Douglas Jack – M&B deal for Orchid could be last non-hostile takeover of food-led estate for foreseeable future: Numis Securities’ leisure analyst Douglas Jack has issued an ‘Add’ note on Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) with a target price of 525p, after news of its interest in buying 170 Orchid pubs. Jack said: “The likely acquisition of Orchid Pub Company should be an excellent transaction for M&B. It could be the last non-hostile takeover of a food-led estate in the sector for the foreseeable future.” The acquisition offers “material synergies, a minimal cost of financing and attractive returns from brand conversions, the deal should be strongly earnings enhancing in our view,” Jack said. “We are upgrading our recommendation to ‘Buy’ (from ‘Add’). We believe over 90% of these pubs are freehold and that more than 60% of the estate is food-led, with food accounting for over 50% of sales in the food-led estate and over 20% of sales in the wet-led pubs. Orchid reported Ebitda of £29.3m on turnover of £178.8m in the year to Dec 2012. We believe this is a sensible indicator of current Ebitda (after factoring in like-for-like sales growth and minimal profitability in the other 50 sites), although it is before central costs, which were £8.6m in 2012, of which we estimate circa £6m could be avoidable. In addition to the £27m of implied post-centrals Ebitda, we believe Orchid’s buying terms are currently poor versus industry-leading at M&B and that Orchid’s labour ratio is between 27 and 30% of total sales, versus circa 24% at M&B. After applying M&B’s buying terms and labour scheduling systems, we estimate post-synergy Ebitda could be circa £34m, with Ebit at circa £24m. In addition, Orchid has been achieving over 40% cash returns on its rebranding programme, on which it had planned to invest £30m over the next three years. We would expect M&B to continue this programme, also leveraging its own brands, bringing potentially another £12m of Ebitda. Given that M&B would be paying an estimated post-synergy Ebitda multiple of circa 7.8x (circa 13% cash return) versus a £5m to £10m cost of financing (it currently earns little interest income on its £250m of PLC cash), the deal should be at least 6% earnings accretive, by our estimates, prior to uplifts from rebranding part of the Orchid estate.”

   

Utility specialist warns operators of ‘deemed rate’ risk: Hospitality and leisure sector energy specialist Utility Business Services has warned multi-site operators of the costs of not entering into an energy supply contract as soon as a new site is acquired. Managing director Paul Fannon said that despite the increasing costs of energy, utility management is too often ignored by multi-site operators. He said: “It is becoming increasingly more important to ensure that you have entered into a contract when you acquire a new venue. All energy suppliers charge their ‘deemed’ rate from the day you take over a new venue, and these are usually twice as costly as contracted rates.” Financial director Andrew Fannon said: “Some of the more unscrupulous providers will use the ‘out-of-contract’ rate as a means to persuade a new occupier to remain with them, despite being able to obtain better tariffs elsewhere. This is because some operators fail to inform the incumbent suppliers early enough and thus they incur weeks and weeks of additional costs. The supplier then offers to back-date the contracted rate if they sign.”

   

Optimism rising in hospitality sector as sales climb: More than a third of restaurateurs are expecting to see large increases in food sales in the coming months, with a quarter of hotels and 20% of pubs and bars also expecting to see large increases, according to a survey of 300 foodservice operators by Horizons, and the research company JRA. The new Eating Out-Look quarterly survey found operators “much more optimistic about future food sales than they have been”, with a third planning to increase staff numbers, up from 21% a year ago. Many of those surveyed said consumers were spending more when they dine out, with fewer spending under £6 than 12 months ago and significantly more spending over £20. Over two thirds of businesses (69%) reported an increase in food sales year-on-year, with 20% of those reporting a large increase. Over half were selling more food at the weekends, 47% said they were selling more food on Sundays than previously, and fewer customers were cutting back on starters and desserts.

