| Tuesday 30th November 2021 |
| Pret signs two new UK franchise partners |
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Pret signs two new UK franchise partners: Pret A Manger, the JAB Holdings-backed business, has signed two new franchise partners in the UK. Dallas Holdings, which has worked to enhance customer experiences globally across multiple brands, … view |
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| Tuesday 30th November 2021 |
| Update: Marston’s, Shaftesbury, JD Wetherspoon and cancellations |
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Marston’s reports managed like-for-like sales up 1.3%: Marston’s has reported that trading since its year end to 2 October “remains encouraging”, with total like-for-like sales in its managed and franchised pubs up 1.3% relative t … view |
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| Tuesday 30th November 2021 |
| Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
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Just Eat – breakfast and lunch orders driving growth, pub deliveries a growing presence: Breakfast and lunch orders have proved to be the big growth drivers for Just Eat in 2021, accounting for a “pretty significant number” of its d … view |
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| Tuesday 30th November 2021 |
| Pret confirms launch of first loyalty scheme |
| Pret confirms launch of first loyalty scheme: Pret A Manger, the JAB Holdings-backed business, has confirmed the launch of its first loyalty scheme. As revealed by Propel earlier this month, Pret has launched Pret Perks. The scheme will be rol … view |
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| Monday 29th November 2021 |
| Fortress Investment Group approaches Punch over £1bn takeover |
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Fortress Investment Group approaches Punch over £1bn takeover: The owners of Punch Pubs & Co, one of Britain's biggest pub operators, are exploring a sale of the company after receiving a string of approaches despite ongoing pandemic-rel … view |
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| Monday 29th November 2021 |
| Propel celebrates tenth birthday |
| Propel celebrates tenth birthday: Propel is celebrating its tenth birthday this week as an independent and privately owned newswire and events company which has grown to have the biggest high-level readership in the sector. Readers and custome … view |
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| Monday 29th November 2021 |
| Update: West Berkshire Brewery, Itsu and AG Barr |
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West Berkshire Brewery on brink of falling into administration: The Berkshire brewery at the centre of allegations of bullying and sexual harassment is understood to be on the brink of falling into administration. The Times reports West B … view |
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| Monday 29th November 2021 |
| Propel Monday News Briefing |
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Greene King Pub Partners launches new franchise concept Hive: Brewer and retailer Greene King has launched a new pub franchise concept, Hive, a branded community pub model through its tenanted and leased arm, Pub Partners, Propel has lear … view |
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| Saturday 27th November 2021 |
| Flip Out owner acquires brand’s global IP portfolio, signs licensing partner, pays down all debt |
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Flip Out owner acquires brand’s global IP portfolio, signs licensing partner, pays down all debt: MFT Capital, the owner of trampoline park business Flip Out, has reported “exceptionally strong” trading since sites reopened and has … view |
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| Friday 26th November 2021 |
| Friday Opinion |
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Subjects: Agility and flexibility now key for sector businesses, multi-site pub brands must focus on hospitality basics, creating the right atmosphere, experienced operators can lead the way on industry’s staffing crisis … view |
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| Friday 26th November 2021 |
| JDW – major investors and advisors are breaching the Corporate Governance Code |
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JDW – major investors and advisors are breaching the Corporate Governance Code: Tim Martin, founder and chairman of JD Wetherspoon, has accused major investor Fidelity of damaging public companies over its approach to governance while b … view |
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| Friday 26th November 2021 |
| Propel Friday News Briefing |
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Urban – we have trials in place to accelerate some brands, annualised sales for delivery now at circa £45m: Phil Urban, chief executive at Mitchells & Butlers, has told Propel the business has “a couple of trials in place on how we m … view |
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| Thursday 25th November 2021 |
| Coffee subscriptions ‘brought Pret back from the dead’, central London to be included in expansion plans |
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Coffee subscriptions ‘brought Pret back from the dead’, central London to be included in expansion plans: Pret A Manger was “brought back from the dead” by its coffee subscription service, according to its UK trading director Guy … view |
