| Friday 30th June 2023 |
| Friday Opinion |
Subjects: The lingering odour of high inflation, death of a business partner, Papa John’s rejection sets a dangerous precedent, three cheers for two-thirdsAuthors: David Read, Alistair Scott, Glynn Davis, Phil Mellowsview |
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| Friday 30th June 2023 |
| Starbucks’ largest UK franchisee reaches 100-store landmark |
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Starbucks’ largest UK franchisee reaches 100-store landmark: Starbucks’ first and largest UK franchisee, 23.5 Degrees, has reached the 100-store landmark with an opening at Tame Leisure Park in Tamworth, Staffordshire. It comes just o … view |
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| Friday 30th June 2023 |
| Update: Gino D’Acampo restaurant chain goes bust with over £5m debt, Mowgli, Merlin Entertainments, Nightcap |
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The Sun – Gino D’Acampo’s restaurant chain shuts down with £5.4m debt: A Gino D’Acampo restaurant chain has gone bust with over £5m debt. The Sun reports that liquidators have launched an in-depth investigation, costing a mammot … view |
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| Friday 30th June 2023 |
| Propel Friday News Briefing |
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Döner Shack acquires three restaurants and several territories from franchisees as ‘wrong to force them into ambitious development in current climate’: Sanjeev Sanghera, founder of Berlin fast casual kebab concept Döner Shack, has c … view |
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| Thursday 29th June 2023 |
| Propel Thursday News Briefing |
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Five Guys UK sees scope for 150 more sites, brand awareness at 84%: John Eckbert, chief executive of better burger brand Five Guys UK, has told Propel the 157-strong business sees scope for a further 150 sites here, and a transport hub op … view |
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| Wednesday 28th June 2023 |
| Steve Goodyear to stand down as non-executive chairman of Young’s |
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Steve Goodyear to stand down as non-executive chairman of Young’s: London operator Young’s has announced that Steve Goodyear is to stand down as its non-executive chairman and will retire from the board following the company’s AGM i … view |
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| Wednesday 28th June 2023 |
| Update: Various Eateries H1 pre-tax loss widens, foodservice prices rise by more than a third |
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Bassadone – A squeeze on margins of this scale is unprecedented in my thirty-five years’ experience in the hospitality industry: Andy Bassadone, chairman of Various Eateries, the Coppa Club operator, has said that the scale of the squ … view |
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| Wednesday 28th June 2023 |
| Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
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Ratings for kids’ dishes scoring behind industry average, portion size and speed of service key concerns: Dish ratings for kids’ menus are scoring behind the industry average of 90.1% at 85%, while portion sizes and speed of service a … view |
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| Tuesday 27th June 2023 |
| Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
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Putt Putt Noodle and Flip Out operator set to open Europe’s biggest family entertainment centre as it debuts Mexican bowling concept: Putt Putt Noodle and Flip Out operator We Do Play is set to open Europe’s biggest family entertainme … view |
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| Tuesday 27th June 2023 |
| London’s hospitality sector stabilises in first quarter, could return to site growth by third quarter |
| London’s hospitality sector stabilises in first quarter following return of office workers and tourists, could return to site growth by third quarter: Central London’s hospitality sector is “back on its feet” after suffering hundreds o … view |
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| Monday 26th June 2023 |
| Update: St Austell FY update, Cineworld, businesses halting growth ambitions |
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St Austell shrugs off hangover from covid: South west brewer and pub company St Austell Brewery has reported that total revenue for latest financial year reached £209m, up 34% on 2021 and 10% better than the £190m of pre-pandemic sales. … view |
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| Monday 26th June 2023 |
| Propel Monday News Briefing |
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Dirty Bones business restructured: Half of the six-strong Dirty Bones business has been acquired in a pre-pack administration process for a total consideration of circa £600,000, Propel has learned. Propel reported in April that the team … view |
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| Friday 23rd June 2023 |
| Friday Opinion |
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Subjects: Welcome to your hotel now go to the pub, letter from Detroit, sandwiches filling a gap in the market, why non-executive roles are so rewarding Authors: Katherine Doggrell, Matthew Kirby, Glynn Davis, Ann Elliott … view |
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| Friday 23rd June 2023 |
| Update: Restaurants’ delivery and takeaway sales stabilising after post-covid slide |
| Restaurants’ delivery and takeaway sales stabilising after post-covid slide: Delivery and takeaway sales at Britain’s top managed restaurant groups in May were just 1% behind the same month last year, CGA by NIQ’s latest Hospitality at H … view |
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| Friday 23rd June 2023 |
| Propel Friday News Briefing |
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Wingstop UK strengthens pipeline as it targets 40-sites and £60m-plus revenue by year end: Lemon Pepper Holdings, which is rolling out Wingstop across the UK, has further strengthened its openings pipeline as its looks to reach 40 sites … view |
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| Thursday 22nd June 2023 |
