Hickory’s Smokehouse reports Ebitda boost as turnover increases 15% to £16.6m, plans two more sites this year: Hickory’s Smokehouse has reported turnover increased 15% to £16.6m for the year ending 30 April 2017 compared with £14.4 … view

Adam Breeden signs City of London Puttshack site: The founder of Bounce ping-pong bars and co-founder of Flight Club darts bars it to open a crazy gold brand in City of London. Adam Breeden, who also founded All Star Lanes bowling, is to … view

Brasserie Bar Co reports turnover up 20% in current financial year, looking to open up to five sites in 2018: Mark Derry, chief executive of Brasserie Bar Co, the 36-strong group behind Brasserie Blanc and The White Brasserie Company, has … view

McDonald’s reports like-for-likes up 5.5% in fourth quarter helped by ‘continued UK momentum’: McDonald’s has reported global like-for-like sales rose 5.5% in its fourth quarter to 31 December 2017 helped by continued momentum in … view

Brasserie Bar Co reports Ebitda boost as turnover rises to £46.8m: Brasserie Bar Co, the 36-strong group behind Brasserie Blanc and the White Brasserie, has reported turnover increased 14% to £46.8m for the year ending 31 July 2017 comp … view

Domino’s Pizza reports UK system sales up 9.8% in Quarter Four: Domino’s Pizza UK has reported group system sales rose 18.2% with strong growth in both established and newer markets in its Fourth Quarter to 24 December. UK system sale … view

British consumers are ‘creatures of habit’ when it comes to eating out: British consumers are happy to act on “autopilot” when choosing where to eat out if they get good pricing, convenience and the right customer experience, acco … view

Admiral Taverns’ Simon Eyles passes away: Admiral Taverns’ commercial director Simon Eyles has passed away after a short illness. Kevin Georgel, chief executive of Admiral Taverns, said: “It is with the deepest sadness and regret th … view

Former Caravan head of wholesale says there’s still room for high-end operators in saturated coffee market ahead of new venture: Former Caravan head of wholesale James Hennebry has told Propel he believes there is still room for more co … view

Wetherspoon to reintroduce steak next Tuesday: JD Wetherspoon is to reintroduce sirloin steak, rump steak and gammon steak in its 900 pubs across the UK and Republic of Ireland on Tuesday, 30 January. The three items have been off the men … view

Goodbody – Greene King performance turnaround will ‘take time and require deeper customer experience improvements’: Goodbody leisure analyst Brian Devitt has said the turnaround in performance at Greene King will “take time and re … view

Greene King reports like-for-likes up 1.6% over two weeks of Christmas: Greene King has reported a strong festive trading period with like-for-like sales up 1.6%. The company stated: “We traded well over the Christmas period with Pub Co … view

Boparan to franchise Slim Chickens in the UK: Boparan Restaurant Group, which owns Giraffe, Ed’s Easy Diner and Harry Ramsden’s, has partnered with Slim Chickens USA to bring the fast-casual, fresh chicken brand to the UK market. Slim … view

JD Wetherspoon reports 6% like-for-like sales growth in its Second Quarter: JD Wetherspoon has reported like-for-like sales rose 6% for the first 12 weeks of the second quarter (to 21 January 2018) and total sales by 4.3%. In the year to … view

Ralph Findlay – there’s enough pressure on margins without joining sector-wide discounting: Marston’s chief executive Ralph Findlay has told Propel the company would continue to resist joining the widespread discounting in the secto … view

Marston’s reports snow and ice impact trading: Marston’s has reported the snow and icy weather had an impact on trading for the 16 weeks to 20 January 2018. The company stated: “We continued to make progress in the period with growt … view

Some operators reaching ‘crisis proportions’ but possible pricing benefits: Some operators are reaching “crisis proportions”, although many may benefit in the short term from changes in the pricing environment, according to the la … view

ETM Group reports December like-for-likes up 10.8%: ETM Group, the 13-strong bar and restaurant company, has reported like-for-like sales increased 10.8% for the five weeks ending 31 December 2017, with overall sales up 34.4%. The company … view

