Bosses rail at business secretary over ‘avalanche of costs’: Business leaders expressed frustration with ministers on Monday (4 November) amid a growing budget backlash that bosses said would trigger an “avalanche of costs” and leave them with no choice but to slash investment and increase prices. Sky News reports that bosses of large retail and hospitality companies and trade associations told Jonathan Reynolds, the business secretary, that last week’s budget risked damaging consumer confidence and exacerbating challenges facing the UK economy. Among the dozens of companies represented on the call are said to have been Burger King UK, Fuller Smith & Turner, Greene King, Kingfisher and the supermarket chain Morrisons. Reynolds is said to have acknowledged that Rachel Reeves’s inaugural fiscal statement had “asked a lot” of British business, with James Murray, the financial secretary to the Treasury, understood to have described it as “a once-in-a-generation budget”, according to several people briefed on the call. One insider said that Nick Mackenzie, the chief executive of Greene King, had highlighted that the increase in employers’ national insurance (NI) contributions would cause “a £20m shock” to the company, while Fullers is understood to have warned that it would be forced to halve annual investment from £60m to £30m. The British Beer & Pub Association added that there was now a disincentive to invest and flagged “a tsunami” of higher costs. Only a small number of interventions during the discussion are said to have been in support of measures announced last week, with the Federation of Small Businesses understood to have praised the doubling of the employment allowance, which would see many of the smallest employers having their NI bills cut by £2,000.

 

Premium Club members to receive two updated databases this week: Premium Club members will receive two updated databases this week. The latest Propel UK Food & Beverage Franchisee Database will be sent tomorrow (Wednesday, 6 November) at 12pm. It will feature ten new additions plus updates to existing entries. It now has 180 entries and more than 76,000 words of copy. Among the new entries are Amorino franchisees 4orty and Sandyman Investments, and Starbucks franchisees 1 Oak Investment Group and The Explorer Group. The next Propel New Openings Database will be sent to Premium Club members on Friday (8 November). The database will show the details of 196 site openings, including Simmons Bars opening their cocktail concept in Manchester, The Wild Swan from Thornbridge & Co opening in London, and BrewDog opening at Belfast Grand Central station. Premium Club members also receive access to four other databases: theTurnover & Profits Blue Book, the Multi-Site Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database and the Who’s Who of UK Hospitality. All Premium Clubs members will be offered a 20% discount on tickets to Propel paid-for events including 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.

 

Entry deadline today for Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Awards and Rising Stars: The deadline for entries to the Restaurant Marketer & Innovator (RMI) Awards is today (Tuesday, 5 November) at 5pm. The awards, in their seventh year, recognise outstanding marketing and innovation in the sector. Finalists will be honoured at a grand awards ceremony in London on Wednesday, 22 January, the finale of the three-day Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit. The awards are open to any eating or drinking-out brand across Europe, with 14 categories including best communications, best new product development, best use of technology and innovator of the year. In addition to the main awards, the Rising Stars programme is also returning, recognising talented future leaders under 30 in marketing, innovation and strategy roles. This programme is open to young professionals from anywhere in Europe, offering a platform for emerging talent in the sector. The closing date for nominations is also today at 5pm. James Hacon, co-founder of the awards, said: “The RMI Awards celebrate the extraordinary creativity and forward-thinking that drives our sector. It’s a chance to stand out and be recognised among the industry’s best, whether you’re a start-up with bold ambitions or an established brand evolving to meet the demands of tomorrow’s market.” For more information and to enter the RMI awards, click here, and to nominate for the Rising Stars programme, click here. 

