Pizza Hut Restaurants UK operator seeing return to ‘more normalised trading’, FY lfl sales up 7.7%, becomes master franchisee for Ireland: Heart with Smart Group, which operates Pizza Hut Restaurants and is an Itsu franchisee, saw like-for-like sales increase 7.7% in the year to 3 December 2023 and told Propel that despite sales being impacted by the weather and the Olympics this summer, it is now seeing a return to “more normalised trading”. The Jens Hofma-led business, which is franchise operator of 146 Pizza Hut Restaurants in the UK, said operating profit for the year increased by £4,772,000 year-on-year, from a loss of £3,021,000 in 2022 to a £1,751,000 profit in 2023. Total turnover decreased 1.5% to £159,029,000, while its pre-tax loss stood at £15,928,000 (2022: loss of £16,481,000). The overall profit for the financial period was £1,657,000 (2022: £168,000). The cash position of the company was £4,084,000 at the balance sheet date (2022: £9,270,000). The business said transitioning to a “contemporary fast casual guest experience and menu” is providing greater convenience for its guests and unlocking capacity. The group’s takeaway and aggregator delivery sales are now “fundamental parts” of its business model and account for circa 20% of sales. During the year, the company also signed a new ten-year Pizza Hut franchise agreement with Yum! Brands, which it said provides a “stable platform for growth” through to 2032 and opens “many avenues for organic and development growth”. The company said: “Management believes the long-term fundamentals of the market, grounded in long-term economic growth, long-term growth in real earnings and the highly valued experience of eating out, continue to be strong.” In the spring, the company secured a three-and-a-half-year extension to the term of its senior debt until September 2027 and secured a new management equity incentive plan. On current trading, a Heart with Smart spokesperson told Propel: “At the start of summer, restaurant sales were impacted by the weather and the Olympics. We are now seeing a return to more normalised trading, with growth in our lunch trade driven by our world-famous buffet concept, which we have made even more accessible for families by offering kids eat free buffet across the majority of our restaurant estate.” This summer, Heart with Smart has also taken on the role of master franchisee for Pizza Hut Ireland, which it said will provide both organic and future unit growth. The spokesperson told Propel: “This is an exciting move that provides both a strategic growth opportunity for Heart with Smart, as well as a means to leverage our broad functional capabilities to provide a range of support services to Pizza Hut franchisees in Ireland. We will be working in close partnership with our franchisee partners and Yum! on future market development plans for Ireland.”

 

Videos from Social Media for Profit Masterclass available to buy: The videos from this year’s Social Media for Profit Masterclass has been made available for Propel subscribers to buy. The six videos – totalling three hours and 40 minutes of content – from the social media boot camp provide insights into how to build sales and brands using social media. Led by Mark McCulloch, who has more than 20 years’ brand, marketing digital and social media experience including senior positions at Pret A Manger and YO!, the event gives an overview of the latest trends in social media, including the impact of artificial intelligence, the rise of creator content in advertisements, and the growing significance of TikTok Shopping. McCulloch is joined by Alison Battisby, founder and director of social media consultancy Avocado Social, and they also share how to develop a robust social media strategy, engage audiences through experiential storytelling and address the challenge of getting non-marketing stakeholders to believe in the value of social media. The videos are available for £250 plus VAT by emailing: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com.

 

Next Who’s Who of UK Hospitality to be released tomorrow featuring 878 companies: The next Who’s Who of UK Hospitality will be released to Premium Club members tomorrow (Friday, 23 August) at midday. The database now features 878 companies and more than 237,000 words of content. The database will feature 85 updated entries and seven new companies. 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 the Talent and Training Conference (1 October), Restaurant Marketer and Innovator (two days in January 2025) and Excellence in Pub Retail (May 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.

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a group that has five-star hotels in and around Oxford and is seeking a head of finance. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The head of finance will oversee two management accountants and guide, support and interpret the company’s financial direction, ensuring its long-term financial health and success. Reporting directly to the owner and managing director, the position will be responsible for all aspects of financial activity. This includes accounting, reporting, process improvement, audit preparation (both external and internal), budgeting and forecasting.” The salary is £75,000. For more information and to apply, email Fabian Harris-Brighi at fabian@corecruitment.com.

