Little Caesars Pizza – ‘we remain confident in the UK as a strong opportunity and are actively evaluating how we expand our presence in the market’: Little Caesars Pizza, the world’s third-largest pizza brand, has told Propel that it “remains confident in the UK as a strong, long-term opportunity” and is “actively evaluating how we expand our presence in the market”. Little Caesars, which previously operated in the UK but pulled out of the market in 2000, returned to these shores in February 2023 with an opening in Chellaston, near Derby. This was followed by a site in Nottingham, in January 2024, and then its debut location in the capital, in Greenford, west London, later that year. And while the Greenford site – Unit 3 in Red Lion Court, at 1b The Broadway – is the only one that remains open, the company, which operates more than 4,000 locations across 30 countries, told Propel it still has big ambitions for the UK. “As with any market (re)entry, we’re taking a measured and test-and-learn approach to expansion in the UK,” said Michael Therrian, the company’s global director of international development. “The closures relate to early-stage locations where, together with our franchisee, we’ve been evaluating site performance, local dynamics and long-term viability. In some cases, that has meant making the decision to exit specific sites while we refine our approach. Our London location continues to operate, and it remains an important part of our efforts to better understand customer preferences, operational models, and positioning within the UK market. We remain confident in the UK as a strong, long-term opportunity and are actively evaluating how we expand our presence in the market. While we don’t have specific locations to announce currently, our focus goes beyond sites. We are actively seeking passionate, growth-minded franchise partners to join us in building the brand across the UK. The market remains a priority for us, and we’re excited about the opportunity ahead.” Little Caesars Pizza features in Propel’s highly-anticipated International Brands report, launching in May. The report includes the 100 leading international brands in UK hospitality, plus, new for this year, more than 60 smaller brands planning an entrance or trading in the UK market. The International Brands report is available for £450 plus VAT, with existing Premium Club members receiving it free. The report is published on Friday 22 May at 9am. Order your copy today or sign up to Premium by emailing kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com.

 

Propel Multi-Club Female Leaders and Entrepreneurs Conference open for bookings, Tonkotsu founder Emma Reynolds to speak: The Propel Multi-Club Female Leaders and Entrepreneurs Conference takes place on Thursday, 4 June at Park Plaza Victoria London. The all-day conference, which is organised in conjunction with Ann Elliott, will feature an all-female line-up of sector leaders. These include Emma Reynolds, founder of Tonkotsu, who along with Deena Ataie, chief executive of Heriots Patisserie, and Jordan Davids, co-founder of Chickpea Group, talks about starting a successful business and keeping it that way. 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 updated searchable and segmented New Openings Database on Friday: The next Propel New Openings Database will be sent to Premium Club subscribers on Friday (1 May), at 12pm. The database will show the details of 133 site openings, including which company has opened a site or its plans to open one in the future. The database will have details on what type of site it is and its location, and there will also be a website link to the businesses. The database is published monthly, and Premium Club subscribers will also receive an 8,977-word report on the 136 new additions to the database. It is segmented into seven categories – cafe bakery, casual dining, experiential leisure, fine dining, hotels, pubs and bars, and quick service restaurants – making it even easier for users to search. The database includes new openings in the cafe bakery sector such as Brew, the West Yorkshire tearoom and brunch bar concept opening in Leeds, Rosslyn Coffee adding to its London estate, and Sheffield coffee shop concept Scrannery, launching Discovery in the city. Premium Club subscribers also receive access to five other databases: the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, the Multi-Site 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 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 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. A new Premium Unlimited Plus option, which costs £1,995 plus VAT per annum, has some amazing additional benefits including four free tickets to Propel’s paid-for conferences – Excellence in Pub & Bar (19 May), Operational Excellence (9 July) and Talent & Training (15 October) – and the opportunity to run one free sponsored message or situation vacant notice during the year on the newsletter. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

