Vegan expectations rise as negative reviews increase 5%: Vegan expectations are rising highlighted by an increase in the number of negative reviews, according to new research by guest feedback, recovery and social reviews service Feed It Back. Statistics taken from more than 400,000 consumer reviews of restaurants, quick service restaurants and pubs in January and May revealed a 5% rise in negative reviews between the two months. Reviews mostly criticised a lack of vegan options, with guests feeling menus were often limited and uninspiring. Value for money was also a common concern among vegan diners, with guests stating they were often offered the “regular” meal option with ingredients or sides removed but were still charged the same price. Reviewers also felt there was a lack of understanding about vegan diets, with some eateries failing to recognise vegan-suitable food with instances of guests being served meals containing dairy, eggs and even meat. Similar issues extended to drinks, with a number of reviewers noting a lack of milk alternatives in restaurants. There are about 3.5 million vegans in the UK, a significant rise from 500,000 in 2016. Feed It Back chief executive Carlo Platia said: “This year veganism has been the dominant trend in the industry but our results show it’s not good enough for operators to simply pay lip-service by putting one or two vegan items on their menu by stripping back existing dishes. Clearly consumer expectation has risen significantly – driven in part by large vegan ranges and innovation across the major supermarkets – and the industry needs to focus menu innovation around variety and bespoke dishes.”

Last chance to nominate for Restaurant Marketer & Innovator 30 Under 30: The last chance is approaching to nominate for the Restaurant Marketer & Innovator “30 Under 30” list, which recognises 30 talented future leaders in marketing, innovation and strategy roles within the sector who are under 30 years of age. Judges will look for creativity, confidence, commercial awareness, ability to collaborate, leadership skills and perseverance. They will also look for experience in senior stakeholder management, understanding of how to develop strategy, ability to self-reflect, and clear potential to be an industry leader of the future. Nominees should have at least three years’ experience in the hospitality sector. Nominations close on Friday, 31 August. They are anonymous and can be made by anybody by clicking here. Self-nominations are accepted. Selected candidates will be invited to a boot camp day and 30 Under 30 presentation evening on 15 January 2019 at The Ned, London. All those applying for a place will be automatically considered for the Future Marketing Leader of the Year prize at the Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Awards. The award is the pinnacle of the 30 Under 30 programme and up to ten candidates will be shortlisted. This year the prize will be accompanied by a scholarship for the first time, with the package including an eight-day, fully-funded trip to the US to visit the SXSW Brand & Marketing Conference in Austin, Texas; immersion days with the marketing team at Union Square Hospitality Group in New York; and mentoring days with senior marketers for leading UK companies including Nando’s and Just Eat. With the introduction of the scholarship for 2019, 30 Under 30 2018 award-winners can enter and will be considered for the scholarship independently. Propel managing director Paul Charity said: “The 30 Under 30 programme is great recognition by the industry of your achievements to date and highlights you as a leader of the future. As part of the programme you will be in a network of like-minded professionals, who you will meet and get to know. You will be our guest at a complimentary training day and be invited to take part in fun networking events throughout the year.”

Bar and Nightclub Conference opens for bookings: This year’s Bar and Nightclub Conference, organised by UKHospitality and Propel, has opened for bookings. It takes place on Monday, 8 October at Bafta, Piccadilly. Speakers will be Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, chair of the Mayor’s Night-time Commission and a panel member of the government's cultural cities inquiry; Karl Chessell, who heads CGA’s retailer business unit; Simon Potts, managing director of award-winning bar and restaurant brand The Alchemist; Toby Smith, chief executive of Novus; Alan Lorrimer, founder and managing director of House of Song; Charlie Gilkes, founder of Inception Group; Andrew Stones, managing director of cocktail bar brand Be At One; and leading licensing barrister Sarah Clover. Meanwhile, Nicholls will talk to Tokyo Industries founder Aaron Mellor, Richard Hamlin of First Merchant, Peter Marks of Deltic Group, Tim Kidd of Adventure Bars and Lord Smith about the current trading and regulatory landscape in the late-night market. Tickets are £139 plus VAT for operators who are UKHospitality members and £195 plus VAT for non-UKHospitality members. Supplier tickets are £185 plus VAT for UKHospitality members and £285 plus VAT for non-UKHospitality members. To book tickets, email Anne Steele at anne.steele@propelinfo.com 