 

Portobello Pub Company and Urban Pubs & Bars among bidders for ex-Antic portfolio: Portobello Pub Company, the pub and restaurant operator backed by private equity firm Zetland Capital, and Urban Pubs & Bars are believed to be among the bidders for the 13-strong portfolio of London pubs operated by Antic, which was placed into administration last month. Propel understands bids for the portfolio were due by close of play on Tuesday (20 August) and that both Portobello and Urban, plus a third unnamed party, were among those to have bid for all or the majority of the portfolio. Portobello is chaired by Mark Crowther, who was formerly a non-executive director for Downing, which previously owned Antic’s freeholds. At the end of 2020, Portobello begun operating 13 former Antic sites under management, and subsequently acquired the majority the following year. Portobello currently operates 27 pubs across London and the south east and has previously said it plans to build a business with more than 80 pubs. Earlier this month, Urban Pubs & Bars, the London pub operator founded by Malc Heap and Nick Pring and backed by Davidson Kempner and Global Mutual, added to its estate in the capital with an acquisition in East Dulwich. The now 44-strong business acquired The Herne – a Victorian pub that was built in the mid-19th century and has a huge beer garden. The group has more than doubled in size in the last 24 months. Propel revealed earlier this month that more than 65 parties had expressed an interest in the 13-strong portfolio of London pubs operated by Antic. Steve Absolom and Will Wright, of Interpath Advisory, were appointed joint administrators to Elflock, Babel Silk, Brocade and De Gremio on 12 July 2024. Collectively, the companies operate 13 pubs and bars across south and east London, including: The Antelope SW17, Balham Bowls Club SW12, Clapton Hart E5, Gremio de Brixton SW2, Graveney & Meadow SW17, Dogstar SW9, Tooting Tram & Social SW17, Red Lion E11 and Coopers SE19. Several of the sites had struggled with legacy liabilities resulting from the pandemic. It is understood that trading in the pubs, which are being operated with support from specialist trading agents at Licensed Solutions, has been strong.

 

Hall & Woodhouse FY pre-tax profit up by circa 50%, managed arm has ‘excellent year’: Dorset brewer and retailer Hall & Woodhouse has reported underlying pre-tax profit increased by approximately 50% to £6.5m (2023: £4.2m) in the year to 27 January 2024, aided by an “excellent year” across its managed estate. The company, which sold the Rio soft drinks brand to AG Barr last October for £12.3m, said its total profit after tax also increased to £9.5m (2023: £8.1m), bolstered inter alia by the profit on the sale of Rio during the year. The company, which has circa 150 pubs in its portfolio, said a final dividend was paid of 175p per ordinary share (2023: 50p) giving a total for the year of 325p (2023: 150p). Net debt reduced substantially to £37.1m (2023: £55.7m), reflecting principally the receipt of the sale proceeds of the Rio sale and the “judicious management of cash”. The company said with £50m of banking facilities in place, this leaves plenty of headroom to continue to invest in its pubs, brands and team. Chairman Anthony Woodhouse said: "The team delivered an excellent performance despite the well-publicised challenges for our industry, restoring profit to a level broadly equivalent to that prior to the pandemic. I am confident we will see further progress this year notwithstanding the generally poor weather. Our managed houses had an excellent year with significant increases in total sales and covers on a like-for-like basis. Margins and labour productivity benefited from a broad range of initiatives. As well as continued investment in the core estate, we opened the spectacular Hall & Woodhouse Taplow on the banks of the River Thames. Our business partner business had another good year with continued steady growth. The quality of the estate, our business partners and the support that we provide means that this is a very stable, cash generative and valuable business. The rebranded Badger range performed admirably in a challenging premium bottled ale market in the off trade. Our new craft ale range, Outland from Badger Brewery, performed very well in our pubs and has made an encouraging start in the off trade. In a year when the focus has quite rightly been on restoring profitability, it is doubly pleasing that we have stayed true to our purpose and values. Additionally, we are delighted to have featured on this year’s Sunday Times Best Places to Work list. Matt Kearsey [managing director] and the team deserve praise and have my heartfelt thanks for producing a remarkable performance.”