Equality watchdog says work ‘ongoing’ with McDonald’s on sexual harassment prevention: The head of the equality watchdog has said work with McDonald’s to ensure it is protecting its staff from sexual harassment is “still ongoing”. It comes after McDonald’s UK chief executive Lauren Schultz, said last week “we have drawn a line under it”. Equality and Human Rights Commission chair, Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson, told the BBC its legal agreement to continue monitoring McDonald’s was extended in November “because of further issues that came to light”. In 2023, the BBC heard from more than 100 McDonald's UK workers, claiming they faced a toxic culture of sexual assault, harassment, racism and bullying. At the time, McDonald’s said it had “fallen short”and it “deeply apologized”. McDonald’s signed the voluntary, legal agreement with the EHRC more than three years ago. Stephenson was asked on the BBC’s Today programme whether the watchdog had seen evidence that there had been significant improvement in the way staff were being treated. She said she could not provide a “'running commentary'” on whether progress had been made because of the way the agreement works. “We are still monitoring that programme with McDonald’s and we will continue to do that,'” she said. More than 700 current and former junior staff are taking legal action against McDonald’s. Law firm Leigh Day, which is representing the workers, said its clients accuse the company of failing to protect them. Jessica Hunt, senior associate at Leigh Day, told BBC the extension by the equality regulator of its agreement with McDonald’s “suggests that sexual harassment continues to be an ongoing issue in their restaurants”.

Self-service technology company Kurve acquired by ClearCourse: ClearCourse, a provider of industry-specific software and embedded payments solutions, has acquired Kurve and its pointOne EPOS brand, a provider of self-service point of sale technology to the hospitality sector. Kurve provides the hospitality sector with tailored solutions to “improve efficiency while enhancing the guest experience”, with its clients including Lina Stores, Pasta Evangelists and Thorley Taverns. Its self-service kiosks, digital ordering solutions and specialist EPOS products support businesses from quick service restaurants (QSRs) and bakeries to cultural entertainment venues. ClearCourse said the acquisition extends its hospitality proposition to existing customers and new categories. Christina Hamilton, chief executive of ClearCourse, said: “We are delighted to welcome Kurve into the ClearCourse group. They differentiate our offering in the hospitality sector, and we are excited by the natural integration points this partnership will bring.” Steven Rolfe, chief executive of Kurve, added: “This is an important step in Kurve’s journey and one I am looking forward to continuing as part of ClearCourse. Being part of ClearCourse will also create opportunities to work alongside other hospitality businesses in the portfolio, enabling deeper integration with solutions tailored to the hospitality sector.”

Cassie Davison shortlisted for business book award: Hospitality industry leader and author Cassie Davison has been named a finalist in the start-up/scale-up category at the Business Book Awards 2026. Her book, Stand-Out Hospitality: How to Have a Business You Love That Loves You Back, was shortlisted among 340 entries, with 130 titles across 14 categories. Stand-Out Hospitality is grounded in more than 30 years of experience in the sector and more than 25 years as a founder and owner-operator. The book provides a “clear and reflective perspective on the realities of running an independent hospitality business today”. The book “explores the challenges operators face, including loss of direction, increasing pressure and the emotional weight of leadership, while reframing what drives sustainable success”. Davison said: “This recognition matters for the independent hospitality sector. The vast majority of the industry is made up of small, independent businesses, yet their reality is often under-represented in wider business conversations.” The winners will be announced on 16 September. Davison has built and led award-winning venues across pubs, bars, restaurants and festival concepts and is also the founder of Kith & Kin, a network bringing together independent operators and the wider hospitality sector.

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a family-owned drinks wholesaler that is seeking a key account manager to drive growth across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “This territory has several strong accounts and larger groups, so the key account manager will be tasked with commercially developing the region, managing pricing, negotiations, joint business plans and accounts.” The salary is up to £60,000 plus bonus and car allowance and the position is based in Hertfordshire. For more information, email mark@corecruitment.com

 

