Soho House CEO – rebuts Glasshouse claims, to focus on growing membership over openings, to introduce Berenjak to Soho Farmhouse: Soho House has said an independent review of its accounting practices had “shown no material issues” following a critical report on its finance by short-seller Glasshouse. The company said its audit committee had “engaged a large, globally recognised forensic accounting firm and a prominent independent global law firm” to review its accounting practices. This was to “counter any misleading statements that have been made about us”, according to chief executive Andrew Carnie during Friday’s earnings conference. The company declined to name the two firms. New York-based short seller GlassHouse last month published a report criticising Soho House’s accounting practices and expansion strategy, accusing the group of having “a broken business model and terrible accounting” and describing its listing as being “eerily similar” to that of bankrupt company WeWork. Soho House, which floated on the New York Stock Exchange in 2021, rejected the report, saying it contained factual inaccuracies and that its biggest shareholders are considering taking the company private. Its shares have plunged almost 60% since its listing, including a fall of as much as 14% on Friday as annual earnings were announced. On Friday, Soho House reported it doubled adjusted Ebitda in 2023 as it made “significant progress” on improving profitability, with losses narrowing by more than $100m. It indicated a strong pipeline of more than 20 houses, but a focus in the near to medium term on membership and profit growth over house growth. Propel reported on Friday that the number of UK members has increased by more than 22,000 in the last two years, an increase of 46%. The numbers, as of 31 December 2023, stood at 70,865 members, up from 48,575 in January 2022. The number of houses in the UK in the period increased from 11 to 13 in that period. Chief executive Andrew Carnie said: “We’re planning to open two to four Soho houses a year for the next couple of years before returning to a higher cadence when credit and development markets become more accommodating.” Soho House Manchester, the group’s first house in the north of England, is set to open later this year across five floors, with a gym and health club, bedrooms, rooftop pool and bar, plus event spaces and two floors of club space. It will also open Soho Mews House in London’s Mayfair, on the former Hush site, later this year. At the same time, Carnie said the company will open a site with Berenjak, the JKS Restaurants-backed, Persian restaurant business, at Soho Farmhouse in the spring. Berenjak currently operates two restaurants in London and one in Dubai. 

 

BrewDog Bars MD James Brown to speak at Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference, open for bookings with 20% discount on tickets for Premium Club members: James Brown, managing director of BrewDog Bars, will be among the speakers at the Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference. The all-day conference takes place on Tuesday, 14 May at One Moorgate Place in London and is open for bookings. Brown will discuss building temples to craft beer in the UK and internationally, evolving the group's model and its approach to hiring, training and retaining staff. For the full speaker schedule, click here. Tickets are £295 plus VAT for operators and £395 plus VAT for suppliers. There is a 20% discount for operators and suppliers who are Premium Club members. Email: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to book places.

 

Next Propel Multi-Site Database to be sent to Premium Club members on Thursday, 28 March, grows to 3,075 businesses: The next Propel Multi-Site Database of multi-site companies, produced in association with Virgate, will be sent to Premium Club members on Thursday, 28 March, at midday. The database has now grown to include 3,075 multi-site operators, which operate 72,186 sites. An additional 16 companies, which operate 492 sites between them, have been added. The database has been redesigned so Premium Club members are able to search the data segmented into key industry sectors. This new straightforward segmentation allows 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. Premium Club members also receive access to five other databases: 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 Who's Who of UK Hospitality. Plus, all members will be offered a 20% discount on tickets to five 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 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.

 

