First round bids in for BrewDog, talk of deal needing to be agreed by end of the month: First round bids for the whole or parts of BrewDog have already been submitted, with a deal or deals needed to be done by the end of this month, Propel understands. The Scottish brewer and retailer called in advisers at AlixPartners to oversee a sale that could trigger a break-up of the business earlier this week. Propel understands that HSBC are behind the sale process, holding debt of significantly more than £50m with BrewDog. Some industry sources have suggested that a sale price may not even clear the £213m investment US private equity firm TSG made in the business in 2017. It is understood that any deal for the whole or parts of BrewDog, be that its brewing arm, brands or bars, will be through a restructuring process. It is a move that could mean neither the company’s founders – James Watt and Martin Dickie, TSG or circa 220,000 individual shareholders – see any return on their remaining shares – Dickie and Watt earned a reported circa £50m each when TSG made its original investment. One analyst said: “Feels like there will be a quick endgame, to keep as much of the business together as possible.” Writing in a Premium Opinion special on Tuesday afternoon (17 February), Propel chief operating officer – editorial Mark Wingett said: “It comes after the company is thought to have been working with Rothschild at the end of last year to sound out potential new investors. The move to an accelerated sale shows that none were forthcoming for the whole of the business or at a desirable valuation. Watt is reportedly in talks to raise funds to back a bid – like John Vincent at Leon, is he the only one who can return BrewDog to its former glories? A divisive character, how would the existing management team react to his comeback, and how palatable would it be for TSG to again work with and invest alongside him again? That’s not to mention the bad taste it may leave in the mouths of those “punks” that are destined not to see a return. Can Watt really position himself as a white knight riding to the rescue? It would take some front.”

 

Maslow’s CEO Guy Ivesha to speak at first Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2026, open for bookings: Guy Ivesha, founder and chief executive of Maslow’s, will be among the speakers at the first Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2026, which is open for bookings. Ivesha will discuss the creation and evolution of his new take on a modern members’ club, with cafes and workspaces that support productivity and well-being. The conference takes place on Wednesday, 25 March, at the Park Plaza, Victoria. For the full speaker schedule, click here. Operators can book up to three free places per company while Premium subscribers who are operators can book up to four free places. To book, email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com.

 

Premium Club subscribers to receive next Who’s Who of UK Hospitality on Friday, featuring 56 new companies and 196 updated entries: The next Who’s Who of UK Hospitality will feature 56 new companies and 196 updated entries when it is released to Premium Club subscribers on Friday (20 February), at midday. The database now features 1,430 companies, and this month’s edition includes more than 343,000 words of content. The companies, listed in alphabetical order, will have their most recent developments reported as well as broader information around Ebitda, plans and trading style available. The database merges Companies House information, interviews and other public information to provide an easy to reference and exhaustive guide to the sector. Premium Club subscribers also receive access to five other databases: the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, the Multi-Site Database, the New Openings Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database and the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database. All Premium Club subscribers will be offered a 20% discount on tickets to Propel paid-for events and discounts on specialist sector reports. Operators that are Premium Club subscribers are also able to send up to four members of staff to each of our four Multi-Club Conferences for free. Premium Club subscribers receive their daily Propel Info newsletter 11 hours earlier than standard subscribers, at 7pm the evening before. They also receive videos of presentations at eight Propel conference events two weeks after they are held. This represents around 100 videos of industry insight over the course of the year. Premium Club subscribers also receive exclusive opinion columns every Friday at 5pm, which include the thoughts of Propel chief operating officer – editorial, Mark Wingett, and a host of industry leaders from across the sector. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

Premium Opinion Special today by Peter Borg-Neal – ‘sector is becoming a political force, and this is an opportunity to achieve lasting change’: Peter Borg-Neal, founder and former chief executive of Oakman Group, has argued the sector is becoming a political force – “whether we like it or not”. In a Premium Opinion Special, which will be sent to Premium subscribers today (Wednesday, 18 February) at 3pm, Borg-Neal said: “For decades, the pub avoided politics. Today, politics is coming to the pub, whether operators welcome it or not. The sector sits at the intersection of employment, community and economic growth. It is too significant to remain politically passive.” Borg-Neal’s piece will also share what the sector needs to do to “achieve lasting change”. Borg-Neal will share more of his thoughts in the Opinion Special, which will be sent to Premium subscribers at 3pm. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

