Caffè Nero H1 UK sales up 10.1%, achieves record £8.4m in weekly sales, FY sales up 19%: Caffè Nero, the Gerry Ford-led, premium coffee house brand, has reported a 10.1% rise in sales for the first half of its financial year to November 2023, to £200m across its 620-strong UK business. The company, which currently operates 1,057 stores across ten countries with 10,000 employees, serving over 150 million customers a year, reported sales growth of 17% over the same period last year. At group level, the business revealed sales for the first half of the financial year of £265m, an increase of 10% in like-for-like sales. Caffè Nero UK also reported strong trading during the key Christmas period. In November and December 2023, sales exceeded £60m, a 7% like-for-like sales increase compared to 2022. The company said its UK business achieved a record £8.4m in weekly sales during the week from 27 November and served more than 7.7 million customers during December. The group opened 43 new stores during the half year, with 20 of those in the UK and Ireland. It also opened four new airport sites during the period, meaning it now operates 43 stores in 13 airports. The company said its delivery business benefited from continuing strong partnerships with UberEats, Deliveroo and Just Eat, generating £4.7m of revenue, a 28% rise during the half year. It said its Coffee at Home business for the same period achieved sales of £1.9m, an increase of 58%. Ford, Caffè Nero founder and group chief executive, said: “We’ve seen a very encouraging first-half. Despite significant ongoing inflationary pressures that had a notable effect on our business, we have delivered solid sales growth and demonstrated strong cost control. This is a testament to the hard work and outstanding service from our store teams as well as a very well received menu innovation in the UK including the Amaretto Latte in the autumn and a hugely successful Christmas menu. We expect to see sales continue to improve further over the coming weeks and months.” Caffè Nero also reported annual results for the last financial year, ending May 2023 (FY23). During that period at group level, sales increased to £450m, a rise of 16%, with group Ebitda at £41.7m. During the year, the group restarted its openings program and added 63 new stores across the world. It said its UK business increased sales from £254m (FY22) to £302m (FY23), a rise of 19%, with UK Ebitda at £32.9m. During the year, its delivery business experienced strong growth of 39%, benefiting from the introduction of a third delivery partner in Just Eat, and the Coffee at Home business had sales of £2.9m, growth of £1m, driven by the continued strengthening of partnerships with major supermarket and retail partners, and the expansion of the brand’s Waitrose partnership. Its UK business also saw a 38% increase in iced drinks sales which resulted from the introduction of the “Coffee over Ice” menu range. Ford said: “FY23 was a year of recovery. Each month provided a positive progression in sales, another step forward, and by the end of the financial year, we felt we had returned to pre-pandemic levels. I’m pleased with the resilience the business showed during the year and the progress we made in the trading conditions we faced.” Caffe Nero features in the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book, the latest version of which was sent to Premium Club members last Friday (9 February) and has grown to 875 companies. Its turnover of £450m for the year ending May 2023 is the 27th highest in the database. The Blue Book ranks companies by turnover, profit and profit conversion, listing directors’ earnings for the past five years. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club 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.

 

Jamie Oliver Group global restaurant group director Ed Loftus to speak at first Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2024, open for bookings: Ed Loftus, global restaurant group director for the Jamie Oliver Group, will be among the speakers at the first Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2024. The conference takes place on Thursday, 21 March, at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in London’s Kensington, and is open for bookings. Loftus talks about the group’s return to the UK dining scene, why this time it is different, and the continuing success of its international business across several different formats. Operators can book up to three free places per company while Premium Club members who are operators can book up to four free places. To book, email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com.

