Joe & The Juice reports record year, plans to have 1,000 stores within the next four years with UK key focus: Joe & The Juice, the juice and cafe bar brand, has reported record revenue in 2024, up 17% to DKK 2.8bn (£320m), as it set out plans to have 1,000 sites within the next three to four years, with the UK being a key focus. At the end of the year, the brand operated 397 stores in 20 countries globally, of which 324 stores are in Europe and the US, with circa 75 in the UK. The company said operating profit was positive for the second consecutive year, reaching DKK 171.5m (£19.5m) in 2024 compared with DKK 178.1m (£20.2m) in 2023, while Ebitda increased from DKK 498m (£56.5m) in 2023 to DKK 560m (£63.6m) in 2024, and Ebitda margin was 20% for 2024. The business said that digital sales accounted for 33% of total sales in 2024. Chief executive Thomas Nørøxe said: “Our figures speak volumes: Joe has never been stronger – but in reality, we’re just getting started. We have succeeded with our strategy to push Joe & The Juice towards robust and profitable growth. In a time where global uncertainty and inflation have pressured consumer spending, I am extremely pleased that we continue to attract customers to our stores and that we continue to develop, grow and adapt to a constantly evolving market.” In 2024, the group increased revenue in existing stores by 12%, while new stores accounted for 7% growth – a figure the company expects to increase in the coming years. Nørøxe said: “At the core of Joe & The Juice’s success is our fantastic and dedicated employees. Both our skilled juicers and competent bar managers have managed to drive the strong growth in revenue by being the main representatives of the unique culture that the Joe brand stands for every day. Our impressive result is also a clear indication of their dedication to delivering high quality food, coffee and juice, and developing strong relationships with both loyal and new customers.” General Atlantic became the majority owner of the business in late 2023. The transaction included a capital increase, which reduced the company’s debt. Nørøxe said: “This puts Joe & The Juice in an ideal position to develop our core markets with greater opportunities than ever before. Our ambitions for the future are high, and in my opinion, there is no doubt Joe & The Juice is entering a new era with this successful turnaround. We are not letting go of the speed but are focusing on our strategy that is planned to lead us towards 1,000 stores within the next three to four years.” The company said its continued growth strategy is to focus on its three established markets – Europe, the UK and the US – where there is still “great potential to expand the portfolio in the largest cities and suburbs”. The business said it expects revenue to grow significantly in 2025, while Ebitda is expected to increase to more than DKK 600m (£68.2m).

 

Parogon Group co-founder Richard Colclough to speak at Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference, open for bookings with 20% discount on tickets for Premium Club subscribers: Richard Colclough, co-founder of Parogon Group, the award-winning premium gastropub operator, will be among the speakers at the Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference. The all-day conference, the best attended pub and bar conference in the sector, takes place on Wednesday (14 May) at One Moorgate Place in London and is open for bookings. Colclough will talk about operating across multiple formats, and the development and potential of the company’s Mediterranean all-day dining concept, Willow. Propel is also launching “parallel sessions” at this year’s conference, which offer the chance to deep-dive into specialist subjects. There will be a chance for teams attending the conference to break away and absorb the parallel sessions. There will be ten parallel sessions in total, which will run alongside the main conference. For the full speaker schedule, click here. Tickets are £295 plus VAT for operators and £345 plus VAT for suppliers. There is a 20% discount for operators and suppliers who are Premium Club subscribers. Email: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to book places.

 

Premium Club subscribers to receive next Turnover & Profits Blue Book today: Premium Club subscribers will receive the next Turnover & Profits Blue Book today (Friday, 9 May), at noon. The database will feature 67 updated accounts and 14 new companies, taking the total to 1,109. A total of 704 companies are making a profit while 405 are making a loss. The Blue Book is updated each month and ranks companies by turnover, profit and profit conversion, listing directors’ earnings for the past five years. Premium Club subscribers also receive access to five other databases: the Multi-Site Database, the New Openings Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database and the Who's Who of UK Hospitality. All Premium Club subscribers will be offered a 20% discount on tickets to Propel paid-for events including Excellence in Pub Retail this month 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 will be sent a dedicated monthly newsletter that will highlight key updates in the sector and direct subscribers to all the vital content their membership offers. Premium Club subscribers also receive exclusive opinion columns every Friday at 5pm, which include the thoughts of Propel group editor 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.