 

UKHospitality warns government ‘risking locking a generation out of gaining a foothold in the workforce’ as unemployment hits five-year high: UKHospitality has warned the government it is “risking locking a generation out of gaining a foothold in the workforce” as the latest labour market figures “underline the growing strain on the UK jobs market”. Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed unemployment climbed to 5.2% in the final quarter of 2025 – its highest level since early 2021. The ONS said the figures reflect “weak hiring activity”. Among 16 to 24-years-olds, unemployment rose to 16.1% at the end of last year, the highest it’s been in more than a decade. Allen Simpson, chief executive of UKHospitality, said:  “The labour market figures underline the growing strain on the UK jobs market. Sadly, younger workers and entry-level roles are bearing the brunt of this slowdown, with employment among under-35s down sharply since mid-2024. Hospitality is a vital entry point into work for young people, but rising costs and policy decisions – including changes to employers’ national insurance, costing the sector £3.4bn a year – are making it harder for businesses to create, sustain and recruit into these roles. Without urgent action to ease the pressure on employers, we risk locking a generation out of vital opportunities to gain skills, experience and a foothold in the workforce. If the government is serious about growth and tackling youth unemployment, it must urgently ease the pressure on hospitality businesses and stop taxing jobs out of the economy.” 

 

Global Brands founder and hotel operator – ‘proposed overnight visitor levy amounts to another tax on tourism’: Steve Perez, who is the founder of drinks business Global Brands and runs hotels and restaurants in the East Midlands, has said the government’s proposed overnight visitor levy amounts to “another tax on tourism” and risks placing further strain on independent hospitality businesses and the rural supply chains that depend on them. Perez, owner of Casa Hotel and Peak Edge Hotel, warned hospitality “cannot sustain another cost that has to be passed on to customers, who are already feeling the impact of the cost of living”. He warned the impact would extend beyond leisure travel. He said: “Many of our room bookings at Casa are business stays. Companies, like families, are operating under tight budgets. If overnight stays become more expensive as a result of new local charges, even marginal changes in demand can filter through the wider supply chain.” Perez also challenged comparisons with European destinations where visitor levies already exist. He said: “Ministers often point to European cities that operate similar schemes. What is rarely acknowledged is that hospitality VAT in many European countries is significantly lower than in the UK. Overnight accommodation in parts of Europe is taxed at around 10%, whereas in the UK it is subject to 20% VAT. That already creates an uneven playing field. Layering an additional local levy on top risks making UK holidays and business stays more expensive and less competitive. If we keep increasing the cost of staying in the UK, we should not be surprised if some of our once-thriving seaside towns and visitor destinations begin to struggle.” The government’s consultation on proposals for an overnight visitor levy in England closes today (Wednesday, 18 February).

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a fast-growing social entertainment group that is seeking a head of sales. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “Growing the corporate business is a key focus for this role. Based in London, with travel to sites at least twice a week, the position will involve leading the sales team to exceed targets and handle high-value event enquiries, analysing performance, market trends and competitor activity, identifying new opportunities through proactive sales and marketing initiatives.” The salary is up to £75,000. For more information, email stuart@corecruitment.com.

