Asda and Lean Kitchen Network launch new Food Lab concept: Lean Kitchen Network (LKN), the digital brand creation and food delivery business backed by Edition Capital, has partnered with Asda on a new food counter concept called Food Labs, which will feature some of the “nation’s most loved brands”. LKN, which includes Twisted London, the world's first restaurant born from social media, has worked with companies including Heinz, Doritos, Wotsits and Wafflemeister, to create a menu that changes depending on the time of day. Customers at the supermarket chain’s Park Royal Store will be able to pick up exclusive options starting from £1.50, such as Cheesy Wotsits Mac n Cheese, Doritos Loaded Nachos and healthy rice bowls. Customers shopping in store can grab and go from a range of freshly prepared dishes, as well as having the option to customise their order from a wider menu available via interactive digital displays at the counter or using a mobile to scan a QR code. Food Labs will also be launching via delivery platforms in the coming weeks. A further four sites are planned to open in the coming months, at Asda stores in Bexley, Edmonton, Watford and Colindale. It follows the launch of the “House of Yum” café concept at the Asda store in Clapham last December, where customers can use a QR code to order food directly from their table or alternatively for rapid delivery via Deliveroo and UberEats. Helen Smale, senior buying manager of Food for Now at Asda, said: “Customers in our Clapham store have already embraced LKN’s innovative menu that gives access to exciting dishes using iconic brands. We’re confident that the concept in our Park Royal store will prove equally as popular. As we continue to work in partnership with LKN to trial new concepts, we hope to bring more intriguing collaborations to Asda customers.” Faraz Nagree, chief executive and founder of LKN, added: “We are thrilled to partner with Asda to share these innovative menus with customers across the UK. Expect exciting flavours, freshly prepared food, evolving brand partnerships showcasing the latest products at affordable prices.”

Propel Premium Advent Video Calendar, Zuleika Fennell to feature: Propel has launched its Premium Advent Video Calendar, giving subscribers access to a great video each day in December from our autumn conference series. Each day in December in the run-up to Christmas, Premium subscribers will be sent a video featuring some of the sector’s leading operators, who will share insights, advice and expertise. The next three videos – which will be sent at 9am today (Friday, 3 December), tomorrow (Saturday, 4 December) and Sunday (5 December) – feature Zuleika Fennell, managing director of Corbin & King; a panel session – Lessons from entrepreneurs – with Ann Elliott talking to chef Chantelle Nicholson, Grace Regan, founder of Spice Labs, and Louise Palmer-Masterson, founder of Stem & Glory; and Anna Garood, co-owner and brand director of the Coconut Tree. Premium subscribers will also receive the fifth edition of The New Openings Database, which is produced in association with StarStock, today at midday. The database will show the details of 366 newly announced site openings and upcoming launches. Premium subscribers also receive access to two other databases. The latest Propel Multi-Site Database, which is produced in association with Virgate, and the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, which is produced in association with Mapal Group. Subscribers also receive access to Propel’s library of lockdown videos and Friday Wrap interviews and now also have access to a curated video library of the sector’s finest leaders and entrepreneurs, offering their insights on running outstanding businesses in the sector. Premium subscribers also receive their morning newsletter 11 hours early, at 7pm the evening before our 6am send-out, regular video content and regular exclusive columns from Propel group editor Mark Wingett, who this week looks at the latest interest in Punch and drills down into Loungers’ recent trading update. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium for a year for £895 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. The regular single subscription rate of £395 plus VAT for operators and £495 plus VAT for suppliers remains the same. To subscribe, email jo.charity@propelinfo.com

Sector like-for-likes down 4% in November against 2019 levels: Like-for-like sales dropped 4% across the sector in November compared with 2019 levels, according to the latest data from S4labour, the online labour-scheduling management system from Catton Hospitality. Food like-for-like sales were up 2% on November 2019, but drink sales declined 10.5%. Both London and non-London sites also saw their like-for-likes decline last month. London was hit the hardest with a 9.5% reduction in sales, whereas venues outside the capital saw like-for-likes drop by a smaller 3%. Chief product officer of S4labour, Richard Hartley, said: “The slight 4% decline in like-for-likes for the sector is not too concerning, especially given October’s strong 13.5% increase in like-for-likes. December looks to be a pivotal month, as the sector looks to sustain sales amidst the concern in recent booking cancellations.”

