Papa John’s set to close ‘as many as 100 locations’ after lfl sales decline by 21.8%: Papa Johns is set to close “as many as 100 locations” after like-for-like sales declined by 21.8%. Propel revealed in October that Papa John’s UK & Ireland saw a 21.8% decline in like-for-like system sales in the year ended 25 December 2022 as it posted a pre-tax loss of £2,908,000 (2021: £6,704,000). It also posted a pre-tax loss of £2,908,000 (2021: £6,704,000). Now, The Sun reports that dozens of branches will close for good, with as many as 100 potentially facing the axe. It comes after the chain, which operates 524 locations in the UK, told investors it anticipates “additional strategic restaurant closures of low-performing restaurants” in a bid to boost profits. Papa John’s declined to say how many branches will be affected. A spokesperson for the company said: “As our second largest global market, the UK is critical to Papa John’s long-term success. As we work to fully optimize our restaurant operations and improve profitability across the market, we will continue evaluating the growth potential of our restaurants. This includes working collaboratively with our franchisees to strategically close low-performing locations when necessary, as well as continuing to invest in the right locations for the benefit of our customers. We will work to fully support team members through any transitions. However, it's important to note that no final decisions have been made at this time.” Papa Johns is the UK’s second-largest pizza takeaway brand, with 118 company branches and 406 run by franchises. This compares to Domino’s (1,253 locations) and Pizza Hut (150). The first Papa John’s UK restaurant opened in 1999 in Grays, Essex, and in 2013 it opened its 200th UK store. It closed 22 restaurants in 2023 but opened 15 new branches. The closures included all four of its stores in Cardiff. Branches in Glasgow, Plymouth, Worcester, Hereford and Guildford have also shut in recent months. Papa John’s features in the Propel UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database, an exhaustive guide to the companies offering a food and beverage franchise in the UK available exclusively to Premium subscribers. The database is updated every two months, and the latest version features 225 businesses. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. The single subscription rate is £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription.

 

Sponsored message – Hospitality Data Insights expands market range and pricing data capabilities: Hospitality Data Insights (HDI) has expanded its market range and pricing data capabilities, broadening its coverage to more than 16,000 hospitality venues covering pubs and bars, quick service restaurants, coffee and casual dining as well as online pricing for ten national grocers. A spokesperson said: “With extensive coverage across the worlds of hospitality and retail, operators and suppliers can now benefit from unrivalled visibility of product-specific, site-specific range and price data for food and drink products across more than 70 different hospitality brands; with their grocery data tracking base and promotional prices back to October 2022. HDI’s service enables operators and suppliers to understand how overall food and drinks ranges and retail prices are changing, including how specific competitors are moving their pricing from month to month.” Mark Bentley, business development director at HDI, added: “Optimising pricing will be a key strategic priority for hospitality operators in the year ahead, ensuring that value is not being left on the table. This is even more important given that growing sales through increasing visit frequency continues to prove challenging. We’re excited about the opportunity to help more operators and suppliers, offering a flexible approach based on client requirements.” To find out how HDI can help your business, click here. If you have a sponsored message you would like to see featured in this newsletter position, email paul.charity@propelinfo.com.

 

Propel’s Multi-Site Database improved for 2024 with unique segmentation: Propel’s leading database, the Multi-Site Database, which provides the details of more than 3,000 multi-site operators, has been redesigned so Premium subscribers will be able to search the data segmented into key industry sectors. This new straightforward segmentation will allow users to search quickly in key categories such as pubs and bars, cafe bakery, quick service restaurants, casual dining, fine dining, hotel and experiential leisure. Subscribers will be able to drill down into the details and updates for these specific areas – so, for example, the circa 640 multi-site operators in the pubs and bars sector and 150 operators in the experiential leisure area can be examined in a stand-alone format. This new functionality will be available later this month when the latest Multi-Site Database is released on Friday, 26 January at midday. An updated Multi-Site Database is published every month, with an average of 50 or so companies added each month. Phil Pemberton, Propel’s director of premium services, said: “The new ability to segment this vital information is unique to the industry and is an element that our Premium subscribers requested. It will provide even more clarity and search capability to each segment of the sector.” A Propel Premium subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up. The Premium subscription service currently has more than 4,000 subscribers.

