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Friday 29th July 2022
Friday Opinion
Subjects: The MUP medicine didn’t work so up the dose, prix fixe menus are efficient and make economic sense, small is better when it comes to pubs with rooms
Authors: Paul Chase, Glynn Davis, Mark Marshall
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Friday 29th July 2022
Propel Friday News Briefing
Ex-Bill’s MD Scott Macdonald to oversee new pub venture backed by Sir Tony Gallagher: Scott Macdonald, the former managing director of Bill’s and Polpo, is to oversee the Lionhearth Group, a new pub venture backed by property develope … view
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Thursday 28th July 2022
Rockfish plans expansion after buying its suppliers to create integrated supply chain
Rockfish plans expansion after buying its suppliers to create integrated supply chain: Rockfish, the nine-strong seafood restaurant group led by Mitch Tonks, is planning expansion and after moving to create greater control over its supply … view
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Thursday 28th July 2022
Propel Thursday News Briefing
State of Play Hospitality secures $10m investment from Flight Club-owner Red Engine: State of Play Hospitality, the Toby Harris-led group, is to accelerate the expansion of the Flight Club brand in North America after securing $10m (£8.3 … view
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Thursday 28th July 2022
State of Play Hospitality secures $10m investment from Flight Club-owner Red Engine
State of Play Hospitality secures $10m investment from Flight Club-owner Red Engine: State of Play Hospitality, the Toby Harris-led group, is to accelerate the expansion of the Flight Club brand in North America after securing $10m (£8.3m) of … view
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Wednesday 27th July 2022
Rising inflation forces McDonald’s UK to put up prices on some menu items, first Cheeseburger price rise in 14 years
Rising inflation forces McDonald’s UK to put up prices on some menu items, first Cheeseburger price rise in 14 years: McDonald’s UK has announced it will raise the price of some of its menu items due to rising inflation, including increasi … view
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Wednesday 27th July 2022
Update: Marston’s, Everyman, Coca-Cola
Marston’s reports like-for-likes down 2% versus 2019, fixes energy costs: Marston’s has reported total like-for-like sales for the 42-week period to 23 July were down 2% versus the 2019 financial year. The company stated: “As previo … view
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Wednesday 27th July 2022
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
McDonald’s reports global like-for-likes up 9.7% in second quarter, end of VAT benefit impacts UK comps: McDonald’s has reported global like-for-likes were up 9.7 % in its second quarter ending 30 June 2022, but said the end of the VA … view
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Tuesday 26th July 2022
Hospitality drives Britain’s city centre recovery in the first half of 2022
Hospitality drives Britain’s city centre recovery in the first half of 2022: Solid sales growth in restaurants, pubs and bars has helped Britain’s regional city centres to recover their vibrancy in the first six months of 2022, t … view
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Tuesday 26th July 2022
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Sector operating costs up to 55.2% of turnover before rent – highest level since 2007: Operating costs across the UK’s hospitality sector have increased to 55.2% of turnover before rent – the highest since 2007, according to the lat … view
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Monday 25th July 2022
Propel Monday News Briefing
Macellaio RC founder set to bring new seafood concept to London this autumn, plans northern expansion and overseas franchise: Macellaio RC founder Robert Costa is planning to bring a new seafood concept to London later this year, before e … view
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Saturday 23rd July 2022
Stonegate invests £4m in Peckwater Brands, group ‘continues to trade well
Stonegate invests £4m in Peckwater Brands, group ‘continues to trade well’: Stonegate Group, the UK’s largest pub operator, invested £4m to acquire its minority stake in Peckwater Brands, the virtual brand company, Propel has learned. … view
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Friday 22nd July 2022
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Why team costs and wage percentages must be micro-managed, technology’s game-changing role in tackling supply chain fragility, can you feel socially included without alcohol, a window into the future 
Authors: An … view
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Friday 22nd July 2022
Propel Friday News Briefing
Game Changers Investments to back Erpingham House expansion: Game Changers Investments (GCI) has invested in plant-based restaurant business Erpingham House, Propel has learned. GCI plans to roll out the business along with sister concept … view
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Thursday 21st July 2022