Chase – government must not panic over Omicron as we cannot afford another lockdown: Paul Chase, a leading industry commentator on alcohol and health, has urged the government not to panic over the Omicron variant and rush into another “disastrous” lockdown. Some protective measures have already returned this week, with face masks now compulsory in shops and on public transport, but hospitality has so far been exempt. However, panic has already spread to such an extent that pubs and restaurant already suffering from previous lockdowns and a cancelled Christmas in 2020 are now experiencing more cancelled festive bookings. “The impact of the reintroduction of restrictions, along with alarm about the possibility of the Omicron variant escaping vaccine efficacy, has a knock-on effect as Project Fear kicks-in across the population,” said Chase, writing exclusively in Propel’s Friday Opinion. “The cancellation of bookings for office parties with pubs, bars and restaurants are damaging the prospect of Christmas assisting the recovery of our sector from the pandemic. I understand the political pressure on our government to act, but viruses mutate, and we will never know the implications of each new mutation immediately. If we react every time by assuming the worst and reintroducing restrictions, then we will find ourselves trapped in a never-ending stop-go cycle that will generate huge anxiety and economic uncertainty. This will prove vastly damaging for investment and jobs throughout our sector and beyond.” Chase added: “We may have to wait a couple of weeks before we know the impact of Omicron on case numbers, vaccine-escape, and serious illness, but I believe cautious optimism is justified. The government must not give in to a media-led moral panic, but hold fast to their present course of mass vaccination and balancing the need for protecting against covid with the needs of the economy. We simply cannot afford another lockdown and another money-printing spree. The inflationary effects of the last one are only now beginning to feed through.” Chase will share more of his thoughts in this week’s Friday Opinion, which will be published on Friday (3 December) at 11am.

Some restaurants closing for Christmas following an ‘air of uncertainty’: Some restaurants are opting not to open for Christmas and some takeaways are choosing to stay closed on quieter days, according to catering butcher Birtwistles’ December market report. In its conclusions, the report noted new covid restrictions and ongoing recruitment problems have created an “air of uncertainty” among operators. “By most accounts, foodservice orders are yet to live up to expectations, with an air of uncertainty noted,” the report said. “Feedback suggests some restaurants have already decided not to open for Christmas, partly due to new mandates and, in some cases, ongoing staffing issues. According to market participants, mandatory NHS vaccine passports are already weighing on foodservice orders, with some eat-out venues in Scotland and Wales closing on quiet days and offering reduced menus.” The report also painted a dismal picture of the global supply chain and its effect on the UK – something which it doesn’t see changing any time soon. The report also noted there is a high demand for beef fillets, which is currently the most challenging item to source, and stronger UK beef prices combined with supply levels running below 2020 levels is creating strong demand for Irish beef. Lamb prices have strengthened once more following a dip, while slaughtering issues and rising feed costs have caused a challenging period in the pork sector. Chicken prices are on the rise following shortages in poultry from the EU, while turkey will be available in the run up to Christmas but in short supply.

‘Pubs must avoid alienating casual drinkers with too much focus on table bookings’: Pubs, especially wet-led ones, need to think long and hard about their table-booking procedures to avoid putting off casual drinkers. So says Glynn Davis, a leading industry commentator on retail trends, who is wary of the rise advance bookings in pubs and the potential cost to the traditional walk-in customer. He fears many London pubs are “becoming almost like restaurants in requiring a booking”, taking away what is a “key differentiator between pubs and restaurants”. Writing exclusively in Propel’s Friday Opinion, Davis said: “The first-come, first-seated/served element is being removed from the pub, and there is a great risk because more people will get dragged into booking tables just in case they make a visit to a venue. Multiple bookings at various pubs is clearly the way to go as this will enable drinkers to secure themselves a table however their evening pans out, and thereby cover all eventualities. Clearly the financial downsides for restaurants having no-shows is markedly more acute than for pubs, but I’d still argue the move towards boozers filled with booked tables will ultimately lead to growing numbers of people feeling the serendipitous dropping into the pub is no longer a good idea, and the once-valuable walk-in drinker will be a thing of the past for pub operators.” He added: “I fully understand much of the table booking activity is down to policies introduced because of covid-19, and this had been a sensible move when track and trace was in place. But today, those pubs that are predominantly wet-led, I’d suggest need to tread carefully with their table booking procedures. It just might be alienating more customers than it is benefiting.” 