Papa John’s offers financial assistance to franchisees: Papa John’s is cutting royalties and other fees charged to franchisees in the US and Canada in response to flagging sales. The assistance programme for domestic franchisees includes certain reductions in royalties, foodservice pricing and online fees until the end of 2018. In addition, funds will be provided to support marketing and reimaging initiatives consistent with the company’s new brand direction. Papa John’s North American like-for-like sales for the quarter ended 1 July were down 6.1%, but for the period between 2 July and 28 July they dropped 10.5%. The company provided no further details of the programme but Forbes reported that for the third quarter royalties would be reduced 2% for franchisees whose current royalty rates were between 3% and 5%, and by 1% for franchisees currently paying a 2% royalty fee. For the fourth quarter, royalty rates would be reduced 1% for franchisees paying a royalty of 2% or more. Forbes also reported Papa John’s was committing $2.5m in reduced food prices. Papa John’s announced its new brand direction last month, which involves removing founder John Schnatter’s image from marketing materials. Schnatter resigned as chairman of the board in July after revelations he used inappropriate language in a conference call in May. Since then, sales and Papa John’s share price have slid as they did in November after then-chief executive Schnatter sparked controversy by blaming the company’s already declining sales on the National Football League’s failure to quell its players’ silent protests during the national anthem. Papa John’s was an official sponsor of the NFL at the time. In the aftermath, Schnatter moved aside as chief executive and was replaced by Steve Ritchie. As of 1 July, there were 5,247 Papa John’s sites in 50 states and 46 other countries and territories, including 3,407 units in North America, of which 2,729 were franchised.

Scrap personal licence renewal in Scotland, says UKHospitality: UKHospitality has called on the Scottish government to scrap the requirement for renewing personal licences, bringing the process in line with England and Wales. The trade association has responded to the Scottish government’s consultation, highlighting successful deregulation in England and Wales and calling for the removal of a considerable administrative burden for businesses and local authorities alike. UKHospitality executive director in Scotland Willie Macleod said: “Removing the requirement for a renewal process in England and Wales has eliminated a significant administrative burden that wastes valuable time for licence holders and councils. The deregulation has been effective in England and Wales without any adverse consequences. We are urging the Scottish government to do the same. The current requirement for personal licence holders to renew is a cost burden that businesses can do without and an administrative hassle for licensing boards.”

NewRiver reports 100 publicans sign long-term tenancies as company takes estate spending to £1.5m: NewRiver, which owns a portfolio of 629 pubs, has reported about 100 more publicans have signed longer-term tenancy agreements, encouraged by the company’s commitment to invest in its community pubs. Spending on NewRiver’s estate in the past 18 months has helped prompt the publicans to sign the deals, typically for five years. The company has invested in 49 refurbishment projects since October 2016 at a total cost of £1.5m, with the 50th pub to be revitalised reopening soon. In 2018 so far, four projects totalling £101,458 have been completed, while last year £1,453,932 was spent on 43 pubs. David Shipton, managing director for NewRiver’s pub portfolio, said: “We are very much about investing people as well as our assets as we know having high-quality publicans leads to the longer-term sustainability of the pub. The fact publicans are acknowledging our commitment with their own – by signing up to tenancies of at least five years – is a clear demonstration of jointly held ambitions. It also sends a clear signal that NewRiver has a long-term commitment to the pub sector and, at those sites where we’ve completed refurbishment work, publicans have seen significant improvements in sales.” NewRiver bought 202 pubs from Marston’s in November 2013, followed by 158 from Punch in August 2015. In May this year, it acquired Hawthorn Leisure for £106.8m, adding 298 pubs across England, Scotland and Wales.