 

Think Hospitality Consulting managing partner James Hacon to explore Deliveroo and SevenRooms acquisitions and the impact on operators in today’s Premium Opinion: James Hacon, managing partner at Think Hospitality Consulting, will explore how the DoorDash acquisition of Deliveroo and SevenRooms will change the landscape of customer ownership, erode operator margin and why operators need to galvanise themselves now to see off this threat. This week’s Premium Opinion, which will be sent to Premium subscribers at 5pm, also features Propel group editor Mark Wingett talking to Frazer Grimbleby, managing director for Craft Union, Stonegate’s operator-led managed format, as it celebrates its tenth anniversary, and Flo Graham-Dixon, founder of Juniper Strategy, examining the speed and simplicity behind the growth of Blank Street Coffee. 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 – further interest rates cut ‘vital’ to sector businesses: UKHospitality has said further interest rate cuts will be “vital” to the future of sector businesses. The Bank of England has cut interest rates from 4.5% to 4.25%, the lowest rate in two years. UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said the move is “positive for hospitality businesses” but that more is needed. She added: “Many venues are still paying back covid loans and have been suffering under high interest rates, as well as continuing to grapple with the £3.4bn in additional annual cost that was placed upon them last month. Driving economic growth is rightly the government’s focus, and it’s clear that the markets are anticipating further cuts to interest rates this year. It’s important the Bank of England meets those expectations. This will be absolutely vital for hospitality businesses to fulfil their ability to support our communities, create local jobs and drive socially productive growth.”

 

Flash survey show sector venues and event operators are ‘reaching breaking point’, calls for ‘meaningful’ government intervention: A flash survey by UK trade bodies has shown sector venues and event operators are “reaching breaking point” and has called for “meaningful” government intervention. In the survey of more than 250 businesses across the events, night-time economy and hospitality sectors, 50% said they face a bleak future and almost half said they are anticipating job losses. The reasons include unsustainable cost increases (88%), falling footfall (78%) and a lack of government support (58%). Furthermore, 55% said they’ll have no choice but to increase prices again this year and nearly 40% fear permanent closure. Key asks include a VAT reduction across hospitality and events, targeted financial relief and business rates reform, energy cost support and national insurance contribution reform. Michael Kill, chief executive of the Night Time Industries Association, said: “The data confirms what we’ve been hearing from members for months – venues and event operators are reaching breaking point. We need meaningful intervention now – not after the lights have gone out.” Alan Fox, chief executive of the Nationwide Caterers Association, said: “In spite of the challenges, more than 400,000 small and micro hospitality businesses are still operating. That’s a powerful display of resilience, but resilience alone can’t carry them through – the government must do more to understand the challenges and the needs of independent hospitality businesses.” Stephen Montgomery, director of the Scottish Hospitality Group, added: “The UK government needs to act now, and a reduction in VAT is the most direct lever to pull. We have seen this from previous interventions in the Republic of Ireland, where reducing VAT for hospitality benefited not just the government tax take, but also led to more employment, more business openings and less business failures.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a lifestyle hospitality group that is seeking a general manager. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The role will oversee the operations of a new property, bringing the brand to life while ensuring an exceptional experience for every guest. The business is looking for a natural leader who is passionate about developing their team and creating a positive, high-performing work environment. As this is a new opening, previous experience with launches or pre-openings is highly desirable. Some of the responsibilities will include driving revenue growth through strategic planning, managing KPIs, overseeing P&L, costs and payroll, and leading by example to inspire and train the team.” This is a site-based position in London, offering a salary of up to £70,000. For more information, email ed@corecruitment.com.