Hospitality Data Insights – M&B's new Orleans Smokehouse concept off to a ‘flying start’ with average transaction values up: Orleans Smokehouse, the new concept launched last month by Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) near Solihull, has got off to “flying start” and is over indexing with younger age groups, according to research from Hospitality Data Insights (HDI), the provider of card spending insight and pricing data to the UK hospitality sector. The new concept launched on 19 February, on a converted Harvester site in Shirley, with M&B saying it expects “to see it grow across the UK”. Mark Bentley, business development director at HDI, said: “Less than four weeks since opening, and we are seeing early data for Orleans Smokehouse, and it’s fair to say it’s off to a flying start. Our site intel pro data shows that average transaction values (ATV) are up significantly when compared with Harvester previously, with ATV so far standing at £44.77 (the Harvester was averaging £37.46 in the last 26 weeks of trading) and nearly 40% of transactions being over £50. Compared to pubs, bars and restaurants within three miles, Orleans Smokehouse is over-indexing with younger age groups. Mid income customers are its most valuable customer group, and it has a notable over-index amongst low-income groups. Travel distances also reveal some interesting findings – 77% of spend is coming from customers living within ten miles, with one to three miles away being the sweet spot and delivering 34% of sales so far. A key measure for us to keep an eye on in the coming months is share of wallet. This shows what percentage of spend customers of Orleans Smokehouse are spending at the top 20 venues locally. What’s interesting to note, looking at the list here so far, is that there’s quite a few other M&B venues in there – this is expected, given their strength in the local area, but it suggests that launching Orleans Smokehouse could be seen as a very smart move from an estate management perspective as they’ll be attracting different types of occasions from the same guests. Other M&B venues featuring here include The Woodmans Rest, Masons Arms, The Colebrook, The Fieldhouse, The Plume of Feathers and The Sharmans Cros – a mix of high street and suburban pubs including brands like Stonehouse and Ember Inns.”

  

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a restaurant gearing up for launch in Central London this summer that is seeking a general manager. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The team behind this venture is all about serving up modern, delicious delights in a heightened casual setting. Part of your responsibilities will include leading the team with finesse, inspiring it to deliver exceptional service and embody its unique vibe, infusing your personality into every aspect of the operation, driving its culture, and propelling the restaurant forward, ensuring every guest leaves with a smile, having experienced something truly memorable. You will keep things running smoothly in a fast-paced environment, empowering your team to shine.” The salary is up to £55,000. For more information, email kate@corecruitment.com.

 

Hush Collection – we are confident in the performance, and in time growth, in the UK of Cabana, Hache has franchise potential: The Hush Collection, which is led by Jamie Barber and Ed Standring, has told Propel it is confident in the performance, and in time growth, in the UK of its Latin American-inspire brand Cabana, and that it believes its Hache concept has franchise opportunities in the UK and internationally. The business currently operates three Cabana sites and three Hache sites in London. Last November, the business, which also operates the Hache Brasseries concept, sold its Hush site in Mayfair to Soho House, a move it said has enabled it to focus on its two core brands. The company said: “Strategically, the company made the decision to focus on Hache sites with strong delivery sales and unit performance, and the Cabana sites which are more geared towards wet led activities (which typically have a lower cost of sales and labour). This led to the disposal of two small Hache sites in Shoreditch and Clapham, which were more exposed to increases in its cost base, and our site in Westfield London, which were completed post year end. In December 2022, the company won a lengthy lawsuit with the landlord at Hush, securing its lease and preserving value. We were subsequently able to re-commence negotiations with an acquirer which began before covid, and we were able to successfully complete the sale of our lease in Mayfair post year end. The total value of these disposals was in excess of £3.34m. Further sums are due in 2024, although contingent on the outcome of certain planning goals. The sale of these assets has allowed us to focus on our core activities, to repay certain shareholder loans, our overdraft facility in full, and to provide liquidity moving forward.” Sales for the year to 25 December 2022 were £14,157,246 (2021: £11,478,717) up 23% on the previous year. The company made an Ebitda loss of £388,926 (2021: £1.076m), while pre-tax loss stood at £1,348,070 (2021: £279,438). Ed Standring, chief executive of Hush Collection told Propel: “Following on from the second half of 2022, 2023 was a tough year, with the well documented revenue and cost pressures on a London-centric business impacting performance. The sale of Hush in November 2023 has enabled us to focus on our two core brands and we are confident in the performance and in time growth in the UK of Cabana, our Latin American vibe heavy bar and grill with tropical cocktails and spicy malagueta chicken. We have also opened our second franchise in Saudi Arabia and are exploring more international opportunities. Hache continues to serve London’s best burger in our neighbourhood locations, with a particularly strong performance on delivery. We believe Hache also has franchise opportunities in the UK and internationally. Our amazing team continue to lift people’s spirits and create memorable experiences in a difficult but slowly improving market, and we are super proud of them.” Barber acquired the then five-strong London estate of Cabana out of administration in 2019. The brand had at one time grown to 11 sites.