Bradford Brewery closes ten months after major shareholder exits business: Bradford Brewery has closed – ten months after a major shareholder exited the business. In August last year the business, which was founded in 2015, reopened the Exchange Ale House in Market Street, Bradford, as a Bradford Brewery bar after taking on the lease from Trust Inns. The pub had been closed for four years and underwent a refurbishment to give it a new lease of life. The company’s brewery was based in Rawson Road. It has sold all its stock and its website states it has closed. In October last year, Bradford Brewery purchased and cancelled the shareholding held by its former director Matthew Halliday. The company was then owned by the other seven original shareholders, including directors Phillip Ogg and Mark Lister, who were overseeing the running of the company, plus three new investors. Halliday ran the brewery through to its launch in Rawson Road in February 2015 before leaving to pursue other interests. The transaction ended Halliday’s links with the company. Ogg and Lister then restructured the business, which they said last year had a steady increase in wholesale beer sales. At the time, they said they were focusing on other growth plans, including the relaunch of the Made of Bradford merchandise range, reports The Business Desk.

Wrapchic secures franchise deal for 25 sites in India, plans expansion to ten other countries by 2020: Fusion fast food business Wrapchic has secured a franchise deal to open 25 sites in India. Yellow Tie Hospitality said it would invest $5m to open the restaurants during the next three years. The company, which has acquired the master franchise rights of Wrapchic, said it had already opened the first outlet, in Chennai. Wrapchic founder Mahesh Raikar said the food industry in India was booming, providing a great opportunity for expansion. He told Business Standard: “We plan to expand to ten other countries by 2020 and expansion in India will be a pivotal point for our company.” Yellow Tie Hospitality founder and chief executive Karan Tanna said Wrapchic had done very well in the UK and Dubai. He added: “We plan to invest $5m in the next three years with 25 stores across malls and corporate parks. We are very optimistic to grow Wrapchic, not only in India but across Asia.” Yellow Tie Hospitality has eight brands including Genuine Broaster Chicken, Dhadoom and Just Falafel in its portfolio under a franchise model. Meanwhile, Wrapchic is adding to its UK portfolio by doubling up in Walsall. The company stated: “You may have noticed some activity in the food hub at The Saddlers Centre, Walsall. Our new outlet is due to open within the week just around the corner from our Park Street outlet.” Raikar founded Wrapchic in Birmingham in 2012. It operates 19 sites in the UK and two in Dubai. Last week the company opened its debut Scottish restaurant, in Edinburgh.

Mayfair-based Mexican restaurant Peyote closes after going into administration: Mayfair-based Mexican restaurant Peyote has closed after going into administration, Propel has learned. Paul Cooper and Paul Appleton, of David Rubin & Partners, have been appointed joint administrators of Aurelia (Restaurant) trading as Peyote. Restaurateur Arjun Waney and businessman Tarun Mahroti launched Peyote in Cork Street in November 2013. It was “born out of a desire to offer a unique and refined modern interpretation of traditional Mexican food”. A David Rubin & Partners spokeswoman confirmed Peyote had gone into administration and was no longer trading but would not provide further details.

Muffin Break to open 16 further sites as it gets ready for Wakefield launch: Muffin Break has revealed it has a further six sites in the pipeline – and ten more in total to open in the next year – as it continues its UK expansion. The company will open its next venue on Thursday (16 August) at the Trinity Walk shopping centre in Wakefield. Muffin Break has grown to more than 60 cafe bakeries nationwide since opening its UK business in 2001 and is seeking more franchisees. Head of estates Joshua Nixon said: “Our growth strategy is to expand in primary and good secondary shopping locations with a strong retail mix and high footfall. Exact locations depend on the franchisee but we are seeing strong demand in the south east and north west of England and those areas are our current priorities. However, we welcome approach from prospective franchisees from all over the UK. As a valued brand we have developed strong relationships with major retail landlords allowing us to provide our franchisees with highly desirable retail locations as well as ongoing support in everything from marketing to operations. The Wakefield cafe will occupy a corner glazed unit in Trinity Walk with strong footfall and adjacent to strong national and international retailers, which is key criteria for the selection of our sites.”