Red Mist Leisure founders launch new venture New Dawn Pubs
Red Mist Leisure founders launch new venture New Dawn Pubs: The founders of Red Mist Leisure, the south east pub group, which is now owned by Red Lion Holdings, have launched a new venture called New Dawn Pubs. Mark Robson, chair of the Britis … view
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Thursday 21st July 2022
Update: Fulham Shore, M&B, Fuller’s, Mission Mars, future of shopping centres and Alison Brittain
Fulham Shore – now regularly taking more than £2m per week in net group revenues, current trading in line with expectations: Fulham Shore, the Franco Manca and The Real Greek operator, has said it is now regularly taking more than £2m per … view
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Thursday 21st July 2022
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Poke House appoints advisors to assess investment options: Poke House, Europe’s largest poké restaurant chain, has appointed advisors to assess its investment options as it looks to further accelerate its growth. The brand, which has m … view
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Wednesday 20th July 2022
JKS to pay first apprentices £18,000 per annum
JKS to pay first apprentices £18,000 per annum: JKS Restaurants, led by Karam, Jyotin and Sunaina Sethi, is to launch a new Apprenticeship Academy, in September, in which apprentices will receive £18,000 per annum. The company said The … view
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Wednesday 20th July 2022
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Hospitality groups' like-for-like sales up 5% in June but inflation bites, strongest month of growth in 2022: Like-for-like sales at Britain’s top managed restaurant, pub and bar groups were 5% ahead of pre-covid levels in June, the lat … view
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Wednesday 20th July 2022
Hospitality groups' like-for-like sales up 5% in June but inflation bites, strongest month of growth in 2022
Hospitality groups' like-for-like sales up 5% in June but inflation bites, strongest month of growth in 2022: Like-for-like sales at Britain’s top managed restaurant, pub and bar groups were 5% ahead of pre-covid levels in June, the latest C … view
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Tuesday 19th July 2022
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Roux Waterside Inn reports record pre-tax profit, plans culinary school and museum dedicated to founder Michel Roux: Roux Waterside Inn, the three Michelin-starred restaurant in Bray founded by the late Michel Roux in 1972, has recorded a … view
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Monday 18th July 2022
Hospitality food costs soar up to 40% as supply chain fragility hits operators hard
Hospitality food costs soar up to 40% as supply chain fragility hits operators hard: Food costs for hospitality businesses have soared by up to 40% as supply chain fragility hits operators hard, according to new research. A new report by … view
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Monday 18th July 2022
Update: Tortilla, Deliveroo, Barkby Group, new business loan scheme et al
Tortilla first-half lfls up 19%, new sites performing well: Tortilla, the fast-casual Mexican restaurant group, has reported a 19% increase in like-for-like sales in the six months to 3 July 2022 compared with the same period in 2019, with gro … view
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Monday 18th July 2022
Propel Monday News Briefing
One in seven pub business no longer viable as BII calls for government support with cost-of-living crisis escalating: One in seven pub operators have said their business is no longer viable as the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) cal … view
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Sunday 17th July 2022
Starbucks puts UK division up for sale
Starbucks puts UK division up for sale: Starbucks is exploring a potential sale of its UK operations as it faces rising costs and competition from newer operators. The Sunday Times reported the world’s largest coffee chain has asked its … view
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Friday 15th July 2022
Friday Opinion
Subjects: A week is a long time in politics, London-centric businesses must look to the regions, implementing a sustainability strategy across a nationwide business, turning sunshine into sales 
Authors: Paul Chase, Glynn Da … view
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Friday 15th July 2022
Exclusive: Steve Easterbrook invests in Clean Kitchen Club
Exclusive – Steve Easterbrook invests in Clean Kitchen Club: Steve Easterbrook, the ex-chief executive of McDonald’s, PizzaExpress and Wagamama, has invested in Clean Kitchen Club, the fledgling plant-based, fast-food concept, Propel … view
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Friday 15th July 2022
Propel Friday News Briefing
Foodservice inflation tops 10% for fourth successive month, not expected to fall below 7% before second quarter of next year: Inflation in the foodservice sector topped 10% for the fourth successive month in May, the new edition of the CG … view
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Friday 15th July 2022