 

Crussh to return to the expansion trail: Crussh, the food-to-go and juice bar brand which was acquired out of administration at the end of 2022, is to return to the expansion trail. The entire Crussh business, which included 12 sites across London and a manufacturing arm, went into administration at the end of 2022. Propel revealed in January 2023 that Jason Collins, the founder of Apogee, the UK office digital solutions provider, and Bob and Rohini Finch, founders of venture capital firm Talis Capital, were among the investors behind the rescue from administration of Crussh, which now operates eight sites across the capital, for a total consideration of £640,896. In January, Propel reported that the manufacturing arm of Crussh had been placed into administration, on the back of Sainsbury’s ending its purchasing contract with the business. Propel now understands that the brand is looking to get back on the expansion trail and has lined up openings in Fulham Road and in Kensington Arcade, with the latter expected to open later this spring.

 

QSR concept Burrito Picante set for expansion after acquisition: Mexican-themed, quick service restaurant concept Burrito Picante is set for further expansion after it was acquired by Scotland-based investment firm Edison Capital, Propel has learned. Founded in 2012, Burrito Picante currently operates sites in Altrincham and Sheffield. The Irvine-based Edison Capital said that the all-cash deal will see the chain open stores in Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh in 2024. The business said: “We believe there is significant growth potential through franchising to expand the brand UK wide and internationally through a franchising model.” Propel understands that the business will come under the group’s MMI Raptor subsidiary, the specialist provider of contract catering, facilities management, temporary and permanent staffing, vending machines and F&B services across the UK. MMI Raptor is gearing up to expand its contract catering offering in to vending machines, with the launch of new concept Pizza Rebel. The vending concept, which offers piping hot pizza 24 hours a day, is set to be launched imminently, with plans to have 50 sites in 2024 across a range of locations across the UK. The business, including Burrito Picante, will be overseen by new managing director Iain Harben, formerly of Tesco Hospitality and Compass Group. Edison Capital is part of Edison Group, an expanding construction and property business based in Irvine, which is led by Calum Melville.

 

Flip Out planning 20-30 new sites in Northern Europe after making Swedish debut: Flip Out, the UK-based trampolining concept which is operated here by We Do Play, is planning 20 to 30 new sites in Northern Europe after making its Swedish debut. Having opened at Westfield Täby Centrum, in Stockholm, for its first site in Scandinavia, Flip Out now plans to open up to 30 more in the region over the next five years. “There is a significant gap in the market that we can fill, especially in shopping malls,” said Ricki Moss, chief executive of Flip Out Europe. “Forward-thinking landlords have realised the importance of providing leisure and entertainment in their plans to drive foot traffic and become a hub in the community.” Of the Stockholm site, he added: “I’m thrilled to finally be able to announce that we have partnered with Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield Nordics and signed a lease to bring the first Flip Out to Stockholm as part of our expansion across Europe. The 4,500 square-metre space in Westfield Täby Centrum will be home to our latest family entertainment centre and we look forward to bringing the people of Stockholm an unforgettable entertainment and party destination for families, young adults and individuals alike, where they can unleash their inner adventurer.” There are currently circa 70 Flip Out locations across the globe in countries including Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. We Do Play launched its latest Flip Out site in December, sharing a space in Canary Wharf's Cabot Square with go-karting concept Capital Karts. It is also behind crazy golf concept Putt Putt Noodle, which has relaunched as Putt Putt Social, with the first site under the new concept launching last week in Gloucester – including a first Gloucestershire site for You Me Sushi.

 

Heavenly Desserts signs up former Pizza Hut franchisee to boost London expansion plans: Artisan dessert restaurant Heavenly Desserts has signed up a former Pizza Hut franchisee to boost its expansion plans in London. Shafiq Jivraj, from High Wycombe, will look to develop the concept in the capital with new sites in north and west London. Joining his family’s franchise business with one Pizza Hut Delivery store in 2007, he had helped grow it to 23 units by 2017. He stepped down as a director of MSAJ Pizza, which is now known as GH Pizzas and operates 24 pizza outlets, in 2019. “The UK’s fastest growing dessert brand, Heavenly Desserts, is set to expand even further with their latest partnership,” said a spokesman for Seeds Consulting, which is working with the business on its expansion. “In a new agreement with an established franchise group led by Shafiq Jivraj – who has previously gained recognition as Pizza Hut Franchisee of the Year for four consecutive years – Heavenly Desserts will be beginning new developments in north and west London. This deal comes at a pivotal time for Heavenly Desserts, as the brand recently opened its 55th UK location in Sutton Coldfield in early February, marking their third site close to Birmingham city centre. Heavenly Desserts is working closely with Seeds Consulting on their European expansion and is in positive conversations about entering the German market.” Propel revealed earlier this month that Heavenly Desserts was looking to ramp up its European roll-out and was working with franchise consultant Raimond Roßleben to find sites in Germany. It so far has just one overseas location, in Mississauga, Canada, but has sold master franchise rights in India, Pakistan, the US and Denmark. Heavenly Desserts co-founder Yousef Aslam told Propel in January that he is has targeted 100 sites by end the end of 2026, and that he had launched a smaller scale kiosk format in a bid to attract more franchisees. The first of these opened within the Livingston Designer Outlet's Food Quarter in West Lothian, Scotland, in December.