Premium Club members to receive Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit Conference videos and next Who’s Who of UK Hospitality on Friday: Premium Club members are to receive all the videos from this year’s Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit Conference on Friday (16 February), at 9am. Members will be sent 26 separate video presentations, featuring more than 60 speakers. They include: Thom and James Elliot, co-founders of Pizza Pilgrims, giving a behind the scenes look at the mini-series, Pilgrimage II, where the brothers returned to Italy to retrace their journey through the country that led them on the path to create this iconic brand. Ryan Warren, client success manager at Trison, discusses with Siobhan Lloyd, head of marketing at 200 Degrees Coffee; Julius Wiesenhutter, co-founder and chief executive at GetViola; and Megan Burton-Brown, marketing director at Tortilla; about how operators are becoming more omnichannel in their approach. Also on Friday, at midday, Premium Club members will receive the next Who’s Who of UK Hospitality, which features more than 230,000 words of content. Another 31 companies have been added to the database, which now features 863 companies. This month’s edition will also include 71 updated entries. The companies, listed in alphabetical order, will have their most recent results reported as well as broader information around Ebitda, plans and trading style available. The database merges Companies House information, interviews and other public information to provide an easy to reference and exhaustive guide to the sector. Premium members also receive access to five other databases: the Multi-Site Database, the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, the New Openings Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database and the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database. Propel has evolved its Premium subscription offer by launching Premium Club. All circa 4,000 existing subscribers automatically became members. Premium Club comes with even more benefits. All subscribers will be offered a 20% discount on tickets to four Propel paid-for events – The Excellence in Pub Retailing Conference (14 May), Social Media for Profit (18 July), the Talent and Training Conference (1 October) and Restaurant Marketer and Innovator (two days in January 2025). Operators will also be able to send up to four members of staff to each of our four Multi-Club Conferences for free. Premium Club members receive their daily Propel Info newsletter 11 hours earlier than standard subscribers, at 7pm the evening before. They also receive videos of presentations at eight Propel conference events two weeks after they are held. This represents around 100 videos of industry insight over the course of the year. Premium Club members will be sent a dedicated monthly newsletter that will highlight key updates in the sector and direct subscribers to all the vital content their membership offers. Premium Club members also receive exclusive opinion columns every Friday at 5pm, which include the thoughts of Propel group editor Mark Wingett and a host of industry leaders from across the sector. A Propel Premium Club 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 Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

Half of all Valentine’s Day bookings made last minute, late rush expected once more: Half of all Valentine’s Day bookings are made at the last minute, with a late rush expected again this year, new data has shown. Over the past two years, 50% of all bookings were made in the three days before Valentine’s Day, with one in five guests booking on the day itself, according to new figures from hospitality technology supplier Zonal. With current booking data seeming to be in line with 2023 patterns, operators can expect a similar rush of last-minute bookings for 2024, Zonal said. Last year saw a 100% increase in reservations made for Valentine’s Day compared with 2022, and while this reflects the impact covid-19 continued to have on the industry, it also shows that the day remains “a golden opportunity to drive bookings, footfall and revenue”. Olivia FitzGerald, chief sales and marketing officer at Zonal, said: “Our insights suggest that Valentine’s Day 2024 will follow previous trends for a rush of last-minute reservations. Operators will benefit from showing real-time availability and keeping tables open as long as possible. Last-minute booking channels can also help mitigate the effect of those costly no shows – sadly inevitable on big trading occasions such as Valentine’s Day. Our #ShowUpForHospitality campaign found the industry loses a shocking £17.59bn annually due to people not honouring their reservations. User-friendly booking platforms that allow for deposits and provide clear cancellation options are more important than ever. It’s not just about using tech though – we also need to do more to educate consumers on the impact no-shows have on their favourite pubs, bars and restaurants.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a delivery operator that is looking for a legal counsel. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “To support its expansion and corporate development, the business is looking for its first in-house legal counsel to join the UK team. The company culture is supportive yet offers autonomy. It trusts individuals to fulfil their roles and work collaboratively to bring company objectives to fruition. It is looking for a fully qualified lawyer with extensive knowledge of commercial contracts, including leasing and franchise agreements. Experience across data privacy, employment law and compliance would also be beneficial.” The salary is up to £85,000 and the position is based in Milton Keynes. For more information, email sheila@corecruitment.com. 

 