Hospitality no-shows back to record high: The number of consumers not showing up for their reservations in pubs, bars and restaurants is back to a record high, with 14% not honouring reservations or informing venues in advance. New figures from Zonal’s latest GO Technology report, in partnership with CGA by NIQ, reveals that of more than 5,000 British adults surveyed, 68% who make bookings honour them, while 18% cancel in advance and 14% admit to failing to show without telling their venue. The launch of the industry-wide #ShowUpForHospitality campaign in 2021 saw no-shows decline, but the latest insight shows they have returned to the same level as three years ago. When looking at the reasoning, 57% of respondents said that they are severely or moderately affected by the cost-of-living crisis, and 29% decided it would be too expensive. When asked what would make guests less likely to miss a booking, 30% said a simple cancellation process, 28% rewards and incentives, 25% reservation reminders, 21% deposits and 17% loyalty schemes. Tim Chapman, chief commercial officer at Zonal, said: “No-shows are a £17.59bn problem for the hospitality sector and the issue does not seem to be going away – in fact, this research suggests it has been exacerbated recently by the cost-of-living crisis. The report also reveals that those most likely to no-show are high-spenders and frequent visitors, which makes them very valuable customers to the sector.” Karl Chessell, director hospitality operators and Food EMEA at CGA by NIQ, added: “Bookings are a double-edged sword for hospitality, helping venues to plan better and fill tables but bringing the risk of substantial missed sales, at a time when margins and growth are under pressure. As we approach the crucial Christmas period, reducing no-shows is going to be a top priority for everyone in the sector.” 

Hospitality leaders warn against festive tube strikes: Leaders from across the hospitality sector have warned over the spectre of festive tube strikes in London and encouraged a swift resolution to the latest dispute. As a fresh set of tube strikes take place from this week, UKHospitality has coordinated a letter to mayor of London Sadiq Khan, plus union general secretaries Mick Lynch (RMT) and Mick Whelan (ASLEF), urging against further walkouts during the Christmas period. The letter is backed by the bosses of Britain’s biggest pub groups – Fuller’s, Greene King, Punch Pubs, Stonegate Group and Young’s – and leading businesses including Côte Brasserie, Drake & Morgan, ETM Group, Hippodrome Casino, Tossed and Wasabi. The letter said: “Our request to you as leaders of your respective organisations is to conclude these negotiations swiftly, or risk permanent damage to the London economy. A strike at any time of year means hospitality businesses can lose 70% of that day’s income. But in this crucial period the effect is even worse, and a strike cancelled at the last moment will probably be too late to stop the negative impact. Bookings for large parties are already cancelled, or never made at all. Coverage in global media will mean some potential visitors to our city have decided not to risk a visit. Some hospitality businesses make up to 40% of their annual takings in the two months before Christmas. Losing income at this time of year can and does put the future of these businesses at risk, and with it, people’s jobs. We ask only that you swiftly conclude the negotiations before the impact on our businesses and our city becomes unacceptably high, threatening the livelihoods of those working in it.”

 

Councils could impose tourist tax on staycationers under government plans: Local authorities in England would be given the power to levy a tax on staycation tourists under plans being considered by the government. English local authorities have no powers to raise a tourism tax, although a visitor levy is implemented by some areas using a legal workaround. The Scottish government introduced tourism tax powers this year, and the Welsh government has similar plans. Devolved mayors have been pushing for the measures to be introduced in the government’s devolution white paper, the Telegraph understands, with one figure involved in the process describing it as “when, not if”. A source familiar with the plans told The Telegraph: “Individual ministers are in favour, though there is resistance coming from the Treasury.” It would mean councils would be able to apply levies to hotel bills and bed and breakfast stays, most likely by £1 to £2 per person. The white paper is being put together by Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister, and her Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The department did not rule out the plans when asked by The Telegraph. The previous Conservative government ruled out establishing tourism tax powers for local authorities last year. The powers could be given to all of England’s 317 local authorities as well as the larger combined authorities controlled by elected mayors. Those in favour see a tourism tax as the first step on the road to full fiscal devolution, where mayors can levy their own local taxes and handle their own budgets. 