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| Thursday 25th November 2021 |
| Mitchells & Butlers reports 2.7% increase in lfl sales |
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Mitchells & Butlers reports 2.7% increase in lfl sales: Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) has this morning reported a 2.7% increase in like-for-like sales for the eight weeks since the end of its financial year to 25 September 2021, against the s … view |
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| Thursday 25th November 2021 |
| Propel Thursday News Briefing |
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Martin – I would go for a two-year immigration visa to ease staff shortages, job vacancies set to hit record high: Tim Martin, founder and chairman of JD Wetherspoon, has said he would personally go for a two-year immigration visa to ea … view |
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| Wednesday 24th November 2021 |
| Papps – Nando’s suffered the ‘the most challenging year in its history’ |
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Papps – Nando’s suffered the ‘the most challenging year in its history’: Rob Papps, group chief executive of Nando’s, said the peri-peri chicken chain suffered “the most challenging year in its history” as its full-year loss … view |
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| Wednesday 24th November 2021 |
| Pret sales rise above pre-pandemic level for first time |
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Pret sales rise above pre-pandemic level for first time: Sales at Pret A Manger rose above their pre-pandemic levels last week for the first time. The chain’s transaction volumes in locations including London’s financial districts and … view |
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| Wednesday 24th November 2021 |
| Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
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Fridays to trial ‘grab and go’ site early next year: Hostmore, the parent company of Fridays and the 63rd+1st concept in the UK, is to trial a “grab and go” site for its core brand at the beginning of next year. Propel revealed in … view |
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| Tuesday 23rd November 2021 |
| Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
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Metcalfe – this is a scary situation, with a lack of young staff coming into the sector: The UK hospitality sector is facing a “scary situation”, with a lack of young staff coming into the sector, Julian Metcalfe, founder of Itsu, t … view |
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| Monday 22nd November 2021 |
| Nightcap acquires company behind Barrio Bar Group |
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Nightcap acquires company behind Barrio Bar Group: Bar operator Nightcap has announced it has acquired Barrio Familia Ltd, the company behind the five-strong Barrio Bar Group. The business comprises four Latin American-inspired, Tequila-l … view |
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| Monday 22nd November 2021 |
| Propel Monday News Briefing |
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Hornby – sector could see fundamental shift next April, supply chain cost pressures could be very intense: Andy Hornby – chief executive of The Restaurant Group (TRG), operator of Wagamama and Brunning & Price – believes the sector … view |
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| Friday 19th November 2021 |
| Friday Opinion |
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Subjects: No time to COP out, putting covid in the rear-view mirror, things are looking up for London’s pubs Authors: Kate Nicholls, Paul Chase, Glynn Davis No time to COP out by Kate Nicholls< … view |
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| Friday 19th November 2021 |
| Propel Friday News Briefing |
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Gravity owner expects £12m-£14m annual run rate for Wandsworth experiential site, eyes £85m-£95m valuation for business, lines up ten more UK venues: Gravity co-founder Michael Harrison is projecting a £85m to £95m valuation for his … view |
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| Thursday 18th November 2021 |
| Harden’s – Pandemic causes record closures and churn amongst London restaurants |
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Harden’s – Pandemic causes record closures and churn amongst London restaurants: London restaurants have suffered record closures and churn. That’s the conclusion of the 30th edition of Harden’s London Restaurants – the 2022 pub … view |
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| Thursday 18th November 2021 |
| Propel Thursday News Briefing |
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Hospitality Rising embarks on £5m fundraise to launch sector recruitment campaign: Hospitality Rising, the project led by ex-Pret a Manger and YO! marketer Mark McCulloch to try to reignite and rescue the hospitality talent crisis, is la … view |
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| Wednesday 17th November 2021 |
| Sector company commits to Beyond the Living Wage |