Foodservice inflation tops 10% for fourth successive month, not expected to fall below 7% before second quarter of next year
Foodservice inflation tops 10% for fourth successive month, not expected to fall below 7% before second quarter of next year: Inflation in the foodservice sector topped 10% for the fourth successive month in May, the new edition of the CGA by … view
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Thursday 14th July 2022
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Collins – 400-site target for Lounge brand is conservative when compared to typical peer set, FY22 openings produced average weekly sales of £30,600: Nick Collins, chief executive of café bar operator Loungers, has said the historic t … view
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Wednesday 13th July 2022
Costa CEO Jill McDonald to join McDonald’s as president of largest international markets, including UK
Costa CEO Jill McDonald to join McDonald’s as president of largest international markets, including UK: Costa Coffee chief executive Jill McDonald is to step down to become the president of McDonald’s international operated markets segment … view
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Wednesday 13th July 2022
Legal Briefing

Strikes, safeguarding and strategies by Michelle Hazlewood

As we see Boris begrudgingly leave his post, Britain faces yet more uncertainty. Recently, instability has appeared to be a reoccurring theme. At the end of last month, we witnes … view
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Wednesday 13th July 2022
Update: Loungers record year, JDW improving like-for-likes
Loungers reports record year, lfls up 17.9%: Cafe bar operator Loungers has reported a record year, with sales of £237.3m in the 52 weeks to 17 April 2022, adjusted Ebitda of £53.6m, and 27 new sites opened. Pre-tax profit for the perio … view
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Wednesday 13th July 2022
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Hornby – the grab-and-go space is going to be at the most resilient end of the sector, doesn’t rule out further acquisition: Andy Hornby, chief executive of The Restaurant Group (TRG), has said the next two years is going be very toug … view
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Tuesday 12th July 2022
The Restaurant Group acquires Barburrito for £7m
The Restaurant Group acquires Barburrito for £7m: The Restaurant Group (TRG), the Wagamama and Brunning & Price owner, has acquired the 16-strong burrito bar chain Barburrito, for £7m, with an initial expansion plan to double the existi … view
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Tuesday 12th July 2022
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
Starbucks sets out need to reinvent company, with partners’ well-being a priority: Starbucks founder Howard Shultz has set out the need to reinvent the company because he believes it’s not designed for the future. Schultz unveiled his … view
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Monday 11th July 2022
Update: Hostmore and Domino’s
Fridays operator reports trading in line with expectations: Hostmore has reported trading at Fridays, the cocktail-led bar and restaurant brand, 63rd+1st, and the fast casual dining brand Fridays and Go, in line with expectations. The co … view
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Monday 11th July 2022
Propel Monday News Briefing
The Alchemist to make international debut next year after lining up Berlin site: Bar and restaurant group The Alchemist is to make its international debut next year, after agreeing on a site in Berlin, Germany, Propel has learned. The Sim … view
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Friday 8th July 2022
Friday Opinion

Subjects: Converting political chaos into economic order for hospitality, pricing in pubs must take a long-term view, why Grace is a true leader, covering all bases

Authors: Kate Nicholls, Elton Mouna, Ann Elliott, Sarah Travellview

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Friday 8th July 2022
Propel Friday News Briefing
Harding – we could have 200 Ocean Basket sites in the UK: Grace Harding, chief executive of Ocean Basket, has said the business could eventually have 200 sites in the UK. The South African casual dining brand that focuses on seafood mad … view
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Thursday 7th July 2022
C&C Group reports net revenue 6% ahead of pre-covid levels as Ralph Findlay prepares to take over as chair
C&C Group reports net revenue 6% ahead of pre-covid levels as Ralph Findlay prepares to take over as chair: C&C Group has reported a solid trading performance in the early part of its current financial year with net revenue 6% ahead of p … view
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Thursday 7th July 2022
Propel Thursday News Briefing
Friis to step down as CEO of The New World Trading Company: Jesper Friis is to step down as chief executive of pub restaurant group The New World Trading Company (NWTC), Propel has learned. Friis, who became chief executive of the Graphit … view
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Wednesday 6th July 2022
Exclusive: I am Döner signs first UK multi-site franchise deal with Costa and Kaspa’s operator