 

Bistrot Pierre to begin the roll out of new all-day dining concept: Bistrot Pierre is to begin the roll out of its new all-day dining concept Pierre’s with the opening of a second site later this month. Designed to be the “ultimate socialising venue, offering great dining with a value for money menu, coffee, cocktails, small plates and sharing dishes”, the concept was launched at Friars Walk in Newport in May, marking the group’s return to the Welsh town following a two-year absence, with the Bistrot Pierre in Friars Walk having closed in September 2022. The 18-strong business has now closed its site in Sutton Coldfield for a conversion to the new concept, with a reopening planned for Thursday, 29 August. Nick White, chief executive of Bistrot Pierre, said: “We’re thrilled to be launching Pierre’s in Sutton Coldfield – we want it to become a social hub for the town. We will be open all day and everyone is welcome.” Talking to Propel earlier this year, marketing director Jess Wight said Pierre’s would potentially be rolled out if successful. She said: “Nothing is off the cards, but the first thing we will do is look at where we’ve got Bistrot Pierres, and if there is a location that screams to us that a Pierre’s could do really well here, then that will be what we do first.” Last month, Propel reported that the company said a number of initiatives taken to address the cost base of the business had “significantly improved future Ebitda levels and increased the board’s confidence in a brighter future”. It came as the business reported turnover for the year to 30 June 2023 of £24,417,774 (2022: £28,419,444), with a pre-tax loss of £2,989,660 (2022: loss of £1,023,265). Full-year Ebitda was zero against £700,000 the year before. 

 

Boston Tea Party CEO – we’re on track to deliver one of our most profitable years ever: Sam Roberts, chief executive of all-day dining casual cafe brand Boston Tea Party, has told Propel that the 23-strong business is on track to deliver “one of our most profitable years ever”, and the company is keen to add to its estate. Roberts said: “We're having a really solid year so far. Ebitda has returned to pre-covid levels and we’re on track to deliver one of our most profitable years ever. While headline trading has at times remained challenging, we’ve focused on giving our teams the purpose, growth and autonomy we believe they need to be happy and ultimately give our customers sector leading hospitality. We’ve put a lot of energy into ensuring the offer remains right and on point from a value perspective. As we look ahead, we’re keen to add to the estate, particularly in our existing Bristol and Birmingham heartlands. The outlook for the rest of 2024, but particularly 2025, remains positive, as consumer confidence begins to grow and sector headwinds continue to dissipate.” It comes as the business reported a 5% decrease in net sales to £21,662,372 for the year to 18 October 2023 compared with £22,853,655 the year before. Pre-tax losses narrowed from £1,042,382 to £803,475. The company said it remained well positioned through its cash reserves and facilities. At year end, it had drawn £3.5m of term debt with a £1m overdraft facility, of which £500,000 was drawn down at year end. Its overdraft facility was renewed post year end and is in place until 20 July 2026. 

 

Sessions begins franchise roll out of SoBe Burger brand: Sessions, the growth platform for original food brands, which earlier this year raised a further £3m in funding to aid its growth plans, including the launch of a franchising arm, has begun the roll out of the SoBe Burger brand into bricks-and-mortar sites and is recruiting new franchisees across the UK. The Dan Warne-led Sessions first started working with the smash burger business in 2021, rolling out the brand to more than 200 delivery sites across the UK, with a million burgers sold in the process. It is now aiming to make SoBe the “go-to burger joint in your neighbourhood” and has opened franchised sites in Sheen, Ealing and Hounslow in London, as well as Maidenhead and Luton. Further sites are due to open in the coming weeks in Wokingham and Tunbridge Wells. Sessions has a further 20 sites under contract to open by the end of the year. In the spring, Sessions, which was founded by former Deliveroo executive Dan Warne, secured the new funding from Guinness Ventures, an existing investor. Sessions, which operates a chef-led food hall on Brighton's seafront, works with brands such as SoBe Burger, Little Bao Boy and Patty Guy. As revealed by Propel in February, Sessions will also be bringing the Ivan Ramen concept, founded by world renowned ramen chef Ivan Orkin, from New York to the UK early next year and rolling it out nationally to more than 50 locations. Sessions has assembled a roster of more than 300 kitchens and delivered more than 3.5 million orders across its digital and physical platforms. The company raised circa £7.5m at the start of 2022 and struck a £3.25m debt deal with Virgin Money last autumn.

 

EL&N increases London presence, makes Slovakia debut: Cafe and lifestyle brand EL&N has increased its presence in the capital with an opening at Westfield London. The company, which earlier this month opened the first site for its new Deli & Bakery concept, in Covent Garden, opened its latest site in the ground floor atrium of the White City scheme. At the same time, the brand has expanded into a further European country with an opening in Slovakia. The business has opened a site in the Aupark Shopping Centre in Bratislava. The site features a pizza bar, all day dining menu, specialty coffee and cake. The business currently operates circa 40 sites across 13 countries, with new territories under consideration thought to include the US, Japan, India and further parts of Europe. In the past month, it has signed to open new sites in Berlin, Cambodia and Malta.

