly said it employs “sexy, sassy, tough-talking ‘Coyotes’, who ascend the bar to entertain the crowd with choreographed dance routines”. The rule for drinks is no concoction of more than two ingredients. Coyote Ugly’s expansion into the UK comes hot on the heels of its recent announcement to expand its international footprint. With 21 locations in four countries – the US, Russia, Ukraine and Germany – Coyote Ugly is focusing on aggressive franchise expansion in territories including Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, South Africa and the UK.

 

Brussels blow to Supermac’s European expansion following McDonald’s clash: Pat McDonagh, owner of Galway-based fast-food chain Supermac’s, said he would take legal advice following an EU ruling on its two-year trademark battle with McDonald’s over the use of “Mac” in the name of its restaurants outside Ireland. In a split decision, the EU Office for Harmonisation (OHIM), based in Alicante, Spain, ruled Supermac’s can still use its brand name if it begins trading across the EU, but can’t sell its meat, fish, chicken nuggets or chips under the name because confusion might arise for English-speaking customers as to whose restaurant they are in. McDonagh described the decision as contradictory and questionable. He told the Irish Independent: “It is difficult to understand why they would allow the brand name but not allow us to sell the food we sell. We are quite surprised. We haven’t been turned down. Maybe it is a mistake they made. We are not 100% sure. We’re delighted that Supermac’s is now recognised in Europe. We will be continuing with the battle.” McDonagh said Supermac’s had requests to open in 15 cities in Europe but its plans were opposed by McDonald’s, which lodged a 41-page objection to the OHIM, which oversees trademarks and designs, because it “takes unfair advantage of the distinctive character and repute” of McDonald’s earlier-won trademarks. McDonagh responded by personally delivering Supermac’s submission to OHIM headquarters in July last year. The dispute started two years ago when Supermac’s pursued plans to open franchised stores in Sydney and Perth, Australia. A decision from Australian authorities is expected shortly. McDonald’s legal challenge was extended to Europe a year ago. Supermac’s, launched by McDonagh in 1978, operates more than 100 venues serving chicken and burgers in Ireland.

 

Line-up changes in Peroni and Grolsch bid process: The line-up of bidders for SABMiller’s Peroni and Grolsch beers has changed, with US private equity firm KKR replacing Bain Capital, which was unwilling to engage in a bidding war with industry players, Reuters has reported. KKR was not initially shortlisted as one of the final bidders for the brands being unloaded by Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) to smooth its $100bn-plus takeover of SAB. However, it was later readmitted to the auction after sweetening its bid, said Reuters. Other private equity funds including BC Partners backed away earlier in the process, which is expected to wrap up in March. “Price expectations were pure madness,” said one of the sources, who declined to be identified as the matter is confidential. AB InBev, the maker of Budweiser, values the brands at no less than €2.5bn ($2.73bn), said the source, noting strategic players were well placed to outbid private equity firms, given possible synergies. Another bidder for the package, which also includes London craft beer Meantime, is Zurich-based investment firm Jacobs Holding, the sources said.

 

Restaurant bookings in Scotland up 24%, new research reveals: Scots are bucking the trend of cutting back on eating out in January with restaurant bookings in the country up 24% on last year, new research has revealed. The findings by restaurant booking website 5pm.co.uk showed the most popular cuisine choices were Italian (37%) and Indian (14%). 5pm.co.uk co-founder and restaurateur Ronnie Somerville said he thinks Scots are a nation of foodies who are reluctant to give up their meals out. He added: “From Michelin star fine dining establishments to street food pop-ups, Scotland has a thriving foodie scene and Scottish diners have become accustomed to top quality food at excellent value for money. It is regarded by most chefs that Scotland has the best larder in the world, which includes our meat, fish, fruit and veg, and this is reflected in the quality of restaurant food. Savvy Scots have realised there’s no point going cold turkey for one month only to fall off the wagon and stuff their faces in February. They have realised everything in moderation is the key – and with so many excellent restaurants in Scotland at low prices, why should they deny themselves?”

