| Tuesday 31st January 2023 |
| McDonald’s reports global like-for-likes up 12.6% in fourth quarter and 10.9% in full year, UK business sees ‘strong’ growth |
| McDonald’s reports global like-for-likes up 12.6% in fourth quarter and 10.9% in full year, UK business sees ‘strong’ growth: McDonald’s has reported global like-for-likes were up 12.6% year-on-year in its fourth quarter ending 31 Dece … view |
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| Tuesday 31st January 2023 |
| Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
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Boom Battle Bar founding team set to launch new Mexican bowling concept, eyeing 40 Putt Putt Noodles and 20 more Flip Outs by 2026: Boom Battle Bar founder Elliott Shuttleworth is set to launch a new Mexican bowling concept later this yea … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Tuesday 31st January 2023 |
| Festive visits boost hospitality in UK’s city centres but sales remain well below pre-pandemic levels |
| Festive visits boost hospitality in UK’s city centres but sales remain well below pre-pandemic levels: Pubs, restaurants and bars in Britain’s top cities enjoyed a promising end to 2022 as consumers returned for the first normal Christmas … view |
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| Monday 30th January 2023 |
| Exclusive – TriSpan acquires stake in Mowgli |
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Exclusive – TriSpan acquires stake in Mowgli: TriSpan, the global private equity firm, is to back the continued expansion of Mowgli, after acquiring a stake in the Nisha Katona-led, Indian street food concept, Propel has learned. Under … view |
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| Monday 30th January 2023 |
| Propel Monday News Briefing |
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Number of leisure units increases by 8,000 in a year as sector expands into vacant retail spaces: The number of leisure properties in the UK has increased from 291,000 to 299,000 in the past year as the leisure sector expands into vacant … view |
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| Monday 30th January 2023 |
| Number of leisure units increases by 8,000 in a year, average wages for hospitality workers rise 53% in past decade |
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Number of leisure units increases by 8,000 in a year as sector expands into vacant retail spaces: The number of leisure properties in the UK has increased from 291,000 to 299,000 in the past year as the leisure sector expands into vacant … view |
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| Friday 27th January 2023 |
| Friday Opinion |
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Subjects: Experiences could be a bigger profit-driver than food for pubs, have we reached peak vegan, dessert concepts fit well with changing eating patterns Authors: Ann Elliott, Louise Palmer-Masterton, Glynn Davis view |
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| Friday 27th January 2023 |
| Propel Friday News Briefing |
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Coyote Ugly franchisee looking to open six more UK bars by 2026 as he prepares to take brand to Europe and Middle East: Steve Lewis, who holds the franchise rights for Coyote Ugly in the UK, has told Propel he is looking to open six more … view |
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| Thursday 26th January 2023 |
| Update: Hostmore, Time Out Group, PPHE Hotels and Britvic |
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Gavin Manson to step down as Hostmore chairman: Gavin Manson is set to step down as chairman of Hostmore – the parent company of Fridays, 63rd+1st and Fridays. Manson will retire as chairman and as a non-executive director of the compan … view |
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| Thursday 26th January 2023 |
| Propel Thursday News Briefing |
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Junkyard Golf Club exploring funding options, planning Birmingham and Vegas sites ahead of modest UK growth and aggressive US expansion: Sam Jones, managing director of Junkyard Golf Club, has told Propel the crazy golf brand is exploring … view |
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| Wednesday 25th January 2023 |
| Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Awards winners revealed |
| Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Awards winners revealed: The winners of this year’s Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Awards, staged by Propel and Think Hospitality, have been revealed. The winners were recognised for their success in marketin … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Wednesday 25th January 2023 |
| Update: Wetherspoon and XP Factory |
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Tim Martin renews calls for tax equality with supermarkets as Wetherspoon reports 13.1% rise in half-year lfl sales: Tim Martin has renewed calls for tax equality for pubs with supermarkets as Wetherspoon reported a 13.1% rise in half-yea … view |
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| Wednesday 25th January 2023 |
| Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
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Food inflation ends 2022 at record high 24%: The CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index (FPI) ended 2022 at record highs, with the food basket nearly one quarter higher than December 2022, at 24%. The FPI full basket, which includes beverag … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Wednesday 25th January 2023 |
| Food inflation ends 2022 at record high 24% |
| Food inflation ends 2022 at record high 24%: The CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index (FPI) ended 2022 at record highs, with the food basket nearly one quarter higher than December 2022, at 24%. The FPI full basket, which includes beverages, e … view |
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| Tuesday 24th January 2023 |
