Yorkshire better burger business sees potential for 200 sites and open to opportunities across UK after launching franchise programme: Yorkshire better burger business Urban Fresh Burgers & Fries has told Propel it sees potential for 200 sites and is open to opportunities across the UK after launching a franchise programme. Founded in 2017 by husband-and-wife team Mehmet and Zerin Kent, Urban currently operates two restaurants in Doncaster and one each in Barnsley and Rotherham. Zerin previously worked at her father Metin Pekin’s restaurant in Doncaster, Zest Bar and Grill, while Mehmet’s father also owned a restaurant in Doncaster, and he also previously ran a takeaway in Rotherham. “Franchising was a growth strategy that we always planned for, and we’ve got complete confidence in our systems and people to make it a success,” Zerin said. “Navigating the period of uncertainty from the pandemic and skyrocketing costs required our full focus, and we are proud of the fact that we overcame such challenging times and came out stronger on the other side. Our concept has been proven across various location formats and we are now seeing steady year-on-year growth, which gives us the confidence to invite franchise partners on board. We are already very close to signing our first franchisee, which is exploring opening a site in Sheffield by the end of the year. There are also a couple of other prospects who have wanted to franchise Urban for some time and have been waiting for the opportunity to go live. We know there is a big market for high-quality fresh burgers and fries in the UK and we foresee a potential of up to 200 sites across the UK, so that is the goal we are working towards. However, we are taking a strategic and well-considered approach to franchising in first ensuring our pilots open and can operate successfully before we increase the speed of our expansion. Growing organically from Yorkshire outwards feels more natural. We are a well-recognised and loved business in the area, so our initial target locations include cities such as Sheffield, Leeds, Hull, Nottingham and Manchester. However, we are open to opportunities nationally. We have a passionate and dedicated team that can provide the required support and coaching to Urban franchisees, wherever they are based in the country, and development agreements are also available for franchisees wanting to maximise the potential of specific territories.” Urban Fresh Burgers & Fries will feature in the next Propel UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database. The latest version, which was sent to Premium subscribers last week, features 260 businesses. 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 supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

 

Next Who’s Who of UK Hospitality to feature more than 236,000 words of content, released on Friday: The next Who’s Who of UK Hospitality will feature more than 236,000 words of content when it is released to Premium Club members on Friday (21 June), at midday. The database now features 876 companies, and this month’s edition includes 11 new additions and 58 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 Club members also receive access to five other databases: the Multi-Site Database, produced in association with Virgate; the New Openings Database; the Turnover & Profits Blue Book; the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database and the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database. All Premium Clubs members will be offered a 20% discount on tickets to Propel paid-for events including Social Media for Profit (18 July), the Talent and Training Conference (1 October) and Restaurant Marketer and Innovator (two days in January 2025). Operators that are Premium Club members are also 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 supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

 

McDonald’s UK CEO – we all want the same thing on worker’s rights, our culture is a true meritocracy: McDonald’s chief executive Alistair Macrow has said with regards to proposed plans by the Labour Party around worker’s rights, fair work and food pay that “ultimately, we all want the same thing”. Talking at the UKHospitality summer conference, Macrow said: “We all want to be good employers and make sure we create conditions for people to be successful in the field of work. For whoever is in government, first of all, we need to make sure that people who want flexible contracts are still able to have them. Knowing that for a lot of young people, it’s really important to not have to work during exam time, and equally for many parents, being able to spend the school holidays with their children is really important. The other is making sure we don’t find ourselves committed to some mechanism that means we’re not able to staff our businesses during peak seasonality. We don’t want to be in a position where we are scared to offer people additional hours. It’s making sure that we take those steps carefully, understanding how to set those things up so we can achieve the objective without getting in the way of running a good business.” Macrow described the culture at McDonald’s UK as “unique”. He said: “I’ve never worked anywhere where there are so many people who want to help each other and support each other, all for the greater good. And that comes, I think, from having a culture that is genuinely a meritocracy – when you feel that anybody can achieve anything. I remember days in M&S when I was in the head office in Baker Street [in London], and I was conscious that I had a northern accent, and I didn’t go to Oxford or Cambridge University. In McDonald’s, you genuinely feel that the only limit you have is the one you put on yourself. That’s why it’s a privilege for me to have a leadership team leading in what is getting on to be a £10bn business with people who started their life in the drive-thru lane. That’s pretty unique to McDonald’s, to see the progression people have. Our business managers – 90% of them start as crew members. That, to me, makes McDonald’s pretty special.”