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Sector company commits to Beyond the Living Wage: Independent restaurant and hospitality company Green & Fortune has announced all current and future employees will be paid Beyond the London Living Wage. The company said the new hourly ra … view |
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| Wednesday 17th November 2021 |
| Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
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Food price inflation set to increase up to 6% by new year as supply chain issues cause Christmas concerns: Food price inflation pressure eased in September, but sharp cost increases of between 3% and 6% by the new year are predicted, acco … view |
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| Wednesday 17th November 2021 |
| Food price inflation set to increase up to 6% by new year as supply chain issues cause Christmas concerns |
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Food price inflation set to increase up to 6% by new year as supply chain issues cause Christmas concerns: Food price inflation pressure eased in September, but sharp cost increases of between 3% and 6% by the new year are predicted, acco … view |
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| Tuesday 16th November 2021 |
| Exclusive: Mowgli appoints advisors as it explores funding options |
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Exclusive – Mowgli appoints advisors as it explores funding options: Indian street food concept Mowgli, the Nisha Katona-led business, has appointed advisors to help review its funding options for its next stage of growth, Propel has le … view |
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| Tuesday 16th November 2021 |
| Update: Revolution, The Restaurant Group, Wingstop and Admiral Taverns |
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Revolution reports like-for-likes up 14% compared with 2020: Revolution Bar Group has reported trade since reopening on 19 July has been 14% up on the comparable period in 2020, the last normal period of trade. The company stated: “The … view |
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| Tuesday 16th November 2021 |
| Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
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Hickory’s Smokehouse appoints advisors as it explores funding options for next stage of growth: American-style smokehouse and barbecue brand Hickory’s Smokehouse, which has been backed by Piper since 2014, has appointed advisors to he … view |
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| Monday 15th November 2021 |
| Nightcap reports 23 sites in legals or under offer, to focus on female-led socialising |
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Nightcap reports 23 sites in legals or under offer, to focus on female-led socialising: Bar operator Nightcap has reported it has 23 sites in legals or under offer. Chief executive Sarah Willingham said: “The performance of the Tonight … view |
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| Monday 15th November 2021 |
| Propel Monday News Briefing |
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Rolling 12-month sales down 4.5% for managed pubs, bars and restaurants as October shows modest growth: The UK’s leading managed restaurant, pub and bar groups achieved modest sales growth in October despite mounting operational pressur … view |
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| Monday 15th November 2021 |
| Rolling 12-month sales down 4.5%, Pizza Hut Delivery expands into ‘on-the-go’ travel market |
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Rolling 12-month sales down 4.5% for managed pubs, bars and restaurants as October shows modest growth: The UK’s leading managed restaurant, pub and bar groups achieved modest sales growth in October despite mounting operational pressur … view |
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| Sunday 14th November 2021 |
| Weekend leisure stories and restaurant reviews |
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Waiting staff accuse restaurants of cutting their tips to pay chefs: Restaurant owners in the UK are being accused by waiting staff of unfairly distributing tips to boost the salaries of chefs and managers as the industry battles severe s … view |
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| Friday 12th November 2021 |
| Friday Opinion |
Subjects: Industry collaboration is the only route to a sustainable future, hiring ex-offenders would help ease staffing crisis, understanding the Gravity of the situationAuthors: Rob Pitcher, Glynn Davis, Ann Elliott … view |
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| Friday 12th November 2021 |
| Propel Friday News Briefing |
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Revolution Bars Group CEO urges collaboration to help reach sustainability targets: Rob Pitcher, chief executive of Revolution Bars Group (RBG), has urged fellow hospitality operators to join him in setting tough targets towards a more su … view |
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| Thursday 11th November 2021 |
| Update: Young’s, Wendy’s, M&B, Uber Eats |
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Young’s reports strong trading: London pub operator Young’s has reported total revenue for the 26 weeks ended 27 September was £149.6m (2020: £52.7m), with an adjusted Ebitda of £42.7m (2020: £1.5m). Pre-tax profit was £22.2m (20 … view |