 

Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit 2024 open for bookings: Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit is returning for its sixth edition, and tickets are now on sale. The event is a partnership between Propel and Think Hospitality, aiming to build a community, promote the sharing of ideas, recognise talent and define the future of eating out. Bookings are now open for the two-day conference, as the centrepiece of the January event series, taking place on 23 and 24 January at One Moorgate Place in London. The conference will focus on marcomms strategies, proposition and concept development, the latest market insights, technology and digital developments, diversification of revenue streams and how brands are adapting to the new normal. It is designed for marketing, development and innovation teams, as well as senior executives and investors wanting to better understand the latest marketing, innovation and development opportunities to build market share and grow. Day one speakers include: Andreia Harwood, marketing director – EMEA at Wingstop; Sam Bourke, marketing director at Fuller’s; Sarah Collins, head of marketing at the Rick Stein Group; Jessica Wight, marketing director at Bistrot Pierre; François Blouin and Claire Diemer, chief executive and director of qualitative studies respectively at Foodservice Vision; Katy Moses, managing director at insight consultancy KAM; Lina Olea, marketing director at Wireless Social; Jack Jolly, senior marketing manager at Mission Mars and founder of H!JACK; Charles Spence, professor of experimental psychology at the University of Oxford; Amanda Mason, head of marketing at Roadchef; James Coldrey-Mobbs, sales and marketing director at East Coast Concepts; Anthony Pender, co-founder of Our Yummy Collection; Natalie Waldron, of Natalie Waldron Design; Dan Burns, of Natural Selection Design; Matt Preisinger, marketing and brand director at Brewhouse & Kitchen; Thom and James Elliot, co-founders of Pizza Pilgrims; Siobhan Lloyd, marketing manager at 200 Degrees Coffee; Julius Wiesenhütter, founder at GetViola; Megan Burton-Brown, marketing director at Tortilla; Simon Potts, chief executive of the Alchemist; and Natasha Sideris, founder and chief executive of Tashas Group. For the full schedule, click here. A one-day ticket for operators is £295 plus VAT while a two-day ticket is £550 plus VAT. Supplier tickets are £395 plus VAT for one day and £700 plus VAT for two. Tickets can be purchased by contacting Jo Charity at Propel on jo.charity@propelinfo.com.

 

Foodservice inflation ‘falling like a feather after rising like a rocket’ after reaching lowest level in more than a year: Foodservice inflation is “falling like a feather after rising like a rocket” after reaching its lowest level in more than a year, according to the CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index. Inflation as measured by the index fell during November to 15.0%, its lowest level since July 2022. But the speed of that fall is much slower than the equivalent rise to the 22.9% peak in December last year. On the way up, it took just four months to rise from 15% to the peak, while coming down took more twice that time period, at 11 months. Meanwhile, levels of supermarket price inflation (measured by CPI), which fell sharply between May and September, began to firm again in the run-up to the Christmas period. In November, foodservice inflation saw just two categories (oils and fats at 1.4% and dairy at 8.8%) performing below 10% year-on-year. This was in stark contrast with vegetables, where inflation remained extremely high at 27.3%. The UN FAO Food Commodity Index (the overall measure of international food commodity prices) averaged 120.4 points in November, unchanged from its October level, as increases in the price indices for vegetable oil, dairy products and sugar counterbalanced decreases in those of cereal and meat. The index stood 14.4 points (10.7%) below its corresponding level one year ago. Sterling appreciated 4% during the month against the dollar, while annual growth in employees’ average total pay (including bonuses) remained more than 7% in November. Shaun Allen, chief executive of Prestige Purchasing, said: “With the market coming off peak-levels of inflation, operators need to be especially vigilant as suppliers seek to enhance margins to rebuild their balance sheets.” James Ashurst, client director at CGA by NIQ, added: “After such rapid rises in inflation in recent times, it’s frustrating to see a much slower journey back towards more normal levels. High rises in the cost of vegetables are particularly concerning. The general UK rate of inflation may be coming down, but businesses across the food supply chain will be feeling the heat on prices for some time to come.”