 

Amigos Burgers & Shakes reveals pipeline of openings and finalising first master franchise agreement: Better burger brand Amigos Burgers & Shakes has revealed a pipeline of openings and said it is close to completing its first master franchise agreement. Amigos was launched in Acton, west London, in 2011 by Waqas Siddique and Kasim Akhter and has since expanded to 20 sites across the capital. With plans for an eventual 100-strong estate, it began its national expansion by securing an eight-store franchise deal for Birmingham at the end of last year – with the first of these set to open this autumn. “Exciting times Amigos Burgers & Shakes,” said the company’s franchise consultant, Nil Naik. “The buzz is real as we prepare to open new stores across the UK, starting in Birmingham this October. This will be the first of eight stores for this franchise partner. But that’s not all! We’re also bringing the Amigos experience to Milton Keynes, Finchley and Hounslow in London and Edinburgh, with more locations in the pipeline. And here’s the cherry on top – we’re excited to announce that we’re finalising our first master franchise agreement. The details are being wrapped up, and we can’t wait to share more in the coming weeks. We are also keen to discuss other master franchise opportunities, in particular Morocco. Thank you to our incredible team and loyal customers for making this journey possible. We’re just getting started!”

 

SSP secures deal to operate 12 F&B outlets across Sofia airport for Bulgarian debut: SSP, the operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations worldwide, has secured a deal to operate 12 food and beverage outlets across Sofia airport. The new deal, which is SSP’s first in Bulgaria, will transform the airport’s dining offering with brands such as Starbucks, Burger King and TGI Fridays. There will also be SSP brands such as Levito Pizza Pasta, Negroni, Camden Food Co, Ta.Sh.Ba, Upper Crust, Soul & Grain and Dao DaoAsian Cuisine, plus bespoke concepts Meshana Taste of Bulgaria and Bar 09-27. SSP will develop a modern food court area and outdoor terrace, with the first units expected to begin operating at the start of 2025. George Antoniou, managing director of SSP eastern Europe and Middle East, said: “We’re proud to be working in collaboration with [airport operator] SOF Connect to create an even better airport experience in the region. These magnificent bars, restaurants and cafes will cement our reputation in this important new market.”

 

Afrikana set to add to London footprint with Holloway opening: African restaurant concept Afrikana is set to add to its footprint in London with an opening in Holloway. It will be launching shortly at 382 Holloway Road in north London, on the site of the former Old King’s Head pub. Since the pub closed in 2011, the unit has been a Costa Coffee and a Taco Bell. It will be a sixth location in the capital for Afrikana – following its sites in Dalston, Hayes, Ilford, Mile End and at The O2 – with a seventh to follow next month, in Hounslow. Afrikana is also set for further London openings – in Kingston and Tooting – and will launch in Reading this year, as it works through a stated pipeline of 50-plus restaurants. 

 

London Polish deli returns to profit but ‘not predicting a huge amount of growth’ in 2024, will consider further expansion opportunities: London Polish deli Mleczko Delikatesy returned to profit in the year to 31 December 2023 but said it is “not predicting a huge amount of growth” in 2024. The business, which operates 15 Polish delis in the capital (2022: 14), also said it will consider further opportunities to expand into new shops but “only if they meet strict criteria on return on investment”. The company turned a pre-tax loss of £206,216 in 2022 into a profit of £306,750. Turnover was up from £32,361,415 in 2022 to £35,217,470. Director Michael Mleczko said a return to growth in the second half of 2022 continued in 2023, but much of this was down to selling price increases on “most, if not all, of our products, as a result of being forced to pass on price increases from suppliers and producers”. Transaction rose from 2.50 million in 2022 to 2.56 million. “UK inflation appears to have stabilised,” Mleczko said. “We expect trading in 2024 to continue to be uncertain and we are not predicting a huge amount of growth in our 2024 financial year. In addition to the uncertainty in the economy, we continue to grapple with the negative after effects of Brexit, with the latest raft of rules and regulations imposed on the business relating to imports of fresh foods proving to be a significant administrative burden, as well an unwanted and unnecessary cost. In addition, there has been a degree of confusion in interpreting the new rules. It has not been clear what the British authorities expect of the individual EU authorities and how strict and rigorous their enforcement needs to be, given that food products are already regulated to a high standard within the EU. An overzealous interpretation by the individual EU authorities could lead to delays in bringing food products into the UK. The key focus over the next financial year will be to monitor the recovery of the UK economy from the effects of the cost-of-living crisis and continue looking at all ways of increasing the profitability of the business. Thereafter, we will consider further opportunities to expand into new shops only if they meet strict criteria on return on investment.” Dividends of £169,425 were paid (2022: £211,454).