 

European hotel industry reports positive year despite terrorist attacks: The European hotel industry recorded positive year-end 2015 results with increases in occupancy, average daily room rate and revpar, according to research firm STR Global. Compared with 2014, Europe reported a 2.3% rise in occupancy to 70.1%, a 4.6% increase in average daily rate to €112.16 and revpar up 7.1% to €78.68. Germany, Hungary and Portugal all performed well with increases in all three areas with Switzerland the only featured country to report a decrease following a “turbulent year”, said STR analysts. Milan in Italy and Budapest in Hungary were the best performing cities to feature with revpar up 30.5% and 15.3% respectively. As expected, both Paris in France and Brussels in Belgium saw decreases in occupancy as a result of the terrorist attacks in the French capital and the subsequent lockdown in Brussels. Occupancy dropped 19.3% in November and 26.5% in December in Brussels while in Paris occupancy in the final month of the year fell 20.0% to 58.9% – the lowest December absolute occupancy in the market since 2001.

ECB signs five-year deal with Greene King: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced Greene King IPA will become the official beer of England cricket in a new five-year sponsorship deal. The Suffolk-based brewer has agreed a partnership with the ECB that will encompass this summer’s international series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan as well as the next home Ashes series against Australia in 2019. The new deal includes a range of commercial rights including access to England players for promotional appearances, in-ground advertising and opportunities to display the ECB brand on retail product. ECB commercial director Sanjay Patel said: “We are very pleased to welcome Greene King to our wider family of business partners and conclude an agreement which will offer significant benefits to cricket. Greene King IPA is an iconic beer brand with a rich heritage and we look forward to working closely with their marketing team to fully maximise the impact of the sponsorship over the next five years.” Chris Houlton, managing director of Greene King brewing and brands, said: “With our respective long and established heritage and shared commitment to being the best in class, Greene King is a natural partner for England cricket.”

Chelsea restaurateur gets suspended sentence for waving fake double-barrel gun at passers-by: Richard Gladwin, who owns popular Chelsea “wild food” restaurant Rabbit, has been given a suspended sentence for waving a fake firearm at frightened passers-by. Gladwin was also told to carry out unpaid community work by a judge at Isleworth Crown Court yesterday (Thursday, 28 January) and must pay thousands in fines and compensation, GetWestLondon reported. Gladwin and Rabbit manager Fred Samengo-Turner admitted charges of carrying a firearm in a public place and affray at the same court on December 17. At the December hearing, Neil Sandys, representing Gladwin, who lives in Wandsworth, admitted the pair’s actions had been “appalling”. Judge Richard McGregor-Johnson admonished Gladwin and his co-defendant, from Bolingbroke Road, Fulham. He told the pair: “It is a pretty stupid piece of behaviour, those who were on the receiving end would have been very frightened.” Gladwin was given a 15-month prison sentence suspended for two years, ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, fined £2,000, and must pay £500 compensation to each of the two complainants as well as a £100 victim surcharge. Samengo-Turner was given an identical sentence. The pair were originally charged with possessing a firearm with intent to cause violence, which they denied. Rabbit opened last year and is run by Gladwin, who is front of house, and his younger brothers Oliver, a chef, and Gregory, who grows produce on the family farm in West Sussex. The brothers also own The Shed in Notting Hill.

 