 

More than half of night-time industry businesses estimate they can only survive up to four months without further support: More than half (55.7%) of night-time industry businesses estimate they can only survive for up to four months without further support, while 25.7% project sustainability of between two to three months, according to new research. The flash poll by the Night Time Industries Association of almost 500 of its members showed a substantial percentage of businesses faced revenue challenges during the October to December period, with 21.7% experiencing a zero-10% decrease, 18.8% observing an 11-20% fall and 13% encountering more than a 30% drop in revenue. The overwhelming majority of businesses are advocating for specific government interventions, including VAT reduction (82.9%), restructuring of business rates or further relief (57.1%) and additional energy support (32.9%). Meanwhile, 70% of surveyed businesses reported adverse impacts from industrial action. The poll also showed varied footfall trends, with both increases and decreases reported, which highlights “the complex and unpredictable nature of consumer behaviour under the current inflationary pressures faced by consumers”, the NTIA said. It added this inconsistency poses challenges for businesses in planning and adapting to changing market dynamics, raising concerns about the overall stability of the night-time economy. NTIA chief executive Michael Kill said: “The night-time economy is grappling with the widespread impact of external factors, unpredictable consumer behaviour, ongoing financial challenges, and the limited sustainability of businesses without support. It is imperative that we address these issues with targeted government interventions. The findings underscore the fragility of the night-time economy, emphasising the urgent need for coordinated efforts to ensure its survival and facilitate a robust recovery.” 

 

Exclusive – Vagabond founder Stephen Finch exits wine bar business: Stephen Finch, founder of Vagabond, has left the Imbiba-invested wine bar business, but it is thought that he may return to the sector with a new venture, Propel has learned. Finch founded Vagabond in 2009, building it into a 13-strong, award-winning “DIY” wine bar business with nine sites in London plus sites in Birmingham, Heathrow airport and Gatwick airport. He also created the award-winning urban winery at Battersea Power Station and the industry’s first contactless payments technology for wine dispensing machines. After overcoming cancer in 2022, Finch then won the prominent ex-Jamie’s Diner unit at Gatwick’s South Terminal and created a new English wine focused concept, South Downs, exclusively for the airport. Finch secured £3.5m of growth capital investment from Imbiba in 2018. Vagabond is currently led by managing director Matthew Fleming and chaired by Rupert Clevely, founder of Geronimo Inns and Hippo Inns.

 

Blind Tiger Inns set for another year of record turnover but costs eat into profits, targeting ‘minimum’ of four new openings in 2024: Blind Tiger Inns, the north west operator, has said it is set for another year of record turnover but that costs are eating into its profits. The 20-strong business, founded in 2017 and led by Chris Tulloch, also said it is targeting “a minimum” of four new openings in 2024. “We’ve had a good year with bit of uncertainty and a lot of moving parts, but we’ve weathered the storm,” Tulloch told Propel. “We’re very much wet-led and lost a few customers but others will have dropped down to us – people who would have gone out for a meal before. We’re looking at a record year on the back of a record year, and turnover is up massively, to more than £10m net. The pub sector is not seeing lack of footfall or volume but the squeeze is on the costs side. We’re set for our biggest turnover yet but we won’t make any more profit than in 2022.” Tulloch said a successful 2023 had also seen three refurbishments and three new site openings, and that like-for-like sales in the first three weeks of December were up 12% on 2022. Looking ahead to 2024, he added: “We’re actively looking to grow with the right opportunities. We’re in talks with two or three pub companies and looking at some freehold options. We’re looking at a minimum of four new openings in 2024, and looked at ten sites in one week before Christmas. There’s no other director or investors and no debt, so we don’t need to chase numbers. The challenge is more national pub companies doing what we have already done, which makes creating a pipeline trickier, but also makes us up our game.” Blind Tigers’ most recent opening was The Trafford, near Manchester United Football Club’s ground, which reopened in September and has since had a large mural of Sir Bobby Charlton added, following the club legend’s death in October. “That has gone down very well,” Tulloch added. “It’s a matchday-only pub, which is quite unusual in the industry, but it works.”