 

North London immersive cocktail bar and dining spot Laki Kane seeks ‘hands-on’ investor to lead global expansion of business: North London immersive cocktail bar and dining spot, award-winning Laki Kane, is on the hunt for a “dynamic hands-on” investor to spearhead its ambitious expansion plans. Opened in Upper Street, Islington, in 2018, Laki Kane is embarking on a new chapter under fresh management, complete with a venue makeover and a Caribbean-inspired menu. The culinary reins are now in the hands of Collin Brown, former executive chef at Turtle Bay, alongside head chef Felisha Mckenzie. Co-founder and managing director Steve Kyprianou, who boasts a 35-year track record in telecommunications, told Propel he is eager to see Laki Kane reach new heights. He said despite its residential location, the bar attracts 700-1,000 visitors weekly and the business has been structured “with scalability in mind”, including trademarking across Europe and beyond. Kyprianou, who owns 70% of the business with the remainder owned by rum and cocktail “legend” Georgi Radev, said he is ready to share his equity with the right partner “to avoid the hassle of global property hunting”. We’ve self-funded up to this point but now it’s about taking that next step,” said Kyprianou. “We’ve hosted successful international pop-ups like Bulgari Island in Dubai,” he said. “Imagine the potential with a permanent presence in Mayfair in London, Dubai, Miami or New York.” The refurbishment, set to begin on Sunday (11 May), will introduce a state-of-the-art kitchen, enabling Laki Kane to serve its own dishes. A private dining room with a micro rum distillery will also be added, enhancing the venue’s tropical allure. Kyprianou said he was excited about the return of former operations director Bence Pillinger, who previously transformed the bar’s weekly revenue from £30,000 to £70,000. “We’re thrilled to see what he achieves this time,” Kyprianou said. As the sector faces challenges with trading given the cost-of-living crisis and additional cost pressures, Kyprianous said the team remains optimistic about the future. “When things improve, we’ll be ready to seize the opportunity,” Kyprianou added. “With a strong foundation and a vision for growth, Laki Kane is poised to become a global sensation.”

 

Korea’s largest pizza brand seeking UK entry: Korea’s largest pizza brand is seeking entry into the UK. Eat Pizza has 100-plus outlets and a presence in countries including Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia. The company exhibited at last month’s International Franchise Show at London’s ExCel, as it seeks partners with which to expand to the UK. The company said it infuses “authentic Korean flavours into every slice” and offers flavours such as sweet potato pizza, crispy potato bacon pizza and its house signature hot spicy chicken pizza. A company spokesman said: “Our pizzas are crafted fresh to order and served piping hot in just five minutes. Designed for convenience, our long rectangular pizzas measure a satisfying 25cm, making them perfect for a quick grab-and-go meal or for sharing a variety of flavours with friends. With more than ten enticing variations, there is something to delight every palate. Each pizza is made with high-protein dough and extra virgin olive oil, topped with 100% natural cheese and the freshest ingredients. We are open to partnership opportunities with those who share our passion for great food and exceptional service.” The company said it offers “outstanding profitability in small sized stores”, with a net profit margin of 35%-40% and flexible operations that reduce rent, labour and operating costs. The concept is available in a restaurant, take away and delivery models. Eat Pizza will feature in the next Propel UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database, which is an exhaustive guide to the companies offering a food and beverage franchise in the UK and is available exclusively to Premium subscribers. The next edition will be sent on Friday, 16 May and feature a total of 350 companies. 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.

