Friday 5th September 2025 |
Friday Opinion |
Subjects: Why confidence in pubs is holding firm even as costs climb, just a tip, let’s be more crisp with pub snacks Authors: Stephen Owens, Ben Fordham, Glynn Davis Why confidence in pubs is h … view |
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Friday 5th September 2025 |
Adnams – ‘we’ve made good progress with debt reduction on target and some successes in turnaround plan’ |
Adnams – ‘we’ve made good progress in implementing simplified strategy with debt reduction on target and some successes in turnaround plan’: Suffolk brewer and retailer Adnams has said the business has made “good progress” in imple … view |
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Friday 5th September 2025 |
Propel Friday News Briefing |
Harts Group building up a pipeline of international opportunities, open to taking more of its brands to the Middle East: Harts Group – the London restaurant company that owns Barrafina, El Pastor, Quo Vadis and Parrillan – has told Pr … view |
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Thursday 4th September 2025 |
Gail’s comes out on top of the inaugural Profit Growth Tracker |
Gail’s comes out on top of the inaugural Profit Growth Tracker: Gail’s, the bakery/cafe business which has grown to 175 sites, has come out on top of the inaugural Profit Growth Tracker, the new industry benchmarking initiative that m … view |
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Thursday 4th September 2025 |
Harts Group to make international debut by taking Barrafina to Dubai |
Harts Group to make international debut by taking Barrafina to Dubai: Harts Group – the London restaurant company that owns Barrafina, El Pastor, Quo Vadis and Parrillan – is to make its international debut. The company has partnered … view |
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Thursday 4th September 2025 |
Update: Domino's, Raising Cane’s confirms UK launch, interest rates, Diageo |
Domino’s Pizza urged to return £100m to shareholders and pause second brand plans that could lead to take-private deal: An activist investor has urged Domino’s Pizza to pause plans to acquire a second brand for six months and immediately … view |
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Thursday 4th September 2025 |
Propel Thursday News Briefing |
Neos Hospitality – ‘trading ahead of expectations’, secures Brighton site: Neos Hospitality, the bar and nightclub operator, has told Propel its trading levels in the first half of 2025 have been “ahead of expectations”, as it l … view |
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Thursday 4th September 2025 |
Shereen Ritchie hired as group CEO of investment platform Kuvi Hospitality |
Shereen Ritchie hired as group CEO of investment platform Kuvi Hospitality: Kuvi Hospitality, the London-based hospitality investment platform, has hired Shereen Ritchie, formerly of Leon and Buns from Home, as its new group chief executi … view |
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Wednesday 3rd September 2025 |
Exclusive: Clare Clough to step down as Pret UK and Europe MD, shareholders back Wildwood operator's recapitalisation plans |
Exclusive – Clare Clough to step down as Pret UK and Europe MD: Clare Clough is to step down as the UK and Europe managing director of Pret A Manger, and leave the JAB Holdings-backed business after 15 years, Propel has learned. Clough … view |
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Wednesday 3rd September 2025 |
Update: RedCat first-quarter like-for-like sales up 6.7% driven by premium rooms business |
RedCat first-quarter like-for-like sales up 6.7% driven by premium rooms business: RedCat Hospitality, the operator of Coaching Inn Group and RedCat Independent Pubs, has reported a 6.7% increase in like-for-like sales in the three months … view |
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Wednesday 3rd September 2025 |
Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
The Breakfast Club – painful decisions paying off as Ebitda grows 36% in first half, company significantly more profitable than it’s ever been: Jonathan Arana-Morton, co-founder of all-day dining concept The Breakfast Club has told Pr … view |
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Tuesday 2nd September 2025 |
Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
Azzurri Group CEO – we can go faster if Dave’s Hot Chicken continues to do well, could open door for other brands to enter Europe: Steve Holmes, chief executive of Azzurri Group – the ASK Italian, Coco di Mama, Boojum and Zizzi owne … view |
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Monday 1st September 2025 |
Update: Dave’s Hot Chicken, Escape Hunt, Deliveroo midweek family meal deal initiative et al |
Azzurri Group signs deal to expand Dave’s Hot Chicken into Europe, builds UK pipeline: Azzurri Group – the ASK Italian, Coco di Mama, Boojum and Zizzi owner – has signed an exclusive agreement to roll out US brand Dave’s Hot Chic … view |