Bassadone – property side is only silver lining from covid, looking to do four to five Noci sites a year: Andy Bassadone, co-founder of Strada and Cote and current chairman of Various Eateries, has told Propel that business plans to open four to five sites a year under its fledgling pasta concept Noci and that the “whole property side of the sector is the only silver lining from covid”. Bassadone confirmed that the business will open its fourth Noci site at the end of April in Richmond, on the former The Fat Badger site. He told Propel: “Every site with Noci that we’ve taken, we’ve probably made a £300,000 to £400,000 saving than we would have made pre covid. That’s not even including better rent deals. They’re either generous rent deals or landlord contributions in the case of something like Battersea Power Station. In the case of Islington, it has been a fully fitted restaurant, same with Shoreditch, where we easily spent £300,000 to £400,000 less than we would have, and Richmond is a similar situation. Opportunities like this were available up to a point beforehand, but much less and certainly not with the rent deals we are seeing now. The big significant difference is, if you take Richmond, the high street used to be prime retail and now it’s vape shops and charity shops. The high costs of rent for restaurants has to come down, because there’s so much property available on the high street or adjacent that previous levels can’t be sustained. We’ve got deals where we’ve got a cap and a collar on any future rent review. The whole property side is the only silver lining from covid.” Bassadone said the initial ambition with Noci is to build slowly within the Greater London area. “I think we had 27 Stradas before we moved outside London and 14 Cotes,” he said. “We’re going to build within all the residential inner and outer boroughs, with the odd central site, and then we’ll move out to all the well-known places everybody goes to when they move outside the capital. I think we can do four or five a year constantly. This early part is really important to get the culture right. The original Strada was way ahead of the competition in 1998, and that’s where Noci has got to be. I think Noci is really well placed. It’s affordable but you are having a proper food experience, and I think that’s where the future has got to lie.” The growth of Noci is being headed by Bassadone and Various Eateries head of operations Sara Mcilvaney, who joined the business from Strada in January 2020.

Foodco UK turnover tops £40m for first time, under offer on ten stores as January lfls and footfall up 10%: Foodco UK – the operator of Australian brands Muffin Break and Jamaica Blue here – saw its turnover top £40m for the first time in the year to 30 June 2023, Propel has learned. Foodco UK is also under offer for ten new stores, as like-for-like sales and customer footfall across its estate both rose by 10% in January. The stores under offer are nine Muffin Breaks and one Jamaica Blue – with one in Scotland and the rest in the south of England, including four within the M25. Propel reported last month that Foodco had begun the sale of equity stores to franchisees and was looking to add up to 20 stores in 2024, including in high street locations rather than its traditional shopping centre sites. This after reporting Muffin Break’s turnover rose from £6,987,510 in 2022 to £8,270,758 and Jamaica Blue’s turnover rose from £3,302,992 in 2022 to £4,795,969. While those figures were from the main company’s royalty stream, the circa £40m turnover is from actual sales for both brands, including those from within franchised stores. Foodco UK head of estates, Josh Nixon, told Propel: “Foodco is delighted to have surpassed the £40m turnover milestone, solidifying the strong customer demand for our on-site freshly baked goods and espresso coffee. We are looking forward to a busy year ahead, with strong demand from existing and new franchisees for new stores across the UK.” Foodco operates 66 sites in the UK under Muffin Break and 20 under Jamaica Blue. It launched here in 2001 as the UK arm of the Australian Foodco business, which was founded in 1989 and has more than 550 locations across eight countries.

 

Treatz owners launch franchise programme for better burger concept, seeking locations throughout the UK for expansion: The team behind Treatz, the dessert brand based in Slough, Berkshire, has launched a franchise programme for its better burger business, Chipsta, and is seeking locations throughout the UK for nationwide expansion. Chipsta was founded in 2022 by Mohammad Khalil and Mohammed Monir, having grown their Treatz brand to 18 sites throughout the UK over the previous decade. They opened their debut Chipsta store at 254 Farnham Road in Slough and are now looking at properties in major cities, towns, retail parks, shopping centres and other prime locations with high footfall and visibility. The business exhibited at this month’s British & International Franchise Exhibition at London Olympia, as it seeks partners to expand with, and has brought on board Treatz franchise manager Mark Jones. “Our fries are awesome, but we also love burgers – proper burgers,” the business said. “Since our launch in 2022 we’ve provided our customers with a vibrant, sleek environment where they can enjoy excellent food with exceptional customer service every time they step into our stores. Our tried and tested formula, proven methods and successful operational systems ensure a firm foundation for sustainable growth, to provide jobs and open the door of opportunity to local communities and businesses.” Chipsta is offering a franchise package of £157,000 total investment, including fit-out, design fees and legal fees, alongside pre and post opening support, marketing assistance and a training programme. Meanwhile, Treatz’s store in Queen Street, Sutton Coldfield, which has an annual turnover of £500,000, has been put on the market. It averages more than £10,000 a week in takings and makes a gross profit of £91,962 and is on the market for £249,995, reports Birmingham Live. Blacks Business Brokers said: “This branch was established by our client in this busy area of Sutton Coldfield in 2018. It has become very well known in this area and has a strong base of regular customers in place as well as benefitting from a huge amount of passing trade. Treatz has a comprehensive, central franchise website in place with ordering service and table booking. This presents an excellent opportunity for a new owner-operator or team to take the business to the next level.”