Five Guys turnover hits £23m, plans to open Newcastle city centre site, Liverpool venue enjoys company’s second most successful opening week: Five Guys has reported turnover rose to £23,812,047 in the year ended 28 December 2014, up from £3,606,254 in the 16 months before. Losses increased to £6,792,013 (16 months previously losses were £3,892,110) as the company stepped up expansion. The company had 19 stores open at the 2014 year-end, with 16 opened in the year, and a further 12 opened in 2015. The company stated: “The 16 stores opened in the period have delivered on, or ahead of, planned performance targets with trading margins achieving our key KPI of circa 40% (2013: 40%). The loss for the period was driven by the cost of successful store openings.” Meanwhile, Five Guys will open a site in Newcastle city centre following news its latest branch – in Liverpool – enjoyed the company’s second most successful opening week. No opening date has been confirmed for the Newcastle restaurant or the venue at the Intu Metrocentre shopping centre in neighbouring Gateshead, which the company announced last year it would launch. The company said its Liverpool site in Queen Square, which opened on 7 December, sold more than 10,000 sandwiches in its first week, as well as 3,500 sodas, 3,700 portions of fries and 1,800 shakes. Five Guys announced plans this month to open another venue in Watford as well as the two sites in the north east and possibly another in Westwood Cross shopping centre in Thanet, Kent.

 

Simon Emeny – we’re taking advantage of quieter January by undertaking a record number of major schemes: Fuller’s chief executive Simon Emeny has told Propel the company has taken advantage of the trend towards quieter January trading, driven by initiatives such a dry January, to undertaken a record number of major refurbishments – a total of eight major schemes are currently underway at large Fuller’s pubs. Emeny reported there had been a “constant build-up” of trade during December after a subdued trading period in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks. Christmas Day saw sales grow by more than 10% for the third consecutive year with December itself up by 5% for the third year in succession. The company now has 13 Stable pizza restaurants open with the brand due to make its London debut in Whitechapel in April followed by an opening in Kew Bridge. Numis Securities leisure analyst Douglas Jack, issuing an ‘Add’ note with a 1,200p target price for the company’s shares, said: “We are holding our forecasts, which we upgraded by 4% in November. We are holding our profit before tax forecasts, which assume 5.0% managed like-for-like sales growth and 1.5% tenanted like-for-like profit growth. With net debt/Ebitda at 2.9x, and forecast to fall to 2.3x in 2018E, we believe there is also scope for our expansion assumptions to be exceeded.”

 

BrewDog bows down to seek brand activation agency: Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog is seeking a brand activation agency for the first time to handle below-the-line activity. Sarah Warman, head of marketing at BrewDog, tweeted this week asking for recommendations for “an outstanding brand activation agency in the UK”. Warman told Campaign: “This is the first time we’ve explored brand activation so we’re testing the waters. Whichever agency we recruit will work closely with our in-house team and The Romans [PR agency] to create a seamless approach.” In 2013, BrewDog co-founder James Watt told Marketing magazine he “would rather set his money on fire” than invest in traditional advertising. Last year, LGBT rights group Stonewall called for BrewDog to spike an advert that the group believed mocked transgender people.

 

Investment company set to launch new burrito and ceviche concept in London, eyes rapid expansion: An investment company is set to launch a new burrito and ceviche concept in London and is eyeing rapid expansion in the capital. Burriche has secured its first site in Brick Lane and the unnamed company behind the venture is looking for a restaurant manager who would become co-owner of the chain. It stated: “We are a young investment company launching a new brand of burritos and ceviche (fast food) joint in London’s trendy Brick Lane. We plan to open the restaurant within several months and escalate the concept into dozens of restaurants in London within 24 months. We are looking for a person that will join our team and will stand as a restaurant manager and take the business in his/her hands and promote it on the market (ideally with experience in burrito joints and fast food generally in London). We are ready to provide equity to the right individual with operational knowledge and full devotion to the project. If you are a passionate restaurateur looking to join a young but winning team and become co-owner of your own chain of restaurants in London, please apply.”