 

Former McDonald’s UK COO’s franchise operation falls to loss despite turnover hitting record £130m: Fortress Operations, the franchise operation founded by former McDonald’s UK chief operating officer Richard Forte, fell to a loss in the year ending 31 March 2023, despite the business seeing turnover rise to a record £130m. The company, which operates 30 McDonald’s restaurants across Berkshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, reported turnover increased 4.3% to £130,145,204 compared with £124,781,562 the year before. However, the company made a pre-tax loss of £2,669,537 compared with a profit of £8,202,128 the previous year. In his report accompanying the accounts, Forte said: “Due to increases in both food and labour costs, gross profit for the year fell by 12.5% compared with the previous year. In common with many other similar businesses and industries, the war in Ukraine has had a significant impact on raw product costs and fuel and utility costs, along with other overheads. Sales through digital channels, including McDelivery, mobile apps and self-order kiosks have continued to increase during the year. However, food cost inflation during the year has been at a record high and in addition energy costs have continued to rise, which has affected the financial performance of the company. We believe the trading environment will continue to be challenging but remain optimistic regarding future trading and is committed to continuing the company’s reinvestment programme.” The company did not receive any government grants (2022: £56,004). A dividend of £452,494 was paid (2022: £442,486). Forte started out with McDonald’s 30 years ago, as trainee manager to the director of operations, before spending eight years as its chief operations officer and senior vice-president UK & Northern Europe. In 2016, he returned to his home town of Reading to start up his own McDonald’s franchise, starting out with four restaurants in the Berkshire town. It has now grown to be, according to Forde, “the largest conventional McDonald's franchisee organisation in Europe”.

 

Thai Express set to open four new UK stores as it seeks multi-unit and area development partners: Thai street food restaurant Thai Express is set to open four new UK stores as it seeks multi-unit and area development partners to aid its growth. The company was founded more than two decades ago in Canada and has grown to more than 300 locations around the world. It was brought to the UK by Uzma and Sachin Pattani and made its debut here in 2012, since when it has grown to seven locations. This includes its first “kitchen” format site, which opened in Edinburgh in 2021, adding casual dining and a licensed bar to its offer. It now has sites in Nottingham, Coventry, Sutton Coldfield and Glasgow in the pipeline, as it looks to expand into more parts of the UK. “Thai Express is the new take on traditional Thai cuisine and the global leading brand for fast casual Thai dining,” a spokesman for the company said. “Since our UK launch, we have been working tirelessly to ensure we have the platform for growth. 50% of revenue is driven by loyal fans and repeat customers and this continues to drive our innovation and development. In 2021, we opened the world's first Thai Express Kitchen, moving the brand into the fast-casual space, offering a full-service Thai dining concept. We have new sites opening in Nottingham, Coventry, Sutton Coldfield and Glasgow as we look to become the go-to national Thai brand and continue our UK expansion. We are looking for multi-unit and area development partners with the capabilities to open a minimum of three to five units; they must be able to finance the first two units.”

 

Backyard Chicken to be relaunched in partnership with Sessions: Backyard Chicken, the concept from former Jamie’s Italian chief executive Simon Blagden, has been relaunched in partnership with Sessions, the growth platform for original food brands, Propel has learned. The chicken concept, which saw Blagden reunited with Jules Hunt, former executive chef of Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group, launched its debut restaurant site in spring 2019 on the ex-CAU site in Bristol’s Queens Road. The site is now closed. The new venture was backed by hospitality entrepreneur Jeremy Mogford, who founded the Browns brasserie and bar chain. Sessions said: “Backyard Chicken, a local gem in Bristol, is reignited in partnership with Sessions. Headed up by the former executives of Jamie's Italian; Simon Blagden and Jules Hunt and powered by Sessions – Backyard Chicken’s globally inspired fried chicken dishes are full of flavour and dedicated to delivering tasty and flexible menus. Fittingly, the brand is coming back home to Bristol as one of the first locations to go live!”