 

Park Chinois returns to profit following ‘gradual rebound’, still keen on global expansion: Park Chinois, the Chinese restaurant in Mayfair formerly headed up by Wagamama founder Alan Yau, returned to profit in the year to 25 March 2023 following a “gradual rebound”. The company saw a £1,397,700 pre-tax loss turn into a profit of £53,389 as turnover rose from £10,620,754 to £14,560,532. It received no government grants compared with £695,661 in 2022 and no dividends were paid (2022: nil). It still owes £3,646,071 in Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme payments (2022: £4,640,433), due in full by December 2025. During the year, the company extended the lease on its 17 Berkeley Street principal place of business by 20 years to June 2044, subject to a rent review every five years. Director Imtiaz Haque said: “The period ended 25 March 2023 witnessed a gradual rebound in the restaurant industry following the turbulent times brought on by the pandemic. However, the business continued to face challenges in the post-pandemic era such as inflationary pressures on procurement prices, labour shortages post Brexit, rising utility and consumables prices. The company operated at close to pre-pandemic levels despite running a reduced service until October 2022. The directors are of the opinion that the company will be profitable in the future, based on the forecast performance of the underlying business. The focus of the business is now on consolidating the UK business as well as looking at a number of opportunities internationally, and there are plans for growth to further take the Park Chinois concept to prominent cities globally.”

 

Gladwin Brothers close Richmond site, set to be a Noci: The Gladwin brothers, Richard and Oliver, have closed their The Fat Badger site in London’s Richmond, two years after it opened, stating they have been unable to make the site profitable. The business said: “Gladwin Brothers Local & Wild Restaurants are sad to announce that The Fat Badger has now closed. It has been a difficult decision but after two years trading, we have been unable to make the site profitable and we are just too small a business to support the losses. We have made many friends in the vibrant Richmond community – it has been a pleasure to host your birthdays, brunches, and Sunday lunches, as well as selling great British seasonal produce in our farm shop. All our staff have been transferred into other sites and we thank them for their hard work in trying to make The Fat Badger a success. This, however, is not a farewell, but a transition. Gladwin Brothers restaurants continue to thrive at The Black Lamb in Wimbledon Village, The Shed in Notting Hill; Rabbit in Chelsea; and The Sussex in Soho. We also have an exciting new project in the pipeline that we are eager to unveil ­– look out for updates.” The Fat Badger opened at the end of 2021 just off Richmond High Street, on the former Gourmet Burger Kitchen site in Hill Rise. Propel understands that it will be a new opening under Various Eateries’ Noci concept, which already operates sites in Islington, Battersea and Shoreditch. Various Eateries is understood to be working with property advisor Teague & Capital to secure sites in the capital for the pasta concept, with Greenwich, Wimbledon, Notting Hill and Waterloo on its target list.

 

Chopstix strengthens Welcome Break partnership: Fast-growing, quick service restaurant brand Chopstix has strengthened its partnership with motorway service area operator Welcome Break with the opening of two new sites. It brings the total number of Chopstix sites operated by the franchise partner to 15. Chopstix said it has had considerable success with roadside units since first opening sites with operator Applegreen in 2015, and strengthening the brand’s presence in this area is “a core focus for the business in 2024”. The two new Welcome Break openings, at Welcome Break Newport Pagnell North (M1) services in Buckinghamshire and Welcome Break Membury West (M4) services in Berkshire, takes the total number of motorway service area sites operated by the Chopstix Group to 58, having acquired all of competitor Chozen Noodle’s 27 motorway service area units in March 2023, two of which have since been converted to the Chopstix brand. Jon Lake, Chopstix managing director, said: “We’re aware from customer feedback and sales data from our existing roadside units how well our proposition works in this format. Welcome Break is a very important partner for the brand, which operates some of the highest performing Chopstix restaurants in our roadside portfolio, so I’m delighted to launch these two new locations with it, and excited to see how our relationship progresses with Welcome Break in the future.” Adrian Grimes, Welcome Break’s commercial director, added: “We have been delighted with how well Chopstix has performed both in the two newest units and across our existing portfolio. The Chopstix brand is a favourite among our customers, and we are looking forward to seeing the partnership grow in the future.”   