Sides MD – ‘we’re well geared up for progressive and proactive franchise growth’, ‘we should be able to pit ourselves against any of the big chicken operators’: Aaron Moore-Saxton, managing director of Sides, the food business from YouTube collective Sidemen, has told Propel the business is “well geared up for progressive and proactive franchise growth” and “should be able to pit ourselves against any of the big chicken operators”. The YouTube collective launched the brand in 2021 in partnership with food franchise firm Hero Brands, since when Sides has expanded to five restaurants across the UK and two abroad. Earlier this week, Sides said it was aiming to open 15 new restaurants globally in 2026, including Scottish and Welsh debuts in the UK, plus further international growth to add to its two sites in Singapore. It has also hired Nick Evans – who was previously franchise development manager for KFC UK & Ireland and franchise business manager for Pizza Hut Europe – as its new head of business development. Moore-Saxton, the former Chopstix franchise director who joined Sides last summer, said: “As a brand, we’re really investing in the senior team to be well geared up for progressive and proactive growth with high levels of franchisee support. Momentum builds momentum, so those first locations will build momentum not only with those franchise partners – but in those larger cities and conurbations there’s definitely an opportunity for more than one store, so we can build quickly from that base. Chicken as a space in the UK is taking market space from other operators, so there is room for us all to play in, and we should be able to hold our own against any of the big operators with our 100% British Chicken offer.” Moore-Saxton said the UAE will probably be Sides’ next international market, having signed heads of terms with a partner “who’s looking to act quite quickly”, but with other markets also “close”. In the UK, he expects St Enoch and Livingston in Scotland to open at the “back end of the first quarter”, with Liverpool “fairly soon after”, followed by Wandsworth, then Cardiff, being a slightly bigger build, towards the back end of the year. Moore-Saxton said while Sides grew initially as a dark kitchen brand, which once had 180 points of distribution, “as the market has evolved, the brand is back to focusing on bricks and mortar”. He said: “That was built off a relationship with a master franchise partner. Hero Brands and the Sidemen are fully aligned on building Sides as a long-term, scalable global brand. As we’ve entered the next phase of growth, it became clear that bringing the franchisor function directly in-house would provide greater strategic control, operational consistency and stronger alignment with franchise partners. Growth will remain firmly franchise-led, underpinned by a more robust central team, clear performance governance and disciplined site selection, while retaining flexibility to consider selective equity participation where it adds strategic value.” It was through the previous master franchisee – which is still on board, but now just as a franchise partner – that Sides’ opening so far have been restricted to shopping centres (plus one Boxpark). Moore-Saxton added: “Our shopping centre locations have been incredible, but we have an incredibly flexible model, and I don’t see any reason why we can’t be operating across all aspects of the property space. Whether that be in travel hubs, high streets or out of town retail parks – the design and model allow us to play in all those spaces.”

Wagamama owner exploring sale of transport concessions business: Wagamama owner The Restaurant Group (TRG) is reportedly exploring a sale of its transport concessions division amid tough high street trading conditions. Sky News reports that the company is working with bankers at Lazard to assess prospective buyers’ appetite for TRG Concessions, which trades from sites at Heathrow, Gatwick and other major British airports and rail hubs. The division operates circa 40 sites and employs about 2,000 people. Sources said the company, which is owned by the private equity firm Apollo Global Management, had not definitively decided to sell the transport concessions business. “They are thinking through their options,” said one hospitality industry insider. The concessions arm was established more than 30 years ago and trades under more than 20 different brands, including Giraffe and Wagamama. It also operates under individual site brands curated for airports. The concessions business saw like-for-like sales growth of 7.6% in 2024. Earlier this month, it partnered with The Indian Brewery Company to open a new site at Birmingham airport. In December, the Jon Knight-led TRG Concessions signed a new long-term partnership with Ports of Jersey, which will see it take a central role in reshaping the food and beverage offer at Jersey Airport. A spokesman for The Restaurant Group declined to comment.