Zambrero targeting at least 30 sites across Hampshire and Berkshire by 2030 as it appoints development agent: Zambrero, Australia’s largest Mexican quick-service franchise, is targeting an estate of at least 30 sites across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Berkshire by 2030 as it names Sumin Lohani as a development agent, Propel has learned. Lohani will be responsible for franchise partner recruitment in the counties, with at least 20 restaurants to open in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and ten in Berkshire. Development will focus on larger towns and cities, with initial efforts to secure locations in high footfall areas in high streets, shopping centres, retail parks and university and college campuses. Target areas in Hampshire include Southampton, Portsmouth, Basingstoke, Winchester, Fareham and Gosport, while target areas in Berkshire include Reading, Bracknell, Maidenhead, Windsor and Wokingham. Sumin will also be seeking prime locations on the Isle of Wight. Sumin brings a wealth of franchise knowledge and experience, having been a franchise partner for other businesses since 2017. He is currently a multi-site franchise partner with YO! and chief executive and owner of The Compasses Inn in the New Forest, Hampshire. Sumin joined Zambrero as a franchise partner in mid-2025 and took over an existing restaurant in Reading. He is now opening his second Zambrero restaurant in late May, at the Festival Place shopping centre in Basingstoke, which will be the brand’s 16th UK site. The new appointment supports Zambrero’s plans to open 100 restaurants nationwide by 2030 through strategic franchise partnerships. Zambrero UK chief executive Emily Teh said: “Our regional development agent model has delivered strong results in markets including Australia and Ireland, where Zambrero leads the Mexican quick service restaurant category, and we’re confident this proven approach will drive the same success here in the UK.” Zambrero, which launched in the UK in 2021, operates more than 350 restaurants globally.

Evolv Collection trading ‘very strongly’, hires new operations director: Evolv Collection, formerly D&D London, has told Propel that trading has been “very strong”, with the group on track to reach 39 sites by the end of the year. A spokeswoman said: “We successfully opened Sartoria Liverpool Street in London at the end of January and have seen 90% year-to-date growth on the previous site, while Liverpool Street Chop House & Tavern, which opened in September 2025, continues to perform well, with 70% year-to-date growth on the previous site. Across the company, we are already seeing single-digit growth for the period-to-date, and as we head into the warmer months, we expect that to accelerate further, with our terraces coming into full use.” It comes as Evolv Collection hires Gavin Gosnell as operations director. Gosnell joins from The Ivy Collection, where he served as operations director, with oversight spanning the south and south west. Alongside the arrival of Gosnell, Evolv Collection has also promoted Lara Bugle from head of marketing to marketing director. Chief executive Martin Williams said: “Gavin brings exactly the calibre of operational leadership that a group at our stage of growth demands, someone who has operated at scale in premium environments, who builds teams that take ownership, and who can hold brand standards, guest experience and financial performance in balance simultaneously. Gavin joins Lara in a strengthened leadership team that gives me enormous confidence in our next chapter.” This week, Evolv Collection began expanding its Chop House & Tavern concept beyond London, with Stories Tavern opening in Birmingham, in the downstairs of its rebranded 24 Stories site. This will be followed by Queens Tavern at 20 Hudson Yards, New York, on Monday (4 May) – the first outside the UK under the format. In December, Williams set out plans to expand Evolv Collection’s 30-strong portfolio to more than 100 venues by 2030, in turn generating an estimated £100m in underlying profits. 

Italian dessert business focused on tiramisu seeking UK franchise partners: Merisu, an Italian dessert business focused on tiramisu, is seeking UK franchise partners with which to expand here, Propel has learned. Merisu was founded in Rome in 2016 and has a flagship store in the Trastavere region of the city, at Via di S Francesco a Ripa. Merisu is no stranger to overseas expansion, with a site at Calle de Santiago in Madrid, Spain, and another “coming soon” at Szewska in Wroclaw, Poland. Merisu exhibited at this month’s International Franchise Show at London’s Excel, as it seeks partners with which to enter the UK market. The company said: “Merisu is an Italian brand specialising in artisanal tiramasu that has reinvented this classic into a unique experience. It combines tradition, operational simplicity and a clear vision for international expansion. The offering revolves around the Tiramashow, a live preparation where every detail, from the coffee to the mascarpone cream, is made in front of the customer, turning the product into an emotional and multi-sensory experience.” A Merisu franchise has a franchise fee of £25,000, initial investment from £79,000, a 5% royalty fee and 2% marketing fee.