NTIA launches campaign for ‘night-time advisors’ for every major UK city: The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has launched a campaign to establish a night-time economy advisor in every major city in the UK, in a bid to help save the hospitality sector. With help from the NTIA, they have already been rolled out in Greater Manchester (Sacha Lord) and Bristol (Carly Heath), complimenting the role of night tsar in London held by Amy Lamé. Recent research by the NTIA suggests the UK night-time economy was in 2019 worth £112.8bn – which amounts to 5.1% of GDP – and accounts for 1.95 million jobs. But the prolonged closures and restrictions on trade during the pandemic have ravaged the sector, with almost 90,000 jobs lost and almost a third of nightclubs no longer trading. The NTIA believes the solution is to have a representative that reports to the local or combined authority executive, spotlighting regional issues and championing and supporting the industry. Chief executive Michael Kill said: “The night-time economy sector – which has been hammered by the pandemic – is one of the most important for driving economic growth. That is why we are launching a push to establish night-time economy advisors in cities all over the UK, to steward the sector’s restoration and ensure it isn’t left to wither. We feel this is the only way the sector can recover its pre-pandemic vibrance.”

Germany bans unvaccinated people from shops and bars: Germany has announced sweeping new restrictions for people who have not been vaccinated against covid. Chancellor Angela Merkel said unvaccinated people will be barred from many public places, including non-essential shops and events, unless they have recently recovered from covid. She said: “Culture and leisure nationwide will be open only to those who have been vaccinated or recovered. We have understood the situation is very serious and we want to take further measures in addition to those already taken.” Merkel also said a nationwide vaccination mandate could be imposed from February, after it's been debated in parliament.

StarStock extends partnership with Morrisons to help support hospitality industry: StarStock, the online marketplace for the on-trade food and drink supply chain, is expanding its partnership with Morrisons as part of a revised focus to support hospitality businesses. The platform has reduced its minimum order value with Morrisons to £95, significantly increased the number of weekly delivery slots and added a raft of new products. The move is designed to help ease the ongoing challenges posed to pubs and hospitality operators by ongoing supply chain issues, labour shortages and gaps in the wholesale market. StarStock founder Sam Ulph said: “The industry continues to be squeezed really hard by the ongoing supply chain and labour shortage challenges, and our aim is to alleviate as much of the stress and strain associated with these challenges as possible. We are working to provide operators with what they need, when they need it, ahead of what’s set to be a busy festive season.”

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a client that is looking for an international operations director to join its bar and restaurant business. A COREcruitment spokesman said: “The role is responsible for the successful execution of all new-build openings and transitions across London, Dubai and Vegas. As well as having responsibility for co-ordinating and overseeing all new openings/concepts across the whole portfolio, you will be responsible for and based at this exciting site in central London. The role is paying circa £140,000 plus bonus and excellent benefits.” For more information, email stuart@corecruitment.com 

RedCat appoints David Foulis as corporate finance director: RedCat Pub Company, the investment vehicle from ex-Greene King chief executive Rooney Anand, has appointed David Foulis, formerly of Honest Burgers and D&D London, as its new corporate finance director, Propel has learned. Foulis stepped down as finance director of Honest Burgers in March after three years with the company. Prior to that he spent almost five years at D&D London, as its head of finance. He will report in to Sharon Badelek, chief financial officer at the 92-strong RedCat. Anand told The Times on Thursday (2 December) he has 12 more sites being scrutinised by lawyers and expects to sign most of them by Christmas. “We can be super-flexible,” he said. “We can sell the whole thing, lock stock and barrel or we can sell its constituent parts separately.” He added: “Prices have probably got a little firmer for the vendor than they were six months ago but let’s see how things pan out over Christmas. During the notoriously lean months of January, February and March, I would hope there would be a few more assets we can persuade owners to part with.” He cited the example of the Coaching Inn Group, a collection of 18 inns in market towns that he acquired in August for an estimated £60m and retained the incumbent management. In September, Anand snapped up seven pubs from Dominion Hospitality and has since handed four of the properties to Coaching Inn Group management, which has itself secured three more sites. Anand said: “So that’ll be 25 by Christmas, then we can push on to 30 and possibly beyond to 40 or 50 and Coaching Inn Group can eventually be sold with RedCat or somebody might come along and we might sell it separately.”