Red Engine ‘actively looking to capitalise on the momentum Electric Shuffle is generating in the US’: Steve Moore, co-founder and chief executive of Red Engine, the hospitality group behind Flight Club and Electric Shuffle, has told Propel that the business is “actively looking to capitalise on the momentum” the latter concept is generating in the US, saying that its “trajectory has been incredibly impressive”. It comes after the business reported that sales rose 10% to £27.7m in its final three months of last year, after a record December, with 22 of its 24 venues achieving their highest weekly sales that month. Moore said: “While Flight Club had a three-year head start in the US, Electric Shuffle’s trajectory has been incredibly impressive. We are seeing engagement levels that prove high-tech shuffleboard has the same universal appeal as social darts. The reception the brand has received in our newest markets, New York and Chicago in particular, has been a clear signal of the resonance Electric Shuffle has with US consumers. With the brand now firmly established in these key hubs, we are actively looking to capitalise on the momentum there. The appetite for the Electric Shuffle experience is clear, and we are excited to continue its expansion across the pond.” Last year, the business launched Flight Club’s seventh game, Limbo. Moore said: “This year, we are focused on a significant evolution of the Electric Shuffle experience, with exciting tech and gameplay upgrades. Whether it’s a limited-edition cocktail menu or a game tech update, every development is driven by guest data and a desire to surprise. In this competitive socialising landscape, we are determined not just to be participants, but to be the architects of its future.” Moore said that while January was the wettest on record, “which kept many people hunkered down at home, our venues have performed in line with expectations”. He said: “The key Six Nations weekends have been a particular highlight to kick off the year. Our focus now is on maintaining momentum as we head into another major year for our brands. We are excited to continue investing in our technology and gaming across both brands and to further our UK and international expansion. We feel very well-positioned to navigate the current climate and continue our growth trajectory.”

Dutch smash burger brand Fat Phill’s seeking franchisee to operate debut regional location after securing Newcastle site: Dutch smash burger brand Fat Phill’s is seeking a franchise partner to operate what could be its debut regional location after securing a site in Newcastle. Fat Phill’s, which has 19 locations in the Netherlands and 25 globally, launched in the UK in December 2024, with a site in Clapham, south London, which has since closed. The company also opened what was at the time a second UK site, in Wood Hill, north London, in October 2025. Fat Phill’s has now secured a site in Newcastle’s Northumberland Street, available to let on a new lease at a rent of £69,500 per annum (asking price, to be negotiated). The site has floor space of 1,022 square feet, all one floor, with capital expenditure of £150,000 plus VAT required. A spokesman for franchise consultant Seeds Consulting said: “A fantastic opportunity to operate a Fat Phill’s franchise in the heart of Newcastle has become available. With a commercial site approved by the franchisor, we are looking to speak to ambitious entrepreneurs with a background in food and beverage. The site is located in Northumberland Street in Newcastle; a vibrant city with a population of approximately 190,000 and a huge catchment area. Situated in the main shopping street in Newcastle city centre, the site is surrounded by popular retail and food operators such as Marks & Spencer, Primark, Costa and KFC. One of the popular Metro stations is also within close proximity, which drives high footfall within the area.” Fat Phill’s chief operating officer, Natalie Van Der Laan, told Propel in November that the brand, which plans to grow to 100 sites globally by 2035, is planning its first UK regional location in 2026.

Beefy Boys plans to add two new sites this year, sales up on previous years: The Beefy Boys, the better burger business backed by Manjit Dale, founding partner of TDR Capital, has told Propel that it plans to open two new restaurants by the end of this year. The company opened its fifth site last October, in Oxford, and has been previously linked to an opening in Nottingham. It comes off the back of strong trading over the festive season. The business told Propel: “There are plans to expand this year. We are hoping that by the end of 2026, we will have opened an additional two new restaurants. However, our priority remains in staying true to the independent feel that The Beefy Boys’ is known and loved for. We want each new restaurant to be as great as our first restaurant in Hereford, which opened ten years ago this year. We have just experienced a huge Christmas, and our busiest ever Valentine’s Day yet, and like-for-like we are up on previous years, so we are very happy!” The Beefy Boys also has restaurants in Hereford, Shrewsbury, Cheltenham and Bath and employs almost 250 people. The business is gearing up to launch its second book next month – The Beefy Boys: Great British BBQ, which follows the team on a mission to “reclaim the Great British BBQ, moving it beyond burnt sausages and soggy buns”.

