Exclusive – Boojum plans to open 25 sites over the next five years in major UK student cities, starting in Leeds: Mexican fast-casual brand Boojum, which was acquired by the Azzurri Group last summer, plans to open 25 sites over the next five years in major UK student cities, starting with an opening in Leeds this spring. Founded in 2007, Boojum currently operates 15 sites, predominantly located across Belfast and Dublin. The company’s current mainland pipeline extends into Nottingham, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester. The new opening in the Merrion Centre, in Leeds, will mark the brand’s debut on the UK mainland. As revealed by Propel last month, Boojum is also making a significant investment in a new central production kitchen in the city, create 40 jobs across both sites. Robert Powell, head of operations at Boojum, told Propel: “We’ve seen other brands try to expand and not build out the necessary supply chain solutions to deliver the optimum experience. This often results in out-of-stock days or food sitting on shelves longer for the consumer. Our investment is aimed at delivering the freshest, highest quality Mexican product in the market.” The business said that operating a multi-channel, sit-in, takeaway, click-and-collect and delivery model from the Leeds site will help develop “a cult following” and that almost 150,000 social media followers “illustrate its success so far”. The Mexican fast-casual brand said its digital first approach has led to industry-leading store economics with particular success in the click-and-collect and delivery channels, earning it the number six spot in Deliveroo’s 2023 list of top trending dishes globally (the number one Mexican fast casual brand on the list). Boojum founder David Maxwell said: “Boojum's expansion into Leeds is no coincidence. The city’s bustling student life and reputation as a foodie paradise make it the perfect stage for our vibrant flavours.” Maxwell said that outside of weather events and transport strikes, trade for the business has been “at the top end of expectations”. He said: “It’s a difficult time out there for many of our competitors, but Boojum continues to trade ahead of the market in each city we operate in, driven in most part by our exceptional value proposition and loyal customer base.” Propel revealed last summer that the Steve Holmes-led Azzurri Group, which also operates ASK Italian, Zizzi and Coco Di Mama, was broadening its portfolio and entering the Mexican-themed fast-casual restaurant market with the acquisition of Boojum. It acquired a controlling interest in the then 14-strong business from Renatus Capital Partners for an undisclosed sum, with the intention of looking to help the business grow in Ireland and the UK.

Admiral Taverns invested more than £27m into community pubs last year: Admiral Taverns, the circa 1,500-strong, Proprium-backed business, said it invested more than £27m into elevating its community pubs throughout 2023. The group invested the funds into more than 300 pubs across both its leased and tenanted estate and its community wet-led division, Proper Pubs. Investments ranged from interior and external refurbishments through to updates to licensee accommodation and long-term structural improvements. Chris Jowsey, chief executive at Admiral Taverns, said: “We are committed to creating long-term, sustainable pubs that sit at the heart of their communities. Pubs are a cornerstone of British life and act as so much more than just a place to drink. They are social hives of activity that support all aspects of local life and most importantly, bring people together. It is vital that we continue to facilitate such an important part of community life by equipping licensees and operators with the correct tools and infrastructure to create thriving businesses.” The ongoing programme has seen Admiral invest across multiple areas of the UK. Manchester received a total investment sum of £1m across seven pubs, while Oxfordshire received £500,000 across an additional seven pubs. Sites that benefited from the investments include the Oddfellows Arms in Eccles, which received a £260,000 refurbishment in November, and the Golden Ball in Littlemore, with a £119,000 renovation also in November. In addition, the group invested more than £1.5m in numerous communities across Wales to further improve the offering of its pubs.