 

Kirkstall Brewery to take on ‘landmark’ The Tetley site: Brewer and retailer Kirkstall Brewery has announced that it is taking on the lease of The Tetley in Leeds, with plans to make it a hub for great beer from the city and renew its status as a “landmark of Yorkshire beer culture”. The Tetley building is the former brewing headquarters of Tetley's Brewery, built in the Art Deco style in 1931. In the 1980s, Tetley’s Brewery became the largest producer of cask ale in the world, and the site has remained an icon of Leeds beer history, even after its closure in 2011. The building, which now sits at the heart of Leeds’s newest mixed-use district, Aire Park, then operated as a contemporary art gallery from 2013 until 2023, when its lease ended. From May, Kirkstall said it will be operating The Tetley as a “showcase of the very best of brewing in Leeds”. It will feature beers from other breweries in the area, alongside brands from Kirkstall Brewery, Leeds Brewery and Kirkstall founder Steve Holt’s most recent acquisition, North. Kirkstall also plans to host a number of events at the historic building and will be working until May to prepare the site for its reopening, with more information to follow. Holt, Kirkstall Brewery’s owner and founder, said: “It’s a tremendous privilege to bring Leeds’s most iconic brewery building into the Kirkstall fold. As a brewery that pays a great deal of respect to the history of brewing in the city, we believe we are the ideal custodians for the next chapter of this legendary building. It really is the crown jewel of brewing history in Leeds, and we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to make it a landmark of Yorkshire beer culture once again.”

 

Brasseria Family closes crowdfund to open third site after raising more than £1.2m: Neighbourhood all-day Italian restaurant Brasseria Family has closed its crowdfund to open its third site after overfunding by more than £180,000. Propel revealed exclusively last month that the business has already raised almost £1.2m on the Crowdcube campaign, with its backers including YO! founder Simon Woodroffe. It has now closed after raising £1,230,564 from 140 investors. The business had been aiming to raise £1,050,000, offering 24.16% equity, giving the company a pre-money valuation of £3,862,745. Founded in 2018, Brasseria Family is planning use the funds to open a restaurant in Brompton Road in South Kensington, adding to its venues in Marylebone and Notting Hill, which served more than 260,000 customers in 2023. The funds will go towards the building, promoting and opening of the new site. Owner Alberto Fraquelli said: “At South Kensington, we are going to have a dining room and a cafe area at the front and terrace. La Brasseria Milanese has become an institution for Marylebone. It is a hub for the area and Brasseria in Notting Hill is doing the same. We have regular customers and we have become a part of their lives. We are going to bring the same warm experience to South Kensington.”

 

London churros and dessert brand looking to expand through franchising: London churros and dessert brand Knot Churros is looking to expand through franchising. Knot Churros was founded in 2019 by interior designer Anisah Taj and has grown to a flagship store in Knightsbridge, a boutique cafe in South Kensington and a kiosk in Westfield White City. It describes itself as offering “the world’s first churros afternoon tea and churros cotton candy combo” as well as “London’s first cotton candy burrito and cotton candy milkshake”. It also offers breakfast bagels, burgers and fries alongside its signature baked churros and “viral desserts”, plus a range of merchandise. “With three models available, we aim to make joining our franchise accessible to as many people as possible,” a company spokeswoman said. “You are able to open your very own dine-in dessert bar boasting 50-60 seats, a smaller 20-seat boutique café/bar with a focus on takeaway, or a kiosk that is perfect for shopping malls. We are looking for determined, ambitious, driven, and self-motivated individuals who share in our passion for creating beautiful and luxurious confectionaries. Ideal franchise partners will be providing consistently high levels of customer service and immersive experiences in exquisitely jaw-dropping spaces.” The franchise fee depends on the chosen model and ranges from £15,000 to £19,000, with the total package estimated to cost between £70,000 and £200,000. 

