Burger & Lobster planning to more than double presence in the UK over the next few years: Burger & Lobster has said it has “ambitious growth planned for the next few years”, which will see its presence more than double in the UK. It c … view

Azzurri Group CEO – our fast casual concepts could generate greater share of profit over time, won’t rule out looking to add further brands: Steve Holmes, chief executive of Azzurri Group, the ASK Italian, Zizzi, Coco di Mama and Booj … view

PizzaExpress to return to US next year with Florida site: PizzaExpress is to make its return to the US next year with an opening in Florida, which will play a key role in its ambitious plan to reach 1,000 restaurants globally (including t … view

Exclusive – Glendola Leisure and sister company Carlton Hotels see turnover near £100m: Glendola Leisure, which is owned by the Salussolia family, and its sister company, Carlton Hotels, have seen combined turnover near the £100m mark … view

Azzurri Group reports growth in sales and profit as it transitions from pure-play restaurant operator into hospitality investment platform: Azzurri Group, the ASK Italian, Zizzi, Coco di Mama and Boojum operator has reported growth in bot … view

Sector sales increase 2.7% in November as industry sees first real-terms growth since June: Britain’s leading hospitality groups recorded year-on-year sales growth of 2.7% in November, the latest edition of the CGA RSM Hospitality Busin … view

Midlands premium smashed burger brand set to double estate size next year as it hires former GDK franchise chief as ops director: Midlands premium smashed burger brand Burger Boi has told Propel it is set to double the size of its estate … view

Hickory’s MD – planning ten new sites next year, real opportunity to build a special business: John Welsh, managing director of American-style smokehouse and barbecue Hickory’s, which is owned by Greene King, has told Propel that th … view

Exclusive – Comedy Store signs franchise deal to expand across the UK: Comedy Store, the live comedy venue business with sites in London and Manchester, has signed a franchise agreement to expand across the UK, Propel has learned. It ha … view

Julian Metcalfe – In ten years, we’ll have 500 Itsus, warns Labour is making it too expensive to hire staff: Julian Metcalfe, founder of Itsu, the healthy Asian food brand, has warned the government that it is making it too expensive … view

YouMeSushi aiming to reach 35 sites next year with Birmingham and Manchester ‘key areas’, sushi ‘now mainstream and attracting younger customers’: YouMeSushi, the restaurant and takeaway business, has told Propel it is aiming to r … view

C&C Group hires Roger White as new CEO: C&C Group has hired Roger White, formerly chief executive of AG Barr, as its new chief executive. It said that White’s appointment follows an extensive search process led by the nomination committ … view

AlixPartners – reduction in site Ebitda from Budget could be in excess of 15% without mitigation: Sector advisory firm AlixPartners has said that the impact of the Budget on wage bills could lead to a reduction in site Ebitda in excess … view

Exclusive – Homeslice in administration: London better pizza brand Homeslice, founded by Alan and Mark Wogan, has been placed in administration, Propel understands. Begbies Traynor is understood to have been appointed as administrators … view

Another difficult year for the industry is coming to a close and Christmas is sneaking up on us – bringing both opportunities for some much-needed revenue and a few ine … view

McWin in talks to up investment in Gail’s: McWin Capital Partners, the food investment firm led by Henry McGovern and Steven Winegar, is in talks to increase its stake in bakery brand Gail’s. Bloomberg reported that McWin, which also … view

Soho House founder Nick Jones linked to development in London’s Westminster: Nick Jones, the founder and former chief executive of Soho House, is understood to be in talks to open a hotel and restaurant as part of the Arundel Great Cour … view

Domino’s Pizza among bidders for Wingstop UK: Domino’s Pizza is one of four bidders circling Wingstop UK, which is being rolled out here by Lemon Pepper Holdings. As previously revealed by Propel, Domino’s is competing against US pr … view

Tortilla reports “strong” Q4, delays rebranding of French acquisition: Fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand Tortilla has reported a “strong” Q4 with like-for-like sales up “at least” 4%. The company said that revenue for its U … view

Team behind The Crystal Maze Live Experience and Chaos Karts planning UK roll out for Arcade Arena concept and eyeing overseas expansion: The team behind The Crystal Maze Live Experience attraction and Chaos Karts immersive go-karting has … view

Domino’s reaches a new five-year framework with its franchise partners: Domino’s Pizza Group has announced that it has reached a new five-year framework with its franchise partners to capitalise on its “significant long-term growth … view

Loungers – customer behaviour across brands is consistent, Ritorno Lounge generating gross average weekly sales of just under £95,000: Café bar operator Loungers, which is currently the subject of a £338m takeover bid by US private e … view

Maki & Ramen to open seven sites in 2025, launching franchise arm, eyeing London opening: Edinburgh Japanese restaurant concept Maki & Ramen has told Propel it plans to open seven new sites next year, including its first franchise locatio … view