Jeremy Mogford secures £8.5m to refurbish hotel and restaurant group estate: Mogford hotel and restaurant group, led by industry veteran and restaurateur Jeremy Mogford, has secured £8.5m from Santander to refurbish its Oxford estate. The refurbishment project will include the Old Parsonage Hotel & Grill, Gee’s Restaurant and Quod Restaurant. The project will also include the creation of a rooftop terrace at the five-star Old Bank Hotel. Mogford, who founded the company in 1987, told Insider Media: “The refurbishment means we can continue to offer customers the highest possible standard and level of service. We are incredibly excited about the new rooftop bedroom at the Old Bank, which is the first of its kind in Oxford and will be very popular. The team at Santander understands our business and the sector in which we operate so its support has been invaluable throughout this process.” Mogford founded Browns Brasserie in 1973 with then-business partner John Mayhew, before selling the group in 1996 to Bass Brewery. The brand is currently owned by Mitchells & Butlers.

Innspired Leisure plans UK roll-out of cocktail bar concept as it prepares to open in Durham and Sheffield: Innspired Leisure is to open a second site for its cocktail bar concept Olivia’s Group, in Durham, with plans to roll it out across the UK including a venue in Sheffield. The company is investing £2m in The Butterfly Room, a venue in Durham’s Walkergate Complex that also extends into the former Love Shack nightclub that closed last August. The 2,000 square foot venue will open under the Olivia’s Group family of leisure venues, following on from the launch of Olivia’s Townhouse in Birmingham. The Butterfly Room will mirror the contemporary decor of the Birmingham venue, with a terrace, pizza oven and VIP tables. There will be more than 50 cocktails alongside a gin menu, mixology masterclasses and tastings. Newcastle-based Innspired Leisure was launched five years ago by Gordon and Jonathan Codona and also owns and operates the Players Bar brand. The company said more venues were on the horizon, including the opening of a fifth Players Bar in a 6,000 square foot site in Durham later this year, creating 50 jobs. The Codonas told Chronicle Live: “We have plans to continue rolling out the Olivia’s brand. We see a gap in the market in cities around the UK with different interpretations drawing on the influences from each location. A Sheffield venue is opening before the end of the year – it’s an exciting time for the company.” The Butterfly Room will open at the end of August.

Imagine Inns grows to four sites as it strengthens Star Pubs & Bars partnership, eyes organic expansion: North west-based Imagine Inns has increased its estate to four pubs after strengthening its partnership with Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars while looking at further organic growth. Imagine Inns’ latest additions are the Feilden’s Arms in Mellor Brook, Blackburn, and the Railway in Bromley Cross, Bolton, where the company will break ground on a £400,000 investment with Star Pubs & Bars this week. All Imagine Inns sites are on five-year rolling leases with Star Pubs & Bars. The Railway is Imagine Inns’ first major refurbishment and first joint investment with Star. As at its other pubs, the Railway will offer a dedicated vegan menu as well as a main menu of hearty pub favourites, grilled meat and fish. A 50/50 wet/dry sales mix is anticipated in line with Imagine Inns’ other sites. The pub will also focus on cask ale, with six on tap. Imagine Inns is interested in further organic growth focused on leasehold rural and village pubs in the region. Director Mike Hales said: “I like to look at the potential in a pub and imagine what it could become – hence the company name. We’re in no rush to expand. For us it’s all about finding the right opportunity and each new pub we lease has to work before we move on to the next. To date, we’ve trebled trade at every business and anticipate further substantial growth at all of them.” David Pritchard, Star Pubs & Bars’ north west regional operations director, added: “We are excited to be partnering with Mike again – he took his first pub with us in November 2016. It’s an amazing achievement to have built a group of such strong businesses in such a short space of time.”

Cheese Bar targets expansion via £200,000 crowdfunding campaign to open Covent Garden site: The Cheese Bar is to launch a £200,000 crowdfunding campaign to open a restaurant in Covent Garden for its second London site. The campaign will launch on crowdfunding platform Crowdcube on Monday (20 August). Mathew Carver, who traded at music festivals as The Cheese Truck, opened the first Cheese Bar in Camden Market in March 2017 after raising £126,000 on Crowdcube. The ground-floor space at the Covent Garden Cheese Bar will be lined with display fridges showcasing maturing cheese. Cheese will be British only including varieties from La Latteria and Gringa Dairy in Peckham, while small plates will include smoked mozzarella sticks with chilli jam alongside larger dishes such as blue cheese raclette with salt beef and crispy leeks. In a nod to The Cheese Truck, the restaurant will also offer cheese toasties. The candlelit basement wine bar will offer cheese boards and charcuterie alongside a 70-bottle wine list to complement the cheese. Carver said: “There is nowhere else in the world with a cheese scene as exciting as the UK’s so we’re looking forward to bringing even more incredible cheese to central London. The response to our first crowdfunding campaign was unbelievable so we’re hoping London’s cheese fans have an appetite for more!”