 

UKHospitality – increasing pub closures show impact of cost increases: The latest figures on pub closures, which shows the number of pubs in England and Wales fell by 239 in the first quarter of 2024 – almost 80 a month – reinforces that the challenges facing the nation’s pubs remain as acute as ever, UKHospitality has warned. The number of pubs disappearing from communities across England and Wales jumped a third over the first months of 2024, according to new figures. Official government statistics have revealed 239 pubs were demolished or converted for other uses over the three months to 31 March 2024. It means around 80 pubs shut each month, representing a 56% increase on the closure of 51 pubs a month over the first quarter of 2023. The closures came in the months immediately preceding above-inflation increases to both business rates and wages, which significantly increased the cost burden for hospitality businesses by a total of £3.4bn. Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: “The level of closures that we’re continuing to see reinforces that the challenges facing our nation’s pubs remains as acute as ever. It is unacceptable that 80 pubs a month are forced to shut their doors, robbing communities of a vital asset and costing people their jobs. The fact that we’re seeing such a high number of sites closing for good should concern us all, particularly as this occurred before above-inflation increases to business rates and wage costs in April. This underlines the need for any incoming government to urgently address the cost burden facing hospitality businesses. It’s encouraging that replacing or reforming the business rates system has featured in several party manifestos, delivering on one of our key policy recommendations. Such changes are essential to ensure hospitality can create places where people want to live work and invest.”

 

Startle acquires Irish in-store marketing company Visual ID: Startle, which uses background music and digital signage to “create unique atmospheres for retail and hospitality brands”, has acquired Irish in-store marketing company, Visual ID. Headquartered in Dublin, Visual ID develops cloud applications for the retail and service industries. Specialising in digital signage, printed point-of-sale materials and social media asset creation, its marketing toolkit is used daily by more than 3,000 businesses through Ireland and beyond – helping ensure legal compliance and delivering operational cost savings. The acquisition introduces grocery brands such as Spar and Londis to Startle’s portfolio of customers. Startle chief executive Adam Castleton said: “I am thrilled to welcome Visual ID to the Startle group. It is our first acquisition in Ireland, and we look forward to working with Visual ID to offer in-store music and radio to their customer base, and helping them export their innovative in-store marketing technology outside of Ireland.” Visual ID managing director David McDonnell added: “We’ve worked incredibly hard to establish ourselves in Ireland with some amazing brands, and we’re ready to increase our reach and product scope. Joining Startle felt like such a natural fit. We’re really looking forward to offering even better services and support to our existing customers, as well as welcoming new ones.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a company that is looking for a contract director for a multifaceted contract with a mixture of retail, dining and hospitality. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The role is to develop and lead the team of 60-plus, overseeing multi-site catering across two sites. A strong financial understanding and proven KPI focused target achievement is needed for the role. There is a focus on team development and training those around you, so you must have experience in this area. The ideal candidate will have a sound understanding of the foodservice sector or five-star hotels with some great hospitality/events experience, but you will also understand this role is about more than a catering offering – an ability to go above a beyond with the client will be required.” The salary is up to £68,000 and the position is based in Berkshire. For more information, email dan@corecruitment.com. 