Snowfox Group bolsters board with double appointment: Snowfox Group, which owns the YO!, Taiko and Bento brands, has made a double appointment to its board, to support its continued growth. Propel has learned that Snowfox, which is understood to be considering a possible initial public offering (IPO) or sale, has appointed Sophie Tomkins and Douglas Lamont to its board as non-executive directors, with immediate effect. Tomkins has more than 30 years of finance experience, including capital markets and audit roles and non-executive board positions. She is currently non-executive director at Hotel Chocolat Group, Virgin Wines, and two international technology led groups, System1 Group (advertising effectiveness) and Cloudcall Group (communications software). Lamont’s career spans more than 25 years and has been chief executive of Innocent Drinks since 2013. He oversaw the transition of ownership to Coca-Cola, after which the company more than doubled in size with turnover increasing to more than €500m. He is also a trustee of the Innocent Foundation and led Innocent to B Corp status in 2018. Meanwhile, former Whitbread finance director Chris Rogers, who joined the business as a non-executive director earlier this year, has decided to step down from his position in order to focus on his other non-executive roles. John Walden, chairman of Snowfox Group, said: “Snowfox has undergone a period of rapid growth and diversification and we are pleased to add talented new members to our board. The board would also like to thank Chris, whose contribution has been invaluable to the team.” Last month, it was reported Snowfox had begun talks with prospective buyers following a string of takeover approaches. It comes as Mayfair Equity Partners, the company’s majority shareholder, continues to explore the possibility of an IPO for Snowfox that would take place in 2022. Any deal is expected to value the company at approximately £750m. 

Harcourt Inns founder acquires The Boundary in Shoreditch: James McCulloch, founder of Harcourt Inns, has acquired The Boundary in Shoreditch, east London. The venue, formerly owned by Sir Terence Conran, is known for its rooftop, 17 individually designed rooms, basement restaurant and events space and street-facing Albion Cafe. Under its new ownership, The Boundary will enter a new era, complete with an extensive refurbishment of the ground floor that will become a destination all-day bar and restaurant. McCulloch said: “The Boundary is an iconic building on one of the most desirable streets in east London. With an opportunity to create varying offers across multiple floors, we have exciting plans to give this property a new lease of life. We are putting together an impressive line-up of chefs, artists, musicians and mixologists to help put the Boundary back on the London map.” McCulloch founded Harcourt Inns in 2014, with the acquisition and refurbishment of The Harcourt in Marylebone. He subsequently went on to develop The Three Cranes in the City, The Coach in Clerkenwell, The Hero of Maida in Maida Vale, The Crown in Chiswick and KPH in Notting Hill.

Rosslyn Coffee to open third central London site: Rosslyn Coffee, the concept founded by former Caravan head of wholesale James Hennebry and Mat Russell, is to open a third site in central London, in Old Broad Street. The business, which launched at the start of 2018, has secured a site at the Tower42 Estate. It will open a site alongside Jason Atherton’s City Social, Pizza Pilgrims, Joe & the Juice, Ted’s Grooming Room, ETM Group’s Broadleaf site, Scarpetta and M&S. Rosslyn Coffee already operates sites in Queen Victoria Street and London Wall. P-Three acts for the Tower42 Estate. 