D&D London’s 100 Wardour Street venue opens in Soho: D&D London’s latest venue – 100 Wardour Street – opened in Soho yesterday (28 January) on the former site of the iconic Marquee Club. The venue is split across two levels – 100 Wardour Lounge on the ground floor is an all-day restaurant and bar, while downstairs contains the 100 Wardour Club, a restaurant, bar and music venue, which will open from 5pm to 3am. The kitchen is run by executive chef Liam Smith-Laing, formerly of La Petite Maison, with the menu featuring Mediterranean-inspired food. The downstairs restaurant and bar is one of the few West End venues to serve food until 2am, TNT Magazine reported, and dishes range from seafood platters to black truffle linguine. Signature dishes include whole shoulder of suckling pig with grilled endive and orange, and black cod provençale. Downstairs, the Wardour Club has a focus on the central stage with space for customers to eat, drink and dance. 100 Wardour Steet can accommodate 425 people for dinner and up to 870 for events, making it one of the largest restaurant venues in London. The original Marquee Club hosted such famous acts as David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix.

 

Soho House lines up third Los Angeles opening: Soho House is lining up its third Los Angeles branch at the former site of Larry Ellison’s Nikita restaurant in Malibu, a two-story, 6,900 square foot property at 22716 Pacific Coast Highway. The site has been empty since Nikita closed in December 2014. The prospective Soho House, Malibu, will follow branches in West Hollywood and a planned 80,000 square foot site in Los Angeles’ Arts District that will be called Soho Warehouse.

 

Douglas Jack – poor trading continues at Mitchells & Butlers: Numis Securities Leisure analyst Douglas Jack has noted “poor trading continues” at Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) but issued an ‘Add’ note with a 325p price target. He said: “Like-for-like sales fell by 1.0% in quarter one (17 weeks), having improved after having been down 1.6% after eight weeks. We are cutting our forecasts (profit before tax from £196.5m to £190.8m; consensus £197.8m). Our recommendation remains ‘Add’, reflecting M&B’s low valuation, but we cannot envisage a positive catalyst for the shares. Like-for-like sales fell 1.0% (food down 1.5%; drink -0.6%) in quarter one, behind the pubs constituent of the Coffer Peach Business Tracker (+1.0%), in which M&B is the largest contributor. This is a disappointing performance from M&B, in our view, but unsurprising. Gaining momentum requires progress in all the main brands, and, after three years of minimal like-for-like growth, this is going to take time to achieve. Ebit margins have improved, having fallen by 28bps in 2015 largely due to dilution from the Orchid acquisition (the anniversary of which was passed in May 2015). We estimate the National Living Wage (£15m per annum, from April 2016) will take 17bps off margins in 2016E. In quarter one, 14 outlets opened including a further ten Orchid conversions. Up until the end of 2015, returns have been poor, at: 22% on conversions; 18% on leasehold expansion; and 14% on freehold expansion. We are cutting our forecasts by 3%. For 2016E, we assume like-for-like sales rise by 1.0% and margins fall by 20bps. This assumes like-for-like sales recover in quarters two to four, with margins being flat over the full year if one excludes the impact of the National Minimum Wage. Both these assumptions are generous in our view, hence we fear there is further downgrade risk. M&B has a high quality managed estate, which is currently valued on a price-earnings ratio of 8.1x and an EV/Ebitda of 8.1x, or 7.1x if the pension deficit (estimated at £441m) did not exist. Our ‘Add’ recommendation reflects this value and the dividend (which can be financed out of cash flow), but investors are likely to require further patience.”

 

Pieminister to open third site in Bristol in March, first in home city for more than a decade: Gourmet pie company Pieminister is to open its third site in its home city of Bristol in March – its first outlet there in over a decade. The company, founded in 2003 by Jon Simon and Tristan Hogg, will launch the restaurant – its sixth in total – in Broad Quay, which will have space for more than 60 diners. As well as its award-winning pies, it will also serve craft beers, reports Wow24/7. The interior will be similar to its existing Stokes Croft outlet, which was its inaugural site, while its other site in Bristol is a cafe in St Nicks Market. The company has six other cafes as well as four pie pubs in London. It is planning to open further sites this year and is aiming to build a 30-strong estate by 2020.