 

Supermac’s makes airport debut, looking at expanding into UK: Irish fast food brand Supermac’s has opened its first site in an airport and is looking at expanding into the UK. The brand, which operates circa 120 sites across Ireland, has opened in Dublin airport’s Terminal 2 landside building alongside Papa John’s, in partnership with Lagardère Travel Retail. It comes after Supermac’s victory against McDonald’s over the “Big Mac” trademark. The highest court in the EU ruled in Supermac’s favour over a dispute that has stretched back years over the use of the term “Big Mac”. The EU General Court has ruled that McDonald’s cannot use the term “Big Mac” in relation to poultry products in its restaurants. This despite McDonald’s registering the trademark in the EU in 1996. Supermac’s has had plans to expand outside of Ireland for years but had to put the plans on the backburner. Supermac’s managing director Pat McDonagh said: “[The court’s decision] certainly opens the door for us to expand across Europe. Obviously, Britain is no longer part of Europe so we have a separate application for a trademark in Britain, which is going through the process at the moment as well.” When asked if there were plans to grow the brand in Europe in the short-term, McDonagh said: “We have a choice to do that now because it's gone on so long. We had to shelve a few plans five or six years ago, but we can re-look at those although the opportunity may be gone. However, we certainly will look at expanding into the UK.”

 

EG Group looks to add 120-plus sites as it looks to roll out foodservice brand partners: EG Group plans to add more than 120 sites across the UK over the next three years through its EG On The Move division, which it set up last year to run the forecourts it was not selling to Asda, as it looks to roll out its foodservice brand partners. EG Group works with operators including Starbucks, Popeyes, Subway, Greggs, Cinnabon, Sbarro and Chaiiwala. Colliers’ automotive and roadside, retail and licensed and leisure teams will be working with EG Group to acquire properties for in-line, petrol forecourt, foodservice and convenience retail development. The requirement will focus on both roadside and retail properties to accommodate the brands EG On the Move will be working with. From a roadside perspective, the acquisition team will be focusing on existing freehold and leasehold sites of a minimum 0.35 acres in size up to ten acres, as well as new development locations with a high volume of vehicle traffic or within densely populated areas. The search will include A-road sites and retail parks, as well as major junctions on trunk roads. The group will also be considering new roadside developments where it can locate retailers alongside services. In prime retail destinations, both on the high street, and in shopping centre locations, EG Group is seeking units of up to 1,500 square foot close to student populations, office workers, transport hubs and night-time economy businesses. Neil Findlay, development director at EG On The Move Property, said: “We’re excited to be working with Colliers as we look to roll out our brand partner expansion plans for the likes of Starbucks, Popeyes, Subway, Greggs, Cinnabon, Sbarro and Chaiiwala, which will help meet our ambitious expansion target and create further jobs across the UK. The roadside convenience retail model is the backbone of our business, and with Colliers’ strong presence in the retail, restaurant and automotive sectors, it will enable us to reach our goals.”

 

Brasseria Family founders acquire business out of administration: The founders of Brasseria Family have acquired the current two-strong London restaurant business out of administration, Propel has learned. Propel previously revealed that Begbies Traynor had been appointed administrators to Getti, the company behind neighbourhood all-day Italian restaurant business Brasseria Family, which operates sites in London’s Marylebone and Notting Hill. Both continued to trade. Earlier this year, Brasseria Family closed a crowdfund to open its third site after overfunding by more than £180,000. The business raised £1,230,564 from 140 investors on the Crowdcube campaign, with its backers including YO! founder Simon Woodroffe. Founded in 2018, Brasseria Family was planning to use the funds to open a restaurant in Brompton Road in South Kensington. A Begbies Traynor spokesperson told Propel: “Following an extensive marketing process to several investors and trade players, a deal was concluded with the founders of the Getti business to acquire the business and assets, which has led to the successful preservation of more than 100 jobs and all three of the company’s restaurants at Marylebone, Notting Hill and the soon to open Brompton Road site.”

 