 

Farm Girl team plans to more than double its Roll Baby estate in 2024, sales up 34%: Roll Baby, the rice paper rolls concept from the team behind London’s Farm Girl, has told Propel it plans to more than double its estate in 2024. The team opened its third Roll Baby location in December, in Westfield White City, joining the inaugural Roll Baby in South Kensington and a second site in Portobello Road, Notting Hill. “In 2024 we plan to open an additional three to five Roll Baby sites,” co-founder Rose Hood told Propel. “One site is already secured in a very prominent location, which we are very excited about and hope to open in March. With six to eight diverse locations across London in 2024, the concept will be in a strong position to capitalise on the growing healthy grab-and-go market. Trade has increased 34% year on year, and we anticipate for this to grow as the concept increases its exposure to the London market through not only additional sites, but also a very encouraging demand in catering services. Our target remains to reach 25 sites by 2027.” This long-term aim will be assisted by a fundraising round with Seedrs, which closed in November 2022. Founded by Rose and Anthony Hood, Roll Baby first launched for delivery in July 2021.

Pub sites let to Marston’s and Greene King sold in circa £17m deal: A portfolio of six pubs let to either Greene King or Marston’s have been acquired by a private UK institution for a combined value of circa £17m, Propel has learned. The six long-let public house investments are located in major towns/cities across the UK including London, York and Nottingham. All properties are let to either Greene King or Marston’s – the majority trading under the latter’s Pitcher & Piano concept. The properties were sold in two tranches with a combined sale price of £16,750,000 reflecting a net initial yield of 6.91%. Jack Silvani, director at Coffer Corporate Leisure, which advised the vendor, said: “2023 was a frenetic year in the pub investment sector. While the values of prime assets in London and major cities remained relatively robust, price adjustments for secondary assets were particularly severe. However, the year ended in a flurry of activity, arguably as experienced investors saw value in the sector, perceiving that pricing had bottomed out. We anticipate this activity will gain further momentum in 2024 and have a positive effect on pricing. It is likely that there is an uptick in larger/portfolio transactions as demand in the sector increases and improves liquidity.” Ed Sandall, of Savills, advised the purchaser of the Marston’s portfolio.

 

Former East London Pub Company estate placed on market: The four-strong, former East London Pub Company estate has been placed on the market, Propel understands. East London Pub Company, which was founded by Patrick Frawley with the launch of its first pub, the Ten Bells in Spitalfields, in 2014, was placed into administration in November, with Kroll Advisory appointed as joint administrators. Propel has learned that Savills, on behalf of the joint administrators of East London Pub Company and Lock Tavern, is marketing the disposals of its four London properties: the freeholds of The Lock Tavern in Camden and The Saxon in Clapham, as well as the leaseholds of The Gun and The Ten Bells, both in Spitalfields Market. The sites, which continue to trade, are available individually or as a group. Ed Sandall, director in the licensed and leisure team at Savills, said: “It is extremely rare to have four London sites of this calibre come to the market, all of which are located in a prime leisure circuit and produce exceptional levels of revenue. We are anticipating strong demand for the assets.” According to documents filed on Companies House, Frawley’s appointment as director was terminated on 16 November. Frawley is also behind Coqbull, the Irish chicken and burger concept.

 

The Salad Kitchen launches franchise offer after opening fifth site: The Salad Kitchen, the London-based grab-and-go concept, has launched a franchise offer after opening its fifth site, Propel has learned. The Salad Kitchen, founded by Ross Cannon and Sam Cole in 2014, last month opened its latest location, by the Jubilee Line entrance at Canary Wharf. This joined its other sites at 126 Whitecross Street (Old Street), 66 Leather Lane (Farringdon), 28 Avery Row (Oxford Circus) and 72 Queen Victoria Street (Bank). “We’re excited to unveil the Salad Kitchen to the franchise market in 2024,” the business said. “Supremely popular in multiple London sites including Mayfair and Canary Wharf, the Salad Kitchen boasts extremely low set-up costs (sub £100,000) and an impressive payback period under two years. Dishes that are satisfying and indulgent as the guiltiest of treats without compromising on nutrition, our recipes are unique and vibrant, created in-house to reflect the eclectic flavours of London’s street food scene.”