Guinness supplies to be rationed over Christmas and New Year: Guinness supplies are being rationed over Christmas and New Year as huge demand threatens to outstrip supply. Pub bosses are understood to have been told they face limits on ho … view

Harden’s – price rises outside of London significantly higher as regions show stronger recovery from pandemic: Price rises outside of London are significantly higher than in the capital, suggesting London is still feeling the after-ef … view

Harden’s – price rises outside of London significantly higher as regions show stronger recovery from pandemic: Price rises outside of London are significantly higher than in the capital, suggesting London is still feeling the after-ef … view

XP Factory – plans in place to offset impact of Budget without need for significant price increases, balance sheet being restructured to allow future share buy-backs and dividends: XP Factory, which operates the Escape Hunt and Boom Bat … view

Coco Di Mama MD – London estate has had best 12 months since covid, trialling pizza slices: Jim Attwood, managing director of Coco di Mama, owned by ASK Italian, Zizzi and Boojum operator Azzurri Group, has told Propel that the Italian … view

Caprice Holdings to make UAE debut today: Caprice Holdings, the Richard Caring-backed, high-end restaurant business, will make its debut in the UAE today (Wednesday, 4 December) with the opening of Sexy Fish Dubai, located on the rooftop … view

Propel to launch four ground-breaking reports in 2025 for Premium subscribers, prices to be pegged: Propel will launch four ground-breaking reports in 2025 that will be available free to Premium subscribers. The Propel 500 report i … view

Soho Coffee CEO – new formats will allow us to go into places we couldn’t before, strategic goal to get to 50 corporate stores and beyond, with further opportunity through new franchising push: Soho Coffee chief executive Sam Shutt ha … view

KKR among suitors for Wingstop UK: US private equity firm KKR is believed to be one of the investment firms running the rule over the UK business of Wingstop, which is being rolled out here by Lemon Pepper Holdings. Propel understands tha … view

Nando’s reports sales exceed pre-covid levels, to open 14 new sites: Nando’s has revealed plans to open 14 new restaurants across the UK after it cut its pre-tax loss during its latest financial year. In the year to the end of Februar … view

view

Fortress offer for Loungers resisted by big shareholders: Two of the biggest shareholders in Loungers are rebelling against Fortress Investment Group’s proposed takeover of the café-bar group. Fortress, the US private equity firm major … view

St Austell CEO – new funding will allow us to scale Ludo sports bar concept at pace: Kevin Georgel, chief executive of St Austell Brewery, has said the new funding secured for Ludo Sports Bar & Kitchen – its joint venture with Ed Mart … view

Exclusive – Boparan Restaurant Group secures debut UK site for Carl’s Jr: Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG) has secured the UK debut site for US brand Carl’s Jr, in Cardiff, Propel has learned. BRG, which is led by Satnam Leihal, has s … view

Punch-backer Fortress to take Loungers private in £350.5m deal: Private equity firm Fortress, which backs Punch Pubs, has agreed a deal to take the 280-strong café bar operator Loungers private, in a £350.5m deal. The cash offer of 310 … view

M&B paid £21m in total for Ego, five sites converted to brand so far have doubled sales, Miller & Carter has its mojo back: Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) paid £21m in total to acquire the Mediterranean-inspired business Ego, Propel has lear … view

M&B FY lfl sales up 5.3%, cost headwinds are now anticipated to total c£100m: Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), the Toby Carvery, Harvester and All Bar One operator, has reported a 5.3% increase in like-for-like sales in the year to 28 Septembe … view

The Beefy Boys – focused on expanding sustainably, hires Simon Blagden as chair, confirms fourth site: The Beefy Boys, the better burger business, has told Propel it is focused on “expanding sustainably”, as it confirmed it has secu … view

Shaftesbury – West End estates are “busy and vibrant” coming into the Christmas trading period: Central London landlord Shaftesbury has said that its West End estates are “busy and vibrant” coming into the Christmas trading peri … view

Greggs CEO – we won't slow growth despite increased costs from Budget, warns over price rises: Roisin Currie, chief executive of food-to-go retailer Greggs, has warned the measures rolled out in the autumn Budget would put pressure on p … view

Exclusive – Burger King UK to open first prime central London site in more than a decade: Burger King UK, which operates 561 restaurants, 285 of which are directly owned, is to open its first site in central London for more than a decad … view

UKHospitality – government’s industrial strategy risks shutting out the majority of the people in the country: UKHospitality has warned that the government’s industrial strategy risks shutting out the majority of the people in the c … view

Exclusive – remainder of Temper business acquired by new vehicle: The remainder of the Temper business, the modern barbecue brand, has been acquired by a new subsidiary of Wellfound, the Paradiso Burger and Cocktail Bar concept operator … view

TRG boss – we all have to find ways of improving our propositions as guests can’t take further significant pricing increases: Andy Hornby, chief executive of The Restaurant Group (TRG), the Wagamama and Brunning & Price owner, has sai … view