Exclusive – Parogon Group secures second site for premium all day dining concept, third expected to open by end of year: Parogon Group, the award-winning premium gastropub operator led by Richard Colclough, has secured a second site for its premium all day dining concept, Willow, with a third expected to open by the end of the year, Propel has learned. The ten-strong group initially operated a portfolio of standalone concepts before opening a second Orange Tree site, in Congleton, at the end of last year. But Colclough said the one he really wanted to expand was Willow, the Mediterranean-inspired restaurant concept he launched in Trentham Shopping Village, Staffordshire, in 2021. He said the group has been scouring the Midlands for suitable sites for Willow over the past year, including retail developments, neighbourhood high streets and town centres. Parogon has now secured a lease at Telford Southwater and work will commence next month to convert the former The Flying Elephant Thai restaurant, with a view to opening before the end of September. “I’m delighted that we’ve acquired our second Willow site and our 11th site in total,” Colclough said. “Telford has been on our radar for some time, with demographics that fit our trading profile and great footfall drivers along with some geographical synergy. Willow has true scalable potential, helping to unlock faster growth for Parogon over the coming years with a variety of units suitable for conversion. We have two further sites in legals and expect to have a third Willow site open before the end of the year, which will push our turnover beyond £30m. We have been busy refining the Willow concept over the past year to allow a roll out that will complement our core freehold estate. Willow Trentham has been a phenomenal success and has demonstrated the appeal of our focussed hospitality style.” Ben Allison, Parogon projects manager, added the group is striving to achieve B Corp status and will be looking to support local suppliers and community projects in Telford. He added that Parogon is continuing to search for suitable freehold opportunities for its large destination restaurants in addition to more compact Willow sites.

 

Shake Shack plans Birmingham opening: US better burger brand Shake Shack is planning to increase its regional presence in the UK with an opening in Birmingham. Propel understands that Shake Shack, which made its UK train station debut, at St Pancras International last week, has lined up an opening on the former @pizza site in the city’s Grand Central shopping scheme, located above New Street railway station. Since the original Shack opened in 2004 in New York’s Madison Square Park, the company has expanded to more than 430 locations including 140 international outposts. There are 14 other Shake Shacks in London and one each in Cardiff and Oxford, as well as restaurants at Gatwick airport and Lakeside in Essex. Shake Shack is also set to further strengthen its footprint in London with an opening in Notting Hill Gate. The company is opening the venue in the former Royal Bank of Scotland premises at 78 Notting Hill Gate.

 

London Beer Factory acquires ex-East London Pub Company site: South London craft beer brewer, London Beer Factory has acquired The Ten Bells in Spitalfields, which was formerly owned by the East London Pub Company, Propel has learned. Propel revealed in January that the four-strong, former East London Pub Company estate had been placed on the market. East London Pub Company, which was founded by Patrick Frawley with the launch of its first pub, the Ten Bells in Spitalfields Market, in 2014, was placed into administration last November, with Sarah Rayment and Janet Burt, of Kroll Advisory, appointed as joint administrators. 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 Ten Bells and The Gun, which is also in Spitalfields Market. Founded in West Norwood in 2014 by Ed and Sim Cotton, London Beer Factory, which already operates the Barrel Project at 80 Druid Street in Bermondsey, has now acquired The Ten Bells lease, saving 20 jobs in the process. The Cottons said: “We are delighted to take on such a historic east London venue and look forward to serving an excellent selection of craft beer and cocktails to The Ten Bell’s loyal customers.” Ed Sandall, of Savills, who acted for the administrators, added: “We received a staggering amount of interest for this historic and highly popular pub. The interest has resulted in an excellent recovery for the creditors and reinforces the demand for wet-focused, high-volume sites in the capital.” Earlier this year, Propel reported that London Beer Factory was planning to open a second site in a former gym. The company applied to transform the former Muscle Bull Gym, which opened inside the railway arches along 64-66 Gedling Place in 2016 but closed in 2021, into a taproom.

 

Former German Doner Kebab operations manager joins Lucky B’s as head of operations: Former German Doner Kebab (GDK) operations manager Fiona McClinton has joined Glasgow hot chicken concept Lucky B’s as head of operations. McClinton spent four and a half years at GDK, where she worked alongside David Moffat, who helped grow GDK to 100-plus sites as group operations manager for parent company Hero Brands. Moffat became head of franchising at Lucky B’s earlier this year but was last week hired by Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG) to oversee the UK operation of its Carl’s Jr franchise. “I am thrilled to announce that I will be joining Lucky B's as the new head of operations,” said McClinton. “I am eager to bring my experience and passion for operational excellence to this dynamic team. Together, we will strive to enhance our processes, elevate customer experiences, and drive franchise growth. I look forward to this new chapter and the incredible opportunities ahead.” Lucky B’s was created by friends Giancarlo Celino and Toni Dobrenko in 2022, who have since opened two sites in Glasgow for the concept. Its first franchisees, Usman and Sohail Ghafu, who used to run four Subway stores in Glasgow, have three further Lucky B’s stores earmarked for the city. Last month, Lucky B’s also signed up Ross Fairbairn, who operates 22 Subway stores across Lancashire, Merseyside and Cumbria, as a master franchisee for a 15-store deal across Lancashire.