Grillstock went into administration after owing more than £445,000 to HMRC, sold to new company for £92,000: American-style barbecue restaurant Grillstock went into administration after owing more than £445,000 to HM Revenue & Customs, … view

Burger King UK appoints Alasdair Murdoch as chief executive: Alasdair Murdoch has been appointed chief executive of Burger King UK. Murdoch will be in charge of the new Burger King UK entity from 1 February responsible for the master fran … view

Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Award winners revealed: The winners of the inaugural Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Awards, staged by Propel and Think Hospitality have been revealed. More than 90 entries were judged by a panel of 16 indu … view

Douglas Jack – we expect Restaurant Group’s full year trading update to be weak: Peel Hunt leisure analyst Douglas Jack has forecast a ‘weak’ Restaurant Group trading update next week. He said: “We expect the full year trading u … view

Sector like-for-likes down 0.1% in December, wet-led businesses enjoy best of festive trading: Britain’s managed pub and restaurant groups saw collective like-for-like sales marginally down by 0.1% over the six-week Christmas and new ye … view

Break-up speculation: Brittain said: “We have open and regular discussions with our sh … view

Whitbread reports like-for-like sales up 0.3% in third quarter: Whitbread has reported like-for-like sales rose 0.3% in the 13 weeks to 30 November 2017, with total UK sales up 5.8% (year-to-date 6.7%). Premier Inn like-for-like sales ros … view

Value for money and convenience to become increasingly important as sector turnover slows in 2018: Value for money and convenience will become increasingly important during 2018 as sector turnover slows amid continued consumer uncertainty … view

City Pub Group reports like-for-likes up 3.8%, David Bruce resigns from board: City Pub Group, the owner and operator of an estate of premium pubs across southern England, has reported like-for-like sales increased 3.8% for the year endin … view

Mission Mars looks to accelerate growth after completing pub business merger, December like-for-likes up 9%: Mission Mars is looking to accelerate growth after merging its pub business Flying Pig & Lobster into the group. Co-founder Roy E … view

UK coffee shop market turnover grows 7.3% in 2017 despite Brexit uncertainty, executives remain confident: The £9.6bn UK coffee shop market grew 7.3% in turnover during 2017, making it one of the UK’s strongest performing sectors, acco … view

D&D London reports 4% like-for-likes in December: D&D London, whose venues including Quaglino’s, Kensington Place and Le Pont de la Tour, has reported a return to growth after lacklustre late summer trading, The Times has reported. The … view

BrewDog nears £11m mark in latest crowdfunding campaign but reduces ‘stretch target’ to £20m: Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog has raised nearly £11m in its fifth round of its Equity for Punks crowdfunding initiative – but ha … view

BrewDog hits £10m target: Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog has hit its £10m Equity for Punks V crowdfunding target in the past hour. The company stated: “For the £10m target raise we are concentrating on three specific projects t … view

M&B reports like-for-likes up 3.9% during three key festive weeks: Mitchells & Butlers has reported trading through the core three week festive season was strong, with like-for-like sales growth of 3.9%. Christmas Day was a record taking … view

UK coffee shop sales to reach £3.7bn by 2022 driven by younger millennials and parents: UK coffee shop sales are expected to rise 10% by 2022 to reach £3.7bn, according to research by Mintel, with the rise driven by younger millennials … view

Analyst Tim Barrett – cost pressures mean company performance will increasingly diverge: Numis leisure analyst Tim Barrett has issued a note arguing that “cost pressures mean company performance will increasingly diverge”. He said: … view

Restaurant delivery service seeks £2.5m to expand franchise network in UK and overseas: Restaurant delivery service One Delivery is aiming to raise £2.5m as it looks to expand its franchise network in the UK and overseas. The company, f … view

Draft House reports December like-for-likes up 5.9%: Draft House, the London-based craft beer operator led by Charlie McVeigh and backed by Luke Johnson, has reported like-for-like sales were up 5.9% for the four weeks to 31 December 2017 … view