| Peckwater Brands acquires competitor eatclever, expands in DACH region |
| Peckwater Brands acquires competitor eatclever, expands in DACH region: Virtual food brands operator Peckwater Brands has acquired eatclever, the virtual delivery brand market leader in the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland). Peckw … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Tuesday 24th January 2023 |
| Update: City Pub Group and Marston’s |
|
City Pub Group reports 7.8% Q4 lfls growth, Toby Smith to step down as COO: City Pub Group, the owner and operator of 44 premium pubs across southern England and Wales, has reported its trading in its fourth quarter delivered accelerated … view |
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| Tuesday 24th January 2023 |
| Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
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Connell – pre-booked corporate spend increasingly driving competitive socialising market at the expense of some city centre pubs: Darrel Connell, managing partner at Imbiba, has said post-covid that competitive socialising is becoming a … view |
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| Monday 23rd January 2023 |
| Industry’s top young marketers and innovators unveiled |
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Industry’s top young marketers and innovators unveiled: Propel and Think Hospitality have unveiled the Restaurant Marketer & Innovator 30 Under 30 finalists for 2023. The programme recognises young talent aged below 30 carrying out mark … view |
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| Monday 23rd January 2023 |
| Kerb to open debut international food hall, in Berlin |
| Kerb to open debut international food hall, in Berlin: Street food collective Kerb has secured its debut international site. It will launch the follow-up to its first food hall, Seven Dials Market in London, with an opening in Berlin. It will … view |
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| Monday 23rd January 2023 |
| Fuller’s, Everyman, delivery and takeaway sales |
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Fuller’s lfl sales up 20% and almost back to pre-pandemic levels, industrial action costs business estimated £4m: London pub retailer Fuller’s has reported like-for-like sales up 20% for the 43 weeks to 21 January 2023, and at 97% ag … view |
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| Monday 23rd January 2023 |
| Propel Monday News Briefing |
|
Apogee founder and the founders of venture capital firm Talis Capital behind Crussh acquisition: Jason Collins, the founder of Apogee, the UK office digital solutions provider; and Bob and Rohini Finch, founders of venture capital firm Ta … view |
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| Friday 20th January 2023 |
| Friday Opinion |
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Subjects: Come as you are: let’s make hospitality a place where everyone is comfortable to be themselves, what we’ll be losing if pubs disappear, crowdfunding should come with a word of warning Authors: Garry Clarke-Stran … view |
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| Friday 20th January 2023 |
| Propel Friday News Briefing |
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Energy crisis and rising costs drive hospitality closures above covid-hit 2021 levels: Unprecedented inflation in energy bills and other costs led to a net decline of 1,611 licensed premises in the fourth quarter of 2022, the latest Hospi … view |
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| Friday 20th January 2023 |
| Energy crisis and rising costs drive hospitality closures above covid-hit 2021 levels |
| Energy crisis and rising costs drive hospitality closures above covid-hit 2021 levels: Unprecedented inflation in energy bills and other costs led to a net decline of 1,611 licensed premises in the fourth quarter of 2022, the latest Hospitalit … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 19th January 2023 |
| Exclusive: Stem & Glory launches £2.5m series A round to support further growth |
|
Exclusive – Stem & Glory launches £2.5m series A round to support further growth, FY like-for-like sales up 35.5% on pre-covid levels: Plant-based restaurant brand Stem & Glory is launching a £2.5m series A round to support further gr … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 19th January 2023 |
| Update: UK coffee shop market growth, Deliveroo, Junkyard Golf Club |
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UK branded coffee shop market now valued at £4.9bn as it defies difficult trading conditions to achieve strong sales and outlet growth: The UK branded coffee shop market is now valued at £4,9bn having grown 11.9% over the last 12 months … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 19th January 2023 |
| Propel Thursday News Briefing |
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Majority of Byron business acquired for £856k, £2.5m of working capital to be made available: The majority of the Famously Proper business, which operated the Byron and Mother Clucker brands, was acquired out of administration for a tot … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 19th January 2023 |
| Christie & Co: Distress hasn’t materialised with pubs but more restaurant CVAs set to come |
| Christie & Co – distress hasn’t materialised with pubs but more restaurant CVAs set to come: Stephen Owens, managing director of pubs and restaurants at Christie & Co, has told Propel distress hasn’t materialised with pubs and values hav … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Wednesday 18th January 2023 |
| Update: Just Eat, inflation eases despite rising restaurant prices |
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Just Eat Takeaway.com sees UK orders fall 10% in 2022 as adjusted Ebitda accelerates to €150m in second half of year: Just Eat Takeaway generated adjusted Ebitda amounting to approximately €150m – or 1.1% of gross transaction value … view |
