Bassadone invests in Various Eateries and becomes its non-executive chairman: Andy Bassadone, the co-founder of Strada and Cote, has invested in Various Eateries, the Coppa Cub and Strada operator, and at the same time become its new non-executive chairman, Propel has learned. Bassadone made his name in the 1990s as managing director of Caprice Holdings before his role as a founding director of Strada. He was also behind the initial growth of the Richard Caring-backed Bill’s and played a part in the launched of the Ivy Collection. He has now joined up with Hugh Osmond, who acquired the then 43-strong Strada for £37m in 2014, at his Various Eateries vehicle, which oversees the three remaining Strada and the six-strong Coppa Club concept. Propel understands a new management team is set to be appointed to help aid growth of the Coppa Club concept. Last October, Sue Walter stepped down as chief executive of Various Eateries, after just over a year and a half, to join Maggie & Rose, the family members club, as its global chief executive. In September, Various Eateries disposed of its Coppa Club St Paul’s site to better burger brand Five Guys as the business looks to realign its portfolio to support its targeted expansion plans. At the time Various Eateries said: “Despite strength of trade and location, the site is atypical of the emerging Coppa Club brand, being a multi-floor operation that lacks enough floor space to have the signature Coppa ‘lounge’ area, restricted space around the bar, an isolated dining area and no outside seating, which is a key feature of the most successful Coppa Club sites.”

Propel Multi Club Conference opens for bookings, two free places for operators: The first Propel Multi Club Conference of 2020 is open for bookings. The full-day event takes place on Thursday, 5 March at the Millennium Gloucester hotel in London. Multi-site operators of pubs, restaurants and foodservice outlets can book up to two free places by emailing Anne Steele at anne.steele@propelinfo.com

 

UK pub and restaurant sector now ‘fairly valued’, says RBC: Analysts at Canadian broker RBC Capital Markets have raised their price targets on a number of British pub and restaurant chains but noted the sector now appeared to be “fairly valued”. RBC raised its target price on shares of Domino's Pizza to 350p from 330p and labelled the firm its preferred stock in the pub/restaurant space. However, RBC cut its recommendation on the stock from ‘outperform’ to ‘sector perform’, arguing the group's relationship with franchisees still required “attention”, reports ShareCast. In parallel, RBC hiked its price target on Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) to 450p from 325p and raised its rating on the company from ‘underperform’ to ‘sector perform’, stating the business had demonstrated “very robust” trading in a tough market as the benefits of its capital-investment plans came to fruition. RBC also highlighted M&B was the only pub company that saw earnings upgrades in 2019. “Valuations put it at the middle of its long-term trading range for price-to-earnings ratio and EV/Ebitda with the revaluation justified by the trading performance and sector re-rating from the Greene King and Ei Group takeovers,” said analysts. For JD Wetherspoon, the broker upped the firm's target price to 1,550p from 1,300p, but maintained its ‘underperform’ rating on the stock. RBC said Wetherspoon had been in the “sweet spot” of being a wet-led value operation and had seen strong like-for-like growth. However, earnings progress over the past ten years had benefited from lower interest rates, buybacks, leasehold reversions and lower tax rates. RBC said: “Ebitdar margins remain under pressure having fallen 540 basis points in the past ten years with minimum-wage increase another headwind.” The analysts also bumped their target price on Marston's from 120p to 130p but lowered their recommendation for the shares to ‘sector perform’ and cut their price target on The Restaurant Group from 180p to 170p while lowering its ‘outperform’ rating to ‘sector perform’.

 

Poor December sales in US restaurants sets uncertain start to 2020: US restaurants saw like-for-like sales fall 2.1% in December – the worst the industry has seen in more than two years. According to data company Black Box Intelligence’s Restaurant Industry Snapshot, which is based on weekly sales from more than 47,000 restaurants that represent $75bn in annual revenue, the drop was partly due to an unfavourable shift in the Thanksgiving holiday. Like-for-like sales for the fourth quarter were down 0.1%, a 0.3% improvement on the previous quarter. Like-for-like sales growth for 2019 came in at 0.1%, which means the industry has achieved positive growth for the past two years. However, like-for-like visits have continued to plummet. They were down 5.7% in December, 3.4% in the fourth quarter and 3.1% for 2019. Black Box Intelligence said it expected modest growth, declining visit numbers and rising turnover to persist in early 2020. Victor Fernandez, vice-president of insights and knowledge at TDn2K, said: “What we continue to see is an industry crippled by declining traffic but one that continues to experience guest transaction growth large enough to drive some small positive sales movement. As the industry begins lapping over relatively softer sales and traffic results from the beginning of 2019, some improvements in year-on-year results are possible for these important metrics. However, declining traffic will continue to be the norm and sales growth will remain modest at best.”

