McDonald’s reports global like-for-likes up 1.9% in first quarter with UK seeing growth: McDonald’s has reported global like-for-likes were up 1.9% in its first quarter ending 31 March 2024 – with the UK seeing growth. Chief executi … view

Whitbread sets out plans to exit 126 branded restaurants and convert 112 more into hotel rooms as it seeks to optimise F&B offer, plans to cut 1,500 UK jobs: Whitbread has set out plans to exit 126 of its lower-returning branded restauran … view

PizzaExpress set to explore US expansion play: PizzaExpress is looking to launch in the US, and has begun the search for franchisees to aid its expansion there, Propel has learned. The Paula MacKenzie-led business currently operates more … view

Foodservice inflation dips below 10% for first time in two years: Inflation as measured by the CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index (FPI) fell below 10% in March for the first time in two years. This follows the largest month-on-month dec … view

Exclusive – Boparan Restaurant Group signs deal to launch Slim Chickens in Germany: Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG), the owner of the Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Carluccio’s and Giraffe brands, has signed a deal to launch the Slim Chickens … view

Authors: Graeme Smith and Craig Rachel, Glynn Davis, Ann Elliott, Mark Arrolview

Loungers lfls up 7.5%, expects FY24 Ebitda to be ahead of expectations: Cafe bar operator Loungers has reported like-for-like sales growth of 7.5% for the 53 weeks ended 21 April 2024, and said it expects its Ebitda for FY24 to be ahead o … view

Stonegate CEO – our scale and resources should make us go faster, converting more managed pubs to leased and tenanted: David McDowall, chief executive of Stonegate Group, the UK’s largest pub company, has told Propel that the company� … view

Chick-fil-A starts building UK pipeline: US fast food brand Chick-fil-A, which has targeted 2025 for a relaunch in the UK, is understood to have secured a site in Kingston-upon-Thames, as it starts building its opening pipeline here, Prop … view

Tortilla FY lfls up 3.6%, Q1 lfls down 4.7%, launches new strategic approach: Tortilla, the UK’s largest fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand, has reported a 3.6% increase in like-for-like sales for the year ending 31 December 2023, as … view

Bistrot Pierre to roll out new all-day dining concept if feedback is positive, launching Pierre’s in response to changing consumer demands: Bistrot Pierre has told Propel it will roll out its new all-day dining concept if the feedback i … view

Brother Marcus to return to the expansion trail, hires Dorian Waite as non-exec: Eastern Mediterranean restaurant concept Brother Marcus is to return to the expansion trail after 12 months of consolidation, with plans to reach ten sites i … view

Individual Restaurants plans to launch premium pizza concept: Individual Restaurants, which comprises 31 venues across its Restaurant Bar & Grill, Piccolino, Piccolo and Riva Blu brands, is planning to launch a new premium pizza concept, … view

Celebrations and early Easter holiday lift hospitality groups to 5.2% growth in March: Britain’s top hospitality groups achieved above-inflation like-for-like sales growth of 5.2% in March, the latest CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracke … view

Exclusive – Wasabi looking for new expansion opportunities after restaurants post strong lfl growth in 2023: Wasabi, the sushi and bento chain backed by Capdesia, has told Propel it is looking for new UK restaurant expansion opportuniti … view

Exclusive – Six by Nico owner appoints advisors as it assesses strategic options: Six Company, the company behind the Six by Nico restaurant business, has appointed advisors to assess its funding options as it looks to step up its expan … view

Red Engine – UK competitive socialising concepts leading the way in the US: Steve Moore, founder and chief executive of Red Engine, the Flight Club and Electric Shuffle operator, has told Propel that UK-founded competitive socialising c … view

Busaba ‘well placed to meet challenges ahead’, latest opening at Lakeside profitable and ‘exceeding expectations’: Busaba, the ten-strong Thai chain founded by Alan Yau, has said it is “well placed to meet the challenges ahead� … view