 

Franco Manca makes Northern Ireland debut: Fulham Shore – the operator of the Franco Manca and The Real Greek brands – has opened its first site under the pizza concept, in Northern Ireland. The circa 70-strong brand has launched a site in Portrush. The sourdough pizza concept, which is backed by Toridoll Holdings and Capdesia, recently strengthened its 2024 openings pipeline after securing a site in Plymouth. The brand will open a site next February in the city’s The Barcode scheme. Last month, Propel revealed that Fulham Shore had appointed Marcel Khan, formerly of Nando’s and Five Guys, as its new chief executive. Khan, who began his new role this month, joins Fulham Shore with more than 20 years of experience working with high-growth brands operating in the hospitality and leisure industry. As its first employee outside of the US, he spearheaded Five Guys’ expansion in the UK and Europe as operations and brand development director, after spending more than ten years at Nando’s as a regional managing director. He was also previously chief executive of Thunderbird Fried Chicken. Since March 2020, Khan has additionally served as an operating partner at Capdesia, the investment firm exclusively focused on European branded restaurant chains. He is currently overseeing the opening of Franco Manca’s new pizzeria in Brixton. Franco Manca will relocate from its first ever site in Brixton Market to a new 100-cover flagship restaurant.

 

Merlin Entertainments appoints new chief strategy officer following Justin Platt’s move to Marston’s: Merlin Entertainments has appointed Linda Zou as chief strategy officer. Zou, who joins from Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where she was a managing director and partner in London, takes up the position next month and replaces Justin Platt, who left to become chief executive of Marston’s. Zou will report directly to Merlin Entertainments chief executive Scott O’Neil and will work closely with the rest of the executive leadership team in designing and executing the company’s strategic vision and driving the continued growth of its brand portfolio. While at BCG, she led the development and execution of business strategy, commercial transformations, proposition design, and artificial intelligence and advanced analytics programmes for leading consumer companies in the UK, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Prior to joining BCG in 2013, she worked in global health and set up large-scale health programmes in southern Africa. O’Neil said: “Linda is the perfect executive to lead our organic growth plans and ambitious plans and trajectory.” Zou added: “I am excited about the opportunities ahead for Merlin, as we bring more data-driven insight to enhance our guest experience, strengthen our core commercial capabilities across the portfolio, and expand our avenues for growth.”

 

Former McDonald’s head of national operations acquires six new sites, looking to grow business further: Former McDonald’s head of national operations Mark Blundell has acquired six new sites for his franchise operation, according to its accounts for the year to 31 March 2023. His company, Blundell’s of Liverpool, made the acquisitions post year-end and now operates 20 restaurants in the Merseyside region. Blundell – who was McDonald’s director of operations from 2001-2006, head of national operations from 2005-2006 and head of HR operations from 2006-2012 – said he is looking to grow the business further following the new additions. It comes as the business made a £1,183,373 pre-tax loss in the year, down from a profit of £4,084,638 in 2022, as costs rose by more than £3m. Turnover was down slightly from £60,793,874 to £60,054,842. The company received no government grants (2022: £67,862). Dividends of £230,000 were paid (2022: £240,000). Blundell said: “The Convenience of the Future upgrade programme was carried out at three stores during the year. The pace of change in the restaurant industry has accelerated post pandemic, with customers increasingly looking for greater speed and choice when ordering food. This programme revamps the restaurants with new technology and greater space to operate more effectively. The re-imaging strategy continued to have a positive impact on sales growth, which is in line with the director’s expectations and objectives. Sales through digital channels, including McDelivery, mobile and self-order kiosks, have increased during the year. However, food cost inflation is at its highest level in more than 40 years and energy costs have continued to increase, which has affected the financial performance of the company. Government support packages such as the 50% business rates relief in the retail and hospitality industry and rent assistance from the franchisor have helped soften the impact. The company will be reviewing its prices to reduce the impact of food cost inflation, while still offering great value and quality.” He added the company is expected to be profitable in the next accounting period, despite the impact of rises in food cost inflation.

 

Redemption Roasters closes crowdfunding campaign after raising more than £1.3m: The world’s first prison-based coffee company, Redemption Roasters, has closed its crowdfunding campaign after raising more than £1.3m. The funds will be used to enable the business to “expand our retail and e-commerce sales channels and scale our impact” as it looks to grow to 27 sites by 2026. Max Dubiel, who previously founded Black Sheep Coffee, launched Redemption Roasters with old university friend Ted Rosner in August 2015, and has since expanded the business to ten sites across London and 200-plus wholesale clients. The company had been aiming to raise £1.2m, offering 5.17% of equity, giving the business a pre-money valuation of £22m. The fundraise on crowdfunding platform Crowdcube has now closed having raised £1,311,790 from 335 investors, which includes Barrow Cadbury, Rothschild’s venture philanthropy arm, and the Treebeard Trust. Redemption Roasters reported net sales of £8.1m over the last 12 months, with Ebitda of £372,000, and year-on-year growth of 43%. The company is also developing a new app to boost business-to-consumer revenue by an estimated 15% and is focused on further expanding its wholesale customer base. The business also operates a roastery inside HMP The Mount where resident “trainees” benefit from working alongside Redemption Roasters’ team. The company also provides coffee training inside and outside of prison with direct pathways to long-term employment. Through 14 partnerships with UK prisons to date, more than 1,500 individuals have taken part in these programmes, with participant reoffending rates sitting well below half the national average.

