TGI Friday's sets up independent tronc committee made up of staff: TGI Friday's has introduced a 12-person tronc committee, which has collectively made the decision on how tips paid via a customer’s card are distributed among its restau … view

TGI Friday's sets up independent tronc committee made up of staff: TGI Friday's has introduced a 12-person tronc committee, which has collectively made the decision on how tips paid via a customer’s card are distributed among its restau … view

The Restaurant Group plans to convert 15 sites to Wagamama by December 2020: The Restaurant Group (TRG) has stated that it sees potential for a further 40 to 60 Wagamama sites in the UK. The company stated: “TRG expects to convert at le … view

The Restaurant Group to buy Wagamama for £559m, Emma Woods to become CEO: The Restaurant Group (TRG) has conditionally agreed to buy Wagamama for a cash payment of £357 million, representing an enterprise value of £559 million. This im … view

Restaurant Marketer & Innovator tickets now on sale: Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit is returning for its second year, after a bumper inaugural year. The event is a partnership between Propel and Think Hospitality, aiming … view

Deliveroo opens 1,000th virtual restaurant, eyes 2,000-site milestone by mid-2019: Deliveroo has launched its 1,000th virtual restaurant, at a Jamie’s Pizzeria in Taiwan, and said it expects to pass the 2,000-site milestone by mid-2019. … view

Deliveroo opens 1,000th virtual restaurant, eyes 2,000-site milestone by mid-2019: Deliveroo has launched its 1,000th virtual restaurant, at a Jamie’s Pizzeria in Taiwan, and said it expects to pass the 2,000-site milestone by mid-2019. … view

MPs and shareholders call for independent inquiry into Patisserie Valerie: MPs and shareholder groups have called for an independent inquiry into Patissere Valerie after the company admitted that share options granted to chief executive P … view

Financial watchdog warns listed companies about rise in ‘low-level errors’ and need to outline Brexit threats, The Restaurant Group and M&B required to correct reporting: Britain’s accounting watchdog has written to all listed UK co … view

Gourmet Burger Kitchen to close 17 sites: Gourmet Burger Kitchen is to close 17 of its 85 restaurants, with a potential loss of 250 jobs. The better burger brand has asked landlords and other creditors to support a company voluntary arran … view

Deliveroo unveils major allergen communication overhaul: Restaurant delivery company Deliveroo has announced major changes to how it displays allergen content on menus to increase transparency for consumers and promote restaurant action i … view

Martin Williams sets out vision for Gaucho after administration: Steak brand Gaucho has exited administration after its acquisition by Lomo Bidco, an entity owned by Investec Bank and SC Lowy, and has set out plans for the future. Restaur … view

Easterbrook – McDonald’s UK saw highest ever sales in Third Quarter, delivery now 10% of sales at delivery sites: McDonald’s has reported that its UK business delivered the highest monthly sales and guest count volumes in its 44 yea … view

Camm & Hooper founder Claire Lawson steps down as managing director: Camm & Hooper founder Claire Lawson has stepped down as managing director due to health reasons. Lawson launched Imbiba Partnership-backed events and hospitality group C … view

Whitbread reports solid First Half as it focuses on hotel business: Whitbread has reported sales grew 2.6% to £1,079m in the first half of its financial year. Profit before tax rose 0.2% to £257m. There was total UK accommodation sales … view

Alison Brittain – our new ZIP by Premier Inn format is a niche under-served market: Whitbread chief executive Alison Brittain has argued the company’s new ZIP by Premier Inn format, which offers rooms for £19 a night, is a “niche, … view

Former Bill’s chief executive Duncan Garrood takes over as chief executive at Ten Entertainment: Ten Entertainment Group, one of the UK’s leading family entertainment companies, has hired Duncan Garrood as chief executive, succeeding … view

Charlie Gilkes – it’s terrifying how few people are applying for jobs, Fogg’s thriving due to ‘open-ended’ concept: Inception Group founder Charlie Gilkes has said recruitment is the company’s greatest challenge as its brands … view

Bella Italia launches retail range: Bella Italia, which is owned by Casual Dining Group, has launched its first retail range following a partnership with Tesco. The frozen ready meal range includes starters, mains and desserts, with all d … view

Simon Potts – new concept will help The Alchemist pull back share in the late-night market: Simon Potts, managing director of award-winning bar and restaurant brand The Alchemist, has said he is looking to “diversify its offer” as t … view