Ben & Jerry’s opens its first UK mall kiosk: Ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s has opened its first mall kiosk concept in the UK, at the Merry Hill shopping centre in the West Midlands. The new 270 square-foot kiosk is the first of its kind here, with the brand having no prior mid-mall presence. It will offer a “prime” selection of “high-quality” ice creams, made with natural ingredients, alongside cookie dough chunks, loaded desserts and shakes. Chris Braeger, head of franchising at Ben & Jerry’s UK, said: “The decision to launch our first UK mall kiosk at Merry Hill was an easy one, given the destination’s vast catchment, high footfall and well-rounded, all-day experiential offer.” Alistair Winning, leasing manager at Merry Hill owner Redical, added: “The opening of globally recognised brand Ben & Jerry’s elevates the prime F&B line-up at Merry Hill, aligning with the centre’s diverse offer, and showcases our continued leasing strategy to provide guests with a distinctive and entertaining experience.”

 

Cosy Club MD – ‘bringing the brand to London feels like a natural and incredibly exciting next step’: Lucy Knowles, managing director of Cosy Club, the Loungers-owned brand, has said bringing the brand to London feels “like a natural and incredibly exciting next step” and builds on the momentum generated by the roll out of its refreshed design. Propel revealed last week that Cosy Club is to make its debut in London with an opening at the Westfield Stratford scheme. The site, the brand’s 37th, will open on the former TGI Fridays site at the scheme this summer. Knowles said: "Following the success of our new Cosy Clubs across the country, bringing it to London feels like a natural and incredibly exciting next step. Westfield Stratford City is a vibrant, energetic destination and the perfect place to introduce our Cosy way of celebrating and bringing people together. Our ambition with the refreshed design is to create spaces that drive strong all‑day trading, encourage longer dwell times and deliver a consistently high‑quality guest experience. We’ve seen this approach resonate strongly in our recent openings, and we believe the Stratford site will build on that momentum. London has its fair share of dining options, but we believe there's room for something that brings people together in a way that's joyful, playful and just a little bit unexpected.” Cosy Club is also set to open a site in Swansea’s Exchange Buildings this autumn, joining its sites in St Albans, Leeds, Manchester and Reading.

 

Kricket founders to help launch new restaurant in Malta: Will Bowlby and Rik Campbell, founder of Kricket, the modern Indian restaurant brand, are teaming up with the Malta-based Lifestyle Group to launch a new restaurant on the island. Tanvi, which will offer “modern Indian cuisine reimagined through bold flavours, culture and botanical cocktails”, has been created by the group in conjunction with Bowlby and Campbell, and will be one of six new restaurants and bars, plus a beach club, to launch in the St George's Bay development in Malta later this summer. As part of the development, Lifestyle Group is bringing globally renowned brands to the country for the first time – including the French Mediterranean beach club and dining destination Bagatelle; Cristiano Ronaldo's Spanish-Mediterranean restaurant Tatel; and bar concept Paradiso, from founder Giacomo Giannotti. It will also feature St George's Pub, a contemporary British gastro-pub; Kiru, a premium and immersive Korean fusion steakhouse and barbecue; and Matto, an all-day dining Italian restaurant. “Following our successful international debut in London with Aki, this summer marks the next chapter in our journey to make Malta one of the world's top gastronomic destinations,” said Robert Debono, chief executive of the Lifestyle Group.

Gail's confirms it will open its first site in Yorkshire later this year: Fast-growing bakery brand Gail’s has confirmed it plans to open its first site in Yorkshire later this year, starting in Harrogate. The company, which has also been linked with a further opening in North Yorkshire, in Knaresborough, has as yet not confirmed where in Harrogate it will be launching. A Gail’s spokesperson said: “Gail's is excited to confirm it is opening a new bakery in Harrogate later this year. The opening will bring Gail's craft baking to the community, including creating a number of craft baking, barista and management roles. We will also be donating surplus baked goods through our neighbourly partnerships. This is part of our ongoing commitment to giving back to the communities we serve and improving access to quality food and drink on the high-street.” Earlier this month, Gail’s hired Tom Hatcher, formerly of PizzaExpress and Mowgli, as its new head of operations. Hatcher joined the circa 195-strong Gail’s after a year at Mowgli, the TriSpan-backed company, as its business development director.