| Whitbread reports strong trading momentum and positive outlook as Q1 UK revenue up 16% |
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Whitbread reports strong trading momentum and positive outlook as Q1 UK revenue up 16%, extends £775m revolving credit facility: Whitbread has reported strong trading momentum and a positive outlook with first quarter UK revenue up 16% ( … view |
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| Thursday 22nd June 2023 |
| Propel Thursday News Briefing |
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Indian street food concept opens sixth site and eyes eight new stores a year as it ramps up franchising drive: Indian street food concept Tikka Nation has opened its sixth site and is eyeing eight new stores a year as it ramps up its fran … view |
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| Wednesday 21st June 2023 |
| TRG makes several changes to senior management team |
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TRG makes several changes to senior management team: The Restaurant Group (TRG) has made several changes to its senior management team. After more than five years with the business, Kirk Davis will be standing down from his role as chief … view |
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| Wednesday 21st June 2023 |
| Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
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Sector sales grow for eighth consecutive month as bumper bank holidays help like-for-likes increase 5.6% in May: Britain’s leading managed restaurant, pub and bar groups achieved an eighth consecutive month of year-on-year sales growth … view |
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| Wednesday 21st June 2023 |
| Sector sales grow for eighth consecutive month |
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Sector sales grow for eighth consecutive month as bumper bank holidays help like-for-likes increase 5.6% in May: Britain’s leading managed restaurant, pub and bar groups achieved an eighth consecutive month of year-on-year sales growth … view |
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| Tuesday 20th June 2023 |
| Update: JD Wetherspoon, Japes, Hostmore and returnable coffee cups |
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JD Wetherspoon boss warns Brits to prepare for £8 pints, ‘no limits’ on prices during cost-of-living crisis: JD Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin has warned Brits that the price of a pint will “quite probably” hit £8 and said th … view |
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| Tuesday 20th June 2023 |
| Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
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Gourmet chicken concept opens fourth site and targets 80 new stores over next decade: Gourmet chicken concept Rooster Shack has opened its fourth site and targeted 80 new stores over the next decade, Propel has learned. Founded in 2016 by … view |
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| Monday 19th June 2023 |
| Exclusive: private equity firm LDC exits D&D London, business seeks further investment |
| Exclusive – private equity firm LDC exits D&D London, business seeks further investment: Private equity LDC has exited its investment in restaurant operator D&D London after a decade of supporting the company, which owns and operates circa 4 … view |
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| Monday 19th June 2023 |
| Exclusive: Azzurri Group enters Mexican fast-casual market with Boojum acquisition |
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Exclusive – Azzurri Group enters Mexican fast-casual market with Boojum acquisition: Azzurri Group, the ASK Italian, Zizzi and Coco Di Mama operator, is to broaden its portfolio and enter the Mexican-themed fast-casual restaurant market … view |
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| Monday 19th June 2023 |
| Propel Monday News Briefing |
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McDonald’s UK CEO – ‘Britain’s bloated planning rules are wrecking our expansion plans’: McDonald’s’ British expansion plans are being scuppered by bureaucracy and planning red tape, the boss of the fast-food chain has said. … view |
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| Friday 16th June 2023 |
| Friday Opinion |
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Subjects: 29 billion reasons to back hospitality over the next five years, beneath the ready smile, is anyone still lending, with a little help from my friends Authors: Kate Nicholls, Phil Mellows, Steve Crosswell, Sarah T … view |
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| Friday 16th June 2023 |
| Update: Whitbread pub sale latest, Amber Taverns expansion, Fuller's fills vacancies with over-50s |
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The Times – Whitbread restricting sale of 250 sites to fellow operators, M&B considered frontrunner: Whitbread is restricting the auction of 250 of its pubs to established pub operators, with Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) being tipped as … view |
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| Friday 16th June 2023 |
| Propel Friday News Briefing |
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Three Joes and The Stable operator completes new funding round, includes new investor city grandee Christopher Mills: Sourdough South, operators of the Three Joes and The Stable pizza brands, as well as Fistral Beach Bar in Newquay, has c … view |
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| Thursday 15th June 2023 |
| Update: Fuller’s and Wadworth results |
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Fuller’s reports like-for-like sales up 13.9% in last ten weeks, full-year revenue increases 33% to £336.6m, energy costs almost double: Fuller’s has reported “strong sales momentum” with like-for-like sales for the ten weeks to … view |
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| Thursday 15th June 2023 |
| Propel Thursday News Briefing |
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The Vurger Co founders paid £80,000 to acquire business in pre-pack administration: Vegan fast-food concept The Vurger Co was acquired by a new company set up by its founders via a pre-pack administration process for £80,000, new docume … view |