   

McDonald’s to refranchise 1,500 restaurants: McDonald’s plans to increase returns to shareholders by about ten to 20% and refranchise at least 1,500 restaurants. The company aims to return $18 billion to $20 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends between 2014 and 2016. McDonald’s returned $16.4 billion to shareholders from 2011 through 2013. The company also said it plans to refranchise at least 1,500 restaurants by 2016, focusing on its Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa region (APMEA) and Europe. The large number of restaurants it aims to refranchise represents a more than 50% jump in refranchising activity from the prior three years. Refranchising more locations would allow McDonald’s to focus on running fewer restaurants, while still collecting royalties from the franchised locations. Currently, more than 80% of the company’s restaurants are franchised, including roughly 71% in Asia, 73% in Europe and 89% in the United States.

   

Luminar to close Oceana site in Swansea this weekend: Luminar is to close its 3,000-capacity Swansea Oceana this weekend, the biggest nightclub in the city. A spokeswoman for the club said: “Oceana Swansea will close this weekend while we consider plans for the future. We have consulted with our team and would like to thank our employees and our customers for their loyalty over the years. This has not been an easy decision. The management team has been involved with the club since it opened more than 30 years ago, but its location at the end of The Kingsway has proved too much of a challenge to attract the necessary footfall. We are currently exploring alternative options to remain in the city.” Oceana opened in 2008 after a £6m investment, making it the biggest Oceana in Wales and one of the largest in the UK.

    

Opening day set for revamped Bohemia: London Brewing Co has announced Wednesday, 11 June as the opening date for the Bohemia in Finchley, North London, a Mitchells & Butlers-owned pub that was occupied by squatters last year after the previous tenant, Gregarious, which acquired the site out of the administration of Antic Limited, failed to agree terms on a new lease. London Brewing, which was established in August 2011 by Dan Fox at the Bull, Highgate, North London, plans to install a microbrewery at the Bohemia site, and bring in a “gastro dining” experience. Senan Sexton, the new general manager at the Bohemia, said: “In addition to the changes to the look and feel of the building, we’ve bought together a talented team to provide great beer, seasonal food with superb service in a relaxed atmosphere.” The on-site brewery is currently being custom-made and will be installed towards the end of July, with brews available in August.

   

Wetherspoon pub bans smoking on front terrace: A JD Wetherspoon pub in Stevenage Old Town, Hertfordshire has brought in a smoking ban on its front terrace, in order, the company says, to allow people eating a meal on the tables outside the pub a smoke-free meal. Anyone wishing to smoke outside now has to use an area down the side of the pub, the Standing Order in Stevenage High Street. Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “The pub has not made the entire external area non-smoking. There are a total of 14 tables for our patrons to enjoy outside. This allows customers and families that don’t smoke an external area for them to enjoy a meal smoke-free. We welcome everyone onto our pub premises and do not discriminate against either smokers or non-smokers.”

   

Red’s True Barbecue opens late bar: Red’s True Barbecue has opened a late bar at its premises in Lloyd Street, Albert Square, Manchester. The late bar runs on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until 2am, with live music and “free smells”, according to the company.

   

Opening date set for first motorway Patisserie Valerie: The opening date for the first Patisserie Valerie at a motorway service station, the M40 Beaconsfield Extra service station in Buckinghamshire, has been unveiled as 20 June. The first Nando’s at a motorway service station licensed to sell alcohol opens the month afterwards. The service station also offers a Domino’s 2go site, and a JD Wetherspoon site, while Mint Leaves Indian Food opened this month/ The site also has a Regus Business Centre, providing business facilities and meeting rooms.

   

BrewDog opens second Swedish bar: The Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog has opened BrewDog Gothenburg, its second craft beer bar in Sweden and 17th worldwide. The new bar, in Kungsgatan, Gothenburg, is BrewDog’s fourth bar launch of 2014, after openings in São Paulo, Tokyo and Sheffield. The brewery opened its first Swedish bar in Stockholm last May. BrewDog Gothenburg has room for 100 people, and an additional 20 in a separate tasting room. The bar will feature 18 beers on tap. Guest craft beers include Brekeriet, Beerbibliotek, Mikkeller, To Øl, Ballast Point and Brew By Numbers. Rustic Swedish cuisine will available. The brewery is planning other openings in Florence, Bologna, Rome, Dundee and Berlin.