Flat Iron to open King’s Cross venue in October for sixth London site: Flat Iron, the “single steak” dining concept, is to open its sixth London site, in King’s Cross in October. The venue will open in Caledonian Road at a site formerly occupied by modern British concept TED Restaurant, Hot Dinners reports. Last week, Flat Iron said it had seen strong like-for-like growth in its current financial year as it reported an increase in revenue and Ebitda in its latest accounts. Turnover increased 55.1% to £11,715,100 for the year ending 27 August 2017, compared with £7,555,480 the year before. Adjusted Ebitda rose to £1,352,083, compared with £859,045 the previous year. Pre-tax profit was £456,110 compared with £233,448 the year before, according to accounts filed at Companies House. Gross profit margin was down to 33.5% compared with 34.0% the previous year. Meanwhile Flat Iron, which is backed by private equity firm Piper, appointed Stuart McNamara as finance director last week. McNamara, who will start his new role in October, was formerly finance director at French brasserie Cote, where he oversaw site expansion from 53 to 99 sites during his four years at the company. Flat Iron operates two sites in Soho with others in Shoreditch, Covent Garden and Portobello.

Loungers to launch Sheffield site: Cafe bar group Loungers, which is backed by Lion Capital, is to launch a site at Sheffield’s Fox Valley shopping centre. Zorro Lounge will open in October following a £550,000 investment to transform a unit that formerly housed coffee shop Central Bean. The lounge, named after the Spanish word for “fox”, will cover 3,225 square feet in the shopping centre’s piazza, with the opening creating 25 jobs. The opening is part of Fox Valley’s plans to create a new restaurant quarter close to its entrance. Loungers operations manager Phil Kinsella said: “Fox Valley is a fantastic location for us and the team is looking forward to becoming part of the community.” Medi Parry-Williams, operations director at Fox Valley owner Dransfield Properties, added: “Attracting a wider restaurant offer to the north side of Sheffield and creating a restaurant quarter at Fox Valley is a big part of our strategy as we move into the centre’s third year. We are creating a full dining-out offer in a beautiful setting with convenient parking, something our shoppers and visitors tell us they want to see.” On Monday (13 August), Loungers opened a site in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The company operates about 130 venues under its Lounge and Cosy Club brands and is on track to reach 140 by the end of the year. Loungers was founded by Dave Reid, Alex Reilley and Jake Bishop in 2002.

The Restaurant Group grows Firejacks to five: The Restaurant Group has grown its fledgling Firejacks brand to five sites with its latest opening in Solihull, West Midlands. The company has converted its Coast to Coast outlet at the Touchwood shopping centre. It is the fourth Firejacks to open in the past nine weeks. The brand offers high-quality flame-grilled steaks and burgers. The first Firejacks was a conversion of the Coast to Coast in Northampton and opened in August 2017. Its other sites are in Basildon, Chester and Stevenage, which were also Coast to Coast conversions.  

Former Ritz chef heads kitchen at new Italian brasserie in Westfield London: Former Ritz chef Alessandra Bonati is heading the kitchen at an Italian brasserie and wine bar that has launched in Westfield London shopping centre. Barino offers 26 covers with customers seated at tables or on stools at the wine bar. The venue is located at a kiosk-style unit in front of the John Lewis store in Ariel Way. Barino offers “great Italian food, wine, beer and coffee in a laid-back space” under the banner: “Life should be full of simple, everyday pleasures.” The breakfast offering includes Italian coffee and pastries alongside a range of Italian small plates and mains later in the day. Paninis, bruschette and stracciatella are available to grab and go, while there is a concise wine list of exclusively Italian wine including prosecco, Hot Dinners reports. Bonati was pastry demi chef de partie at The Ritz and has also worked at Osteria Francescana in Modena, northern Italy, with Food for Soul founder Massimo Bottura.