 

Oche concept owner opens first UAE site: The Social Gaming Group, the company behind gastro-gaming entertainment brand Oche, which made its UK debut in 2022, has opened its first site in the UAE. The business has launched Oche Fountain Views in Dubai – its ninth site overall. It is the first venue the business has opened with its franchise partner RMAL Hospitality, which is partnering the brand to open further sites across the UAE. It is also the seventh market for Oche, with other sites already situated in the UK, Singapore, Norway, The Netherlands, Sweden and Australia. The company said the move into the UAE was part of a multi-venue deal to grow the brand across the region and will see Oche expand into “desirable, city centre entertainment hubs”. Late last year, the business secured approval to open a site in Edinburgh. The company is set to open its second UK Oche site at 80 George Street in the city. It made its UK debut with a launch in The Strand, in London. Troy Warfield, chief executive of The Social Gaming Group, previously told Propel that the company aims to eventually grow to 100 bars worldwide.

 

SSP acquires Australian airport F&B operator: SSP Group, the UK operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations worldwide, has acquired Australian airport food and beverage operator Airport Retail Enterprises (ARE) for an undisclosed sum. Founded in 1971, privately-owned ARE has annual sales in the region of AUS$200m (circa £100m) from 62 outlets, principally bars, casual dining restaurants and cafes, across seven Australian airports: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Canberra, Townsville and Mount Isa. The acquisition of ARE is aligned to SSP’s strategy of accelerating growth in the Asia Pacific region and will see the group enhance its presence in Australia. SSP has had a presence in Australia since 2007 and now operates 40 units across seven airports and one train station. Acquiring ARE’s portfolio will see SSP gain entry into four new airports (Canberra, Gold Coast, Townsville and Mount Isa) and will see it operate circa 100 units across 11 of the largest 19 airports in Australia. The acquisition is expected to complete by the end of June, and post completion, is expected to be immediately earnings accretive, although the contribution in the current financial year will be largely offset by initial integration costs. SSP said the transaction represents an effective use of its strong balance sheet, being funded through existing cash and credit facilities. Patrick Coveney, chief executive of SSP Group, said: “The acquisition will increase our portfolio of brands and concepts, give us entry into new prime air locations, enhance our position as a leading airport food and beverage operator in the country and create significant value for shareholders. The Asia Pacific region offers a significant opportunity to build returns and drive growth for the group, and our enlarged business in Australia will have the opportunity to become a regional centre of excellence.” Peter Butts, founder of ARE, added: “The acquisition will allow the combined business to offer an even wider range of high-quality food and beverage selections and maintain an unwavering commitment to excellence in the airport environment.” Last month, SSP said it made a strong start to the year with double-digit like-for-like growth in the UK in the three months to 31 December 2023.

 

Gong Cha signs first master franchise agreement in Africa: Gong Cha, the fast-growing bubble tea brand headquartered in the UK, has signed its first master franchise agreement in Africa. Mad Vision Group – Gong Cha’s master franchisee in Belgium, the Netherlands and France – has agreed plans to expand into Morocco. Mad Vision Group, based in Belgium and led by Adlane Draou, first became a master franchisee in Benelux in 2022. Since then, Mad Vision Group has expanded rapidly, opening more than ten new stores and expanding into France. Mad Vision Group will leverage its experience operating in Morocco to launch more than 15 Gong Cha stores, with the first opening in Casablanca this month. By 2030, the Middle East and Africa bubble tea market is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 7.5%. To capitalise on growing demand in the region, Gong Cha recently signed its largest master franchise agreement to open more than 300 stores in the Middle East with Shahia Foods Group. Paul Reynish, global chief executive of Gong Cha, said: “We’re excited to be opening our third market with them in Morocco, with a 160 square metre flagship store. This will also be Gong Cha’s first foray into Africa – a high-growth market with significant upside in the years ahead. Our east-to-west story continues with the 24th country opening.” Draou added: “We’re excited to expand into Morocco, building on our success to date in Belgium and France. Gong Cha is now an important part of our portfolio and, as consumers increasingly seek bubble tea, presents exciting opportunities for Mad Vision Group to grow.”