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Monday 1st September 2025 |
Propel Monday News Briefing |
Hospitality groups' like-for-like sales flat again in July but new openings fuel growth: Britain’s top pub, bar and restaurant groups continued a flat summer of trading with a fractional year-on-year drop of 0.1% in like-for like sales … view |
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Monday 1st September 2025 |
Hospitality groups' like-for-like sales flat again in July but new openings fuel growth |
Hospitality groups' like-for-like sales flat again in July but new openings fuel growth: Britain’s top pub, bar and restaurant groups continued a flat summer of trading with a fractional year-on-year drop of 0.1% in like-for like sales in Ju … view |
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Friday 29th August 2025 |
Exclusive: Tequila Mockingbird acquires Snug Bars |
Exclusive – Tequila Mockingbird acquires Snug Bars: South London bar operator Tequila Mockingbird has acquired neighbourhood-style bar and kitchen concept Snug Bars for an undisclosed sum, Propel has learned. Tequila Mockingbird operate … view |
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Friday 29th August 2025 |
Friday Opinion |
Subjects: Zoning out, the danger of digital, a growing desire for in-store experiences Authors: Katherine Doggrell, Phil Mellows, Glynn Davis Zoning out by Katherine DoggrellThe image c … view |
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Friday 29th August 2025 |
Propel Friday News Briefing |
The UK’s top 25 sector companies for profit growth, featuring in the inaugural Profit Growth Tracker, revealed: The top 25 food and beverage companies in the UK hospitality sector in terms of profit growth in the past three years have b … view |
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Friday 29th August 2025 |
Stonegate CEO – we are becoming a partnership-led pub business |
Stonegate CEO – we are becoming a partnership-led pub business, reaches 200th managed to leased and tenanted conversion: David McDowall, chief executive of Stonegate Group, the UK’s largest pub company, has told Propel the business is beco … view |
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Thursday 28th August 2025 |
Update: Ping Pong hit by £500,000 increase in annual costs, loss of VAT-free shopping costs West End millions |
Ping Pong experienced 25% drop in revenues ahead of administration: The four-strong Ping Pong restaurant business, which ceased trading earlier this summer, fell into administration off the back of seeing revenues decline by up to 25%, dr … view |
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Thursday 28th August 2025 |
Propel Thursday News Briefing |
Byron faces further restructure as parent company gears up to appoint administrators: Better burger brand Byron, which at one time grew to an £80m-turnover, 70-strong business, is set for a further restructuring, after its parent company … view |
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Wednesday 27th August 2025 |
Robinsons reports record turnover of £97.7m as business remains ‘resilient’ |
Robinsons reports record turnover of £97.7m as business remains ‘resilient’: North west brewer and retailer Robinsons has reported turnover increased to a record £97.7m for the year ending 31 December 2024 compared with £92.3m the previ … view |
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Wednesday 27th August 2025 |
Denny’s eyes UK expansion as master franchise hits market |
Denny’s eyes UK expansion as master franchise hits market: American diner chain Denny’s is again looking to expand in the UK, with offers being considered for its master franchise for the region. Advisory firm FRP Corporate Finance ha … view |
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Wednesday 27th August 2025 |
Update: We Do Play secures new investment, Hall & Woodhouse results, Chopstix |
We Do Play secures new investment from the Frasers Group: We Do Play – the multi-concept experiential leisure operator, has secured new investment from Frasers Group plc, formerly Sports Direct International, which is set to fund its n … view |
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Wednesday 27th August 2025 |
Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
Chick-fil-A to open in Leeds this autumn led by ex-Nando’s employee for England return: US brand Chick-fil-A, which made its debut site in Northern Ireland earlier this year as it begins its return to these shores, has confirmed it will … view |
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Tuesday 26th August 2025 |
Closures in Britain's late-night venues reach all-time high, ‘night-time deserts’ being created |
Closures in Britain’s late-night venues reach all-time high, ‘night-time deserts’ being created: Closures in Britain’s late-night venues have reached an all-time high with one in four businesses lost since 2020, according to resea … view |