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| Wednesday 18th January 2023 |
| Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
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Hospitality celebrates best December in three years but real terms sales lag behind pre-covid: Britain’s leading managed pub, bar and restaurant groups enjoyed their best December trading in three years, the latest Coffer CGA Business T … view |
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| Wednesday 18th January 2023 |
| Hospitality celebrates best December in three years but real terms sales lag behind pre-covid |
| Hospitality celebrates best December in three years but real terms sales lag behind pre-covid: Britain’s leading managed pub, bar and restaurant groups enjoyed their best December trading in three years, the latest Coffer CGA Business Tracke … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Tuesday 17th January 2023 |
| Update: Revolution Bars Group, Cooks Coffee, Brewhouse & Kitchen |
|
Revolution Bars Group sees Christmas like-for-like sales down 9% on 2019 levels, closing some Revolution and Revolucion de Cuba sites in early part of week during January and February to manage energy usage: Revolution Bars Group, which o … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Tuesday 17th January 2023 |
| Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
|
Oakman looks to raise £5.3m from shareholders, still outperforming market: Oakman Group, the award-winning pub-restaurant operator, has approached its current shareholder base to raise £5.3m to help with its next stage of growth, as it … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Monday 16th January 2023 |
| Imbiba completes first close of £90m investment fund, invests in Little Houses Group |
| Imbiba completes first close of £90m investment fund, invests in Little Houses Group: Serial sector investor Imbiba has completed the first close at circa £70m of its new £90m fund, and its first investment into Little Houses Group, the nur … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Monday 16th January 2023 |
| Propel Monday News Briefing |
|
Report forecasts UK foodservice industry to grow by 2.3% in 2023: Despite economic headwinds, a new report forecasts 2.3% growth for the UK hospitality and foodservice market in 2023. The ‘Changing Landscape of the UK Hospitality/Foodse … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Saturday 14th January 2023 |
| Single-use plastic plates and cutlery to be banned in England from October |
|
Single-use plastic plates and cutlery to be banned in England from October: A range of single-use plastics will be banned in England, environment secretary Thérèse Coffey has announced. The ban will include single-use plastic plates, tr … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Friday 13th January 2023 |
| Byron owner sold out of administration, nine restaurants close |
| Byron owner sold out of administration, nine restaurants close: Famously Proper, which operates a chain of 21 casual dining burger restaurants across the UK, trading under the Byron and Mother Clucker brands, has been sold out of administratio … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Friday 13th January 2023 |
| Friday Opinion |
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| ................................................................................................ |
| Friday 13th January 2023 |
| Update: C&C Group reports year-on-year net revenue growth of circa 20% in December |
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C&C Group reports year-on-year net revenue growth of circa 20% in December, forecasts FY2023 operating profit of €84-88m: C&C Group has reported year-on-year net revenue growth of circa 20% in December and is forecasting a FY2023 operat … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Friday 13th January 2023 |
| Propel Friday News Briefing |
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Floozie Cookies aiming for 180 stores worldwide by 2027, including 35 in UK: Floozie, the all-vegan stuffed cookie concept founded by Kimberly Lin in 2020, is aiming for 180 stores worldwide by 2027, including 35 in the UK. The concept, w … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 12th January 2023 |
| Update: M&B sees Q1 lfls up 10.4%, Whitbread reports positive Q3 trading |
|
M&B sees Q1 lfls up 10.4% helped by strong trading over the festive season: Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), the All Bar One, Toby Carvery and Harvester operator, has reported that continued strong trading over the festive season increased its … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 12th January 2023 |
| Propel Thursday News Briefing |
|
Harden’s – cost-conscious diners exhibiting push-back against restaurants perceived as overpriced, Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles heads top 100 list: Cost-conscious diners are exhibiting push-back against restaurants perceived as overpr … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 12th January 2023 |
| Cost-conscious diners exhibiting push-back against restaurants perceived as overpriced |
| Cost-conscious diners exhibiting push-back against restaurants perceived as overpriced, Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles heads Harden’s top 100 list: Cost-conscious diners are exhibiting push-back against restaurants perceived as overpriced, acc … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Wednesday 11th January 2023 |
| Majority of Crussh business saved in pre-pack deal, SSP appoints new UK & Ireland CEO |
|
Majority of Crussh business saved in pre-pack deal: The majority of the London-based healthy food and juice business Crussh has been saved as part of a pre-pack administration deal. Propel revealed before Christmas that the 11-strong busi … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Wednesday 11th January 2023 |
| Update: Nightcap, Ten Entertainment, City Pub Group |
|