TGI Fridays UK owners plans to relaunch brand on 4 July: The new owners of TGI Fridays UK have said the relaunch of the brand will be revealed on 4 July, and the management team has been “working its socks off” to revert the decline and reposition the business. Propel revealed last October that Breal Capital and Calveton, which acquired D&D London (now the Evolv Collection) in 2023, paid a total consideration of £9.55m to acquire the bulk of TGI Fridays UK out of administration through a new vehicle, the Liberty Bar and Restaurant Group. The deal saw 51 out of the 87 TGI Fridays across the country acquired, with circa 2,300 jobs saved. In a LinkedIn post, Simon Wilkinson, board director and operating partner at Evolv and TGI Fridays, said: “TGI Fridays has had a tough time over the last few years. We acquired the business in October 2024 and rescued it out of administration. Such processes are tough, when people should be praising the investors for putting their own money into rescuing a much-loved brand the contrary happens, and you get criticised for not saving certain locations and having to make redundancies. The good guys become the bad guys, but that’s the reality, and having a thick skin helps. The team has had to put up with a lot of flak, negativity and energy sapping noise. Now turning around a brand that has lost it way over circa seven years is a tough ask in any market. In the current market, it’s a heavy lift and requires a tremendous about of work by everyone connected with the brand. There are no guarantees, and boldness, bravery, hard work and commitment may not be enough. However, we as a collective are going to try our hardest. Under the leadership of Julie McEwan, the team is working its socks off to revert the decline and reposition the brand. The exciting news is we are less than seven weeks away from the brand relaunch and repositioning. What better day than 4 July, Independence Day, to start the comeback of all comebacks.”

 

Various Eateries CEO – clear opportunity to lean further into premium social drinking space, hires new people director: Mark Loughborough, chief executive of Various Eateries, the Hugh Osmond-backed business which operates the Coppa Club and Noci concepts, has told Propel that the business sees a clear opportunity to lean further into the premium social drinking space, “where we see strong customer appetite”. Earlier this week, the company reported sales of £24.7m for the 26-week period ended 30 March 2025, an increase of 8.8% versus the prior year (2024: £22.7m), driven primarily by the contribution of new site openings. Loughborough told Propel: “There’s a clear opportunity to evolve our drinks offer and lean further into the premium social drinking space, where we see strong customer appetite. We’re also focused on making more of key trading moments – Mother’s Day this year delivered a standout 38% like-for-like uplift.” As for expansion, Loughborough said the growth of both Noci and Coppa remains “a strategic priority”. He said: “But this will be carefully paced and aligned to the right property opportunities and locations for each brand.” It comes as the business welcoms back Rebecca Rose as its new people director. Rose was most recently people and operations director for a family-owned private members’ club in London’s St John’s Wood. She previously worked at Various Eateries’ people division for five years and has held senior roles at Nightcap, Buns from Home, Itsu and The Breakfast Club, where she delivered “impactful learning and development and management programmes”.

 

Yolk to open tenth store this month alongside launching new brand identity, plans more Central London stores in 2025 ahead of move to neighbourhoods in 2026: Fast-growing “fine fast food” business Yolk is preparing to open its tenth store this month, alongside launching a new brand identity. The new store will open later this month at 90 High Holborn, with a new layout moving the kitchen front and centre, letting customers see their sandwiches being prepared. There will also be a revamped menu to go alongside new branding and wall art. Yolk said the Holborn site kicks off the next phase of its expansion, with more Central London stores planned for 2025 ahead of a move into key London neighbourhoods from 2026 onwards. Founder Nick Philpot said: “I founded Yolk as a pop-up in 2014, but it was our first big brand project in 2017 that really kicked things off. That black-and-gold identity was the springboard: a crazy-successful shipping container pop-up, then our first bricks-and-mortar location, and eight more sites after that. We’ve seen the power of brand to fuel growth. Eight years on, it’s time to evolve again. We’ve grown into something bigger, bolder, better and needed an identity to match.” Yolk, which has previously said it plans to reach 25-plus sires by the end of 2026, completed a £650,000 fundraise last year to help “deliver its next stage of expansion”.

 

Fulham Shore settles covid cover fight: Fulham Shore, the owner of Franco Manca and The Real Greek, has agreed to settle its dispute with QIC Europe over losses the business claimed to have suffered after it temporarily closed sites at the height of the covid-19 pandemic. Law360 reported that Fulham Shore had agreed to a settlement with the Maltese insurance company, according to the 1 May Tomlin Order issued at the High Court. The order did not provide details of the settlement. Fulham Shore argued in December that its policy should have protected it against the hit it took when Britain went into extensive lockdowns ordered by the government. Fulham Shore said the policies included business interruption insurance for any event resulting in it being denied access to its premises. It said it was entitled to up to a stated policy limit of £1m for each individual interruption. But QIC Europe argued in January that Fulham Shore did in fact close its restaurants under orders by the government or “any other competent authority”. There were no actual or threatened cases of covid-19 within the immediate vicinity of the restaurant owner’s premises. The insurer also argued that any loss suffered because of the coronavirus was not covered under the specified illness extension under the policy, which included a range of illnesses such as chickenpox, Lyme disease and whooping cough. QIC added any indemnity is limited to £1m, even if Fulham Shore is entitled to cover. QIC also denied the restaurant owner is entitled to money for each of its sites.