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Tuesday 26th August 2025 |
Update: Time Out update, Fairgame US expansion, BrewDog, inflation, tourism |
Time Out Group – Markets revenue up, agrees new loan facility: Time Out Group has reported that its Markets FY25 revenues grew to £47m, an increase of 10% versus FY24 (£42m), but said that trading performance in the final quarter of F … view |
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Tuesday 26th August 2025 |
Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
Loungers launches first loyalty scheme: Café bar operator Loungers, which opened its landmark 300th site earlier this month, has launched its first loyalty scheme across its 261-strong Lounge estate. The company, which also operates Cosy … view |
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Monday 25th August 2025 |
Almost 89,000 jobs lost in hospitality since Budget as another 5,000 go in past month |
Almost 89,000 jobs lost in hospitality since Budget as another 5,000 go in past month: Almost 89,000 jobs have been lost in hospitality since last October’s Budget, according to new analysis of Office for National Statistics data by UKH … view |
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Saturday 23rd August 2025 |
Coca-Cola explores Costa sale |
Coca-Cola explores Costa sale: The Coca-Cola Company is exploring a sale of Costa, Britain’s biggest high street coffee brand, more than six years after acquiring the business in a move aimed at helping it reduce its reliance on sugary soft … view |
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Saturday 23rd August 2025 |
Exclusive: Krispy Kreme UK begins multi-year turnaround plan as it reports £6.5m loss |
Exclusive – Krispy Kreme UK begins multi-year turnaround plan as it reports £6.5m loss: Krispy Kreme UK has said it has begun a multi-year turnaround plan as it reported a pre-tax loss of £6,465,000 for the year ending 31 December 2024 com … view |
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Friday 22nd August 2025 |
Subjects: Authors: Beam me up Elon by Myles Doran I was recently passing through Los Angeles on a hospitality research tour of California, which conveniently coincided with the new opening of the firs … view |
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Friday 22nd August 2025 |
Friday Opinion |
Subjects: There’s no maybe about it – Oasis have definitely been a shot in the arm for hospitality, good news for pubs, the benefits of central kitchensAuthors: Katy Moses, Glynn Davis, Alastair Scott |
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Friday 22nd August 2025 |
Propel Friday News Briefing |
Tigermilk – we want to open three more London sites over the next 12 months and see long-term potential for meaningful footprint in UK: The team behind French Latin American dining concept Tigermilk has told Propel it wants to open thre … view |
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Friday 22nd August 2025 |
London mayor wants alfresco dining to become permanent feature, hospitality leaders’ confidence nudges up |
London mayor wants alfresco dining to become permanent feature for capital as new analysis shows licensing changes could boost economy by £2bn a year: Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, has said he wants alfresco dining to become a permane … view |
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Thursday 21st August 2025 |
Update: McDonald’s UK CEO to step down, Joseph Holt results |
Alistair Macrow to step down as CEO of McDonald’s UK: Alistair Macrow, who has been with McDonald’s for 18 years, will step down as chief executive of its UK and Ireland business next month, after four years in the role. The Times rep … view |
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Thursday 21st August 2025 |
Propel Thursday News Briefing |
Fledgling salad concept Pick.Your.Own secures funding to aid rollout across London, targeting 20 sites by 2030: Pick.Your.Own, the fast-casual concept that launched last December in the City, has secured investment from Frontive Group and … view |
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Wednesday 20th August 2025 |
Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
F1 Arcade to launch smaller format F1 Box that offers ‘significant global growth potential’: F1 Arcade, the Formula 1-licensed experiential brand, is to launch a smaller format called F1 Box on Friday (22 August), in London. The compa … view |
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Wednesday 20th August 2025 |
Almost three quarters of hospitality businesses have less than six months of cash reserves |
Almost three quarters of hospitality businesses have less than six months of cash reserves as tax rises force workforce cuts: Almost three quarters (73%) of hospitality businesses have less than six months of cash reserves, with one in fi … view |
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Tuesday 19th August 2025 |
Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