 

The Ivy Collection to open Belfast site next month: The Ivy Collection, the Richard Caring-backed restaurant brand, will open its new site in Belfast next month. Set across two floors at the historic Cleaver House in Donegall Square North, The Ivy Belfast Brasserie is set to become the Ivy’s first full-service brasserie in Northern Ireland and only its second on the island of Ireland. The venue will open on Tuesday, 17 September, accommodating 188 guests. As well as the main restaurant, the full-service brasserie will include a central bar area and a private dining room for 24 guests. Julian Henry, general manager of The Ivy Belfast Brasserie, said: “We are delighted to bring The Ivy experience to Belfast, a city rich in culture, heritage, and culinary expertise. Northern Ireland has long been celebrated for its vibrant food scene, and we are thrilled to contribute to this legacy with a dining experience that blends The Ivy's timeless elegance with the contemporary energy of Belfast.” The Ivy Collection also has openings lined up in Canterbury and Liverpool. Last month, Caring confirmed plans to take The Ivy to the US. A document sent out to potential investors detailed plans to export the brand across the Atlantic and also suggested scope to open around 25 more branches across the UK.

 

Chilled Pubs reports record turnover of £18m: Chilled Pubs, the award-winning group of Derbyshire pubs founded by Richard and Loren Pope, has reported turnover increased 20.1% to a record £17,972,603 for the year ending 31 December 2023 compared with £14,966,152 the previous year. The seven-strong company said the rise was mainly down to a full year of trading from the Blue Stoop in Dronfield, while The Bulls Head in East Leake began welcoming customers during the period. Pre-tax profit was down to £812,111 from £1,142,409 the year before. The company, which employs more than 500 staff, received government grants of £24,000 (2022: £53,000). A dividend of £230,000 was paid (2022: £180,000). Chilled Pubs opened its debut site – the Bull’s Head in Repton – in 2007 and the Popes won the British Institute of Innkeeping Licensee of the Year award three years later. 

 

Turkish sweet and dessert concept to make UK debut: Turkish sweet and dessert concept Hafiz Mustafa is set to make its UK debut. It will open at 92 Brompton Road, opposite Harrods in London’s Knightsbridge, on Friday, 13 September, reports Hot Dinners. Founded in 1864 by Hadji İsmail Hakki Bey, the company is currently run by the Ongular family, which has owned it since 2007. Hafiz Mustafa has around a dozen branches in Turkey and one in Dubai. Among its offerings are Turkish treats, baklava, puddings, tea and sweets.

 

Windsor & Eton Brewery closes crowdfunding campaign after raising more than £380,000: Brewer and retailer Windsor & Eton Brewery has closed its latest crowdfunding campaign after raising more than £380,000. Having reached its initial £200,002 target in just 24 hours, the company went on to raise a total of £384,524 from 427 investors in 43 days. The company, which operates four bars in Windsor and is a supplier to more than 350 pubs, bars and hotels, will spend £100,000 on acquiring a new pub and £50,000 each on sales and marketing and investing in its brewery. It is not yet clear what the extra funds will be spent on. The campaign gave Windsor & Eton Brewery, which said it had its highest ever sales figures in 2023, a pre-money valuation of £9m. The company was founded in 2009 by Bob Morrison, Paddy Johnson, Jim Morrison and Will Calvert.

 

Wagamama opens tenth store in Scotland: Wagamama, The Restaurant Group-owned brand, has opened its tenth store in Scotland. The new restaurant, at 13 Whitehall Street in Dundee, is the brand’s 168th in the UK in total. It has opened with a fully electric kitchen, as part of Wagamama’s pledge to reduce its carbon emissions and remove gas from its estate. The restaurant has 128 covers and has created 60 jobs. 