   

Crowd-funded Pizza Rossa to open pop-up before two permanent sites: The crowd-funded Pizza Rossa business, which serve pizza by the square, will open its first venue on Friday 6 June as a pop-up in the City. The pop-up is located at 4-12 Whittington Avenue, corner of Leadenhall Street, Leadenhall Market, in the City of London, an area with high footfall and visibility. A pre-opening social media campaign called #besquare has invited people to submit pictures of their favourite square item in return for prizes, and attracted almost 500 entries via Facebook and Twitter. The company intends to create 15 jobs in the next few months and plans at least 12 outlets within five years. Two permanent Pizza Rossa outlets are due to open in the City between summer and autumn 2014.

   

Licences for Real Greek and Franco Manca in Berwick Street: Westminster Council has passed licensing applications for The Real Greek and Franco Manca for the same building in Berwick Street, Soho. The Real Greek is looking to open on the ground floor at 50-51 Berwick Street, covering two shopfronts, subject to planning permission, and the Italian pizza chain Franco Manca is looking to open in the basement at 51. The premises were previously occupied by a jewellery wholesaler. Franco Manca currently has eight outlets around London and The Real Greek has six outlets in London and one in Windsor.

   

Business Growth Fund invests £3.6m in Barburrito: The Business Growth Fund the UK’s leading independent investor of growth capital in UK smaller and medium-sized businesses, has invested a further £3.6m in the Manchester-based burrito bar chain Barburrito. The brand, which hit sales of £6.9m this year, up 48% on 2013, will open five new restaurants to take its estate size to 11. Current run-rate suggests annualised sales of more than £8m. The funding will allow the business to grow to more than 20 stores in the next three to four years. In the current year, like-for-like sales growth varies between ten and 15% at established sites. After BGF’s latest investment, Graham Turner, who was chief executive of Tragus Group, owner of Café Rouge and Bella Italia, from 2005 to 2012 and is currently executive chairman of the London bar and restaurant operator Novus, has joined the board as non-executive chairman. Steve Herring has also been added to the board as finance director. He has 14 years of experience in similar roles at companies including Pets at Home and Tulip Inn hotels. Morgan Davies, managing director and founder of Barburrito, said: “We started this great burrito race in the UK and we are delighted to secure further funding through BGF to take the business to the next level. This is a great vote of confidence from our investment partners and, most importantly, the funds give us the fire power to continue on our mission to be the most loved burrito brand in the UK. We have recently taken the opportunity to strengthen our management team and, with the addition of Graham as chairman, we have the leadership in place to crack on with planned expansion.”

   

Greene King moves seven hotels to Best Western branding: Greene King has signed a deal to move seven of its unbranded hotel to Best Western branding. Christine Jones, brand development director at Best Western, said: “It’s an exciting time for the group. We’re attracting larger quality hotels, a number of whom are choosing to move to us from other brands.” The deal with Greene King, which already has one hotel with Best Western, in Middlesbrough, comes after a successful growth period for Best Western. The consortium, which comprises 276 independently and individually owned hotels, has seen double-digit revenue growth over five consecutive years. In the past 12 months, some 42 hotels have been accepted as members and are set to go live. More than 1,500 rooms have been approved to join the group in the past four months alone, representing more than 10% of the group’s bed stock.

   

Polpo opens in Notting Hill tomorrow: Polpo, the London-based restaurant group started by Russell Norman and Richard Beatty, is due to open its fourth Polpo outlet, on the site of a former All Bar One in Notting Hill Gate, West London, tomorrow (Saturday 31 May). The 4,500 sq ft, 120-cover restaurant and bar is believed to be the largest under the Polpo brand. The kitchen is being run by Jason Wass, formerly head chef of the Benugo group. Polpo now runs eight venues in total.

   

Thwaites invests £200,000 in Cumbria pub: Thwaites has completed a £200,000 investment in Ye Olde Fighting Cocks in Arnside, Cumbria. The latest round of improvements focused on the restoration of a derelict barn attached to the property, which has been converted into seven new luxury bedrooms. The renovation of the property means that the pub can now accommodate disabled guests and families seeking private accommodation in its new two-bedroom apartment. Landlord Tony Keates said: “The barn conversion now brings the pub’s guest accommodation up to 18 rooms. We’re thrilled with how the renovation has gone and hope our customers will welcome the improvements as much as we do.”