Brakspear CEO – trading so far in 2025 has been strong, secures additional borrowing: Tom Davies, chief executive of pub operator Brakspear, has told Propel that trading for the business in 2025 has been strong, helped by acquisitions … view |
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Monday 18th August 2025 |
Soho House to be taken private in £2bn deal |
Soho House to be taken private in £2bn deal: Members’ club group Soho House is to be taken private in a $2.7bn (£2bn) deal by a group led by New York-based MCR Hotels, the third-largest hotel owner-operator in the US and owner of the … view |
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Monday 18th August 2025 |
Update: Soho House set for $1.8bn take private deal, Brakspear, pub closures, tourist tax |
Soho House close to $1.8bn take-private deal: Members’ club group Soho House is set to be taken private in a deal led by one of the biggest US hotel owners. The Wall Street Journal reports that a group of investors headed by New York-ba … view |
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Monday 18th August 2025 |
Propel Monday News Briefing |
Exclusive – Wahaca swings into profit and looks to expand, ceases trading at DF Tacos sub-brand, receives £3.4m covid insurance payment: Wahaca has reported that the year to 30 June 2024 saw a rise in turnover to £40,480,000 (2023: £ … view |
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Friday 15th August 2025 |
Exclusive: McWin and TriSpan acquire Flat Iron |
Exclusive – McWin and TriSpan acquire Flat Iron: McWin Capital Partners, the backer of Gail’s, Big Mamma and Sticks’n’ Sushi, and TriSpan, the backer of Pho, Mowgli and Rosa’s Thai, have partnered to make a co-control majority i … view |
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Friday 15th August 2025 |
Friday Opinion |
Subjects: Beam me up Elon, not a Vic-tory for sustainability, drink to the great outdoors Authors: Myles Doran, Glynn Davis, Phil Mellows Beam me up Elon by Myles DoranI was recently pass … view |
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Friday 15th August 2025 |
Update: Gusto administration details, TGI Fridays UK improved performance, Valiant funding |
Gusto made £1.8m loss in year leading up to administration, owed £11.9m before £2.53m sale: Premium Italian restaurant operator Gusto made a £1.8m loss in the year leading up to its administration and owed circa £11.9m before its £2 … view |
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Friday 15th August 2025 |
Propel Friday News Briefing |
Funstation – ‘there’s no reason why we can’t grow our new concept just as big’, ‘we’re really leaning into giving guests multiple things to do’: The team behind arcade games and VR experience concept Funstation, which has … view |
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Thursday 14th August 2025 |
Update: Busaba was acquired out of administration for £75,000, Blacklock and Rank Group results |
Busaba was acquired out of administration for £75,000, increased cost pressures had ‘significant Impact on the company’s financial position’: Busaba Eathai, the Thai business founded by Alan Yau, was acquired out of administration for … view |
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Thursday 14th August 2025 |
Propel Thursday News Briefing |
Mammy Pancakes UK founder – prime time for launching Hong Kong concepts here, planning to expand outside of London: The UK franchisee for Mammy Pancakes has told Propel now is the prime time for launching Hong Kong concepts here, and th … view |
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Wednesday 13th August 2025 |
Legal Briefing |
Your outdoor entertainment survival guide: part two by Karen LushThe sun is still shining, pints are still pouring, and for many venues, outdoor areas remain the beating heart of summer trading. However, with extra footfall and atmosphe … view |
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Wednesday 13th August 2025 |
Technology Briefing |
I’VE GOT 99 PROBLEMS, BUT TECH AIN’T ONE!On 11 July, 2025, UKHospitality launched the #TaxedOut campaign, positioning it as an assertive call to government to reverse damaging tax policies introduced in the October 2024 Budget. By … view |
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Wednesday 13th August 2025 |
Exclusive: Oakman Group posts £18.1m loss ahead of administration process |
Exclusive – Oakman Group posts £18.1m loss ahead of administration process: Oakman Group has reported pre-tax losses increased to £18,133,469 for the year ending 30 June 2024 compared with £6,174,006 the previous year. Ebitda stood a … view |
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Wednesday 13th August 2025 |
Update: Dishoom, Escape Hunt and Rocco Forte Hotels |
Dishoom seeing sustained volume growth in 2025 as it reports record turnover of £137.1m: Dishoom, the award-winning Indian restaurant group, has said it is seeing sustained volume growth in 2025 as it reported revenue increased 17% to a recor … view |