Exclusive – I am Döner signs first UK multi-site franchise deal with Costa and Kaspa’s operator: I am Döner, the award-winning better kebab brand backed by Think Hospitality, has signed a multi-site franchise deal to take the brand … view
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Wednesday 6th July 2022
Ten Entertainment reports like-for-likes up 46% on 2019, expects full-year performance ahead of expectations
Ten Entertainment Group reports like-for-likes up 46% on pre-covid levels, expects full-year performance ahead of expectations: Ten Entertainment Group, the operator of 47 bowling and family entertainment centres, has reported like-for-like sa … view
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Wednesday 6th July 2022
Propel Wednesday News Briefing
Pret’s sales in London’s suburban areas stabilising at nearly 25% above pre-pandemic levels: Sales through Pret A Manger sites in London’s suburban areas are stabilising at nearly 25% above pre-pandemic levels. According to the late … view
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Tuesday 5th July 2022
Exclusive: Marston’s places circa 50-strong package of non-core pubs on market
Exclusive – Marston’s places circa 50-strong package of non-core pubs on market: Marston’s has placed a circa 50-strong package of non-core pubs on the market, which “no longer satisfies our pub strategy”, Propel has learned. It … view
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Tuesday 5th July 2022
Update: Young’s trading, Coaching Inn Group acquisition, Pret and Chapel Down
Young’s reports like-for-likes up 34.9% as it begins new era but mindful of the impact of inflation on consumer spending: London pub operator Young’s has reported an “excellent” start to its current financial year with revenue in … view
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Tuesday 5th July 2022
Propel Tuesday News Briefing
UKHospitality – thousands more pubs could close unless government takes urgent action, Propel Blue Book shows 58.4% of multi-site companies making a loss: UKHospitality has warned thousands more pubs could be lost in the next few years … view
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Monday 4th July 2022
Oakman Group reports FY like-for-likes up 19.9% on pre-pandemic levels
Oakman Group reports FY like-for-likes up 19.9% on pre-pandemic levels: Oakman Group, the Dermot King-led pub-restaurant operator, has reported like-for-like sales for the year ending 3 July 2022 are up 19.9% on pre-pandemic levels. Total grou … view
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Monday 4th July 2022
Hero Brands invests in Dirty Bones to drive UK growth
Hero Brands invests in Dirty Bones to drive UK growth: Hero Brands, which is behind German Doner Kebab, Choppaluna and Island Poké, has invested in US comfort food and cocktails brand Dirty Bones to drive its UK growth. Hero Brands said using … view
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Monday 4th July 2022
Update: Regional growth boosts Pret’s H1 sales, pub numbers decline, Boparan eyes 350 Slim Chickens, firms vow to put prices up, food waste
Pret H1 sales up 230% boosted by regional and suburban growth: Pret A Manger, the JAB Holdings-owned business, has announced its half year revenue in 2022 reached £357.8m, up 230% compared to the same period in 2021 (£155.4m), and up b … view
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Monday 4th July 2022
Propel Monday News Briefing
New West End variety venue Wonderville to open on ex-Planet Hollywood site: Wonderville, a new entertainment concept, will open in the heart of London’s West End this summer, dedicated to presenting magic and illusions shows alongside a … view
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Friday 1st July 2022
Stonegate places circa 75-strong package of freehold pubs on market for £100m
Stonegate places circa 75-strong package of freehold pubs on market for £100m: Stonegate Group, the UK’s largest pub company, has placed a circa 75-strong freehold package of pubs on the market, which are valued at up to £100m. Propel … view
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Friday 1st July 2022
Friday Opinion
Subjects: Protecting gross profit, don’t write off leisure and hospitality just yet, economic long covid, the growing demand for chicken
Authors: David Read, Graham Blackwell, Paul Chase, Glynn Davis

view
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Friday 1st July 2022
Update: Cut in VAT proposed, Comptoir Group re-appoints chairman after his re-election is voted down
No 10 proposes VAT cut to ease pain of rising prices: A cut in VAT has been proposed by No 10 to curb inflation and help households with the cost of living crisis. Steve Barclay, the prime minister’s chief of staff, suggested reducing t … view
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Friday 1st July 2022
Propel Friday News Briefing
Almost half of businesses considering insolvency as they struggle with unaffordable rent and increased costs: Almost half (46%) of businesses are considering insolvency as they struggle to trade profitably post-covid with unaffordable ren … view
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