MPs call for Patisserie Holdings investigation, Gail’s sale ‘on hold’: Patisserie Holdings bosses could be hauled before parliament following the shock £40m black hole being uncovered in its accounts. Executive chairman Luke Johnso … view

Customers continue to prefer experiences at pubs over restaurants: The pub and bar sector continued to outperform restaurants and casual dining in driving positive social reviews during September, according to Feed It Back’s latest mont … view

Patisserie Holdings calls emergency shareholder meeting, shares to remain suspended: Patisserie Holdings has called an emergency shareholder meeting and warned trading in it shares may not restart for several weeks as the company rebuilds … view

CGA – ‘blurring’ of competition has contributed to decline in nightclubs as preferred late-night destination: Karl Chessell, who heads CGA’s retailer business unit, has said a “blurring” of competition has contributed to a dec … view

UK consumer confidence dips following record highs as Brits prepare to rein in non-essential spending: UK consumer confidence has dipped in the third quarter of 2018 following record highs, with Brits preparing to rein in non-essential sp … view

Grant Thornton boss quits days after company slammed for missing £40m Patisserie Holdings black hole: The chief executive of Grant Thornton has quit – just days after the accountancy group was slammed for missing a £40m black hole at … view

D&D London puts together plans for no-deal Brexit: Des Gunewardena, chairman and chief executive of restaurant operator D&D London, has told Propel the company is planning for a no-deal Brexit. Gunewardena said 30% of the company’s food … view

UKHospitality names industry’s top operations managers: UKHospitality has announced the winners of its 2018 Operations Managers Awards at a celebratory ceremony in central London. The Operations Managers Awards are the only awards of it … view

Patisserie Holdings could sue auditor over £40m black hole: Patisserie Holdings is considering taking legal action against its auditors Grant Thornton for its alleged failure to spot a £40m black hole in the cafe and cake operator’s f … view

Managed pubs enjoy 1.9% like-for-like sales growth in September but restaurants see 0.2% fall: Sunny weather in September proved good news for Britain’s managed pubs, with collective like-for-like sales up 1.9% on the same month last ye … view

Managed pubs enjoy 1.9% like-for-like sales growth in September but restaurants see 0.2% fall: Sunny weather in September proved good news for Britain’s managed pubs, with collective like-for-like sales up 1.9% on the same month last ye … view

Patisserie Holdings avoids administration as share placing raises £15.7m: Patisserie Holdings has saved itself from administration after raising £15.7m from a share placing. The funds, together with a £10m interest-free loan from chair … view

Patisserie Holdings to launch £15m share placing supported by £10m loan from Luke Johnson to stay afloat: Patisserie Holdings is planning to raise £15m through a share placing supported by a £10m loan from chairman Luke Johnson to sta … view

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Patisserie Holdings CFO arrested: Patisserie Holdings has revealed its chief financial officer Chris Marsh, who was suspended this week after the company discovered “potentially fraudulent accounting irregularities”, has been arrested … view

Restaurants and pubs ordered to shrink pizzas and pies in obesity fight: Pizzas and pies in restaurants and pubs are set to shrink under new targets to tackle child obesity. Health officials want chefs to limit their pies to 695 calories … view

Koh founder unveils new restaurant venture: Andy Lennox, who founded the Koh brand and owns Lion Consultancy, is to launch an all-day restaurant venture, Propel has learned. The concept, which will be unveiled next week, will be a new “ … view

Whitbread shareholders approve £3.9bn Costa sale to Coca-Cola: Whitbread shareholders have overwhelmingly approved the sale of Costa Coffee to Coca-Cola for £3.9bn. At a general meeting yesterday (Wednesday, 10 October), a total of 116, … view

Ralph Findlay – government is inept and doing nothing to support sector: Marston’s chief executive Ralph Findlay has lambasted the government, labelling it as “inept” while “doing nothing” to support the wider industry. Speaki … view

Hospitality industry launches mentoring initiative to fast-track female leaders: UKHospitality, executive search firm Odgers Berndtson, BT Sport and sector agency Elliotts have launched The Leadership Mentoring Programme to fast-track fem … view

Patisserie Valerie owner suspends shares after discovery of ‘accounting irregularities’: Patisserie Holdings, the owner of Patisserie Valerie has suspended its shares after the discovery of “potentially fraudulent, accounting irreg … view