Savills offers former Varsity pub site in Southampton: Agent Savills, on behalf of Brightbeech Property, is marketing the former Varsity pub in Southampton. The 9,836 square foot property is available to lease at a rent of £90,000 per annum. Located in the centre of the city, the site occupies a prominent position on the corner of London Road and Carlton Crescent, close to Vodka Revolution and The Giddy Bridge, which is operated by JD Wetherspoon. The four-storey property features large open plan trading space over the ground and first floor, and manager’s accommodation on the second floor with bathroom, kitchen and three bedrooms. Kevin Marsh, head of licensed leisure at Savills, said: “This is a great opportunity for a pub or bar operator to open in a fantastic location in Southampton within the catchment of the central business district and university circuit. The previous tenant failed due to wider corporate circumstances. Previous trading history at the site has been very strong and we therefore expect there to be a lot of interest from the pub and bar industry.”

Blues Kitchen and Pizza Pilgrim to mount menu cameos: Columbo Group’s The Blues Kitchen and Pizza Pilgrims are teaming up for a collaboration throughout February and March with a menu switch, allowing customers to experience the best of both worlds. February will see Pizza Pilgrims swap their stone ovens for smoking pits, and knead some Neapolitan charm into the spirit of the Deep South, with “The Pilgrim”, The Blues Kitchen’s Burger of The Month (Shoreditch, Brixton and Camden). In March, The Blues Kitchen will retrace Pizza Pilgrim’s footsteps to create a special “guest pizza” at its restaurants in Dean Street, Kingly Street and newly opened Exmouth Market.

 

New burger and craft beer concept opens at Brighton hotel: A new bar and restaurant concept has opened in Brighton as part of £3.5m development of a seafront hotel. Stock Burger Co is a key part of Kew Green Hotels’ Holiday Inn Brighton Seafront in Kings Road and has its own separate street entrance. It specialises in gourmet burgers and specialist craft beer as well as cocktails and boutique spirits. The craft beer selection is supplied by Naked Beer Co, the Brighton Bier Brewery and Marston’s. The spirits line-up includes artisanal products from Blackdown Distillery in West Sussex. A premium coffee offering is provided through Brighton-based roastery Small Batch Coffee, which is backed by sector investor Luke Johnson. The venue has a central island bar and large communal tables placed at a high level to create “a social hub” complemented by private booths and banquettes around the edge. It boasts a glazed retractable frontage that opens up onto the seafront and sits alongside a 40-cover al-fresco terrace offering sea views. The concept has been developed for the hotel by Simon Burdess, InterContinental Hotels Group’s Europe vice-president for food and beverage, and Wayne Horo, the company’s director of food and beverage concept development for Europe.

 

Atlas Group plans new Leeds opening: Leeds-based Atlas Group, which operates The Pour House in Granary Wharf, Épernay on Great George Street and Atlas in the financial district, has submitted plans for a new establishment above a pizzeria it runs at the former site of the popular La Grillade restaurant. On behalf of Atlas Group, Edward Architecture is seeking permission from Leeds City Council to convert a former Nisa Metro shop on Wellington Street into a new food and drink venue. The 1,150 square foot space would be an extension to Buca Di Pizza Restaurant and Cocktail Bar, also part of the Atlas Group portfolio since it opened in 2014. An Italian cafe and cecchetti establishment is planned, with DOC, the prosecco classification, or Bar Camparino, to link the venue with Buca di Pizza, under consideration for the name. Atlas Group opened its first restaurant, The Terrace, in Leicester in 2002. It opened its first bar in Leeds, Épernay, in 2005, followed by The Pour House in 2011 and Atlas in 2013. The new venue will be located next to Central Square, the £100m office scheme set to be anchored by PwC when it opens later this year.