Nightcap reports record trading weeks across group, delivers 60.9% quarterly revenue growth and 4.7% lfl growth despite train strikes: Nightcap – the owner of The Cocktail Club, the Adventure Bar Group and the Barrio Familia group of ba … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Wednesday 11th January 2023 |
| Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
|
SFG Club and Birdies co-founder planning to expand Rooftop Film Club in UK and US, using London to test new concepts: Nick Frow, co-founder of immersive experience team SFG Club and crazy golf concept Birdies, is planning to expand Roofto … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Tuesday 10th January 2023 |
| Robert B. Cook steps down as Hostmore CEO, revenue 14% below comparative FY19 period |
|
Robert B. Cook steps down as Hostmore CEO, revenue 14% below comparative FY19 period: Robert B. Cook has stepped down as chief executive of Hostmore, the parent company of Fridays, 63rd+1st and Fridays and Go, with immediate effect. Julie … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Tuesday 10th January 2023 |
| Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
|
Sethi – we will look to explore turning Arcade Food Hall concepts into bricks-and-mortar brands: Jyotin Sethi, co-founder of JKS Restaurants, has said the business will explore turning some of the concepts it is operating in Arcade Food … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Monday 9th January 2023 |
| Government confirms energy bills support for businesses to be reduced from April |
|
Government confirms energy bills support for businesses to be reduced from April: Support for businesses with energy bills will be reduced from April, the government has announced. Under the new scheme, firms will get a discount on wholes … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Monday 9th January 2023 |
| Update: Tortilla, Karen Jones, Curious Brewery |
|
Tortilla reports UK lfl revenue growth of 16.4% on FY19 as FY22 performance in line with market expectations: Tortilla, the UK’s largest fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand, has reported UK like-for-like revenue growth of 16.0% on FY19 … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Monday 9th January 2023 |
| Propel Monday News Briefing |
|
Mission Mars reports 26% rise in lfl sales over Christmas period, quarterly revenue up 69%: Mission Mars, the Rudy’s Napoletana Pizza and Albert’s Schloss operator, has reported that group like-for-like sales for were up 26% in the fi … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Friday 6th January 2023 |
| Propel Friday News Briefing |
|
Sethi – the international opportunity is real, expects March rent quarter to trigger site activity: Jyotin Sethi, co-founder of JKS Restaurants, has told Propel that the international expansion opportunity for the business is “real” … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 5th January 2023 |
| Penny Manuel to step down as Soho Coffee Co MD |
|
Penny Manuel to step down as Soho Coffee Co MD: Penny Manuel will step down as managing director of privately-owned coffee company, Soho Coffee Co, at the end of the month. She will move to the position of advisor to the UK group board, s … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 5th January 2023 |
| Six by Nico reveals plans for “significant expansion” on the back of strong FY trading |
| Six by Nico reveals plans for “significant expansion” on the back of strong FY trading: Scottish-Italian chef Nico Simeone is set to open four new sites in the UK under his Six by Nico concept, as well as new bar and bakery ventures, and a … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 5th January 2023 |
| Update: Pret introduces new value range, Greggs trading |
|
Pret introduces new value range, launches first meal deal: Pret A Manger is to launch a new value range of sandwiches and its first meal deal promotion, which it said will help customers spend less as the cost-of-living crisis continues. … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Thursday 5th January 2023 |
| Propel Thursday News Briefing |
|
Byron owner eyes pre-pack administration for better burger business: The backers of Byron are gearing up to put the better burger business through a pre-pack administration process, Propel understands. It is thought that Calveton UK, the … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Wednesday 4th January 2023 |
| Zoe Bowley to step down as managing director of PizzaExpress |
|
Zoe Bowley to step down as managing director of PizzaExpress: Zoe Bowley is to step down as managing director of PizzaExpress, after more than 12 years with the business, to “pursue her next chapter”. Bowley has been managing director … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Wednesday 4th January 2023 |
| Update: Food inflation, Nightcap, competitive socialising consolidation, Chicken & Blues deal, Roxy Leisure |
|
Inflation fear as food prices hit record highs: Food prices rose by a record 13.3% in December, increasing fears that inflation may not fall as sharply in 2023 as central bankers and economists hope. The war in Ukraine led to sustained r … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Wednesday 4th January 2023 |
| Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
|
Survey finds late-night operators suffered a 20% drop in business in December: A flash poll of 200 bar, nightclub and late-night operators has found business down 20% in December compared to December 2019, the last December unaffected by … view |
| ................................................................................................ |
| Tuesday 3rd January 2023 |
| Update: Energy support, Lucky Saint investment, Honours List, new Nightcap MD, High Street closures, Cineworld |
|
Rishi Sunak to halve support that helps businesses pay fuel bills: Rishi Sunak is poised to halve financial support on energy bills for businesses, amid concerns about the cost. When she was prime minister Liz Truss announced a six-month … view |
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