Fri 16th Oct 2015 - Update: M&B, Revolution, BrewDog Mitchells & Butlers integration of Orchid Group now complete: The integration of the Orchid Group into the Mitchells & Butlers’ estate is now complete, the company has announced. Mitchells & Butlers purchased 173 pubs from Orchid in June 2014 and has converted sites to the company’s existing brands and formats, ‘reducing central overheads and realising purchasing synergies’. Following the integration, the Orchid programme director Steve De Polo has decided to leave Mitchells & Butlers and join Enterprise Inns - he has worked for Mitchells & Butlers for over ten years. On his departure, Phil Urban, chief executive for Mitchells & Butlers, said: “I would like to thank Steve for his significant contribution to Mitchells & Butlers, and most recently his successful delivery of the Orchid integration. This new role is a fantastic opportunity for Steve to further develop his career within the industry and I wish him the very best for the future.” Two new large format Revolución de Cuba bars open in October: Revolution Bars Group is opening two new large bars this month in its successful Revolución de Cuba brand. The new bars are in Milton Keynes and Leeds and represent over £3m of investment by the company which was newly listed on the Stock Market earlier this year. Revolucion de Cuba is a Cuban inspired brand that combines exceptional rum cocktails, Spanish/Cuban food and live acoustic and guitar music. The brand has strong appeal with female customers who represent 62% of the clientele. With existing locations in Manchester, Cardiff, Derby, Norwich and Sheffield, this will bring the total up to seven Revolucion de Cuba bars. The new bars are large format operations occupying a combined 20,000 square feet and have, together, created 110 new jobs. Revolution Bars Group chief executive Mark McQuater said: “We are delighted to launch these larger Revolución de Cuba bars in Leeds and Milton Keynes. They bring something different to these locations and we are excited about their prospects. We continue to see a high number of quality sites being offered to us by agents as a result of our improved covenant following our flotation.” BrewDog opens gourmet hot dog concept in Islington: BrewDog is opening its gourmet hot dog concept Dog eat Dog in Islington today. The company stated: “More than a simple sausage in a bun, we have worked extremely hard to source amazing hot dogs from local suppliers. Case in point? Our Chicago-style chilli dog hails from Cobble Lane Charcuterie, half a mile from our new bar. The all-important buns are made daily at a nearby bakery, our pickles and kimchi come from Vadasz Deli in Hackney, and if you can’t have a hot dog without fries, they have made their way to your plate all the way from New Covent Garden market. In terms of the main offering – our kitchen guru Wyatt has compiled an amazing gourmet hot dog menu, with meaty treats such as Tandoori chicken dog with mango chutney and mint raita (perfect with a Punk, as you can see), to a Voodoo Cajun sausage with pineapple salsa and spicy mustard. We also have vegetarian hot dogs, and for early-birds Dog Eat Dog will be open from 10am every day for ‘breakfast dogs.’ As you know, we are all about the beer and food pairings – and Dog Eat Dog is the ideal place in which to explore the majestically-matched suds and franks! Take the spicy chorizo ‘dog, piled high with Manchego cheese, almond romesco ketchup, smoked mayo and rocket. Very few beers could stand up to its ferocity, but Jack Hammer takes the challenge. The intense spiciness lifts Jack Hammer’s infamous bitterness to a whole new galaxy, in turn lifting the chilli to culminate in a crescendo of flavour and mouthfeel. To pair with the food, Dog Eat Dog will be pouring a dozen taps of the freshest craft beer, as well as a range of 25 bottles. We’ve partnered with the amazing Square Root on a soda fountain – a self-serve, ever-changing selection of craft sodas such as old-school colas, root beers, fruit sodas and ginger beer.” Dog Eat Dog is located at 21-31 Essex Road, Islington, Velocity acquires Tab Payments: Velocity has acquired Tab Payments, the mobile payments app for diners in Canada accepted at over 100 restaurants in Toronto and Montreal. The acquisition further expands Velocity’s reach, which now connects premier restaurants with global diners in six major cities in the US, UK, and Canada. “We’re committed to building an international hospitality platform,” said Alex Macdonald, Velocity co-founder and co-chief executive. “With the acquisition of Tab, we strengthen our global leadership position with reservations technology and 100 premier restaurants in Canada.” The acquisition is part of Velocity’s strategy to develop a vertically integrated stack of hospitality capabilities to heighten the dining experience and connect premier restaurants with the global tastemakers and top hospitality spenders. Tab Payments restaurants will now have the option to upgrade to Velocity’s fully POS integrated payment and loyalty platform, which includes a dashboard and customer relationship management tools.