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| Wednesday 14th June 2023 |
| Legal Briefing |
The Protect Duty – a start but not the end by Chris GrunertIn May of this year, we saw the government publish its Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Draft Bill, which will also be known as Martyn’s Law in tribute to 29-year-old Mart … view |
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| Wednesday 14th June 2023 |
| Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
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Foodservice price inflation jumped back above 20% in April but expected to ease through rest of 2023: Year-on-year inflation in foodservice prices rose unexpectedly to 21.4% in April 2023, according to the new edition of the CGA Prestige … view |
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| Wednesday 14th June 2023 |
| Foodservice price inflation jumped back above 20% in April but expected to ease through rest of 2023 |
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Foodservice price inflation jumped back above 20% in April but expected to ease through rest of 2023: Year-on-year inflation in foodservice prices rose unexpectedly to 21.4% in April 2023, according to the new edition of the CGA Prestige … view |
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| Tuesday 13th June 2023 |
| YO! owner the Snowfox Group acquired by Japanese firm Zensho in $621m deal |
| YO! owner the Snowfox Group acquired by Japanese firm Zensho in $621m deal: The Snowfox Group – the YO!, Bento, Panku and Taiko brands operator – has been acquired by Japanese foodservice company Zensho Holdings, in a deal valued at $621m … view |
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| Tuesday 13th June 2023 |
| Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
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New concept aiming to become ‘McDonald’s of the Chinese fast-food industry’ set to make debut with ‘England’s first drive-thru Chinese takeaway’: A new concept aiming to become the “McDonald’s of the Chinese fast-food indu … view |
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| Monday 12th June 2023 |
| Exclusive: Brasserie Bar Co becomes the Heartwood Collection as it targets further freehold growth |
| Exclusive – Brasserie Bar Co becomes the Heartwood Collection as it targets further freehold growth, secures first site with rooms: Brasserie Bar Co, the Alchemy Partners-backed business, has become the Heartwood Collection, which the busi … view |
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| Monday 12th June 2023 |
| Robinsons sales overtake pre-pandemic levels, Everards agrees new five-year banking facility |
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Robinsons sales up almost 20% to £83m, overtaking pre-pandemic levels, seeking to ‘acquire pubs or small pub groups’: North west brewer and retailer Robinsons has reported sales up almost 20% to £83m, overtaking pre-pandemic levels, … view |
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| Monday 12th June 2023 |
| Kindred Concepts secures £30m investment to fuel F1 Arcade expansion |
| Kindred Concepts secures £30m investment to fuel F1 Arcade expansion: Kindred Concepts, the parent company of F1 Arcade, has secured £30m on new funding to fuel the next phase of our international growth for the Formula 1-licensed experienti … view |
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| Monday 12th June 2023 |
| Update: Busaba, Britain to steer clear of recession, Staycity and Flat Iron |
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Busaba reports full-year like-for-likes up 2%, reveals it closed ‘underperforming’ Cardiff and Oxford sites to ‘improve profitability and cash flow to offset significant cost inflation in business’: Busaba, the Thai chain founded … view |
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| Monday 12th June 2023 |
| Propel Monday News Briefing |
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Planning Inspectorate blocks new Papa John’s over obesity fears: The Planning Inspectorate has blocked Papa John’s from opening a new site in Tyneside over fears it would exacerbate childhood obesity. The Daily Telegraph reported: “ … view |
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| Friday 9th June 2023 |
| Nightcap to acquire Dirty Martini for £4.65m, Fulham Shore shareholders approve £93.4m takeover deal |
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Nightcap to acquire Dirty Martini business for £4.65m, FY23 adjusted Ebitda expected to be below current market expectations: Nightcap – the owner of The Cocktail Club, the Adventure Bar Group and the Barrio Familia group of bars – h … view |
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| Friday 9th June 2023 |
| Friday Opinion |
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Subjects: School of thought to help tackle the sector’s recruitment crisis, the dangers of ultra-processed foods, premium opportunity in a cost-of-living crisis, a model to stem the tide of brewery closures Authors: Charlie … view |
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| Friday 9th June 2023 |
| Update: Wahaca covid insurance case, Coconut Tree pay issue, Diageo CEO, Barkby Group pub estate review |
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Wahaca wants payout over covid-19 interruption: Wahaca has sued its insurer for allegedly failing to pay out for losses incurred when the Mexican-style restaurant chain had to shutter sites during the covid-19 pandemic, becoming the late … view |
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| Friday 9th June 2023 |
| Propel Friday News Briefing |
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Paris Baguette targets 200 UK sites by 2036 as it confirms franchise plans: Paris Baguette, the South Korean bakery cafe chain which made its debut in the UK last year, has confirmed it plans to significantly ramp up its expansion here an … view |
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| Thursday 8th June 2023 |
| BrewDog reports ‘strong’ start to 2023 as full-year revenue hits record-breaking £320m |