   

Domino’s franchisee add three sites: A Domino’s franchisee has added three new stores to its portfolio after securing a £1.33m funding package from HSBC. Marino Foods has acquired two outlets in Grimsby, Lincolnshire and a further store in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, bringing the total number of stores in its portfolio to nine. Marino Foods, which has its headquarters in Leeds, was founded in 1999 by Gary Reid, who was looking for franchise opportunities after selling his previous business. The company now employs 250 people and operates stores in Darlington, Durham, South Yorkshire and the north west of England. Marino Foods is planning three new stores in the next 12 months, with the target areas Doncaster and the north east of England. Pat Dellow, area commercial director at HSBC Tyne and Wear, said: “Our relationship with Marino Foods dates back to when it opened its first outlets in the north east and we have maintained a strong relationship with the company since. Gary has ambitious plans for the business and we are keen to support growing franchisees.”

   

Turtle Bay set to open in Manchester today: The Caribbean-themed chain Turtle Bay will open a new restaurant in Oxford Street, Manchester today (Friday). After a £1m makeover the venue’s Caribbean-themed interior features reclaimed bus seats, old stereo speakers and giant tin drum light fittings. The 250-cover restaurant will also include a large central island bar and indoor “veranda-style” drinking spaces. Turtle Bay operates seven other site around the UK.

   

Inception Group to open Brazilian-themed nightclub in time for World Cup: Inception Group, led by Charlie Gilkes and Duncan Stirling, will open its Brazilian-themed nightclub Cocobananas in Howie Street, Battersea, North London in time for the World Cup in June. The Latino-inspired club is designed to look like a Brazilian beach shack and is set over two floors, decorated with palm trees, vintage surfboards and plantation shutters. One of the key pieces will be a reproduction of Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer. Upstairs a caipirinha bar will feature Brazilian cocktails served in a vessel modelled on a Brazilian beach shack. Cocobananas is set to open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10.30pm to 2.30am.

   

Fleurets asked to sell Royal Blind Society hotel: Agent Fleurets have been instructed by the Royal Blind Society to market the long leasehold interest of the Belmont Hotel in Llandudno, North Wales. Eileen Harding, the charity’s chief executive, said: “This was an extremely hard decision to make. Everyone at [the society] understands that the hotel is a special place for many of our guests. We have tried to keep the hotel open as a specialist hotel for as long as possible, but the sad fact is that we are unable to afford the ongoing costs, as more and more blind people are seeking to experience mainstream forms of holidays and break.” The hotel, located on the promenade with views of the pier, has 27 en-suite bedrooms, a lounge and bar area with a 4- cover restaurant. The asking price is £525,000.

   

TGI Friday’s celebrates first anniversary of apprenticeship programme: TGI Friday’s is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its apprenticeship programme, set up with the idea of progressing careers within the hospitality industry and inspire its team members. A year on, 270 apprentices have been enrolled on the programme, with new team members signing up every month. The programme is available for all 4,000 of TGI Friday’s team members to join, with positions also available to potential team members through new restaurant openings. Those that complete the scheme will gain five Level Two programmes (equivalent to five GCSEs) covering all roles within the restaurant as well as a Level Three Hospitality & Supervision Leadership Principles Course. Friday’s has recently opened its Academy of Excellence, a training centre for existing team members to aide them on their careers path in Fridays, as well as an Online Academy, which is an online training portal to support all apprentices through their careers. Jacqui McManus, director of culture and people development at TGI Friday’s, said: “We’re really pleased with how the apprenticeship scheme has attracted a wave of driven and talented young people into the industry. With the extra support from our training academies, the scheme has helped not only to build the confidence of young people but also give them a purpose and a goal to aspire to.”