 

Livelyhood Pub Group – the whole business protocol is about creating community hubs: Karen Bosher, non-executive director at independent south London pub group Livelyhood, has said the company’s “whole business protocol is about creating community hubs”. Last month, the business, which is led by Sarah Wall, acquired its seventh pub as part of its “strong growth plans for 2024”. It bought The Bull at 129 Wanstead High Street into its portfolio – its first pub in east London and first outside the south of the capital. Talking at UKHospitality’s summer conference, Bosher, who was former chair of Greene King’s Venture Brands, said: “The whole [Livelyhood] business protocol really is about creating community hubs that are really compelling. They’re not socially exclusive spaces. I think the issues around gentrification in London are quite challenging, especially for wet-led hospitality businesses, and we tend to operate in upscale environments. We know there is a level of spend that makes the businesses viable, but we do try to present really good value for money in those communities. We look to become a social hub, a destination, a meeting place that’s very inclusive. I think that’s quite challenging because we want to embrace businesses that fit around us and include them in our journey. Sarah [Wall] is very experienced in this space and looks to bring in other local businesses and create a bit of a nucleus for the community. That’s a very important part of our DNA.”

 

Travelodge identifies 40 potential sites across south west for new hotels as it opens seventh Bristol property: Travelodge – which operates more than 600 hotels across the UK, Ireland and Spain – has identified 40 locations across the south west region for new sites as it opened its seventh property in Bristol. The opening of the 85-room Bristol Abbey Wood includes a restaurant area and bar-café and has created 25 jobs. Travelodge said areas such as Bath, Exeter and Cheltenham were among its targets for new hotels. Last year, Travelodge appointed Hartnell Taylor Cook as retained agents to support the company with its south west expansion programme. Steve Bennett, chief property and development officer for Travelodge, said: “Bristol and the south west are a key growth area for Travelodge, as the region is attracting record visitor numbers but there is a shortage of good quality and good value accommodation. To help fill this growing demand from business and leisure travellers, we have identified 40 locations across the region where we want to open a Travelodge hotel.” Travelodge has a further four hotels currently under construction – three in London, in Bermondsey, Beckenham and Chiswick – as well as its first hotel in Rotherham.

 

Cocotte confirms sixth site: Healthy rotisserie chicken concept Cocotte has confirmed it is to increase its presence in London with an opening in Richmond. Propel revealed in April the French-inspired restaurant group had secured the Antipodea site at 30 Hill Street in an off-market acquisition. Cocotte has now confirmed its 62-cover restaurant will open next month. Cocotte Richmond will also see the first time that beef is introduced on the menu with a selection of aged beef in the form of different cuts of steak. Managing director and founder, Romain Bourrillon, said: “We are very excited to announce our sixth site with a new angle to our menu. I feel that Richmond is a great place to be, and I really love the aesthetics of the new site and am really looking forward to welcoming people in.” Bourrillon, who has worked in a number of Michelin-starred restaurants, launched Cocotte in Notting Hill in April 2016, opening a second site, in Shoreditch, two years later. The business also operates sites in Parson’s Green, Queen’s Park and South Kensington. In April, a Cocotte spokesperson told Propel that it will be looking to add one more site to its estate in 2024 and will likely look outside of London in 2025. They also revealed it was trialling a new smash burger concept called Supra Burger. MKR Property and Restaurant Property acted on the Richmond deal. 