 

Marston’s site in Huntingdon retains late licence, police criticised for use of resources: A bid to cut the opening hours and get rid of the manager of a Marston’s-operated pub in Huntingdon has been thrown out, with the move branded an inappropriate way for police to try to address their operational resources. Cllr Ryan Fuller, chairman of Huntingdonshire District Council’s licensing sub-committee, made the claim following a hearing that looked at the licence of Cromwell’s Bar and Cafe in High Street. Cambridgeshire police claimed Cromwell’s was a magnet for violence and antisocial behaviour and called for the removal of Anthony Mitchell, who runs the bar, and the pub’s closing time of 3am on some nights to be cut to midnight. The council rejected the move, saying there was insufficient evidence to directly link the bar to trouble. The panel had heard a string of allegations of violence at or near the bar since April 2015. Licensing officer PC Paul Hawkins said police logs showed connections between the bar and outbreaks of trouble outside. Tim Shield, representing Marston’s, pointed out Cromwell’s was not the only late-night establishment in Huntingdon. He said: “If you take this premises’ licence away, it does not mean the town will shut at midnight.” The panel heard Cromwell’s had already employed a new team of door supervisors, provided staff training and introduced more CCTV. The bar had also changed its opening hours on Friday and Saturday to stop serving at 2am, The Hunts Post reported.

 

Bournemouth bar operator to co-launch Mexican street food restaurant concept in town: Bournemouth bar operator JJ Adams is to co-launch a Mexican street food restaurant in the town. Adams, who runs the Smokin Aces cocktail bar and whiskey lounge in Commercial Road, has joined forces with Trevor Hill to open Ojo Rojo (pronounced “Ock-o Rock-o”) in the Bournemouth Triangle later this year. The restaurant, which will be spread over two floors with traditional seating upstairs and a cafe/bar area downstairs, will serve Mexican-inspired street food with a contemporary twist. Hill told the Daily Echo: “I lived in Mexico for a year and the food available out there is nothing like what you can get back here, which set my mind working. I came up with an idea and pitched it to JJ. It’s kind of a worldly interpretation of Mexican street food – the kind of tacos that you would get on the streets of Mexico City but with a slightly more refined, modern feel.”

 

Tortilla to open first venue in Scotland, 28th in total: Mexican restaurant group Tortilla plans to open its first venue in Scotland. The company, which specialises in Californian burritos and tacos, has applied to Aberdeen Licensing Board for permission to create a restaurant and takeaway on the first floor of Union Square shopping centre in Aberdeen. Tortilla wants to sell alcohol on the premises daily from 11am to midnight, serve breakfasts and operate a takeaway service. Tortilla, founded by Californian restaurateur Brandon Stephens, opened its first restaurant in Islington in 2007. The business has since expanded to have 18 sites in London as well as venues in Brighton, Leeds, Liverpool, Nottingham and Southampton. The Aberdeen site will be its 28th in total.

 

Zonal reports record turnover and profit growth: Leading provider of hospitality solutions Zonal Retail Data Systems has reported record sales and profit growth for the year to 30 June 2015, its sixth year of consecutive sales growth. The Edinburgh-based company, which employs 432 people, delivered an Ebitda of £3.4m on turnover of £59.6m. Zonal’s chief executive Stuart McLean said: “Our continued investment in our people and technology has delivered another year of strong growth for the business. The acquisition of liveRES in April has further cemented our position as the market leader in end to end hospitality solutions. It’s been an amazing journey over the last 36 years. We have transitioned into true innovators, adopting new technology at pace for the benefit of our customers.” Zonal invested circa £4m in research and development. Recent innovations, including the launch of Kitchen iQ, Zonal’s sophisticated kitchen management solution, have enabled the company to continue its path of fully integrated enterprise quality products. “This is an incredibly fast paced market and we recognise that we have to continue to invest and innovate to deliver the best solutions for our customers,” added McLean. “We’re incredibly proud of our track record in this area and have exciting plans in place for the future. It’s been a really successful year that has seen the incorporation of liveRES into the Zonal family and continued growth across the board. We are confident that we have the right plans in place to build on this in FY16 as we continue to maintain our position as the leading supplier of hospitality solutions in the UK.” 