 

JD Wetherspoon clarifies ‘highly misleading’ headline in The Sun that it was set to hike pint prices: JD Wetherspoon has clarified a “highly misleading” headline in The Sun that said the pub company was set to increase pint prices by 20p “in days”. Wetherspoon said in response to questions from a Sun journalist, chairman Sir Tim Martin estimated pint prices in the pub industry generally, as previously indicated by the British Beer & Pub Association, would rise by about 20p. Sir Tim declined to comment on prices at Wetherspoon, other than to confirm that they would remain “competitive”. Wetherspoon stated: “For the avoidance of doubt, Wetherspoon never had any plans to increase pint prices by 20p in its pubs ‘in days’ and is unlikely to do so this calendar year.” Sir Tim said: “The Sun headline writer got a bit carried away. They probably went to the pub at lunchtime.”

 

Boxpark hires Michelle Farrell as first chief growth officer: Boxpark, the LDC-backed, Matt Snell-led business, has hired Michelle Farrell, previously of Nightcap and Stonegate Group, as its first chief growth officer, Propel has learned. In her new role, Farrell will oversee the sales, events and marketing and commercial functions of the business, aligning with Boxpark’s “commitment to accelerating growth and expanding its UK estate”. For the past year and a half, Farrell has been group sales and marketing director at Nightcap, the owner and operator of 45 premium bars across the UK. She also spent three years as director of marketing at Stonegate and two years as head of marketing at Novus Leisure. Boxpark said Farrell joins the company during a time of “significant momentum for the business”, following the successful launch of its new premium food hall concept, Boxhall City, which it said is “rapidly emerging as a market leader in the sector”. Boxpark said that with a proven track record for cultivating digital-first teams and growing pre-booked revenue, Farrell will help to further drive growth for the new venture, alongside all sites across the UK. Snell, who joined the business earlier this year, said: “We are delighted to be introducing Michelle to the team, and looking forward to leveraging her experience and expertise as we grow as a business. This is an exciting time for the business, marking our first appointment of a chief growth officer, and we are confident she will play a key role in shaping the future of Boxpark.” Farrell said: “Stepping into this new role is a brilliant opportunity, and I’m looking forward to spearheading the ambitious growth strategy and building on Boxpark’s iconic status.” Earlier this year, the company launched a new immersive social gaming experience, Playbox, based at its Croydon site. Following its debut in the competitive socialising space, the business said it has “exciting plans for even greater expansion in the years ahead”.

 

TRG Concessions opens Wild Olive at Heathrow airport: The Restaurant Group (TRG) Concessions has launched a new restaurant called Wild Olive at Heathrow airport. The Jon Knight-led business has acquired the former The Commission pub site, which was operated by Drake & Morgan, for the new restaurant in Terminal 4. The opening is the third out of nine that TRG Concessions has planned for this year. Last month, the company opened Giraffe World Kitchen at Heathrow, in partnership with Boparan Restaurant Group. Earlier this year, TRG Concessions opened its largest site to date with the launch of American-style dining destination concept, Sanfords, at Luton airport. The 480-cover site, encompassing 12,810 square feet, stands as both TRG Concessions’ largest concession and the most extensive restaurant within any UK airport. Earlier this week, Propel reported TRG Concessions is to open a second Sanfords site, at Glasgow airport. The venue will replace the Frankie & Benny’s restaurant in the departure lounge. 