%Arabica opens third UK site: Japanese speciality coffee house %Arabica, which has cafes and franchises across the world, has opened its third UK location, at the former Lipault site in Moulton Street in London. %Arabica currently has more than 100 stories in 18 countries, more than half of which are in China, and will soon be expanding to Canada, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan and Vietnam. It opened its first two UK locations, at King Street in Covent Garden and Broadway Market in Hackney, in 2019. %Arabica uses custom-made Slayer espresso machines, manufactured in Seattle, and previously partnered with Ninety Plus Coffee, a grower and producer that regularly provides coffees for baristas competing in the World Barista Championship. Oliver Serrant, from Stance, acted for % Arabica and Hannah Barter, of Kenningham Retail, acted for the landlord on the Moulton Street deal.

L’ulivo to replace Byron in The Strand: Italian restaurant L’ulivo is to open its second site in central London. The business has secured the former Byron site at 409 The Strand, for an opening next year. L’ulivo’s other restaurant is in Villiers Street, near Charing Cross station. Louie Gazdar, of Davis Coffer Lyons, and Richard Grossman, of Lewis Craig, acted on The Strand deal. 

Tonkotsu to open in Finsbury Park in January: Ramen restaurant group Tonkotsu is to open a new site in London’s Finsbury Park. Opening on Friday, 14 January, the group’s 16th site will be located in Wells Terrace just behind Finsbury Park station. To celebrate the Finsbury Park opening, Tonkotsu will be teaming up with new neighbours, Slice by Pizza Pilgrims, to create a Tonkotsu x Pizza Pilgrims special collab slice, topped with Tonkotsu’s eat the bits chilli oil and dried crispy noodles. As well as space to dine-in, Tonkotsu will also be available on Deliveroo, and also for takeaway via its own click and collect service. Earlier this year, the company opened its first “proper” restaurant outside London, in Brighton. The business, which operates a concession within Selfridges in Birmingham, replaced Polpo in the East Sussex city’s New Road. Tonkotsu, which is backed by YFM Equity Partners and chaired by Sarah Willingham, currently operates 13 sites across the capital, including a site in Kentish Town that it opened in September. The business was launched in Soho in 2012 by Ken Yamada and Emma Reynolds.

Former MasterChef champion opens third restaurant, expands into curry house market: Tim Anderson, the 2011 MasterChef champion, has opened his third restaurant – branching out from his famed Japanese offering into Indian comfort food. Anderson, together with friends Pat and Elly Foster, launched Japanese restaurant Nanban in Brixton in 2015 before doubling up with Nanban Central in Seven Dials Market in 2019. The trio have returned to Brixton for their latest collaboration, Karakana, which has been styled as an Indian diner and bar, infusing flavours from the creators’ heritages and travels around the world. Karakana, which is Hindi for “workshop”, features a menu headed up by former Nanban head chef Rivaaj Maharaj and former Cinnamon Club head chef Khilesh Anand. Also joining the team are Brixton Brewery co-founders Jez Galaun and Mike Ross, who have brewed a spiced wheat beer especially for the restaurant. The menu consists of tapas-style small plates to mix and match including a Berlin-style currywurst dish – served with sweet vindaloo sauce, shoestring fries and pickled cauliflower. House cocktails and wines will sit alongside the Brixton Brewery offerings and more traditional curry house beers on the drinks list. Anderson said: “Working on the Karakana menu alongside Rivaaj and Khilesh has been a wonderful learning experience for me. I’ve always adored Indian food but never had an opportunity to get involved with it at first-hand. Khilesh’s style of cooking is informed by traditional methods and fine dining, whereas Rivaaj’s influences are more global and informal, and it’s been amazing to see how different approaches have come together into a cohesive menu.” Situated on the corner of Coldharbour Lane and Electric Lane, Karakana offers takeaway and delivery services as well as dine-in.

North west-based operator takes on third pub and eyes further expansion: North west-based operator Yogesh Mistry has acquired his third pub – and is eyeing further sites. Mistry has taken on the lease of the White Horse in Edgworth, Lancashire, which is owned by Star Pubs & Bars. The village pub, which has been closed since early 2019, will undergo a joint £485,000 refurbishment. Mistry operates two other pubs – The Crofters and The Stanley Arms in Bolton – as well as an Italian restaurant – Beppe’s – and Nam Ploy Thai restaurant, located at Middlebrook retail park in the town. Mistry said: “I intend to take on further sites in the north west. There are some great opportunities arising on the back of the pandemic.” Funds are being spent at the White Horse to reconfigure the interior to create dining and lounge areas seating 98. Outside there will be new seating for 60 for alfresco eating and drinking. The menu will include British pub classics using locally sourced ingredients with the drinks list including cask ale, wine and champagne as well as cocktail and gin menus. Star Pubs & Bars business development manager, Tracy Duncan, said: “Yogi has been in the business for more than 20 years and has a great track record of running hospitality businesses with a good team supporting him.” The refurbishment at The White Horse is part of a £38m investment that Star Pubs & Bars is making in more than 700 pubs in 2021.