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| Thursday 11th November 2021 |
| Propel Thursday News Briefing |
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New Leicester restaurant forced to close kitchen a week after opening, highlighting industry-wide staffing shortages: Newly opened Leicester restaurant Black Iron Social, which only launched last week inside new aparthotel The Gresham, ha … view |
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| Wednesday 10th November 2021 |
| Legal Briefing |
Late-night venues and the spiking pandemic by Michelle HazlewoodThis year has been, without a doubt, a disastrous year for late-night venues. First, the lengthy closures due to the pandemic, and now the adverse publicity and reputationa … view |
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| Wednesday 10th November 2021 |
| Update: JD Wetherspoon, Pret, Welsh covid passport extension, Market Taverns et al |
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JD Wetherspoon reports like-for-like sales recover to 91% of 2019 levels: JD Wetherspoon has reported like-for-like sales for the 15 weeks to 7 November 2021 were 8.9% lower than the record sales achieved in the same period in 2019. Bar s … view |
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| Wednesday 10th November 2021 |
| Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
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‘Devastating’ labour shortages forcing quarter of hospitality businesses to cut trading hours, MPs told: “Devastating” labour shortages have forced a quarter of hospitality businesses to cut trading hours, MPs have been told. UKHo … view |
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| Tuesday 9th November 2021 |
| New laws and code of practice introduced in bid to address £7bn rent debt dispute |
| New laws and code of practice introduced in bid to address £7bn rent debt dispute: New laws and a code of practice have been introduced to resolve the remaining commercial rent debts accrued because of the pandemic. Landlords will not be able … view |
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| Tuesday 9th November 2021 |
| Shepherd Neame reports strong demand since re-opening |
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Shepherd Neame reports strong demand since re-opening: Shepherd Neame, the owner and operator of 310 high quality pubs in Kent and the south east, has reported strong demand since re-opening. Total revenue for the year ended 26 June 2021 … view |
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| Tuesday 9th November 2021 |
| Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
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Urban Pubs & Bars eyes 70-strong London estate as it appoints former JD Wetherspoon director: London operator Urban Pubs & Bars is looking to grow its estate in the capital to up to 70 sites after appointing Miles Slade as operations dire … view |
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| Monday 8th November 2021 |
| Exclusive: Portobello buys freehold portfolio, Daisy Green launches £2m crowdfund |
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Exclusive – Portobello acquires freehold pub portfolio, plans 80-strong business: Portobello Starboard, a new acquisition platform backed by private equity firm Zetland Capital and operated by Portobello Brewery, has acquired 12 freehol … view |
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| Monday 8th November 2021 |
| Toca Social, the interactive football bar concept, to open in Birmingham |
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Toca Social, the interactive football bar concept, to open in Birmingham: Hammerson has re-let part of the former Debenhams department store in the Bullring shopping centre in Birmingham to Toca Social, the interactive football bar, repor … view |
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| Monday 8th November 2021 |
| Propel Monday News Briefing |
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Eckbert – the banks are telling us we would be a good candidate for an IPO: John Eckbert, chief executive of Five Guys UK, has told Propel that banks have said the 126-strong brand would be a good candidate for an initial public offerin … view |
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| Sunday 7th November 2021 |
| Weekend leisure stories and restaurant reviews |
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YO! Sushi owner puts £750m stock market float on ice: The company behind the sushi chain YO! has halted plans for a £750 million stock market listing amid growing unease among investors. Snowfox Group, which controls YO! along with bran … view |
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| Saturday 6th November 2021 |
| Exclusive: JD Wetherspoon places motorway services pub on market |
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Exclusive – JD Wetherspoon places motorway services pub on market: JD Wetherspoon has placed the company’s first and only pub based at a motorway service station on the market, Propel has learned. The company spent £1.18m developing … view |
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| Friday 5th November 2021 |
| Friday Opinion |
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Subjects: Needle spiking ‘panic’ scapegoats nightclubs, operators risk losing customer relationship, one strike and you’re out, digitisation beyond the pandemic Authors: Paul Chase, Glynn Davis, Katy Moses, Nick Liddle< … view |