Butcombe reports December like-for-like sales up 6.5%: Butcombe, part of Liberation Group, has reported managed like-for-like sales increased 6.5% and total sales were up 114% for the four weeks to 31 December 2017. The West Country regio … view

Byron to undergo CVA in bid to secure future: Better burger brand Byron has announced the sale of the business and a restructuring plan that will “ensure a sustainable long-term future”. Under the terms of the transaction, which is su … view

Tasty – ‘we expect a further deterioration of trading in 2018’: Wildwood operator Tasty has provided a trading update for the 52 weeks ended 31 December 2017, forecasting trading will get even tougher in 2018. The company stared: � … view

Hospitality sector continues to buck trend with 4.7% rise in December as consumer spending hits five-year low: Consumer spending in December at hotels, restaurants and bars continued to buck the trend with a 4.7% rise, according to the la … view

Douglas Jack – over-supply in restaurant sector will take years to correct: Peel Hunt leisure analyst Douglas Jack has argued that wet-led pubs and bars are benefiting from low supply in recent years compared to the restaurant sector, w … view

Deltic Group reports December like-for-likes up 8.2%, further investment planned in estate: The Deltic Group, the UK’s largest operator of premium late-night bars and clubs with 57 venues, has reported like-for-like sales grew 8.2% in t … view

Stonegate Pub Company sees 20% growth in late-night sales as pop-ups quench millennial thirst for experiences: Stonegate Pub Company’s late-night division has seen 20% sales growth for a second year in a row, with a range of pop-up acti … view

Subjects: Best Bar None chairman challenges 'unfair burdens on licensed trade', There’s A Beer For That’s new strategy is missing target, and a sense of balance and perspective

Halewood Wines and Spirits report turnover and profit growth as it invests in craft producers: Halewood Wine and Spirits has reported turnover grew to £216.7m in the year to 1 July 2017, up from £214.6m the year before. Ebitda rose to … view

Be At One reports like-for-likes up 12.6% in December: Be At One, the specialist cocktail bar group backed by Piper Private Equity, has reported a record festive trading period with like-for-like sales up 12.6% during December and total s … view

Be At One reports like-for-likes up 12.6% in December: Be At One, the specialist cocktail bar group backed by Piper Private Equity, has reported a record festive trading period with like-for-like sales up 12.6% during December and total s … view

Adam Crozier to replace Richard Baker as Whitbread chairman: Whitbread has announced that its chairman, Richard Baker, will be retiring from the board at the next financial year end, 28 February 2018, having completed nearly nine years se … view

Barclays Capital – we sense an increased interest at Whitbread in selling Costa Coffee: Analysts at Barclays Capital have raised their target price for Whitbread after posing the question: “What if the company decides to sell Costa Co … view

Oakman Inns reports 5.9% December like-for-likes, in negotiations on seven sites: Oakman Inns and Restaurants (OIRL) has reported like-for-like growth of 5.9% during the four-week Christmas trading period ending on 31 December 2017. The c … view

Gaucho Group hires Oliver Meakin as chief executive: Gaucho Group, the leading Argentine steak restaurant group operating the Gaucho and CAU brands, has appointed Oliver Meakin as chief executive. His appointment as chief executive will t … view

Yummy Pub Co reports a +14.82% like-for-like sales increase in December trading: Yummy Pub Co, the London-based operator of six sites, has reported like-for-like sales growth in December of 14.82%. In a communication to the business, Tim … view

Eataly eyes IPO in 2018, with opening in City of London also lined up: Eataly, the Italian food emporium, is planning to list shares on the stock exchange in Milan as early as this year, as the group ramps up its expansion with an openin … view

Patisserie Valerie preparing £35m share issue to help fund Gail’s takeover bid: Patisserie Valerie is preparing to tap investors for tens of millions of pounds as part of plans for a takeover bid for the company that owns Gail's Bakery … view