 

Glasgow German beer hall concept looking to expand outside the city after opening second site: Glasgow German beer hall concept Wunderbar is looking to expand outside the city after opening its second site. The second Wunderbar has opened in the former Sanctuary nightclub in Dumbarton Road, adding to its original site in Springfield Court, which opened two years ago in the former Bread and Butter restaurant. “It would have been silly not to open a west end venue based on the success of the city centre Wunderbar,” said group operations manager Gavin Boyle. “We know how good the concept is and really think it will work here. We’d love to see the concept expand outside Glasgow next. The décor and the offering are very similar to the city centre location but there are differences – it’s a different demographic and a bit more beer focused. We are still doing live music seven days a week, but this has a bit more of a pub feel. Plus, we’ve got a 200-capacity beer garden as well. We don’t offer food in the city centre, but we realised with the location and operating hours of this venue that it’s needed in the west end. So, we will have a German street food vibe.” The team is also behind the Kong club and the Hide and Seek cocktail bar in the city.

 

Three Michelin-starred London restaurant Sketch reports rise in profit and turnover: Three Michelin-starred London restaurant Sketch has reported a rise in profit and turnover in the year to 30 November 2023. Turnover rose from £14,382,949 in 2022 to £16,451,510 while pre-tax profit was up from £661,364 to £774,905. No government grants were received compared with £6,000 in 2022. Holding company Sacred River owes £435,9870 borrowed through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (2022: £696,970), which is payable by June 2025. The hub comprises four separate areas – the Gallery, The Lecture Room, The Parlour and The Glade – as well as a shop. Sketch was awarded three Michelin stars in 2020.

 

North east padel operator secures lease for second site ahead of further expansion plans: North east padel operator True Padel has secured a lease for a second site in the region ahead of plans for further expansion. True Padel, which was founded in 2023 and has a flagship location in Durham, will take over the former Wickes unit in Wessington Way, at Wessington Retail Park, in Sunderland. Expected to open this winter, the complex will span 24,000 square feet and will include five doubles courts and two new-concept single courts, together with showers, changing rooms and a bar. There is also the potential to add on some outdoor courts should demand prove to be as high as expected, reports Insider Media. Adam Carr, True Padel’s co-director, said: “We are thrilled to be bringing a new True Padel club to Sunderland. Our new Sunderland club will offer a social environment similar to the existing Durham location, featuring social tournaments and events, coaching, and a community-focused atmosphere. In addition to our Sunderland site, we have several large indoor sites lined up across other parts of the north east, with more details coming soon.”

 

Blackpool operator set to open third site: Blackpool operator Lucia Frankitt is set to open a third site in the town. Frankitt, who already operates Caesar’s by San Marcos in Cedar Square and San Marcos in Topping Street, is preparing to open a new premises in Highfield Road. It is also something of a homecoming as the original San Marcos was in Highfield Road, having opened its doors in 2002 before moving to a larger space in 2008. “The 2002 Highfield Road restaurant was only little; a few tables and chairs and no bar,” Frankitt told the Blackpool Gazette. “It was insane, people were queuing up to get in, so in 2008 we took over Booths in Lytham Road and turned that into the new San Marcos. I always tell our chefs not to change the traditional family recipes because they work – no need to mend something that’s not broken. That’s why our traditional angle is important and why we’ve been so successful over the years – our recipes never change, and customers know what they’re going to get.” Frankitt, a veteran of the Blackpool hospitality scene, has put the new premises in the name of her daughter, Cinzia Goldie, as she gears up for handing over the business upon retirement. Her father, Arnold, owned Blackpool’s first nightclub, the Picador Club in Henry Street, and once turned down The Beatles as he thought they had scruffy haircuts and couldn’t sing or play the drums properly.

Sunday in Brooklyn to open second London site this weekend: Sunday in Brooklyn, the New York-inspired restaurant concept, is to open its second site in London, near Oxford Street, this weekend. The new site, in St Christopher’s Place, will comprise 5,000 square feet spread across two floors, with additional alfresco seating. The new venue, which will open on Saturday (24 August), will feature event spaces, private dining rooms and two vaults, reports Hot Dinners. Sunday in Brooklyn made its UK debut in London’s Notting Hill in July 2021, in the former Cote unit in Westbourne Grove. Sunday in Brooklyn was founded by Todd Enany, Adam Landsman and chef Jaime Young in 2016 in the New York borough’s Williamsburg neighbourhood.