 

Italian restaurant duo to open pasta restaurant concept in Borough Market: Tim Siadatan and Jordan Frieda, the duo behind Italian restaurant Trullo in Highbury, north London, are to open a pasta restaurant concept in Borough Market in March. The pair are launching Padella – meaning pan in Italian – in Southwark Street on the site of the former De Gustibus restaurant. The two-floor venue will feature a predominance of counter seating along with a handful of tables. It will serve a short menu of eight handmade pasta dishes, along with a few antipasti and dessert options. All the pasta will be made fresh on-site shortly before being served – it will be rolled in full view of passers-by in the restaurant’s window. The drinks list will also be compact, with just two or three each of Italian red and white wines available on tap, prosecco by the glass and a few British beers. Aperitivo cocktails negroni, americano and sbagliato will also feature, as will espresso coffee. Siadatan told the Evening Standard: “We’ve had this plan for the best part of ten years. Back then there was not many places to get excellent handmade pasta in London, and the vast majority of them were posh, expensive restaurants – which is largely still the case. We want to make great pasta affordable for everyone, after all it started out being peasant food.”

 

Starbucks plans first drive-thru in north east Scotland: Plans have been lodged for a Starbucks drive-thru in Aberdeen, the first in north east Scotland and the company’s third in the country. The drive-thru would be part of a larger proposed outlet on the site of the Makro wholesale store in Wellington Circle. The Makro building is set to be split into three and would include IKEA and convenience stores, while retaining a smaller Makro. The agent, Ryden, has submitted a planning application on behalf of Cyan Properties, which owns the site. There are currently two Starbucks drive-thrus in Scotland – in Linwood, on the outskirts of Glasgow, and Dunfermline.

 

Worcester cafe owner to start expanding portfolio by opening new bar and restaurant concept in city: Worcester cafe owner Ali Cokaj is to start expanding his portfolio by opening a new bar and restaurant concept in the city. Cokaj, who owns Papas Caffe in New Street, has bought the former Bindles Bar and Brasserie in Sidbury, which is being transformed into Primo and is due to open next Friday (5 February). The site is currently being refurbished and will boast a second bar upstairs with views of the cathedral, reports the Worcester News. The upstairs will feature a pink and floral design while downstairs will be in more “sombre colours”. Bindles Bar and Brasserie closed in October after trading for four years.

 

Dalata agrees to buy leasehold interest in four hotels in Ireland and London for €40m: Irish hotel group Dalata has agreed to acquire the leasehold interest of four hotels in Ireland and the UK for an enterprise value of €40m. The hotels are Croydon Park Hotel in south London, Gibson Hotel in Dublin, Clarion Hotel in Cork and Clarion Hotel in Limerick. The leasehold interest comprises of operating leases with an average term of 18 years outstanding. The Dalata group said it would invest €14m during the next two years to refurbish the four properties and rebrand them as Clayton hotels. As part of the deal, Dalata will also take over management of the Clarion Liffey Valley Hotel in Dublin under a short term management contract. Dalata deputy chief executive Dermot Crowley told The Irish Times the deal gave the hotel group a further 960 rooms in the cities of Dublin, Cork and Limerick. He said: “The transaction also allows us to further grow our portfolio in the UK, with the addition of 211 rooms in Croydon.” Underlying Ebitda for the four hotels in 2015, after adjustment for costs and revenues that will not transfer as part of the transaction, is expected to be €4.1m. Including revenues from the short term management contract, underlying Ebitda is expected to be €4.7m. Dalata said the acquisition was subject to approval by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and Grant Thornton, acting as receiver of the freehold interest in the Gibson Hotel. Dalata acquired the four-star Clarion in Sligo for €13.1m earlier this month, only weeks after acquiring Tara Towers Hotel in Dublin for €13.1m. Dalata, founded in June 2007, is the biggest hotel operator in Ireland.