Bread Ahead to make Far East debut next month: Bread Ahead, the independent bakery and baking school business, is to make its debut in the Far East, in Thailand, at the end of next month. The company will open a site in Siam Paragon Mall, Bangkok, on Saturday, 30 May. Matt Jones, founder of Bread Ahead, said: “We've just had the Bangkok team over at Borough Market for training – and I have to say, what a crew. Watching them in the bakery, absorbing every detail, getting their hands in the dough, learning the craft from the inside out. That's exactly how this is supposed to work. Not shortcuts, not a franchise kit and good luck. Proper knowledge transfer, proper standards, built from the ground up. We've also been developing some special products for Thailand. A new doughnut, green matcha and white chocolate, made specifically for the Bangkok market. Flavours that feel right for the region but made the Bread Ahead way. This is what international expansion looks like when you do it properly. The right partners, trained the right way, with a product that honours the culture they're stepping into.” Earlier this month, Jones confirmed the company will open in the US, the Philippines and Thailand. The company, which signed the lease on its debut US site, in New York, last month, currently operates six locations across London, plus sites in Dubai, Riyadh, and Jeddah. 

 

The Ivy Collection hires Med Rogers as restaurant operating officer, opens in Chester: The Ivy Collection, which is now majority owned by Diafa, the Abu Dhabi–based luxury lifestyle group, has hired Med Rogers, formerly of Evolv Collections and Novus Leisure, as its new restaurant operating officer. Rogers joins The Ivy Collection after six years as The Evolv Collection (formerly D&D London), including the past three years as director of operations. He previously spent seven years at Novus Leisure and four years at Stonegate Group. He joins The Ivy Collection as it opens its new Ivy Brasserie site in Chester. Propel revealed in November the Ivy Collection was planning to open on the former All Bar One site in the city's Newgate Street. Now open, it offers around 120 covers inside, with a further 40 covers outside. Last week, Propel reported the circa 50-strong Ivy Collection will open a site in Stratford-upon-Avon, taking over part of the former Debenhams shop in the town centre. Earlier this month, Richard Caring confirmed the sale of a majority stake in the bulk of his restaurant and members' clubs business to Diafa. The transaction includes Ivy Collection, the luxury restaurant portfolio of Caprice Holdings – featuring Scott's, Sexy Fish, and Noema – as well as the private members' clubs of The Birley Clubs, including Annabel's, George, Harry's Bar, and Mark's Club. Ivy Collection, which will continue its expansion across the UK in 2026, is expected to explore new openings in the US and other international markets.

 

Leon begins menu reset: Healthy food brand Leon has begun its menu reset as it unveils its spring offer. Following the return of its fish finger wrap last month, Leon has launched its new-look menu. It includes the introduction of a mushroom magic rice box and the return of the grilled chicken rice boxes that Leon said helped build its reputation in the first place, plus a new larger box category. Sides include Leon ‘slaw and a Brazilian black beans pot, while there is also a chargrilled chicken super salad and aioli chicken wrap. Sauces include the return of the salsa verde alongside a new smoky romesco sauce – made with toasted pumpkin seeds, roasted red peppers and sherry vinegar. Leon co-founder John Vincent promised a menu reset after buying back the business in October last year. Speaking at the Propel Multi-Club Conference, Vincent said he was not interested in nostalgia for its own sake but believes certain “menu classics” deserve a comeback. “There are a few basic things I want to bring back – the superfood salad, the fish finger wrap, the chorizo burger,” he said. Vincent was among the speakers at the Propel Multi-Club Conference. All the videos are available free to Premium subscribers or for a one-off fee of £195 plus VAT to non-Premium subscribers. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com for details.