Luxury hospitality company Maya Collection to head to UK as part of global expansion plans: Luxury hospitality company Maya Collection is to head to the UK as part of its global expansion plans. Building on its existing MayaBay locations in Monaco, Dubai, Porto Montenegro and the Courchevel 1850 alpine resort, Maya Collection will head to London in 2027. The group will open a private members’ club in the heart of the city alongside a customised Thaï-Japanese-inspired dining experience led by group executive chef, Christophe Dupuy. Maya Collection will also deploy its Da Valentino’s Italian restaurant concept and cocktail bar. The group is also planning openings in Florida in the US and Mykonos in Greece. Richard Maria, chief executive of Maya Collection said: “As we look ahead to West Palm Beach in Florida in 2026, followed by London and Mykonos in 2027, we are proud to bring the MayaBay experience to a new generation of global destinations – each uniquely curated while staying true to our culinary identity, creativity, and uncompromising standards.”

 

Welcome Break acquires service station in Cornwall: Service station operator Welcome Break, which is owned by Applegreen, has acquired a site in Cornwall. Welcome Break has secured Cornwall Services at the Victoria Interchange on the A30 near Bodmin. The services is home to foodservice operators including McDonald’s, Subway, Taco Bell, Greggs and Rowe’s Cornish Bakers. A Welcome Break statement said: “We are delighted to add this popular service area to our existing network in the UK.” In November, Welcome Break said it was planning to invest £400m in its business over the next five years. In October, the group secured a new £815m refinancing. The all-senior debt package, raised from a syndicate of leading UK and international banks alongside long-term core infrastructure investors, enabled the full repayment of existing group debt and included a £200m undrawn facility to support Welcome Break’s active pipeline of growth projects. Welcome Break operates circa 60 service areas and 31 hotels in the UK, employing more than 6,000 people.

 

Bill’s to open largest restaurant in more than a decade next month as it closes in on 50th site: Bill’s, the Richard Caring-backed restaurant group, will open its new site at London’s Westfield Stratford City next month – the brand’s largest restaurant launch in more than a decade. Opening on Wednesday, 4 March, the site will be its 49th and have 170 covers. Managing director Tom James said: "Off the back of four years of very strong trading, we are excited to be opening our largest site in more than a decade in Westfield Stratford. There is a fantastic opportunity to bring our much-loved all-day offer to such a vibrant and popular location.” The Stratford opening comes during a “standout” period for the business. Over the past three years, Bill’s has seen profits double, with Ebitda rising from £5.5m in 2022 to £11.3m in 2024. The group has delivered four successive years of both cover growth and like-for-like sales growth. Propel revealed last month that Bill’s surpassed the £100m annual sales milestone in 2025 while continuing to see guest satisfaction metrics strengthen across the estate. The launch also follows the brand’s continued expansion into new formats as Bill’s prepares to celebrate 25 years in 2026. This includes its first airport location, on the upper level of Heathrow Terminal 2, which features an airport exclusive “Bill’s on Board” order that allows customers to take their favourite food on the flight, alongside its all-day menu. Bill’s was founded in 2001 by Bill Collison, in Lewes, East Sussex.

 

Flat Iron to open Birmingham site: Flat Iron, the affordable steak concept that is backed by McWin Capital Partners and TriSpan, is to open a site in Birmingham. Flat Iron will launch at 41-42 Temple Street this summer after securing a new lease. The restaurant will be arranged across two floors, with 60 covers at ground level and a further 50 covers on the first floor. Flat Iron’s head of beef, Fred Smith, said: “From the very beginning, Flat Iron has been about offering carefully sourced, high-quality steak at great value. We’re delighted to be bringing Flat Iron to the city’s vibrant dining scene.” Flat Iron, which is led by Tom Byng and operates 19 sites, is also set to open restaurants in Liverpool and Newcastle this year. In October, the company secured a new senior debt facility to support its expansion, provided by OakNorth. Propel revealed in September that McWin and TriSpan had acquired Flat Iron, and it is understood the deal is set to value the business at circa £70m.