The Real Greek to open first site in the north next week: The Real Greek, the Fulham Shore-owned brand, has confirmed it will open its first site in the north, in Manchester, next week. As previously revealed by Propel, The Real Greek will open on the former Wahaca site in the city’s Corn Exchange next Thursday (9 December). It will be The Real Greek’s 22nd site; its ninth outlet outside of the capital and third new restaurant to open this year. The new 200-cover restaurant will operate with “click and collect” takeaways from Monday, 13 December and will be available on delivery platforms from early January. The brand, which recently opened in the Bluewater shopping centre, has also secured the ex-Cafe Rouge in the Trafford Centre, for a further opening in Manchester, next year. Nabil Mankarious, managing director at The Real Greek, said: “It is an honour to open our 22nd restaurant and our first site in the north. Manchester is a popular and buzzing city with a trendy food and drink scene, so we’re delighted to now have a presence, offering our authentic Greek food to a new clientele. We’ve been very fortunate to continue to thrive, with a sustained demand for our business, and being able to continue to open more sites across the country.” In August, Fulham Shore said from its current base it had identified 30 more sites for The Real Greek.

Rockfish founder to launch fresh seafood delivery service: Mitch Tonks, founder of south west-based seafood restaurant group Rockfish, will next month launch a new seafood delivery service based at Brixham Market. Seafood at Home, which launches on Wednesday, 5 January, promises to deliver fresh produce from sea to plate within 24 hours. By logging on to the website between 6am and noon, customers can watch the catch being landed and buy direct from the boats, then have it delivered to their door the following day. Once bought, the fish is immediately cleaned, portioned, and packed in speciality designed recyclable boxes to ensure the fish arrives as fresh as possible. The seafood offer will change daily, but customers can sign up to get notifications when their favourite catch is landed. High calibre chefs will also be on hand to prepare the seafood into speciality dishes if required. Tonks said: “For too long, the fish supply chain has meant getting our hands on really fresh fish is only possible for those living by the sea. For the rest of us, our choices are what is available pre-packed and ‘fresh’ from the supermarkets, severely limiting not only our choice, but the quality and provenance too. By changing the process entirely, Seafood at Home will bring the joys of the market to everyone. In the UK, we don’t appreciate the bounty of seafood available to us.” Delivery starts from £5 and is available from Tuesday to Saturday. Last month, Rockfish launched the world’s first range of British-caught seafood. Rockfish is also on course to expand its eight-strong restaurant chain to ten in the spring, with openings in Sidmouth and Salcombe planned.

Wrights Food Group acquired by The Compleat Food Group: Wrights Food Group, which manages 15 branded bakery stores across the north west as well as manufactures and distributes savoury products, confectionery and ready meals, has been bought by The Compleat Food Group. The Compleat Food Group was formed through the merger of Addo Food Group and Winterbotham Darby in January this year. Wrights Food Group was established in 1926 by Jack and Lizzie Wright who sold pies to neighbours from their Stoke-on-Trent doorstep. Today, the company employs 600 staff. Paul Monk, executive chair of The Compleat Food Group, said: “This move enables us to better serve our customers and offer a greater range of products, helping the group to further strengthen its position in UK retail and foodservice.” Wrights Food Group chairman Peter Wright added: “This business has been built on the foundations of family values, quality and providing the best possible service to our customers. Our merger with The Compleat Group is a decision that we feel builds on the legacy that the Wrights family has worked so hard to create over 96 years.” The Compleat Food Group was advised by Alvarez and Marsal, Dickson Minto and Houlihan Lokey. Wrights Food Group was advised by Oghma Partners and Knights.