| BrewDog reports ‘strong’ start to 2023 as full-year revenue hits record-breaking £320m: Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog has reported a “strong” start to 2023 with sales in the first quarter up 20% year-on-year as “momentum cont … view |
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| Thursday 8th June 2023 |
| Update: Black Sheep Brewery acquired for c£5m, City Pub Group on student drinkers, TRG non-exec, labour market |
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Black Sheep Brewery acquired out of administration for circa £5m: Black Sheep Brewery was acquired out of administration by investment firm Breal Group last month, for a total consideration of £5.04m, Propel has learned. Black Sheep ann … view |
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| Thursday 8th June 2023 |
| Propel Thursday News Briefing |
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Dutch ‘vegan junk food’ concept aims to make UK debut in 2023, with hopes for eventual estate of 25 sites here: Dutch “vegan junk food” concept Vegan Junk Food Bar (VJFB) is aiming to make its UK debut in 2023, with hopes for an e … view |
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| Wednesday 7th June 2023 |
| England international cricketers invest in Sixes |
| England international cricketers invest in Sixes: 4CAST Investment Group, which includes England international cricketers Ben Stokes, Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer, has invested in Sixes, the cricket-based competitive socialising concept from … view |
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| Wednesday 7th June 2023 |
| Update: City Pub Group lfls up 13%, Diageo CEO passes away, Hostmore lfl revenue down 3%, Adnams reports increase in FY revenue |
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City Pub Group lfls up 13%, completes Mosaic acquisition: City Pub Group, the owner and operator of premium pubs across southern England and Wales, has announced that its trading continued to be strong for the first 23 weeks ended 4 June … view |
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| Wednesday 7th June 2023 |
| Propel Wednesday News Briefing |
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Reynish – 500 stores ‘a good number’ for Gong Cha here, opportunity throughout as UK ‘ripe for franchising’: Paul Reynish, global chief executive of Gong Cha, has said 500 stores is “a good number” for the fast-growing bubbl … view |
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| Wednesday 7th June 2023 |
| Consumers maintain healthy appetite for hospitality despite cost-of-living crisis |
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Consumers maintain healthy appetite for hospitality despite cost-of-living crisis: Consumer demand for Britain’s pubs, bars and restaurants has stayed robust during months of rising household bills, new research from CGA by NIQ reveals. … view |
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| Tuesday 6th June 2023 |
| Update: Michel Roux “food inflation is killing business”, services sector growth, consumer spending, Domino’s |
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Roux – Things are going to get worse due to Brexit, food inflation is killing business: Michel Roux, the chef-patron of the two Michelin-starred Le Gavroche in Mayfair, London, has said that food inflation is killing business and that … view |
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| Tuesday 6th June 2023 |
| Propel Tuesday News Briefing |
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Exclusive – a third of UK hospitality businesses do not think they will survive the next 12 months, 70% to increase prices in coming year: A third of UK hospitality businesses do not think they will survive the next 12 months, and 70% w … view |
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| Monday 5th June 2023 |
| Papa John’s makes shift in UK strategy with 91-site acquisition to form portfolio of company-owned restaurants |
| Papa John’s makes shift in UK strategy with 91-site acquisition to form portfolio of company-owned restaurants: International pizza delivery brand Papa John’s has made a shift in its strategy for its UK business, with the acquisition of re … view |
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| Monday 5th June 2023 |
| Propel Monday News Briefing |
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Yard Sale Pizza appoints advisors as it plans further expansion: Yard Sale Pizza, the restaurant and delivery business that has sector investor Paul Campbell as non-executive director, has appointed advisors as it looks to secure new back … view |
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| Monday 5th June 2023 |
| Business confidence rising despite inflationary pressures but 25% of companies operated at loss in first quarter |
| Business confidence rising despite inflationary pressures but 25% of companies operated at loss in first quarter: Optimism among the leaders of Britain’s top hospitality groups has risen since the start of 2023, according to the latest Busin … view |
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| Friday 2nd June 2023 |
| Friday Opinion |
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Subjects: The size of the food hall prize, moving too quickly to a cashless society, building desirable urban spaces means returning power to people Authors: Simon Anderson, Glynn Davis, Sadie Morgan |
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| Friday 2nd June 2023 |
| Propel Friday News Briefing |
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Snowflake aiming for up to six new franchise sites in 2023 as it builds towards UK target of 50 locations, sees potential for larger overseas roll-out: London premium gelato brand Snowflake is aiming for up to six new franchise sites in 2 … view |
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| Thursday 1st June 2023 |
| Propel Thursday News Briefing |
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Chopstix exploring further airport openings after making concept debut, starts conversion of Chozen Noodle sites: Fast growing quick service restaurant brand Chopstix has told Propel it is exploring further airport openings after making i … view |
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