Ottolenghi launches retail range with Sainsbury’s: London restaurant and deli operator Ottolenghi has launched a retail range in partnership with Sainsbury’s. Nykki Bezer, Ottolenghi’s global grocery director, said: “We’re incredibly pleased to share that we have officially launched our Ottlenghi Group grocery range in 300-plus Sainsbury’s stores and online across the UK this week. This means our products are now accessible to more customers than ever before, making it easier for people nationwide to discover the joy of Ottolenghi flavours. Adding another national retailer is a key part of our growth strategy continuing to scale the brand worldwide. If you’re visiting Sainsbury’s, keep an eye out for us on the shelves!” In December, Ottolenghi has said it has “laid the foundation for sustainable long-term growth” as it reported turnover increased 19% to a record £36,618,790 for the year ending 31 March 2025 compared with £30,881,763 the previous year. The company, which operates nine sites under its eponymous brand and the Nopi and Rovi restaurants in London, saw adjusted Ebitda fall from £1.7m to £1.2m. The group, which made its international debut earlier this year with an opening in Switzerland and is set to launch in Holland, saw pre-tax losses increase to £2,216,046 from £941,725 the year before.

 

Two Magpies adds Suffolk café and farm shop to portfolio: East Anglia bakery Two Magpies has added to its portfolio with the acquisition of Marlesford Farm café and farm shop in east Suffolk for an undisclosed sum. The deal marks an 11th site for Two Magpies, which has plans to expand to up to 50 outlets. Marlesford Farm café and farm shop, near Woodbridge, has seating for 80 customers inside and 50 outside. The farm shop sells local produce and artisan goods. From Monday, 23 March, the site will be rebranded as Two Magpies, with further plans to transform the venue in keeping with other locations in the group. Owner and chief executive Steve Magnall said: “This is a great start to the year and cements our plans to expand. We are thrilled to have secured such a fantastically positioned site that has great potential. This is a huge achievement for the group, which will see a 10%-15% increase in our turnover and a step towards our goal of 50 sites.” The move will see 21 existing staff members joining the Two Magpies family, and all existing fixtures and fittings at the site will remain. Last month, Propel revealed Two Magpies has made a raft of management changes to support its expansion plans. The changes include the appointment of Magnall’s son, Ben, as a second-generation director in the business, with view to him eventually succeeding his father. The group currently has cafes in Norwich, Blakeney, Holt, Woodbridge, Wells-next-the-Sea, Beccles, Aldeburgh, Framlingham and Southwold, as well as a central bakery in Walpole and a bake school in Darsham.

Ventive Hospitality secures Soho House India expansion rights: Ventive Hospitality, through its subsidiary Panchshil Corporate Park Private, has acquired Finest-VN Business Park Private – giving it control over the exclusive rights for Soho House’s expansion in India and the operation of Soho House Mumbai. A report in stock market newspaper Whalesbook said the acquisition is valued at 59,83,00,000 crores, which works out as £4,879,268. Finest-VN Business Park Private, incorporated in August 2024, holds the exclusive rights for the expansion of the Soho House brand within India and currently operates Soho House Mumbai. The report said: “This acquisition is a clear indicator of Ventive Hospitality's ambition to capture a larger share of the discerning Indian market for luxury lifestyle clubs and hospitality. Soho House is renowned worldwide for its exclusive, community-focused approach, offering curated spaces for its members. By securing the exclusive expansion rights, Ventive Hospitality is not just acquiring an operational property, but a future growth engine. The move is expected to leverage the increasing disposable incomes and the growing demand for unique, high-end experiences among affluent Indians. The operation of Soho House Mumbai under Ventive's indirect ownership provides an immediate revenue stream and a crucial operational blueprint for future ventures. The success of this acquisition will hinge on Ventive's ability to replicate the exclusive Soho House ethos in new locations across India, catering to a niche but lucrative customer base.”