 

Scottish hospitality group reports trade ‘picking up’ after ‘slow start’ to current financial year: Scottish hospitality group Costley & Costley has reported trading has “picked up” following a “slow start” to its current financial year. It comes as the company, which operates eight hotels and restaurants across Ayrshire, reported revenue fell 26% to £6,086,786 for the year ending 30 September 2023 compared with £8,258,604 the previous year following the sale of the Brig O’Doon hotel in Ayr in October 2022. Pre-tax profit was down to £772,909 from £1,031,804 the year before. Gross profit margin was down 1% to 74% due to inflationary pressures, “some of which were absorbed by the group and not passed on to customers”. In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “The group has continued to benefit from a strong wedding market and the outlook for weddings and events is particularly strong. The proceeds from the sale of the Brig O’Doon has been reinvested into the business. In addition, the group renegotiated its banking facility, which has resulted in net current liabilities falling from £5.68m to £1.89m. In 2023-24, trading has been slower, but business has now picked up as we enter the busy wedding season. The group will continue to explore options to expand and renovate the flagship venues and consider the position of the remaining smaller properties.” No government grants were received (2022: £41,500). No dividend was paid (2022: nil).

 

Really Local Group to open fifth site: Cultural infrastructure developer Really Local Group will open a site in the London borough of Sutton on Friday (21 June). The opening in Throwley Yard, which will be the group’s fifth site, has seen the transformation of a former nightclub into a multi-use community hub comprising a four-screen boutique cinema, cafe/bar/performance area, larger outdoor terrace, pizza parlour and a new DJ school/facility in collaboration with 0181 Studios. Really Local Group operates a site in Reading along with four other venues in London – in Canning Town, Catford, Hayes and Sidcup – with plans in progress for a site in Bermondsey. Founder Preston Benson said: “During a very challenging period for the cinema and wider cultural sector, Really Local Group continues to lead through the development and operation of innovative mixed-use venues. Really Local Group creates multi-use social and entertainment hubs by repurposing original venues, and we’re incredibly excited to be working with Sutton Council on this project. The repurposing of the site of this former nightclub aims to bring local businesses, jobs and lifestyle opportunities to the local area, offering a place for the community to enjoy live performances, arts classes and much more.”

Roger Daltrey’s East Sussex brewery acquires first pub as part of plan to form small estate across region: Roger Daltrey’s East Sussex brewery Lakedown Brewing Co has acquired its first pub as part of a plan to form a small estate across the region. Lakedown Brewing Co was founded in 2020 by The Who’s lead singer, his son Jamie and his son in laws, Chris Rule and Des Murphy. Having hired former Dark Star Brewing Co managing director Jamed Cuthberton in 2022, it earlier this year incorporated a new business, Lakedown Pub Group, in order to “acquire a small estate to complement the brewery”. It has now completed the leasehold purchase of the Eight Bells in Hawkhurst, Kent, a 19th century, grade II-listed gastropub previously owned by James Rogers and his wife, Annie. The Rogers made the decision to sell the leasehold to focus on their young family, and having acted on the sale, agent Fleurets has been retained by Lakedown Pub Company to assist in its expansion. “This is the start of what we hope will be a small estate of pubs across East Sussex and Kent,” said Cuthbertson. “The key thing for us is that there is a no ‘cookie cutter’ approach to pubs, each will be developed to serve its community and have its own personality. We’ve established the pubco to complement the brewery, but recognise the different skills involved in running a pubco versus a brewing co, hence adding to the team to deliver this pub and future sites.” 

 

BrewDog founder reveals details of new app for social media influencers: James Watt, co-founder of Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog, has revealed the details of Social Tip, a new social media app designed to help make anyone an influencer. Watt, who stepped down as BrewDog chief executive last month, said Social Tip will help brands turn their customers into their influencers. He said: “This is good old-fashioned word of mouth marketing but amplified for the digital age and scalable through our innovative technology. The most powerful marketing we had for BrewDog had nothing to do with us. It wasn’t the stunts, and it certainly wasn’t advertising. It was everyday people sharing their love for our products.” Watt said the power of conventional influencer marketing was dwindling. He said: “No one believes that celebrities or the biggest TikTokers and YouTubers just happen to be really into a brand.” Instead, he said the new app would tap into “authentic brand love” from people you know, returning to “word-of-mouth marketing”. He said: “The conventional ways of marketing are becoming less and less effective: 70% of people no longer trust adverts, Generation Z are allergic to anything that looks or feels like marketing, macro influencers’ impact is on the decline, and it is increasingly difficult for brands to connect authentically on fragmented online platforms. Social Tip enables the best brands to build hype and buzz while putting money back into the pockets of everyday people for posting online about the things they love.” Social Tip said it will use verification software to ensure users had purchased the products themselves, adding that the model was designed to reward people who are already fans. The company has already signed up several brands including PureGym. The app will be available for download this summer.