 

Chuck E Cheese linked to Birmingham opening: Chuck E Cheese – the US entertainment restaurant brand which last summer signed a multi-unit franchise agreement to launch in the UK, which will mark the brand’s debut in Europe – has been linked to an opening in Birmingham. The Trustees of the Star City scheme have applied to change the use of the former Genting Casino unit into a huge indoor family adventure park – under the SuperPark brand. The second part of the application states that a new Chuck E Cheese site, potentially one of the first in the UK, will open as part of the new scheme. The application said: “The proposals seek to facilitate the occupation of inactive floorspace within Unit 5 and Unit 6 (formerly Genting Casinos UK) to provide a family entertainment centre and restaurant, (Chuck E Cheese) and within Unit 28 (formerly Genting Casinos UK and is not in active use) to a family entertainment centre (SuperPark). These proposals will further strengthen the established leisure offer at Star City bringing back into active economic use inactive floorspace and respond directly to market interest to occupy the site.” Propel revealed at the end of 2024 that Chuck E Cheese, which was founded in California in 1977, had appointed property advisors Wright Property to scope out possible sites for its launch here. Chuck E Cheese currently operates nearly 600 “fun centres”, with locations in 45 states and 17 countries and territories. The brand is working in the UK with a new vehicle, the Kent-based CEC Leisure UK, which is headed up by Alistair Burnett, managing director of Gravitee Golf and formerly of kids play area concept Kidz About. Chuck E Cheese is believed to be looking at sites between 10,000 to 15,000 square feet on leisure and retail parks, with target locations including Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Manchester and Leeds. 

 

State of Play Hospitality secures Nashville site for 2027 opening pipeline: State of Play Hospitality, the international experiential leisure operator, is to further grow Flight Club’s footprint in the US with an opening in Nashville, Tennessee. Set to open at Nashville Yards in early 2027, Flight Club Nashville will join “one of the city’s most dynamic mixed-use destinations, surrounded by live music venues, award-winning dining, luxury residences and premier office space”. “Nashville is a city that thrives on culture, live energy and shared experiences, which makes it a natural fit for Flight Club,” said Toby Harris, president and chief executive of State of Play Hospitality, which operates Flight Club in North America. “For years we’ve been waiting – and wanting – to find the right site in Nashville, and we couldn’t be more excited to be opening alongside so many top-class restaurant and entertainment concepts in Nashville Yards.” The company currently operates 11 Flight Club sites in the US, including a recent opening in Seattle. Further openings are lined up for this year in New York, Dallas and Minneapolis.

 

The Beautiful Pubs Collective founder – ‘we’re open to further expansion but under strict conditions’: Sam Hagger, founder of The Beautiful Pubs Collective, the independent Leicestershire operator, has told Propel he is open to adding further sites to his four-strong business but any new sites will come under strict conditions, and that he fears the sector will come under further pressure later this year. Beautiful Pubs has grown organically over 18 years, without external borrowing until its most recent refurbishment. Hagger is open to expansion, but only under strict conditions. New sites must be within 30 minutes of existing pubs to ensure the team can support them effectively, and they must be capable of generating £30,000 to £35,000 per week to “contribute meaningfully”. He said the business has exceptionally high staff retention, which means new opportunities are often needed simply to keep developing people. The Old Horse in Leicester, which reopened this month following a £1m joint investment with brewer and retailer Everards, was taken on partly for this reason, and while Hagger is not actively seeking new sites, he acknowledges “these pubs tend to come available at the right time”. Despite strong trading in parts of the estate, the financial headwinds facing the business – and the sector – remain severe, Hagger said. Utilities are the most pressing concern – standing charges alone have risen from around £2 per day to as much as £15 – a change Hagger said he “hadn't planned for”. He also noted some sites, such as the Rutland & Derby Arms in Leicester, cannot secure new energy contracts at anything less than double their previous rates. Food inflation has been partially mitigated thanks to the group's first commercial and supply chain manager, but Hagger expects pressure to return later in the year.