 

BII opens entries for Licensee of the Year 2020: The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) has opened entries for its annual Licensee of the Year award. The competition is open to managers, lessees, tenants and free traders. Last year more than 200 entrants vied for top spot. A four-month judging process will culminate with the winner crowned at the BII Summer Event on Tuesday, 16 June. As well as the title, the winner will receive a year’s free Sky Sports pubs and clubs subscription for their venue. Licensees can nominate themselves or be nominated by colleagues, customers or suppliers at www.bii.org. Entrants must have been operating their business for at least two years, hold a personal licence and have a food hygiene rating of four or five. The closing date for entries is Friday, 28 February. BII chief operating officer Steven Alton said: “Having been part of the judging panels over the past few years I am delighted to now be part of the team bringing Licensee of the Year 2020 to the industry. We are working with key industry experts and leaders in their fields to make this year’s awards the best they have been. We are looking forward to once again welcoming the very best licensees to be put through their paces and recognising and celebrating the fantastic work they do.” Last year’s winners were Mark Osborne and David Hage, of The Railway in the Nottinghamshire village of Lowdham.

 

London hotel market reports record average daily rate and revpar for December: The London hotel market has reported record average daily rate and revpar levels for December, according to the latest data from STR. Average daily rate rose 2.6% to £159.48 compared with the previous year, while revpar was up 1.5% to £129.44. Demand rose 1.1% and supply was up 2.1%. Occupancy was down 1.0% year-on-year to 81.2%. STR analysts noted although there was a slight decline in occupancy, London saw nine nights of 90% and higher in the metric, probably thanks to Christmas festivities.

Job of the week: COREcruitment is seeking a chief financial officer on behalf of a venture capital-backed hospitality business that is London-centric but is looking at developing across the UK – and internationally – via organic growth and acquisition. The individual must not only be great with numbers, analysis, strategy, market trends, man-management and leadership, but also someone who is flexible and adaptive to get involved in all areas of business support to ensure the success of the business. They should have a strong understanding of the hospitality industry, thrive on accountability and be hungry to develop. The position offers a six-figure salary. For more information or a confidential chat, email Oliwia@corecruitment.com

 

MeatLiquor sales ‘well ahead of last year’ as company eyes expansion: MeatLiquor co-founder Scott Collins has told Propel sales are “well ahead of last year”, with turnover for the current financial year forecast to be more than £18m. Collins said the company was also keen to add to its 11-strong portfolio, with a search for more locations under way. He added the sales boost was being driven by improving customer numbers and the successful relocation of its flagship site to 4,000 square foot premises in Margaret Street, near Oxford Circus. In the past year, two of its sites have broken the £100,000 a week turnover threshold. Collins said: “A constant reinvigoration of the menu and keeping our menu prices competitive has resulted in happy customers and busier stores. Crucially, we choose our property locations with great care plus we have an enthusiastic, long-serving and committed workforce who are proud of the company they represent. Profits have continually been reinvested in the business and this has allowed the business to grow from the early chrysalis to the current butterfly without the stress of venture capital partners or large borrowing.” Collins spoke as MeatLiquor operator Meatailer reported turnover grew to £14.9m for the year ending 30 June 2019 from £14.7m the previous year. Headline Ebitda for the period was £822,000, compared with £933,000 the year before. Pre-tax profit rose to £265,000 from £33,000 the previous year. Pre-opening costs were £229,000 and during the year the company had a £161,000 impairment and reversed the past impairment of two restaurants, totalling £420,000.