 

Artfarm launches restaurant and fishmonger concept in the US: Artfarm, the hospitality group behind London's Groucho Club, has opened a debut US site under its restaurant and fishmonger concept Fish Shop. The business launched the concept in the village of Ballater, Royal Deeside, in Scotland, in the spring of 2023. A second site has now opened – in the US capital, Washington DC. As well as a 180-cover “modern and relaxed” restaurant, the new US site in Water Street also has a bar, as well as three dining rooms. The site is managed by executive chef Marcus Sherry and his wife Jasmine, who is general manager. The company said: “We are so proud that our little Fish Shop is crossing the pond to share our commitment to responsibly sourced seafood, love of community and the traditions of fishing – and of course our Scottish roots.” With a particular focus on shellfish and day boat fish, and with the addition of select game, meat and vegetables from surrounding farms and estates, the original Fish Shop was awarded the Bib Gourmand by Michelin in February.

 

Dishoom’s first London Permit Room to open with bedrooms: Award-winning Indian restaurant group Dishoom is to open the first London site for its fledgling Permit Room concept today (Friday, 9 May), which will feature the company’s first bedrooms. Opening on the former The Distillery site in Portobello Road, the new Permit Room, the group’s fourth in total, will for the first time feature a two-bedroom residence, which will welcome its first guests next month. Set across three floors, the new site features a breakfast room and bar area and first-floor dining room, and then on the top floor is the Lodgings: a “charming and lovingly curated two-bedroom residence with five-star hospitality at its heart”. Founders Shamil and Kavi Thakrar told Bloomberg they are also still working out whether food will be delivered to staying guests, but they’re leaning toward doing so. Shamil Thakrar said: “The concept of having bacon naan first thing in the morning when you roll out of bed in your pyjamas is alluring.” Kavi Thakrar added: “We imagine people sitting on the sofa and having food delivered to them.” Guests will also get priority access to booking tables downstairs. Dishoom, which also operates Permit Rooms in Brighton, Cambridge and Oxford, will open a site in Glasgow this summer under its eponymous brand – a 7,000 square-foot site at the former stock exchange building in Nelson Mandela Place. Dishoom has also lined up a further opening under its eponymous brand, on the ground floor of 68-78 Vicar Lane in Leeds. 

 

Columbo Group acquires new east London site: The Columbo Group, led by Steve Ball and Riz Shaikh, is to open a new venue in east London. The company is set to transform the ex-art deco Rex Theatre in Stratford High Street, which has sat empty for several years, into The Rex. The business already operates live music venue Jazz Café in Camden. Newham Council described the plans for the new venue as a “huge economic boost of confidence in the area” and hopes it will help transform Stratford into London’s newest cultural hub. Nick Garston, of the Found Agency, acted on the Stratford deal on behalf of Columbo Group.

 

Capilon Hotels Group to renovate site in London’s Earl’s Court following £13m loan: Independent hotel management business Capilon Hotels Group is to renovate The Edwin Hotel in London’s Earl’s Court after securing a £13m co-loan from OakNorth and ASK Partners. To date, the group has operated and developed 11 hotels across London, including The Blandford Hotel in Marylebone and The Judd Hotel in Bloomsbury. The £13m co-loan will be used to refinance existing debt and complete the full renovation of the six-storey, Edwin Hotel in Earl’s Court, which is due to open under Capilon’s operation this month. The renovations will see the hotel offer a larger reception area, as well as increase the number of rooms from 47 to 60. Capilon said: “For more than 20 years now, our small but dedicated team has continued to deliver hotels that have all the things that you need, and none of the things you don’t, in order to offer the best value for money for our customers. The Edwin represents another opportunity to apply this proven model of acquiring, repositioning and operating prime hotels in Central London.”