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| Friday 5th November 2021 |
| Propel Friday News Briefing |
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Story of the Day: Paul Chase – nightclubs are scapegoats in needle spiking ‘moral panic’: Nightclubs already suffering the effects of covid-enforced lockdowns and restrictions are finding another barr … view |
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| Thursday 4th November 2021 |
| Franco Manca franchise deal signed for Greece, 20 UK sites in legals |
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Franco Manca franchise deal signed for Greece, 20 UK sites in legals: Franco Manca owner Fulham Shore has signed a franchise agreement for Greece with Franco Manca EE Limited, a company founded by a group of experienced local operators an … view |
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| Thursday 4th November 2021 |
| Propel Thursday News Briefing |
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Offers invited for Chop’d pending an anticipated administration process: Offers are being invited to acquire salad bar chain Chop’d, pending an anticipated administration process, Propel has learned. Propel understands the 12-strong b … view |
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| Wednesday 3rd November 2021 |
| Escape Hunt to acquire Boom Battle Bars for £17.38m |
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Escape Hunt to acquire Boom Battle Bars for £17.38m: Escape room operator Escape Hunt is set to acquire Boom Battle Bars, the adventure bar concept from the team behind trampoline park business Flip Out, for £17.38m. The deal will be sa … view |
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| Wednesday 3rd November 2021 |
| Burger & Lobster to recommence UK and international expansion |
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Burger & Lobster to recommence UK and international expansion: Burger & Lobster, the nine-strong London-based restaurant group, is to recommence expansion with a “strong pipeline of sites in place, both in the UK and internationally”. … view |
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| Wednesday 3rd November 2021 |
| Update: Nightcap, Wendy’s, Loungers, Greene King and Flight Club |
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Nightcap reports upgrade on expectations: Bar operator Nightcap has reported unaudited total net sales for the 13-week period of the new financial year since 28 June of £7.6m. The company stated: “This is a 68% increase compared to the … view |
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| Wednesday 3rd November 2021 |
| Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
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Brakspear to rename managed estate Honeycomb Houses, plans acquisitions: Henley-based pub operator Brakspear is to expand its managed estate through acquisitions after renaming the division Honeycomb Houses. The company’s managed divisi … view |
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| Tuesday 2nd November 2021 |
| Update: Hostmore begins trading on London Stock Exchange, Various Eateries to launch new concept |
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Hostmore hails ‘significant milestone’ for Fridays and 63rd+1st brands as it begins trading on London Stock Exchange following demerger: Hostmore, the parent company of Fridays, has begun trading on the London Stock Exchange following … view |
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| Tuesday 2nd November 2021 |
| Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
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Mollie’s Motel & Diner secured new £10m facility to aid growth: Mollie’s Motel & Diner, the Soho House-developed concept, secured a £10m interest-free, loan facility earlier this summer, to support the company’s expansion plans an … view |
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| Monday 1st November 2021 |
| Hawthorn founders and ex-Ei Group director to buy 17 SA Brain sites in first acquisition for new pub company |
| Hawthorn founders and ex-Ei Group director to buy 17 SA Brain sites in first acquisition for new pub company: Valiant Pub Company has reached an agreement to buy 17 pubs from Welsh brewer and retailer SA Brain for an undisclosed sum through it … view |
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| Monday 1st November 2021 |
| Brighton Pier Group reports £5m insurance pay-out, strong summer trading |
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Brighton Pier Group reports £5m insurance pay-out, strong summer trading: Brighton Pier Group has reported a strong summer of trading and a £5m insurance receipt. Chairman Luke Johnson said: “Sensible decisions (were) taken before the … view |
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| Monday 1st November 2021 |
| Propel Monday News Briefing |
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Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit returns for 2022: Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit is returning for its fourth edition, and tickets are now on sale. The event is a partnership between Propel and Think Hospit … view |
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