   

TCG gears up for £100,000 charity target: The managed pub and bar group TCG is gearing up its fundraising for Cancer Research UK after a visit to the charity’s research centre in Manchester earlier this month. At the same time, the charity has commended TCG in its annual “Flame of Hope” awards, reserved for its most inspiring supporters. TCG has pledged to donate at least £100,000 to Cancer Research UK this September, after a fundraising campaign across the company’s 69 pubs and bars that started in February last year. Such was the engagement with the charity from TCG’s teams and customers that the initial one-year drive was extended for a further six months.

   

Stuart Neame threatens Shepherd Neame with injunction: Britain’s oldest brewer, Shepherd Neame, is facing legal action that could derail plans to change its share structure and reduce the dominance of its founding family, the Daily Mail has reported. The company’s former vice-chairman Stuart Neame is seeking an injunction to prevent it diluting his holding and that of other family members. Shepherd Neame, which has been family-owned since 1864, announced plans earlier this month to replace the family ‘B’ high-voting shares with a single class of shares. Stuart Neame said the firm was pushing this through to silence family members. “I believe that the real purpose of these changes is to silence dissident family shareholders, who are an increasing embarrassment at AGMs,” he told The Daily Mail. “Votes opposing re-election of directors now frequently exceed 20%. Disappointment with results and dividends have led to searching questions at AGMs, and a few years ago I even handed out charts showing graphically how much worse we had done than Young’s and Fullers.” Shareholders will vote on the move next week. The board is said to have irrevocable approval from 60% of the votes, but needs 75% of votes cast. It is thought at least 15%, including 5% owned by Neame himself, will vote against the resolution. This month chairman Miles Templeman, the former Debenhams boss and director general of the Institute of Directors, said: “Following extensive consultation with our shareholders we have concluded that now is an appropriate time to simplify our governance and share capital structure and to re-align the voting and economic rights of ‘A’ and ‘B’ shareholders.” If successful the move will see the Neame family’s share of the vote reduced from 91% to 54%.

   

Jenius Social opens in Islington: Jenius Social, a new food and drink concept, is now open in Islington, North London. The purpose-built 1,315 sq ft site includes a state-of-the-art professional kitchen, flexible dining space and attached deli. The social food hub, which is the brainchild of founder and owner Jennifer Yong, will team up with industry experts, food producers and supper clubs, in a bid to connect individuals through food and drink. Visiting supper clubs and selected Jenius Social courses and events will take place in the dining room, as will all kitchen experiences, which will culminate when groups sit down on communal tables to share their food.

   

California brewer eyes Belfast craft beer pub: Karl Strauss Brewing Company, based in San Diego, California, is considering opening up a £1.7m craft beer pub in East Belfast. The addition to Northern Ireland’s brewing and food scene was initiated by Maurice Kinkead, chief executive of the East Belfast Partnership. “I’m heading over for a meeting next month with the owners,” he said. “It would be a great opportunity – bringing something international like a brewpub. It would certainly help make this city a more interesting place.” Karl Strauss has eight locations across California, serving a selection of its own artisan beers alongside an eclectic food menu. The idea for the new outlet, which would be the company’s first outside the US, came about after Kinkead met a business friend to discuss the possibility of adding some internationally renowned producers to Northern Ireland’s homegrown brewing scene. “Karl Strauss does the brewing thing in a restaurant setting – linking beer with food,” he said.

   

Shaftesbury signings bring Kingly Court food offer to 15 operators: The property company Shaftesbury has transformed Kingly Court on Carnaby Street into a 1,200-cover food and dining destination in the heart of the West End of London, with seven new signings bringing its total of independent restaurants, cafes, bars and food retailers to 15. The three-storey food hub features an open-air courtyard which allows five ground-floor restaurants to offer al-fresco dining. The newly opened venues are the Detox Kitchen’s first stand-alone deli, the authentic tonkotsu ramen restaurant Shoryu Carnaby, the Caribbean-inspired Rum Kitchen Carnaby, the chicken and craft beer restaurant Whyte & Brown, the fruit and smoothie cafe Moosh and the espresso bar Soho Grind. Simon Quayle, director of Shaftesbury, said: “The development is the latest chapter in Carnaby Street’s ongoing evolution. The destination has always been at the forefront of everything that is new and different and the food hub is an example of this – a response to a gap in the market for a major food destination in Central London.” A further schedule of new openings is set to be unveiled over the summer, with Davis Coffer Lyons acting for Shaftesbury.