 

Former Nobu head chef Scott Hallsworth to open second Freak Scene site: Former Nobu head chef Scott Hallsworth will open the second bricks and mortar site for his pan-Asian concept Freak Scene this month. The chef has secured the former Red Duck site in London’s Balham for an opening of Freak Scene Sushi & Grill on 18 January. Last March, Hallsworth opened the first bricks and mortar Freak Scene on the former Quadra site in Fulham, west London. Freak Scene previously operated as a pop-up in Farringdon, in 2017, and then at the ex-Barrafina site in Frith Street, Soho. Hallsworth has previously launched restaurants in Melbourne, St Tropez, Bodrum, Jeddah, Zermatt, Chamonix, Nairobi, Cape Town, Toronto and London. For the Fulham launch, Hallsworth teamed up with Australian comedian, author, radio and television presenter Adam Hills, known for his stand-up and hosting of Channel 4’s The Last Leg and the channel’s Super League rugby coverage. The duo came together to kick off The Freak Scene with 46 covers in Parsons Green Lane. 

 

Super 8 Restaurants appoints Gary Cowles as operations director: Super 8 Restaurants, the London business led by Brian Hannon and Ben Chapman, has appointed Gary Cowles, formerly of Antic Pubs and Paul UK, as its new operations director. Cowles joins the Brat, Kiln and Smoking Goat operator after 14 months as chief operating officer at Antic. He previously spent seven and a half years with artisan bakery chain Paul UK as its chief operating officer. He joined Paul after two years as a consultant working with Selfridges, Wickwar Brewing Company and Novus. Prior to that, he spent two and a half years as an operations director at Stonegate, after 11 years at Mitchells & Butlers. Last year, Super 8 opened a new restaurant – Mountain – in Soho’s Beak Street in partnership with Michelin-starred chef Tomos Parry. 

 

Tony Conigliaro sells Untitled Bar to Bauhaus Group: London-based mixologist and bar owner Tony Conigliaro has sold his Untitled Bar in Hackney to Bauhaus Group. Conigliaro, who operates Bar Termini in London’s Soho, launched the bar in Kingsland Road in 2017. Bauhaus Group, which is led by Remy Savage and Paul Lougrat, currently also operates A Bar with Shapes for a Name, also in Kingsland Road, and High Water in Stoke Newington Road. Bauhaus Group is set to launch a new concept on the ex-Untitled Bar site later this year. Piers Finley, of CBRE, acted on the Hackney deal. 

 

PizzaExpress offering club members 50% off and non-club members 25% off dine-in pizzas in January: PizzaExpress is offering its PizzaExpress Club members 50% off, and non-club members 25% off, dine-in pizzas in January. It comes after the company’s survey of 2,000 UK adults showed that 82% agreed that seeing friends and family would help alleviate the “January blues”. Furthermore, it showed that more than two-thirds of January birthdays “go uncelebrated” due to the post-festive slump, with 69% of those born in January admit to not celebrating at all and 66% agreeing that the first month of the year is the worst time to have a birthday. Over half (57%) opt to spend their birthdays indoors and nearly a third (30%) say the day is often forgotten by friends and family. But it’s not just birthdays that go missed in January as nearly half (45%) of Brits put all celebrations on hold, with many putting off new job celebrations (22%), date nights (21%), promotions (21%) and wedding anniversaries (14%). PizzaExpress’ winter menu includes a new formaggi and pancetta penne and chocolate fondant dessert.