Chestnut sees turnover rise to £27.5m and site Ebitda jump 220% in FY24, set to add couple of sites to portfolio: East Anglian pub company Chestnut has seen turnover increase to circa £27.5m and site Ebitda jump 220% to reach £6.2m for … view

London Shuffle Club seeks investors to drive growth as it looks to expand across the UK and overseas, opens new venue and rebrands: London Shuffle Club is seeking investors to help drive its growth plans and has rebranded to just Shuffle … view

Revolution sets out £12.5m fundraise plan, launches sales process, Luke Johnson proposed as new chair: Revolution Bars Group, the operator of the Revolution, Revolución de Cuba and Peach Pubs brands, has set out its proposed restructuri … view

Exclusive – Portobello Pub Company acquires Darwin & Wallace: Portobello Pub Company, the pub and restaurant operator backed by private equity firm Zetland Capital, has acquired Darwin & Wallace, the London neighbourhood bar-restaurant … view

Wildwood operator Tasty unveils plans to exit 20 loss-making sites after ‘challenging’ start to FY 2024: Wildwood operator Tasty has unveiled proposals to exit around 20 loss-making sites as part of a restructuring plan after a “cha … view

Stonegate seeing ‘material improvements in profitability’ as it reports full-year turnover increases to £1.7bn: Stonegate Group, the UK’s largest pub company, has said it is now seeing “material improvements in profitability”. … view

Red Engine secures new £60m banking facility to support global expansion plans: Red Engine, the Flight Club and Electric Shuffleboard operator, has secured a new £60m facility from Santander, HSBC and Barclays to support its global expa … view

Exclusive – Loungers hires Kate Eastwood as MD of its Lounge concept, Justin Carter promoted to group MD: Cafe bar operator Loungers has hired Kate Eastwood, formerly of Fuller’s and Revolution Bars Group, as the new managing directo … view

New World Trading Co makes ‘promising start to new financial year’, hires Glenn Pearson as new CFO: New World Trading Company (NWTC), the operator of 35 bars and restaurants under six brands including The Botanist, saw its financial y … view

Exclusive – Britannia Hotels sees turnover increase to record £154.8m after ‘exceptional’ year: Britannia Hotels, the UK’s largest private hotel group with 64 locations offering more than 10,000 bedrooms, has turnover increased 3 … view

Red Engine CEO – we think we can do more than 200 Flight Club sites in the UK: Steve Moore, founder and chief executive of Red Engine, the Flight Club and Electric Shuffleboard operator, has said he believes the company can grow to more … view

Ping Pong to trial 15% “brand charge” ahead of new tipping legislation: Ping Pong, the London dim sum chain, has said it is transitioning to a “service included company” and is to trail a discretionary 15% “brand charge” ahead … view

Knoops – ‘we are just touching the surface of a huge market as we establish a new category’: William Gordon-Harris, executive chairman and chief executive of luxury hot chocolate shop concept Knoops, has said the company is “just … view

Comptoir Group finalises new leadership structure: Comptoir Group, the Comptoir Libanais and Shawa operator, has finalised its leadership structure, including the hiring of James Fisher as its new finance director. Fisher, who joins from … view

Food price inflation in hospitality falls again but remains more than double the rate seen in retail sector: Food price inflation in hospitality remains more than double the rate seen in the retail sector despite steady easing over the la … view

Trading in Revolution Bars Group shares temporarily suspended: Trading in shares in Revolution Bars Group, the operator of the Revolution, Revolución de Cuba and Peach Pubs brands, has been temporarily suspended after the business was un … view

The Salad Project plans to reach 20 sites in London by 2026, raises £1m toward expansion: The Salad Project, the all-day dining concept that launched in London in 2021, is looking to open a further 16 sites in the capital over the next t … view

Wahaca completes refinancing, provides a strong platform for the business to develop and grow: Mexican-inspired restaurant group Wahaca has completed refinancing, which it told Propel provided “a strong platform for the business to deve … view