 

Permanently Unique Group to open debut London site for Fenix concept next month: Permanently Unique Group, the independent restaurant business formerly known as Tattu, will open the debut London site for Fenix, its contemporary Greek-Mediterranean dining concept, next month. Propel revealed last June that Permanently Unique Group had secured a site at 80 Piccadilly in Mayfair for the launch. The new Fenix, which follows the success of its original site, which opened in Manchester in 2023, will now open on Friday, 20 March. The menu focuses on local produce and sharing plates and dishes exclusive to London, which will include Athenian sea bass tartare, langoustine orzo, slow-cooking wagyu stifado, and a “refined interpretation” of the Greek classic moussaka, reports The Standard. The drinks programme, led by Will Meredith, formerly of the award-winning cocktail bar Lyaness, will be inspired by Greek islands. Adam Jones, founder of Permanently Unique, said: “We have always believed Fenix possesses the depth, creativity and considered execution required to thrive in one of the world’s most competitive dining landscapes. The flagship launch of Tattu in London demonstrated our ability to translate vision on to an international platform, and Fenix now enters the capital with the same clarity of purpose.” Permanently Unique Group – which also operates the Tattu and Louis concepts – made its international debut in October when it launched Tattu Dubai at the Ciel Tower in Dubai Marina. The company also plans to open a second London location for Tattu by the summer, with both Louis and Fenix Dubai launching before the end of this year.

 

Society Cafe set to opens seventh site for Welsh debut: Family-run cafe concept Society Cafe is set to open its seventh site and first in Wales. The company, owned by Jane and Adrian Campbell-Howard, will open in Cardiff’s St Mary Street in April. Founded in 2011, the company also had two sites in Bath, two in Bristol and one each in Cheltenham and Oxford. Two espresso blends will be available each day, including its own house blend from Origin Coffee Roasters in Cornwall, alongside a regularly rotating guest blend. Visitors can also expect a selection of locally baked goods. The new Cardiff café will have seating across both the ground floor and basement, as well as outdoor tables.

 

Mark Warburton’s Cow & Sow steak concept sees sales increase 32% in December as it starts six-figure investment programme: Entrepreneur Mark Warburton has reported his steak concept Cow & Sow saw its sales increase 32% in December compared with the previous year as it starts a six-figure investment programme across the portfolio. Cow & Sow, which has two sites in Bristol and one in Birmingham, secured 14,000 covers across December, a 24.5% increase compared with the year before, while more than £50,000 was generated through the sale of gift cards and places at its Steak Education events. In excess of 12,000 people are now signed up to its The Butchers Club loyalty scheme, which won the best use of technology at the 2026 Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Awards. The Butcher’s Club has both free and paid membership options available and has generated 15% of Cow & Sow’s sales since its launch last summer. As part of the investment programme, the original Queen Square restaurant in Bristol has reopened following refurbishment to the kitchen, bar and dining area, with changes including the addition of a new dry-aged meat fridge, a premium wine fridge and an extension to the kitchen, following a 20% increase in pre-bookings in 2025. Warburton said: “We’re proud of our figures from 2025, and especially December, and it’s an honour to be able to reinvest in ourselves thanks to all our teams’ hard work. We’re trying to do things differently at Cow & Sow and it’s really encouraging to see our loyalty scheme and experiences becoming so popular with our guests too. It’s particularly special to start our reinvigoration efforts with Queen Square, as it was the first Cow & Sow restaurant we opened in 2022. We’re looking forward to seeing where 2026 takes us across the rest of the portfolio.”

Fledgling salad concept Pick.Your.Own secures second site: Pick.Your.Own (P.Y.O), the fast-casual concept that secured investment from Frontive Group and Cervus Investments last summer to accelerate its rollout across London, has secured its second site, in Broadgate. Opening next month, the new location will also see P.Y.O. introduce breakfast for the very first time. Set across two floors, P.Y.O. Broadgate will include a mix of communal tables, banquette seating and high tops and outdoor seating for warmer months, which sit alongside planters growing fresh vegetables on the terrace. The company said the new restaurant has been designed to suit everything from “quick weekday breakfasts to relaxed lunches and informal meetings, continuing P.Y.O.’s position as a go-to destination throughout the day”. Last year, the company, which is the brainchild of Christian West, a former private equity professional, said the new funding would enable it to open multiple new sites within the next six-to-nine months, with “ambitious plans already in motion for further growth”. The business told Propel that it is targeting opening 20 sites within the next four to five years, with an initial focus on the City before moving to other areas. The company opened its debut site on Mark Lane near Fenchurch Street.