 

Bespoke Hotels set to expand in 2024, plans include four new openings and an acquisition: Bespoke Hotels, the UK’s largest independent hotel group, is set to expand in 2024, with its plans including four new openings and an acquisition. It will open the Bailiffgate Hotel in Alnwick in the summer, followed by Hotel Gothams in Newcastle and Bristol over the winter of 2024-25. Construction is also set to commence at the Noss at Dart Marina in Dartmouth, with a 2025 opening planned. Furthermore, the business will take over the Lumley Castle Hotel in County Durham, including a soft refurbishment in the coming months, and work with the Biarritz Hôtel in Jersey for its season opening in April 2024, ahead of a full refurbishment next winter. The plans will take Bespoke Hotels’ portfolio to almost 90 hotels, in excess of 5,000 rooms and more than 6,000 staff. Chief executive Thomas Greenall said: “This is a very exciting time for everyone at Bespoke Hotels and we look forward to a significant year ahead in elevating the brand to new heights. Whether it be new openings, acquisitions or refurbishments, 2024 will be an eventful year for the Bespoke Hotels family and its loyal guests, as we look to build on our status as the UK’s largest independent hotel group.”

Italian restaurant makes UK debut in London’s Chelsea: Italian restaurant Tabisca, which originated in Lecce, has made its UK debut in London's Chelsea. Tabisca has opened in the former 1771 site at 18-22 Holbein Place, offering “dishes with particular attention to the flavours of Salento and Puglia”. The name comes from the Arabic word “tabisc”, meaning the shape of the chopping board on which cold cuts of meat are laid out. As well as meat and cheese platters, its menu includes meat with tartares, carpaccio and Sicilian meat skewers, plus steaks from around the world, reports Hot Dinners.

 

JD Wetherspoon to open new London pub today following £2.3m investment: JD Wetherspoon is to open its new pub near Euston station in London today (Tuesday, 9 January). The company has spent £2.3m developing the outlet, the former SophistiCats club, on the corner of Eversholt Street and Doric Way and has created 55 jobs. The pub, which will be called The Captain Flinders, will be managed by Samantha Pugh. Food is served throughout the day, from opening until 11pm daily. 

 

Mindful Chef reports 2,069% uplift in new sign-ups since new year including biggest day for fresh business since pandemic: Healthy recipe box service Mindful Chef has reported a 2,069% uplift in new sign-ups since the new year, including its biggest day for fresh business since the pandemic, as consumers look to “trade up to quality meals at home” during the cost-of-living crisis. It said that on 28 December 2023, the rate of new sign-ups led to a website crash and the need to call in its digital teams to cope with the surge in demand. Following this, on 2 January, Mindful Chef experienced its biggest day for new customers since covid, achieving a 70% increase year on year. The business also reported strong growth across all customer segments, with win-back also up by 25% year on year. Co-founder Giles Humphries said: “Seeing the website crash just ahead of the new year was a clear indication to us that health and well-being remains at the front of many people’s minds. We were delighted to see such a significant spike in new customer sign-ups post-new year, with a 2,069% uplift. This has beaten the 452% increase we experienced at the peak of the covid lockdown. We believe that due to the cost-of-living challenges, more consumers are opting to eat in and trade up to quality meals at home, which is why we continue to partner with the likes of Deliciously Ella, Leon, Wahaca, Nando’s, Hawksmoor, Giggling Squid and Rukmini Iyer. As a business with health and well-being at its heart, the new year is typically a busy period for Mindful Chef. However, with increased pressure on customer spending, this recent hike is higher than expected.” Founded in 2015, Mindful Chef offers one-person, two-person and family recipe boxes, and also caters for vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian and pescatarian diets. Each week, there are 40 new recipes to choose from, featuring flavours from around the world.

 

CVC Capital Partners set to acquire La Piadineria restaurant chain: UK-based private equity firm CVC Capital Partners has agreed to acquire the circa 390-strong, Italian-based, fast-casual restaurant chain La Piadineria, in a deal that would value the business at around €300m (£258.4m). CVC Capital Partners is acquiring La Piadineria from Permira, which acquired the restaurant chain around the end of 2017 in a deal valued at circa €250m. La Piadineria is expected to post revenues exceeding €200m for 2023. It currently operates about 390 sites across 65 cities and towns in Italy. The deal for La Piadineria is expected to complete this week, with CVC set to back the company’s further growth in Italy and help it scale internationally. CVC currently backs Away Resorts in the UK.