 

Prezzo names March for opening of new restaurant at £60m complex in Hinckley: Italian restaurant brand Prezzo has named March for the opening of its new restaurant at the £60m Crescent shopping complex in Hinckley, Leicestershire. The company will launch the £600,000 venue on Friday, 11 March, creating 20 jobs. It will join companies including Sainsbury’s, Cineworld and traditional ale and cider house Elbow Room at the complex, which has been developed by Tin Hat Partnership. Prezzo spokesman Eddie Gershon told the Hinckley Times: “We are looking forward to opening in Hinckley and are confident that our restaurant will be a great addition to the town’s dining scene. Prezzo has an excellent reputation for the quality and choice of its food and believe the restaurant will prove popular with a wide range of people in the town.” 

 

Full speaker programme for Propel Multi Club Conference on 16 March unveiled: The full speaker programme for the Propel Multi Club Conference on Wednesday, 16 March at Congress Hall, London, has been unveiled. Multi-site pub, restaurant and foodservice operators can book up to two free places by emailing Adam Dickinson on adam.dickinson@propelinfo.com. The conference series is the best attended in the sector. Speakers are: Nicola Knight, analyst at insights firm Horizons, investigates the key trends in the UK foodservice market, including major menu trends, growth areas and discounting – and looks ahead to the key trends of 2016 and beyond. Adrian Blair, chief operating officer for Just Eat, provides an overview of the company’s role in the takeaway market, current key trends and future potential for operators to develop revenue. Steve Kenee, partner at investment firm Downing, talks about the firm’s long term investment partnership with Antic London, developing an estate of more than 30 London pubs, the businesses USPs, the risks and rewards of operating near the leading edge of urban regeneration and the development of non-licenced premises. David Singleton, vice-president of hospitality for Al Tayer Group, provides an overview of the foodservice landscape in the United Arab Emirates, the brands that are winning, the potential for UK brands and his company’s approach to growing sales. Punch Taverns chief strategy director Neil Griffiths outlines the company’s evolved strategy, involving as much as £300m of investment over five years, developing operator and trading agreements, expanding its fledgling concepts and brands, taking greater control of its retail offer and realising additional value from its property portfolio. Simon King, managing director of Burger & Lobster, talks about the progress of Burger & Lobster in London and elsewhere, the unique thinking and philosophy behind the brand, sourcing quality ingredients, recruiting and training staff, evolving the offer, expanding outside of London and international prospects. Phil Sermon, managing director of Vapiano, talks about progress in the UK as well as the company’s fresh approach to recruitment, training and development of its people and interaction with its guests. David Mooney, co-founder of New Moon Pub Company, arguably the UK’s most versatile food pub operator, talks about the company’s approach at country and city pubs, its Beef and Pudding concept, New York-influenced The Bronx brand, its pizza concept Casa Matta, evolution and future plans. Roberto Morretti, chief operating officer of Bill’s, talks to Elliotts managing director James Hacon about the brand’s USPs, trading all-day, developing a retail dimension and staying true to the brand founder’s vision. Henry Dimbleby and Jonathan Downey, co-founders of London Union, set out their progress in creating neighbourhood food markets based on experiential food discovery, crowdfunding, their plans to create the world’s greatest food market and the development of 12 London neighbourhood markets.

 

ALMR National Restaurant Association Study Tour to Chicago opens for bookings: The Propel and Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) 2016 Chicago Study Tour is now open for bookings. The trip, sponsored by CPL Training and Sky, takes place between Thursday, 19 May and Monday, 23 May 2016. The National Restaurant Association (NRA) draws 58,000-plus industry professionals from all 50 states and 100 countries, seeking the newest innovations and up-to-the-minute information about trends and issues. The ALMR trip provides: insights from industry experts on the rise in fast-casual dining, social media, new and emerging brands, menu development, staff management and a host of other issues – with 70 free education sessions at the NRA show. It also involves two tours of Chicago’s hottest concepts and a market overview briefing sessions from US experts. Paul Charity, managing director of Propel Info, said: “The NRA show combined with our tour of Chicago is a fantastic opportunity to find fresh inspiration and understand the emerging trends shaping the fast-changing US market.” To get more information or to book, email jo.charity@propelinfo.com