Fuller’s reopens Esher pub following two-year refurbishment: London brewer and retailer Fuller’s has reopened The Albert Arms in Esher, Surrey, following an extensive refurbishment. The pub had been closed since Fuller’s acquired it through agent Fleurets in 2016. The relaunch has created 26 jobs under the stewardship of general manager Dan Arrow. The new-look Albert Arms features three upstairs dining rooms and decor inspired by nearby Sandown Park racecourse. Six bedrooms housed in a cottage opposite the pub are named after legendary racehorses. The Fuller’s Kitchen At The Albert Arms, led by head chef Ojas Naware, offers a selection of main dishes that include London Porter-smoked salmon and snacks such as native oysters and Vietnamese spicy chicken wings. Desserts include Hampshire strawberry mille-feuille with berry coulis. Arrow said: “The Albert Arms is a great pub in a superb location, just a ten-minute walk from Sandown Park. With six bedrooms, I hope to build a regular stream of race-goers who will keep coming back for more. I’m so proud of the pub. I intend to put it on the map as the best pub in Esher and I know I’ve got the decor, head chef and team to do just that.”

Harrods expands dining offer with all-day concept: Harrods has expanded its dining experience with the launch of all-day concept The Harrods Tea Rooms on its fourth floor. Harrods Tea Rooms offers the “finest food from the food halls” and is a continuation of the revolution of managing director Michael Ward’s vision for Harrods becoming the “world’s greatest food emporium by providing the finest-quality food in the ultimate retail environment”. Dishes include Dover sole meuniere, and cheddar and potato scotch pie, while there is a selection of sandwiches and a table offering pastries, tarts and seasonal cakes. There is also a spin on the traditional afternoon tea. Executive head of food innovation April Preston said: “We are thrilled to welcome The Harrods Tea Rooms with a new offering created by our exceptional Harrods chefs. The menu is an exciting showcase of Harrods excellence with each dish crafted from ingredients sourced from the historic food halls.”

Alcoholic tea brand Noveltea closes crowdfunding campaign after raising £316,000: Alcoholic tea brand Noveltea has closed its fund-raise on crowdfunding platform Crowdcube after raising £316,000. The company was initially looking to raise £150,000 and was offering 4.05% equity in return for the investment. A total of 401 people have invested in the company. The 11% ABV brand is stocked in John Lewis, Harrods and Fenwick in the UK and exports to China, Hong Kong and Germany. The company, founded by Vincent Efferoth and Lukas Passiain in April 2017, has a team of advisors that include The Head of Steam founder Tony Brookes and former Diageo director Alan Rutherford. The pitch stated: “Noveltea disrupts the alcoholic beverage industry by introducing a distinctive product portfolio around the concept of tea – in two flavours. The Tale of Tangier is an infusion of Moroccan green mint tea with Caribbean rum, while The Tale of Earl Grey infuses Earl Grey tea with British gin and botanicals. Both are cold-brewed, vegan, free from artificial colours and manufactured in the UK. They can be served ice cold but also warm in the winter.”

The Oystermen to double size of Covent Garden restaurant: Seafood specialist The Oystermen will double the size of its Seafood Bar & Kitchen in Covent Garden this autumn, combining both 31 and 32 Henrietta Street. The extended space will host a new all-day oyster and raw bar for walk-in visitors, while guests will be able to choose from a broader selection of rock and native oysters sourced by co-founders Rob Hampton and Matt Lovell from oyster fisheries across the UK. The 50-seater restaurant will also feature a more expansive open kitchen, while dishes will continue to change regularly to match the season. The relaunched venue, which first opened in July last year, will showcase an increased array of sparkling wine as well as a new bar menu of cocktails and craft beer. Lovell said: “We have had an amazing first year in Covent Garden and we’re incredibly excited to be expanding our Seafood Bar & Kitchen in the heart of the West End. We can’t wait to offer a bigger selection of the best British seafood and fish and to be able to welcome even more diners to our ‘bigger boat’ this autumn.”