 

Spanish aparthotel operator acquires second UK site: Spanish aparthotel operator Líbere Hospitality Group has acquired its second UK site. The company has secured part of the Coopers Building at 10-16 Church Street in Liverpool. The grade II-listed building, originally home to the Coopers & Co department store until its closure in 1972, has since been used for retail and offices. The property extends over the basement, ground and six upper floors, with the four upper floors now being repurposed for hospitality. Upon completion, Libere will offer 148 studios, comprising 141 studio units with kitchenettes and seven featuring dedicated coffee stations. John Harrington, business development director for the UK & Ireland, said: “We are delighted to bring Líbere’s innovative aparthotel concept to this dynamic destination known for its maritime, football and musical culture.” Líbere was founded in 2019 and specialises in a “technology-driven, asset-light” model for short and medium-stay urban accommodation. The company made its UK debut in May 2025 with the 44-unit Líbere London Edgware Road near Paddington. Líbere has more than 1,000 operational units across Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and the UK, with a total pipeline exceeding 2,300 units.

 

Chefs Eduardo Yishima and Jackson Boxer join forces to relaunch one of London’s original Mexican restaurants: Chefs Eduardo Yishima and Jackson Boxer are joining forces to relaunch one of London’s original Mexican restaurants, Taqueria. The restaurant will close on Monday (23 February) and reopen on Tuesday, 3 March as TAQ. Taqueria opened in Westbourne Grove 20 years ago. Recognising a rethink was needed to stay relevant, the team reached out to Boxer last year, having seen the success he’d had relaunching Orasay as Dove. Rather than risk seeing it close, he offered to step in “to help Taqueria get its mojo back”. Yishima, a graduate of the Instituto Mexicano de Gastronomía, has worked across Mexico and London, including developing the menu for CDMX Tacos in Soho and working as sous chef at Side Hustle at The NoMad. He joins TAQ as culinary director, leading the development of the new menu, with Boxer and the Dove team providing mentorship and support. The entire current Taqueria team including chef Elias Marin and managers Milton Vazquez and Natalia Patino all continue their roles. Boxer said: “Taqueria already had an amazing team with huge potential – it just needed an exciting new offering and identity to breathe new life into the place. Knowing that my good friend Eduardo was looking for a new project, it made perfect sense to bring them together.” Yishima’s menu is centred around classic staples – tacos, tostadas and quesadillas – plus some non-traditional blackboard specials including a fish torta, a Mexican interpretation of his favourite snack on the old Orasay menu, the fish bun. Drinks will include classic margaritas, palomas and mezcalitas, as well as Mexican lager, micheladas and a short wine list.

 

Nest restaurant in London’s Shoreditch to evolve into bistro concept: Seasonal British restaurant Nest in London’s Shoreditch is to evolve into a bistro concept. Nest is owned and operated by a trio of friends and founders – Johnnie Crowe, Luke Wasserman and Toby Neill – who also own Restaurant St Barts in Barbican under parent company the Nest Food Group. Last month, it was revealed Nest will close after nine years, running its final service on Saturday, 28 March. The group has now announced the site will reopen as Tavern – a new British bistro concept – on Tuesday, 28 April. Nest first opened in Hackney in 2018 before relocating to Shoreditch in 2023. Nest became known for whole animal cookery and its monthly changing tasting menu. The group said the move to Tavern marks a clear shift in format, moving away from tasting menus and instead focusing on “generous, nostalgic British cooking designed for more informal dining”. Cooking over fire, daily changing dishes and plates will be designed for sharing and served with classic cocktails and beer on tap. Crowe said: “Nest has been a hugely important part of our story for nearly a decade. We are incredibly proud of what it became, first in Hackney and then in Shoreditch. Tavern is about taking everything we believe in about British produce and translating it into a fun way of eating that we all personally love.”