 

Rhubarb lands catering contract for new events venue in London’s Camden Town Hall: Rhubarb Hospitality Collection, the premium international hospitality group, has landed the catering contract for a new events venue at Camden Town Hall in north London. Rhubarb has been awarded the 30-year contract by international events company Bottaccio, which will operate the 55,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art event venue, including co-working and conferencing facilities. Following a seven-year refurbishment, the historic venue will reopen this winter with three event spaces: the Vision Hall, with a 13-metre-high ceiling and a capacity for up to 900 guests; the Inner Space, which has a 500-guest capacity; and The Network, a conference floor for up to 250 delegates. Rhubarb will provide catering services throughout the venue, including three dining spaces and multiple bars. Bespoke menus will be curated according to each event, from three-course fine-dining in the Vision Hall to cocktails and tasting plates in the Inner Space and breakfast in The Network. The venue will also partner with the Felix Project to redistribute excess food to those in need across the capital. Rhubarb chief executive PB Jacobse said: “The Town Hall offers a selection of dynamic and architecturally remarkable spaces in the heart of London. We pride ourselves on bringing something new and creative to every event, so we’re thrilled by the endless opportunities for events in this restored landmark building.” Bottaccio chief executive Joseph D’Anna added: “Rhubarb has a proven track record in delivering exceptional results at top-tier events and we are thrilled to have it on board as our catering partner.” Los Angeles-based Oak View Group, backed by Silver Lake, acquired Rhubarb in June 2023 in a deal believed to be worth at least £100m.

 

Team behind Society in Manchester looks to expand the concept to Birmingham: PopCity, the venture from commercial property expert Nick Gregory and restaurateur Richard Sweet, is looking to expand its Society concept to Birmingham, Propel has learned. The first Society, which is circa 8,000 square feet and has capacity for 350 people, opened in Manchester in 2021 after a £1m investment. It opened on the former Pitcher & Piano unit in the city’s Barbirolli Square and featured local traders, including Dokes Pizzeria; Asian concept Manzoku Street Food; burger concept Slap & Pickle; and the Falafel Guys. Propel understands that Gregory and Sweet, who were also behind the former Assembly Underground site in Leeds, have applied to open a second Society site, in Birmingham’s One Colmore Square. 

 

Essex McDonald’s franchisee increases turnover and profit: Essex McDonald’s franchisee PJT Restaurants, which operates three restaurants in the region, saw both its turnover and profit increase in the year to 31 December 2023. Turnover rose from £24,760,727 in 2022 to £26,696,213. The company’s pre-tax profit grew from £420,588 to £503,570. Dividends of £180,000 were paid (2022: £210,000). At the year-end, the company had net assets of £3,593,358 (2022: £3,374,951). PJT Restaurants founder Peter Tassell started working at McDonald’s in 1980, at the age of 18, and began franchising with the company in 2002.

 

Bobo Social shuts south London site following Ealing opening: London high-end burger and small plates concept Bobo Social has shut its south London site after opening a new location in Ealing. The concept, which was initially housed in Mayfair’s Charlotte Street until 2019, made its return a year later with a launch at the Elephant Park development in Elephant & Castle. Having now also launched at 3-4 Filmworks Walk in Ealing, west London, owner Mike Benson has taken the decision to close the Elephant Park site. The Ealing site is a 120-seater restaurant, extending to 160 seats with a summer terrace. Guests can sit at the bar and watch the staff make its signature cocktails, or “enjoy the culinary theatre” through its open kitchen. The menu consists of sharing plates, mains, sides and desserts, with Bobo favourites such as braised lamb croquettes, warm goat’s cheese, Waldorf salad, crispy shredded duck and mushroom and truffle linguine, as well a full Bobo breakfast. Along with the cocktails, there is also fresh juice and an extensive wine menu.