 

Dogus to launch Coya brand in Ibiza this summer: Dogus International Group, the company behind Amazonico, Zuma and Coya, will this summer launch its Coya brand – which has two locations in London – in Ibiza. Coya Ibiza, opening in June, will be a “new lifestyle destination” set within a beachfront resort in Playa d’Bossa. As well as a restaurant offering “refined South American cuisine”, a bar and beach club, it will feature Coya’s first branded rooms and suites. As well as its London sites (Mayfair and City), Coya also currently has a presence in Marbella, Monaco and Dubai. Dogus International’s UK portfolio also includes Zuma and Roka in Knightsbridge, and Amazonico and Il Gattopardo in Mayfair.

 

North west coffee bar operator to make Manchester debut: North West coffee bar operator Mouro Coffee Bar & Roasters is to open its third site in the region, and its first in Manchester, this summer. The business, which was founded in Heaton Moor in summer 2024 by Lewis Montrose and Anissa Damoussi, will open in the city’s Northern Quarter in Tib Street, in the former Manchester Framing site. Last summer, Mouro Coffee Bar & Roasters opened its second site in the former Off the Wheaten Track outlet, in Altrincham town centre. Mouro Coffee Bar & Roasters said its mission is to “produce and curate exceptional coffee experiences' through artisanal roasting, thoughtful design, quality and genuine hospitality”.

 

South east London bakery Toad to open second site: South east London bakery Toad is to open its second site. Rebecca Spaven and Oliver Costello launched their first permanent site in Camberwell in April 2022. Now, they are heading to Deptford for an opening at St Paul’s House in June. The new site will be a bigger space, allowing for an open-plan kitchen. Spaven and Costello said: “Having outgrown our tiny bakery in Camberwell, we are so excited to build on all that we’ve learnt there and open a second site in the heart of Deptford. Moving most of our production to this new site will give the whole team more space to create, develop and bake for a new crowd.” The concept was initially launched as a series of pop-ups under the name Frog Bakery but officially rebranded to Toad in July 2022 following a legal challenge. Dan Brown, of Restaurant Property, acted on behalf of Toad on the Deptford acquisition.

 

New Digbeth Dining Club venture welcomes 20,000 guests in first two months: Digbeth Dining Club’s (DDC) latest venture has welcomed 20,000 guests within its first two months. DDC opened Dockworks Waterfront, a 450-capacity, two-room venue on an historic site in Brierley Hill, Dudley, at the end of February. The 7,000 square-foot former steelworks, reimagined with a £500,000 refit, is home to 60 street food traders. Kasia Majewska, general manager of Dockworks Waterfront, said: The past two months at Dockworks have been an incredible journey. Listening to our guests and expanding our range – with a massive selection of non-alcoholic options, new spirits and even changing our beer lines to match local tastes – has driven a 67% increase in trade since our opening week. Beyond being a street food and drink spot, we are evolving into a true cultural hub and ideal community space.” DDC will also launch a summer programme at Dockworks Waterfront in the coming weeks, including live music. DDC shut its original Hockley Social Club venue at the end of last year after five years of operation. DDC continues to operate Herbert’s Yard in Longbridge, alongside a renewed focus on “new projects and touring events”.

 

Former Pasture executive chef partners with Depot founder for second Cardiff site: Jake Lewis, former executive chef at the three-strong Pasture restaurant business, and Nick Saunders, the founder of Depot Cardiff, are to open a second site together. The duo teamed up to launch neighbourhood bistro Sonder in Cardiff’s Llandaff Road in April last year. Now, they are opening Vicino on the other side of the junction tomorrow (Thursday, 30 April). The venue will serve cocktails, wine and Mediterranean-style tapas with an Italian twist. In an email to Sonder customers revealing the plans for the new site, Lewis said: “Opening Vicino is something we're proud of. It carries a deeper meaning for me personally, with my fiancée being from Italy and the time we spend there each year.” Lewis led on menu development at Pasture and helped open sites in Cardiff, Bristol and Birmingham. His CV also includes the role of youngest head chef at Jamie’s Italian.