 

Printworks London may reopen by 2026 after developers submit plans: Printworks London, the 6,000-capacity post-industrial “super club”, could reopen by 2026 after property developers that own the site filed their plans to Southwark Council. British Land and its partner AustralianSuper, one of the country’s largest pension funds, have submitted a detailed proposal to the council to redevelop the site in Rotherhithe into a permanent cultural venue just over a year after the club shut its doors. The pair are in exclusive talks with Broadwick, the electronic music and arts operator that ran Printworks through a six-year temporary consent, to operate the new venue. It would occupy one half of the existing building, which was once home to the printing presses of the Daily Mail and Evening Standard, while the other half, known as the Grand Press, will be turned into offices for 1,500 workers and shops. Printworks forms part of British Land and AustralianSuper’s £6bn Canada Water project across 22 hectares (53 acres) south of a bend in the River Thames, opposite the skyscrapers of the Canary Wharf financial district. Emma Cariaga, who jointly leads the project for British Land, said: “We intend to create a permanent cultural venue and put it on the map globally. Over the last six years, Printworks has become an iconic venue for electronic music and one of the top five clubs in the world. But our plans seek to push that to deliver a much broader programme.” London night czar, Amy Lamé, added: “Printworks was a fantastic addition to London’s world-renowned cultural scene, attracting people from all around the globe and setting new and ambitious standards for all to follow. I’ve worked closely with the operator and owner, and I’m thrilled by these inspiring new plans to create an incredible permanent venue. This will be an exciting new chapter as we build a better London for everyone.”

 

Safestay secures £18.5m of new funding to expand hostel estate: Hostel operator Safestay, which owns and operates 17 hostels across Europe, has secured an £18.5m funding package to support its growth strategy. Comprising a term loan to refinance existing funding and a revolving credit facility (RCF), Safestay has secured the new financing from HSBC UK to support the delivery of its “post-pandemic acquisition strategy” and to make investments into its existing portfolio. The business made its first post-pandemic acquisition in November, marking its return to Edinburgh with the purchase of a city centre site. The business plans to use a portion of the funding from HSBC UK to make a £1m investment into refurbishing the 225-bed Safestay Edinburgh Cowgate Hostel, in advance of the key summer market this year. Larry Lipman, chairman of Safestay, said: “This funding improves our flexibility and enables additional investment into the development and growth of our business. Returning to Edinburgh, with its thriving tourism industry, was an important moment for the business after the pandemic, and completing this deal with HSBC UK is the next step. It enables us to make investments across our portfolio and resume our plans for expansion into key gateway cities, achieving economies of scale in regions across Europe.” Elizabeth Davies, head of hotels at HSBC UK, added: “Since the pandemic, hostels have become an increasingly exciting, growing segment of the hospitality industry, and supporting Safestay’s growth strategy reflects our wider focus at HSBC UK of supporting across the full spectrum of accommodation businesses.”

 

Center Parcs appoints Cathryn Petchey as new chief people officer: Center Parcs has appointed Cathryn Petchey, formerly of Superdry and Mulberry, as its new chief people officer. Petchey joins Center Parcs after just over two years as people director at Superdry. Prior to that, she spent more than four years as HR director at Mulberry. She also had stints as HR director at The Consortium and Smiths News. Center Parcs said that Petchey has “a wealth of experience across consumer and retail businesses, both in the UK and globally”. Last autumn, it was reported that the owner of Center Parcs’ operations in Britain was in talks with some of its own investors about the sale of a stake in the holiday resorts company amid a stuttering £5bn auction. Sky News reported Brookfield Property Partners, which has owned Center Parcs’ UK business since 2015, had opened discussions with a number of the limited partners in its funds about a potential transaction. The disclosure of the conversations underlined the fact Brookfield was evaluating serious alternatives to an outright sale of Center Parcs UK and Ireland. The business comprises six sites here and has been owned by Brookfield since 2015, having bought Center Parcs’ UK operations for a reported £2.4bn. 