Pronto to step down as chief customer officer at CDG, new marketing director for Bella Italia: Celia Pronto is to step down as chief customer officer of the Casual Dining Group (CDG) after four years with the business that operates Café Rouge, Bella Italia and Las Iguanas, Propel has learned. Departing at the end of this month, Pronto is to join a London-based digital business as its new managing director. Pronto, who recently became a non-executive director of Moto Hospitality, originally joined CDG as its first chief digital officer. Earlier this year, Propel revealed Sarah Pope had joined the circa 290-strong, Rooney Anand-chaired, company as its new chief information officer from GLH Hotels. At the same time, CDG has announced the appointment of a new marketing director at Bella Italia. Jocelyn Mostert (nee Bynoe), who has held senior marketing roles at Wagamama and, more recently, Boparan Restaurant Group, will join the business in January. Pronto joined CDG in 2016, and during her tenure has led a number of landmark projects on behalf of the business – introducing Workplace (by Facebook) as an internal communications platform as well as transforming CDG’s website platforms and CRM system. More recently she has overseen delivery of a new Las Iguanas app, and the onboarding and integration of the LiveRes table and online booking platform. She has also delivered ongoing innovation and development of Bella Italia and Café Rouge, as well as being one of the driving forces behind several key internal team initiatives. Chief executive James Spragg said: “Celia leaves us with a real legacy in the shape of great digital and brand platforms from which we can continue innovating, and driving growth, and we wish her the very best with her next challenge. At the same time, we are delighted to welcome someone of Jocelyn’s experience and talent, following a highly competitive process for this key role, and I am sure she will play a significant part in the ongoing development and shaping of Bella as the leading home of informal Italian cuisine and family dining in the UK.”

BrewDog reports strong December bar sales, plans to open 30 sites in 2020: Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog has seen strong December sales in its bars and is set to open 30 sites in 2020 – the majority of which will be franchised, Propel has learned. Like-for-like sales at its BrewDog bars were up 12% during the month while its 13-strong Draft House brand saw like-for-likes rise 18%. Group chief operating officer David McDowall said: “Very strong sales of our core beers, especially our new alcohol free range, along with a sharp uptick in food sales and pre-booked business led to industry-leading like-for-like sales performance in our bars in December. A stunning performance by our incredible team. We launched 20 locations in 2019 and have 30 in the plan for 2020. Franchised locations will make up 20 of those 2020 sites and we continue to search for like-minded operators internationally to help us grow our franchise business and deliver our mission of making others as passionate about great craft beer as we are.”

Marlon Abela’s restaurant company set to go into administration: The restaurant company owned by Mayfair tycoon Marlon Abela could be about to collapse for the second time. Marc, which owns the exclusive Berkeley Square members’ club Morton’s and restaurant Umu, has lodged an application to go into administration, reports The Sunday Times. It comes just over a year after Abela was forced to inject millions of pounds as the business went into liquidation — pulling it out of insolvency. Marc said it had been a “challenging time for the hospitality sector”, adding Abela was looking at options to restructure to “ensure the best outcome for all stakeholders”. Lebanon-born Abela inherited part of the £360m proceeds from the sale of his father Albert’s catering company.

Busaba appoints new head of people as Aspray steps down: Busaba, the Thai chain founded by Alan Yau, has appointed Samantha Lampard as head of people, Propel has learned. Lampard, who joins from an interim role at the Royal Society, replaces Jenny Aspray, who is stepping down to spend more time with her family and look for opportunities closer to home after five years of commuting from Manchester. Busaba managing director Terry Harrison said: “Jenny has been instrumental in creating the incredible induction, development and engagement programmes we have in Busaba today. Our people function is as good as any I’ve seen in the industry and that’s because of her hard work and commitment and the people team she has built. It is testament to her character and endurance that when I joined Busaba two and a half years ago she was instrumental in helping the business, and me personally, through a fairly tumultuous recovery programme and she is the only remaining member of the senior management team from that time. We wish her well and every success for her future and will be eternally thankful for the legacy she leaves behind.” Aspray will oversee the handover to Lampard, who has a wealth of experience. Harrison added: “Samantha came highly recommended from people we trust and we have an aligned vision for the future of our talent programme and ensuring we continue to engage with and inspire our most important asset – our people.”