Hospitality sector risks losing out on £448m a year unless it fully embraces flexible working: The hospitality sector could risk losing out on £448m a year in economic output if employers fail to fully embrace flexible working, a new st … view

City Pub Group to raise £6.2m, increases acquisition target to more than ten sites a year: City Pub Group, led by Clive Watson, has announced it proposes to raise £6.2m by way of a share placing to expand its estate – and has upped i … view

Burning Night Group goes into administration, offers on table to buy company: Bar company Burning Night Group has gone into administration but there are already offers to buy the company, Propel has learned. Begbies Traynor has been appoi … view

UKHospitality names best UK late-night operators: UKHospitality has announced the winners of the 2018 Late Night Awards, held in association with Propel. The winners were announced at a gala ceremony at Café de Paris, London, last night … view

Novus puts Tiger Tiger site in Haymarket up for sale, reports double-digit like-for-like growth at Balls Brothers and Tank & Paddle: Novus, the London bar and restaurant operator, has put its Tiger Tiger site in Haymarket up for sale as i … view

Sector bosses demand digital services tax to fund business rates freeze amid pub and dining ‘crisis’: A coalition of Britain’s biggest restaurant and pub owners has urged the chancellor to tackle the “crisis in hospitality and the … view

Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Awards open for entries: The Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Awards has been launched. The awards, in their second year, recognise outstanding marketing and innovation in the sector. Finalists will be invit … view

Papa John’s UK reports turnover and profit boost: Papa John’s UK, the country’s third-largest pizza delivery company, has reported turnover rose 19% to £67,256,000 in the year to 31 December 2017. The company made a pre-tax profit … view

Travelodge plans £100m expansion near conference sites: Travelodge has launched a £100m expansion plan that includes ten new hotels close to conference and events centres. The company, which already has 567 hotels across the country, r … view

New data reveals places with highest and lowest restaurant density in UK: Edinburgh has the highest restaurant density in the UK as expressed by the number of people per restaurant, according to new data. Figures from the Local Data Compa … view

Wagamama reports UK like-for-like sales up 8.5% in first quarter: Wagamama has reported turnover increased 12.3% to £97.4m in the 16 weeks to 19 August, its first quarter of a new financial year. The UK saw 8.5% like-for-like sales growt … view

MOD Pizza reports £11m loss in the UK: MOD Pizza UK, the joint venture rolling out the US concept in the UK, has reported a loss of £11,079,000 in the 53 weeks to 31 December 2017 (2016: £5,020,000 loss), reflecting ‘the cost of the … view

Ei Group unveils Vixen Pubs as 11th managed joint venture: Ei Managed Investments, the Ei Group business that invests alongside industry-leading managed house operators, has launched its 11th venture, Vixen Pubs, a partnership with Helen … view

Ei Group unveils Vixen Pubs as 11th managed joint venture: Ei Managed Investments, the Ei Group business that invests alongside industry-leading managed house operators, has launched its 11th venture, Vixen Pubs, a partnership with Helen … view

McDonald’s UK reports turnover and profits up: McDonald’s UK has reported turnover increased by £19m to £1.593bn in the year to 31 December 2017. The company’s operating profit rose to £43m (2016: £282m). Pre-tax profit was £34 … view

Ei Group and Oakman Inns end Hunky Dory partnership, first time managed joint venture finishes: Ei Group and Oakman Inns and Restaurants have ended their Hunky Dory Pubs partnership, Propel has learned. It is the first time an Ei Group ma … view

Foodservice inflation drops in August but key prices likely to rise in coming months: Overall inflation in the foodservice sector dropped in August due to a fall in meat and poultry prices compared with last year, the latest Foodservice P … view

Casual Dining Group hits back over ‘ill-informed’ government comments on company’s tipping policy: Casual Dining Group (CDG) has hit back at “ill-informed” comments by the government on the company’s tipping policy. The prime … view

Michelin awards record number of new stars for 2019: There have been a record number of new stars awarded in the 2019 Michelin Guide. Inspectors awarded three new two-Michelin stars and 21 new one-Michelin stars. This year’s stars were … view

Unsecured creditors of Jamie Oliver’s Barbecoa set to receive penny in the pound: Unsecured creditors of Jamie Oliver’s steak restaurant Barbecoa, which went into administration earlier this year, are owed about £3m and are set to re … view