   

San Carlo to open Fumo in Manchester: The Italian restaurant chain San Carlo is bringing its Fumo concept to its home city, Manchester. San Carlo launched its first Fumo restaurant in Birmingham in 2012, and is now planning to open another branch in 5,500 sq ft of space at the One St Peter’s Square building in Manchester on a 20-year lease. There will be a bar and restaurant dining on the ground and first floor, and a “significant” private dining room. Tables will also be available on an external dining terrace. Fitting out will start in July, with the opening planned for October. It will be the group’s fifth restaurant in Manchester, alongside its King Street flagship, popular with soccer stars and celebrities, Cicchetti, on the ground floor of House of Fraser, and Bottega and Farmacia Del Dolce, in Selfridges. The Fumo restaurant in Birmingham describes itself as a “concept cocktail bar, all-day restaurant and late lounge”.

   

Takeaway restaurant marketing services firm trebles office space: Takeaways Online, which offers takeaway restaurants online marketing packages, plans to expand its workforce after securing funding and trebling its office space. The company has relocated from a 400 sq ft premises to a 1,200 sq ft office at the Jupiter Centre on the North East Business and Innovation Centre in Sunderland. Kevin Jager, director of Takeaways Online, said: “We originally took a three person office at the BIC.” The business now plans to increase its workforce to 15 staff, using a large investment from Rivers Capital.

   

PizzaExpress set to re-open flood-hit restaurant after three months: PizzaExpress in Winchester is preparing to re-open its doors next month, three months after it was closed because of flooding. The restaurant, based in the original part of the Grade II-listed Old Mill on the River Itchen, was forced to close in February when the basement flooded. It has taken three months to completely dry out and now workmen are busy transforming the building for the re-opening on Wednesday 11 June. The 20-strong original team at PizzaExpress Winchester were sent to other branches during the closure but are planning to return, along with four new members of staff.

   

Des McDonald opens barbeque pop-up at Selfridge’s: Des McDonald has expanded his restaurant estate with a new pop-up summer barbeque venue on the roof of the Selfridge’s department store in Oxford Street, London. The 120-seater restaurant, designed to look like a Victorian greenhouse in a secret garden, will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and hold a series of talks and events from leading culinary figures such as chefs and producers. It is the fourth site for McDonald, who previously ran Richard Caring’s Caprice Holdings, owner of The Ivy, J Sheekey and Scott’s , but left to branch out on his own in 2012. The pop-up, called Q, and open until the end of September, is the first installation in the Oxford Street department store’s new annual summer project, On The Roof With.

   

Restaurant offers desktop diners office-delivered lunchboxes: An Indian restaurant in central Birmingham is delivering its buffet-style food to local businesses in specially designed lunchboxes at £7.95 a time. Ifran Hussain, manager at Isaacs in Bennetts Hill, Birmingham, said: “The businesses in Colmore BID [business district] are some of our most valued customers, and while we love to welcome guests to our restaurant at lunchtime, we understand that many professionals don’t get the chance to leave their desks. We therefore decided to bring our popular lunchtime buffet to them, offering a wide selection of dishes as opposed to the standard options available from Indian takeaways in the area.” The “Express Lunchbox” snack boxes contain four starters, two mains, rice, salad and naan bread, with the choices including lamb rogan, chicken tikka lababdar, shabji bhuna and dhal makhni.

   

Greene King awards Wirral company FMS contract: The facilities management company Selwyn Building Services is taking on 35 more staff after winning a contract to supply facilities management services for around 262 Greene King pubs, restaurants and hotels. The contract has enabled the company, based in Moreton in the Wirral, to hire more qualified mechanical engineers and support staff to supply mechanical planned and pre-planned maintenance, taking its workforce to 140. The company secured funding of £500,000 from Bibby Financial Services to help it strengthen its cashflow and meet the requirements of the contract. Finance director Jim Doherty said: “It would have been almost financially impossible to fulfil the new contract with our usual level of cashflow.”