Bakkavor shutters restaurant brand Pizza Storm sites: Bakkavor, the international manufacturer of fresh prepared foods, has closed both remaining sites under its Pizza Storm restaurant concept, Propel understands. Both the concepts remaining sites in Nottingham and Newcastle closed last week. The company decided to enter the restaurant sector in 2015, with the launch of two concepts – Inferno Pizza and Ashby’s. The idea was that both would highlight Bakkavor’s range of products and what can be made with them in a restaurant environment, while also exploring new routes to market for the business. Former M&B executive Kevin Todd was brought in to consult on the projects. The value-led Ashby’s, which launched in Lowestoft High Street at the start of 2015, didn’t last out that year. However, Inferno, with a name change to Pizza Storm, grew to a three-strong entity, with sites in Nottingham, Newcastle and Wandsworth. Last year, the latter was converted to a competitive socialising concept bar called Rebound. Propel understands Paul Reynolds, formerly of YO!, M&B and the Big Easy, was consulting with the business and the launch of a virtual brand – The Dog House Gourmet Hotdogs, was also in the pipeline. The Rebound bar site currently remains open.

Dirty Bones team launches Dirty Vegan site at Westfield London: US comfort food and cocktails brand Dirty Bones has launched a permanent site for its Dirty Vegan concept, in Westfield London. The site has opened at the White City shopping centre’s new food court alongside operators such as Bleecker Burger, Judy Joo’s Korean concept Seoul Bird and Pizza Pilgrims. Dirty Bones, which is led by Corey Sulkin, launched a pop-up version of the vegan concept in Shoreditch in 2018. The concept offered plant-inspired vegan twists on Dirty Bones’ signature dishes and a vegan drinks list. The menu included cauliflower “chicken” with buckwheat waffles, mac ‘n’ cheese made with cashew and almond milk, and a vegan spin on Dirty Bones’ signature buffalo hot wings. Dirty Bones operates four sites under its eponymous brand in London and one in Oxford. Davis Coffer Lyons is advising on the food and beverage lettings at Westfield London.

 

Chicken & Blues to open Bournemouth site and new-concept restaurant, revenue up 40%: Dorset-based Chicken & Blues will open a restaurant in Bournemouth town centre “within the next six months”. The group, founded by Joshua Simons and Stephen Crawford, is also planning a new-concept restaurant called Flamingo in Winton. Crawford also revealed Chicken & Blues’ performance had “exceeded expectations” during the past year, with revenue in 2019 up 40% compared with 2018. The company, founded in 2013, has secured six-figure funding for its expansion and is targeting group-wide revenue of £4m with the launch of the two new sites. The location of the 2,000 square foot Bournemouth restaurant hasn’t been revealed because it is subject to planning permission. Chicken & Blues already operates three restaurants – in Boscombe, Winton and Poole. Flamingo will be a different style of all-day dining venue offering multiple restaurant brands from the same kitchen. It will seat about 150 guests across three individual spaces. The three to be offered are roadside burger concept Brenda’s Burgers, Slice Club Pizza, which sells New York-style pizza by the slice; and an all-day brunch brand that has yet to be named. Year-round dining will be offered in a feature pergola that will “feel like a woodland”. Simons told the Daily Echo: “Flamingo will be a modern, creative take on a traditional neighbourhood cafe bar, one guests will be invited to use in multiple ways, from morning coffee and work meetings to evening get-togethers with friends.” Ashley Brown, formerly of Hache, joined Chicken & Blues’ board as operations director in June to aid expansion.