 

Franco Manca hits 70-site landmark with Plymouth opening: Franco Manca, the sourdough pizza concept backed by Toridoll Holdings and Capdesia, has hit the 70-site landmark with an opening in Plymouth. Propel revealed in November that the brand had secured a site in the city’s The Barcode scheme, which also houses a 14-screen Imax cinema, Paradise Island Adventure Golf and competitive socialising concept Spinners. “Franco sails to Plymouth!” the company posted on social media. “You can now find Mirek and the team at our pizzeria no.70 at the Drake Circus shopping centre in the Barcode.” In January, Marcel Khan, the new chief executive of Fulham Shore, told Propel there is still a lot of white space to grow both Franco Manca and sister brand The Reel Greek into. He said it will look to secure ten new sites in 2024 between Franco Manca and The Reel Greek, which currently has 26 locations.

 

German Doner Kebab to open in Bristol next month: German Doner Kebab (GDK), owned by Hero Brands, will open its latest site, in Bristol’s Cabot Circus Shopping Centre, next month, although a launch date is yet to be set. The 42-capacity, 1,550 square-foot will be the brand’s 138th franchised location across the UK. It will offer dine-in as well as a takeaway service via the GDK app, Deliveroo, UberEats and Just Eat. GDK chief executive Simon Wallis said: “GDK is revolutionising kebabs across the UK, and I am confident we will continue this trend in Bristol. GDK offers a premium dining experience with game-changing kebabs that are made fresh daily by our hard-working team powered by our fantastic franchise partners. We pride ourselves in ensuring that kebabs are done right and served in a modern and relaxed environment, making it a unique restaurant experience for all new members of the ever-growing GDK community.” GDK launched its first motorway services site and first breakfast menu in December. It opened at Unit 9 in the Baldock Services on the A1, in Hertfordshire, coinciding with GDK’s launch of the UK’s first doner breakfast menu.

 

Love Churros hires new head of operations ahead of expansion into Bahrain: London urban dessert experience Love Churros has hired a new head of operations ahead of its expansion into Bahrain. The company, founded in 2015 by former professional footballer Jake Nicholson, has brought in Abeer Husani, who has spent the last 14 years in Bahrain as managing director and chief executive of marketing agency H2M Solutions, and working as a freelance rapid transformational therapist. “Grateful to have such a talent on our team,” Nicolson said. “Abeer Husani, our new head of marketing and operations here, based in Bahrain. Our first store opening in the city of Riffa is soon to be launching, watch this space.” The Bahrain site, at Vila 437, Block 908, will be a second overseas market for Love Churros following Saudi Arabia, where it has four locations. It also has plans to launch in Dubai. It has six sites in London, and in January opened its first location outside of the capital, at the Atria shopping centre in Watford.

 

Oche concept owner set to open in Iceland: The Social Gaming Group, the company behind gastro-gaming entertainment brand Oche, which made its UK debut in 2022, is set to enter a further international market by making its debut in Iceland. It will open this summer at Kringlan 4-12, 103 Reykjavic, adding to its sites in the Netherlands, Australia, Singapore, Dubai, Sweden, Norway and London’s The Strand. “Hot on the heels of our Dubai opening, we’re thrilled to announce Reykjavik, Iceland, as the latest addition in our expanding global portfolio,” said Social Gaming Group deputy chief executive Trond Bastiansen. “Set to launch before the summer in the Kringlan Mall, this marks our entry into our ninth country and the tenth Oche venue to open worldwide. The new venue will be a large one, accommodating more than 300 guests, featuring 15 dart booths, five shuffleboards and two karaoke rooms. And, as always, bringing our unique blend of competition, cocktails and cuisine to locals and tourists in Iceland.” The business is planning a second UK site in Edinburgh, having secured a site at 80 George Street in the city. Troy Warfield, chief executive of The Social Gaming Group, previously told Propel that the company aims to eventually grow to 100 bars worldwide.

 

Spaghetti House owner to launch new Italian restaurant concept today: Lavaal Group, owners of London restaurant group Spaghetti House, is set to launch a new Italian restaurant concept today (Monday, 18 March). A Braccetto is opening at 242 Earls Court Road, promising a modern take on traditional Italian cuisine, with pizzas and pastas served at a communal central table. The trattoria offers hand-crafted pasta, zero-waste pickled vegetables and organic wine. The restaurant is founded by Luigi Lavarini, whose father Simone opened the first Spaghetti House restaurant on Goodge Street in 1955 before it grew to a nine-strong business. “Our family was part of the revolution that transformed London into becoming arguably the most exciting food city in the world,” Lavarini said. “Back then, people simply fell in love with Italian food and culture – they still do today.” Lavarini was chief executive of Spaghetti House Restaurant Group from 1980 to 2022 and has been executive chairman of Lavaal Group since 2021. In December, the group reported turnover increased to £9,800,997 for the year ending 26 March 2023 compared with £5,313,753 the previous year. The business made a pre-tax profit of £334,681 compared with a loss of £368,329 the year before.