 

KFC returns to Deliveroo: KFC UK & Ireland is to return to Deliveroo under a new partnership after having ended its previous partnership with the delivery firm in October 2023. At the time, KFC said it was focusing on its own platform, KFC Delivery, as well as its partnerships with rival delivery aggregators, Just Eat and Uber Eats. The new partnership, now live, will initially be available from select restaurants in London and the south east, before rolling out to 924 KFC restaurants by the end of the month. It comes as data from Deliveroo shows that chicken continues to be one of the most popular categories on the platform, highlighting ongoing strong demand from customers nationwide – with chicken wings, chicken salads and chargrilled chicken all featuring in the top ten of the Deliveroo 100 list of the UK’s top trending food deliveries of last year. Ella Smith, chief legal officer at KFC UK & Ireland, said: “We know we need to be wherever our customers are, which is why we’ve doubled down on our digital offering over the past few years. Finding the right combination of ordering options and commercial partnerships to serve all our customers simply and easily is key, and this partnership with Deliveroo will help bring KFC to more people nationwide.”

 

Whitbread planning new £21m Premier Inn hotel in Edinburgh: Whitbread is planning a new Premier Inn hotel in Edinburgh. The company has submitted plans to turn a city centre office block into a 195-bedroom hotel, committing to investing more than £21m in the conversion. Whitbread acquired the 65,350 square-foot Capital House building off Lothian Road last year, and its plans include a ground floor restaurant and bar. Jill Anderson, Whitbread’s acquisitions manager for Scotland, said: “The visitor economy in Edinburgh is thriving but there remains an unmet demand for additional budget hotel rooms in the city. Capital House represents an excellent opportunity for us to deliver new Premier Inn bedrooms at affordable prices in a fantastic city centre location.”

 

Chef Thomas Straker to launch cold bar concept: Chef Thomas Straker is to launch a new cold bar concept at his London restaurant in the wake of a fire. Straker shared news of the move via Instagram and explained a fire in the kitchen extraction system of his Straker’s restaurant in London’s Notting Hill had damaged the rear section of the site and part of the kitchen. Straker said nobody was injured in the fire and that the team has “rallied together as creatives do” to find a way to continue operating. He said he plans to reopen the restaurant as a cold bar concept “soon”, serving salads, crudos and carpaccios alongside the existing wine list. He said: “We’re working quickly to reconfigure the restaurant space and adapt our offering. We’ll soon be launching a cold bar concept, featuring a vibrant and evolving selection of dishes.” Last month, Straker announced he was planning to open a restaurant in New York, having signed a lease for the former Keith McNally’s Lucky Strike premises at 59 Grand Street. Straker had a sold-out pop-up in New York in October in preparation for the opening. The name of the new restaurant has not yet been confirmed.

 

Nottingham operators to open tapas bar concept for fourth site in city: Nottingham operators Kevin and Naomi Wright are to open their fourth site in the city. The father-and-daughter team is launching wine and tapas bar concept Vaso in the Hockley area of the city, but the exact location is still under wraps. Kevin Wright told Nottinghamshire Live: “The idea was inspired by a visit by Naomi and I made to a place in Bologna last year. We loved the vibe, the offering and the intimate yet loud and community-based feel. Inspiration is also coming from places we have been in Spain and Portugal as well as South Korea, Japan and Kula Lumpur, for design, offering and atmosphere. It is a wine bar first, no pressure to eat, but it is there for a snack or full meal.” The duo also own The Kitchen on Pelham Street and the Hockley Kitchen, as well as Mesa in Goose Gate. Vaso, which will also have a bottle shop, is scheduled to open in the autumn.

 

Leeds cafe-bar concept Residence to open third site this month: Leeds cafe-bar concept Residence will open its third site later this month, featuring a new evening format. The venue will launch in the former Barclays Bank building in Harrogate Road in Moortown on Wednesday, 21 May. By day, the venue will offer coffee, breakfast and brunch dishes, while by night, it will become an evening destination offering small plates and pizzas in flavours such as vodka puttanesca and pepperoni and hot honey, alongside a curated list of cocktails. The 100-cover venue will include a private dining room in the original bank vault and an outside heated terrace for 35. Founded by Salar Eftekhary in 2018, Residence also has locations in Cookridge and Headingley. Residence general manager Nate Smith said: “This new dual-purpose setting brings something a bit different for our customers to enjoy, and we have lots in store – day and night – to keep everyone’s tastes satisfied. Moortown is a vibrant and energetic neighbourhood, making it the perfect place to launch our new concept.”