 

Taco Bell to test paying US restaurant managers $100,000 a year: Mexican restaurant brand Taco Bell is to test paying some of its US general managers $100,000 a year – almost double the industry standard. Selected managers at company-owned restaurants might get as much as a $50,000 a year raise when the pilot starts later this year. The pilot pay boost, along with a new paid sick policy for company employees, is part of five 2020 goals for the Yum! Brands-owned company. Ferril Onyett, senior director of global training and international human resources at Taco Bell, told Nation’s Restaurant News: “We are still in the planning process and haven’t confirmed exact locations or number of restaurant general managers expected to take part in the test.” The salary of a restaurant general manager at Taco Bell’s corporate stores ranges from $50,000 to $80,000 a year. According to the Chain Restaurant Total Rewards Association, the average pay for a quick service restaurant general manager is $55,341. Taco Bell has also enhanced its corporate policy on paid sick days, with all company employees eligible to receive at least 24 hours of paid sick time per calendar year after 90 days of employment. Taco Bell has also outlined three other 2020 commitments –making all consumer-facing packaging worldwide recyclable, compostable or reusable and adding recycling and/or composting bins in all restaurants where infrastructure permits by 2025; increasing Live Más Scholarships, educational funds given to fans and employees, from $4m to $6m; and striving to be the number-one quick service restaurant brand for vegetarian options. “Through these initiatives, Taco Bell aims to enhance restaurant performance, employee satisfaction and support recruitment and retention,” the company said.

 

Archie's to open three new Manchester sites this year: North west-based burgers, shakes and waffles concept Archie’s will open three new sites in Manchester this year. It will open a restaurant, which will also house a ball pit, at the Trafford Centre in the spring, reports Secret Manchester. The restaurant will take the place of the former Casual Dining Group-owned La Tasca in the centre’s Orient food quarter and will have capacity for 250 diners. A site in Piccadilly Approach will open next month following a two-year delay while a restaurant will open in Manchester airport’s new terminal this summer. Archie’s was founded in 2010 by brothers Amer, Imran, Asim and Irfan Rafiq, with its debut site opening in Manchester's Oxford Road. It has since added an outlet at the city's Arndale Centre along with a takeaway-only site in Oxford Road. It also has venues at Liverpool Central railway station and Selfridges in Birmingham. 

 

Brazilian-themed restaurant Rodizio Rico to open fourth site, in Coventry this month: Brazilian-themed restaurant Rodizio Rico is to open its fourth site, in Coventry. The concept will launch this month at a unit in the former Co-op in Corporation Street, joining Steakout and Cafe Morso at the development. Rodizio Rico offers charcoal-roasted meat sliced and served at the table. It also offers salad and sides bars, desserts and cocktails. Diners are given a card with a green and red side. Holding up green means a diner is ready to eat. Rodizio Rico owner Mike Nayla told Coventry Live: “We already have a restaurant in Birmingham and it’s something new to Coventry.” Rodizio Rico also operates sites at The O2 and Islington in London.

 

Team behind Highbury cafe Fink’s Salt & Sweet to open coffee shop: The team behind Highbury cafe Fink’s Salt & Sweet are expanding by opening a coffee shop. Jess Blackstone and Mat Appleton launched Fink’s Salt & Sweet in Mountgrove Road in 2014 but the venue has been closed since October after it was flooded following a burst water main. As well as working to reopen the original site, Blackstone and Appleton will launch Fink’s Gillespie in nearby Gillespie Road on Monday, 20 January. Blackstone described Fink’s Gillespie as the “little sister” of Fink’s Salt & Sweet – a “compact coffee shop with a short breakfast and lunch menu”. The design will have a distinct ecological angle with an industrial recycled plastic counter, green-stained wood walls and all cups made from recycled coffee. As for the original Fink’s, Blackstone told Hot Dinners: “We hope to be back up and running with a new menu and a few facelifts in the spring.”

 

Ei Group’s supplier ‘open morning’ initiative returns for 2020: Ei Group’s initiative that gives industry suppliers the opportunity to showcase their products and services to the business is returning in 2020. The monthly supplier “open morning” sessions were launched in summer 2018 and saw prospective suppliers given a 20-minute slot in which to pitch their product or service to key members of Ei Group’s procurement team. In the past 18 months the team has received presentations from more than 100 suppliers. The open morning programme will return on Wednesday, 29 January at Ei Group’s pub support centre in Solihull and will then be repeated monthly. Procurement director Miles Selby said: “Since launching our open mornings initiative we’ve gone on to work with some innovative and committed companies of all sizes. We’d encourage more suppliers to attend if they feel they can help give our publicans the edge in the year ahead when it comes to driving footfall and sales.”