 

Omniplex secures contract to operate Sunderland cinema: Omniplex Cinema Group, Ireland’s largest cinema company, has secured a contract to operate the former Empire Cinema in Sunderland’s Sunniside. It is set to sign a lease on the venue and open in a revamped space which will feature a food and drink offer. Sunderland City Council owns the building and has been seeking a new operator following the collapse of the Empire chain. Omniplex plans to open its doors in May, following the completion of a refurbishment programme, and once fully complete, the cinema will include recliner seats plus a food truck and beer and cocktail van. Paul John Anderson, director of the Omniplex Cinema Group, said: “We are delighted to announce we will be opening a cinema in Sunderland and bringing our brand of cinematic experience to the north east of England. We understand the cinema’s importance to the local community, so we're investing in its renovation. Customers can look forward to new luxury seating and sofa beds across all 12 screens as well as an enhanced food and beverage offering.” It follows Omniplex’s acquisition of another former Empire cinema, in Wigan’s Robin Leisure Park, earlier this month. Omniplex expanded into the UK in December with a £22.5m investment to acquire and refurbish five existing Empire locations. This included venues in Birmingham, Ipswich, Sutton, Clydebank and High Wycombe. The company first opened in Ireland in 1991 and has since amassed 353 screens across 43 locations.

 

Gail’s confirms May opening for first site in south west: Fast-growing Gail’s Bakery has confirmed its first site in the south west will open in May. The circa 125-strong company, which made its debut in the north west last year with a number of openings in and around Manchester, will open at 14 Regent Street, in the Clifton Village area of Bristol. Gail’s co-founder Tom Molnar said: “Clifton is our first bakery in the south west and I am happy we are a bit closer to some of my favourite growers, millers and food pioneers. The UK’s baking and food scene is getting increasingly better and more exciting. Bristol's progressive spirit and fortunate geography in the middle of some great agricultural land, with a long history of good producers, should continue to nurture and attract new ideas. Bringing our bakery to Bristol, a forward-thinking and thriving city, is something we've wanted to do for a while. We're looking forward to having a small footprint in a place that we love and admire and are excited to welcome the Bristol community through the doors.”

 

EL&N opens in Birmingham: Cafe and lifestyle brand EL&N, the 35-strong business, has opened a site in Birmingham. EL&N has opened in the former Carphone Warehouse unit, which also recently served as a Commonwealth Games Store for the 2022 Games, in Birmingham’s Bullring centre. The company currently operates eight sites in London, plus further sites in Manchester and Edinburgh, and Propel revealed last month that it would be opening a circa 2,600 square foot, 92-cover site in Westfield London this summer. The business, founded in 2017 by Alexander Miller, entered its 12th international market in October when it opened at the Westfield Arkadia scheme in Warsaw, Poland.

 

Lina Stores confirms April opening for South Kensington site: Delicatessen brand Lina Stores has confirmed it its new site in London’s South Kensington will open next month. Propel revealed last November that the White Rabbit Projects-backed company was to open a store on the former Le Pain Quotidien site in Exhibition Road. The 140-cover all-day restaurant will now open on Friday 19, April, serving breakfast in the mornings and its signature menu of fresh, handmade pasta, antipasti, secondi and dolci for lunch and dinner. The breakfast menu will include maple roasted granola with yoghurt and berries; truffle scrambled eggs with toasted sourdough and Tuscan sausage; and fried egg panini, alongside rich espresso and freshly squeezed juices. On the lunch and dinner menu will be dishes such as lumache with broad beans, guanciale and mint; Jerusalem artichoke agnolotti with lemon burnt butter; and mafaldine alla carbonara. There will also be a list of organic and biodynamic wines from all corners of Italy plus classic Italian aperitivi and cocktails. A 22-cover wrap-around terrace will run alongside the restaurant and an additional 28-cover terrace will sit on the square in front of the restaurant. “We are incredibly excited to bring Lina Stores to South Kensington this spring,” said Masha Rener, head chef of Lina Stores. “It’s a popular destination for those visiting the city but also has a strong sense of local community, and the neighbourhood therefore feels like the perfect location for our first restaurant in West London. We’re thrilled to welcome guests old and new to our new home.”