 

Liverpool McDonald’s franchisee reports increase in turnover but drop in profit: Liverpool McDonald’s franchisee CJRach has reported an increase in turnover but a drop in profit for the year to 31 March 2023. The six-strong business is owned by Tony Higdon, whose portfolio includes the Lord Street branch in the city where he started out as a crew member in 1986. His subsequent roles with the business included operations manager for the north west and operations consultant in charge of ten stores, before remortgaging his home to raise the £130,000 needed to buy his first franchise site. The company’s turnover rose from £26,448,754 to £29,257,216 during the period. But its pre-tax profit fell from £2,347,036 to £34,226 as costs rose by almost £3m and admin expenses by almost £2m. Dividends of £215,000 were paid (2022: £150,000). No government grants were received (2022: £291,523). Higdon completed the acquisition of the Lord Street branch in 2019, along with the city’s Albert Dock restaurant, at which point he said: “Coming back to the store I started in is quite an achievement – I’m very proud of that, and quite a few people who were working at the store are still knocking around from that time. On my first day being back at the store, the woman who hired me in 1986 was still working here on the floor, so that was quite a moment.”

 

West Yorkshire microbrewery faces liquidation: West Yorkshire microbrewery Elland Brewery is facing liquidation after more than 20 years of trading. The business – best known for its 1872 Porter, which is the reigning Campaign for Real Ale Champion Beer of Britain – was established in 2002. The business was originally called Eastwood and Sanders Fine Ales after the amalgamation of The West Yorkshire Brewery and The Barge and Barrel Brewing Company. It rebranded as Elland Brewery in 2006 and is based at Heathfield Industrial Estate, Elland. A virtual meeting of creditors of the brewery is being proposed on Friday (16 February), according to a notice posted in The Gazette. Resolutions to be considered at the meeting will include the appointment of a liquidator. A meeting of shareholders has been called and will be held prior to the virtual meeting of creditors, to consider passing a resolution for the voluntary winding up of the company.

 

Detroit Pizza opens in Islington for second London site: Detroit Pizza has expanded its presence in London with an opening in Islington. The restaurant at the rear of 137 Upper Street marks Detroit Pizza’s second venue in the capital after its outlet at Spitalfields Market. The concept said its style of pizza is characterised by “its thick, focaccia-like crust, which is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside”. Detroit Pizza was represented by Cafe Ventures in the deal, which is spearheading Detroit Pizza’s expansion plans in London.

 

Former Noma and P Franco sommelier opens debut solo venture: Former Noma and P Franco sommelier Yukiyasu Kaneko has opened his debut solo venture, in London. Kaneko, who has also worked with former Koya chef Junya Yamasaki at Yess Aquatic in Los Angeles, has launched Yuki Bar at 426 Reading Lane in Hackney. Offering circa 20 covers to walk-ins only, it serves up natural wine and a short snacks menu with a European focus, drawing inspiration from Italy and Spain, reports Hot Dinners. Using seasonal products, the menu will change daily “based on availability of the best products” while the wine list promises “the world’s best natural wine” and “rare bottles”.

Hertfordshire Budgens franchisees plan second site for fried chicken concept: Two Hertfordshire franchisees of supermarket brand Budgens are planning a second site for their fried chicken concept. Sanjay and Rishi Chandarana, who own Pecker's in Hitchin, have applied to open a second site, at Unit 3 in Kenilworth Close, Stevenage. “We see Stevenage as a town that has a lot of potential and it doesn't have a huge amount of options [for similar chicken restaurants],” Chandarana told The Comet. “Stevenage really comes to mind because of the two Budgens stores that we have just outside, in Watton and Walkern. Because we have such a deep knowledge of Hitchin and Stevenage, and these local towns, we know that if we open there we can still deliver to five or six villages within a five-minute drive.”

 

Birmingham hotel management company opens new aparthotel: Birmingham hotel management company, Switch Hospitality, has opened a new aparthotel in the city centre. Acquired by SevenCapital in August 2020, the 92,000 square-foot Royal Angus Hotel is being managed by Switch Hospitality as part of its asset management portfolio, which includes the Park Regis Birmingham, Holiday Inn Express Birmingham South and the Nite Nite hotel. The Royal Angus has been redeveloped into a serviced 161-bedroom aparthotel to offer guests the choice of 84 studios, 71 one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments across nine floors. John Angus, managing director of Switch Hospitality, said: “Our ambition is for aparthotel Birmingham to become an industry-leading asset, combining a modern, highly sustainable design with exceptional service, where we have the ability to adapt to evolving guest demands.