 

Children’s activity centre operator Injoy to open second site, in Derby: Children’s activity centre operator Injoy is to open its second site, in Derby. Injoy has taken 20,000 square feet on a 15-year lease at Derby Riverlights, private equity fund manager Moorfield’s waterfront leisure scheme. The centre will feature climbing walls, trampolines, soft play areas and one of the UK’s first “interactive zones”, where families can take part in art workshops and cookery classes. A plastic-free licensed restaurant is also planned. Injoy opened its debut site in July, at Ocean Village in Southampton. Injoy manager Richard Chandler said: “We have taken the original concept for a soft play centre and taken it to another level, with a genuine emphasis on quality, creating an environment the whole family can enjoy together.” The 200,000 square foot Riverlights scheme is now fully let. Nic Lowry, senior investment manager at Moorfield, said: “Welcoming Injoy is the final piece of the jigsaw in positioning Riverlights as the key leisure destination in the city centre.”

 

Japan Centre Ichiba launches food waste initiative: Europe’s largest Japanese food hall, Japan Centre Ichiba, has launched a food waste initiative. The venue at Westfield London has partnered with Swedish food waste startup Karma for the project. A smart fridge has been installed where consumers have the chance to pick up food that would otherwise go to waste at a 50% discount. They make a purchase through the Karma app and unlock the Karma refrigerator using their mobile phone after a purchase is made. Rescued items are displayed on the order receipt in the Karma app, which are presented at checkout before leaving the food hall. Japan Centre Ichiba also has access to data that allows staff to map patterns of when food is wasted and create long-terms strategies for sustainability. Japan Centre Ichiba opened in July 2018 and is the first joint venture between the Japan Centre Group and Cool Japan Fund, which helps support businesses to promote Japanese food and culture overseas. Japan Centre Group chief executive Tak Tokumine said: “Finding solutions that promote a more sustainable way of consuming food is part of our company ethos. The partnership with a startup such as Karma, which is an expert on food waste, is a powerful way to make an impact on the food industry.”

 

Parle opens second Pastaio: Chef Stevie Parle has opened a second site for his fast casual pasta concept Pastaio. The venue has launched on Westfield London’s Southern Terrace offering new dishes, including the group’s first soft-serve ice cream. The restaurant features two open kitchens, one dedicated to pasta-making. As at the debut Pastaio in Soho’s Ganton Street, interiors feature slab chairs and pendant lighting, while a hung staircase leads to the first floor. The site features a ground-floor restaurant, terrace and first-floor balcony, seating 145 in total. The restaurant incorporates counter-top dining for customers looking for a “quick, inexpensive bite to eat”. Pastaio’s signature alcoholic slushies are on offer alongside wine on tap and house-made limoncello. Parle said: “Westfield London feels like a great next step in my mission to bring high-quality fresh pasta with awesome British ingredients to as many people as possible. We have our eye on joining a few of my favourite London neighbourhoods in the future.” Parle is also chef owner of Craft London and Palatino and is partner and advisor to London Union.

 

Yorkshire theme park reports turnover and profit boost: The company behind Yorkshire theme park Flamingo Land has reported turnover increased to £32.0m for the year ending 31 March 2019, compared with £29.1m the previous year. Pre-tax profit was up to £3.3m, compared with £1.8m the year before. The theme park, holiday village and zoo is based in Malton, North Yorkshire, and employs almost 400 staff. In their report accompanying the results, the directors said the growth in turnover was primarily down to “further improvements in general park admissions and the success of the holiday village area”. The company invested £2.02m (net of sales) in tangible fixed assets during the year. This included further improvements to the holiday village, with a new area developed and replacement of a number of caravans. Work also started on a property near the site entrance to develop hotel accommodation. Following the end of the financial year, the company purchased a ten-inversion roller coaster and work has started to build the attraction, which is set to be operational in 2020. Investment during the year included further work on an area of land in Scotland that is earmarked for a potential future leisure development. A planning application was submitted in 2019 but subsequently withdrawn to allow the plans to be reviewed and resubmitted. The proposed development of an attraction on Scarborough seafront is also under review by the local authority. The directors added they would “continue to invest in new rides and attractions as and when necessary to keep the theme park at the forefront of the sector”.