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Wednesday 13th August 2025 |
Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
London restaurant group Maginhawa aiming to grow its Mamasons concept up to 15 UK sites, having international conversations and exploring London neighbourhoods for further growth: London restaurant group Maginhawa is aiming to grow its Ma … view |
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Tuesday 12th August 2025 |
Update: Pasta Evangelists, Just East Takeaway and Costa Coffee |
Pasta Evangelists to invest more than £30m in new restaurants as it looks to build dine-in estate and eyes global estate of 300: Pasta Evangelists has said it will invest more than £30m in new restaurants as it looks to build its dine-in est … view |
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Tuesday 12th August 2025 |
Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
Pizza Pilgrims – we believe Europe holds an exciting opportunity for the brand: Thom Elliot, co-founder of Pizza Pilgrims, has told Propel that incoming investment and expertise from German restaurant group L’Osteria presents “an ex … view |
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Monday 11th August 2025 |
Exclusive: German restaurant group L’Osteria acquires Pizza Pilgrims |
Exclusive – German restaurant group L’Osteria acquires Pizza Pilgrims: L’Osteria, the German pizza and pasta restaurant business, which is backed by McWin, has acquired a majority stake in Pizza Pilgrims, the award-winning Neapolita … view |
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Monday 11th August 2025 |
Government set to overhaul drink-driving limits |
Government set to overhaul drink-driving limits: The government is set to overhaul the current drink-driving limits under a radical overhaul of the UK’s road safety laws. In what is expected to be the biggest shake-up of driving rules for al … view |
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Monday 11th August 2025 |
Propel Monday News Briefing |
Tasty African Food plans 100 sites in five years’ time: Tasty African Food, the company that is run by founders Michael Olaleye and his wife Abi, have set a target of 100 sites in five years’ time. The business was founded 25 years ag … view |
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Friday 8th August 2025 |
Exclusive: Tossed launches new concept, Soho House returns to profit |
Exclusive – Tossed to open new concept at London’s BoxHall: Healthy eating brand Tossed is launching a new concept “Wholesome Greens, by Tossed”, Propel has learned. The concept will make its debut at BoxHall in London’s Liverpo … view |
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Friday 8th August 2025 |
Friday Opinion |
Subjects: Ozempic and the appetite reset – the cultural shift that could knock a restaurant (or two) off the menu, taking a slice of the cake, why staying competitive is about more than profit Authors: Marcel Khan, Glyn … view |
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Friday 8th August 2025 |
Jeremy King signs lease for Simpsons, writes book |
Jeremy King signs lease for Simpsons, writes book: Restaurateur Jeremy King has revealed he has finally signed the lease for Simpsons in the Strand and written a book. King said: “A project that has taken three years to bring to fruition is … view |
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Friday 8th August 2025 |
Propel Friday News Briefing |
Papa John’s CEO – UK outperformed total international business in July, we’re driving strong growth there and will turn on the development engine again in due course: Papa John’s chief executive Todd Penegor has said the UK outper … view |
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Thursday 7th August 2025 |
Simmons Bars acquired by founder for £6m in pre-pack administration, Deliveroo reports strong first half |
Simmons Bars acquired by founder for £6m in pre-pack administration: Cocktail bar operator Simmons was acquired by its founder Nick Campbell for £6,051,660 in pre-pack administration, an administrators’ report has revealed. Propel exclusi … view |
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Thursday 7th August 2025 |
Propel Thursday News Briefing |
McDonald’s CEO – we’re introducing initiatives to improve UK performance but recognise it will take time: McDonald’s chief executive Chris Kempczinski has said the company is introducing initiatives to improve its UK performance b … view |
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Wednesday 6th August 2025 |
McDonald’s reports global like-for-like sales increase 3.8% in second quarter with UK seeing growth |
McDonald’s reports global like-for-like sales increase 3.8% in second quarter with UK seeing growth: McDonald’s has reported global like-for-like sales increased 3.8% in the second quarter of its financial year, ending 30 June 2025 – wit … view |
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