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a high-growth hospitality business that is seeking a head of digital. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The company is looking to grow its marketing team with a focus on delivery, customer journey and product development. Some of the duties of the head of digital will include devising strategies to drive online traffic to the company website, tracking conversion rates and making improvements to the website, developing and managing digital marketing campaigns, customer journey and retention across all platforms, utilising a range of techniques including paid search, SEO and PPC, overseeing the social media strategy, managing online brand and product campaigns to raise brand awareness, and more.” The salary is up to £80,000 and the position is based in London. For more information, email gemma@corecruitment.com.

 

Dishoom appoints advisor as it seeks to secure investment for US launch: Indian restaurant group Dishoom has appointed advisors to help it secure new investment to aid a launch in the US, which could happen as early as next year. Propel understands that the business, which was founded in 2010, is working with Goldman Sachs. Co-founders Shamil and Kavi Thakrar said the process could see the business bring in an investor or partner to fund the move, and to also provide expertise and strategic counsel as it looks to enter the US market and continue its growth in the UK. The company, which operates 13 sites in the UK, will look to open a debut site in New York, where it recently had success with a ten-day pop-up in partnership with the Pastis restaurant in the city. The pop-up had 6,500 reservations that sold out in four minutes and a waiting list of over 20,000 people. Shamil Thakrar told Propel: “We have a long-held ambition to bring Dishoom to the US. It’s an important step, and while we are not in any rush, we are taking the opportunity to take advice from people that can help us on this journey. We will continue what we are doing here in the UK, where we’ve built a good business and believe there is plenty of opportunity for further growth through Dishoom and Permit Room. We’re going into it very carefully and humble; we’re very determined to make sure we maintain all the things that have made the business work so far. We will stick to a phrase we use at Dishoom, which is that as we grow, we will deepen what we do without diluting it. We're really excited, and will take our time, to take the right steps, and hence, to get really good advice on how best to approach it.” Kavi Thakrar said: “The pop-up in New York was really well received from a guest point of view, and from a team point of view. We were able to look after people in a similar way that we love to look after them in the UK. It was a really good toe in the water, and New York is a really natural home for us, so I think it's likely we will look there as a really good first step for us.” Last month, the business, which recently opened its third Permit Room in Oxford, promoted Brian Trollip to chief executive. The company, which earlier this year launched the biggest shake-up of its menu since it opened its first site in Covent Garden 14 years ago, saw its revenue increase 23% last year to £117m. The group said it had continued to “perform well” since the year-end, delivering ongoing growth at both a revenue and underlying profit level.

Exclusive – James Horler joins Paddy & Scott’s as chairman: James Horler, the former chief executive of La Tasca and Ego Restaurants, has joined independent coffee shop operator and wholesaler Paddy & Scott’s as its new chairman, Propel has learned. Horler led the management buy-in of La Tasca for £28m in 2001, leading it through a successful initial public offering and eventually selling it for £134m. Last month, Horler stepped down as chief executive of Ego Restaurants, of which Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) agreed to acquire the remaining 60% last June. The Mediterranean-inspired concept was founded in 1999, and Horler joined the then five-strong business in 2010, with backing from LDC. M&B entered a joint venture with Ego’s parent company, 3Sixty Restaurants, in August 2018, taking a 40% stake in the company at that time for an initial cash consideration of circa £4m. M&B acquired the minority stake from serial sector investor Luke Johnson. Paddy & Scott’s said that Horler is “a standout figure in the UK hospitality industry” and brings a wealth of experience and “a proven track record of success that is set to propel Paddy & Scott’s to new heights”. Jon Reed, chief executive of Paddy & Scott’s, said: “We are thrilled to welcome someone of James’s calibre to join the Paddy & Scott’s crusade. His passion for people and unique expertise in growing great companies that really stand for something are perfectly aligned with our ethos and ambitions.” Horler said: “The potential at Paddy & Scott’s is uncapped, and its formula to help other hospitality operators increase their coffee sales is highly attractive. With so many challenges coming our way, working with partners that can drive increased sales is a great help. The impact is a critical advantage, especially in today’s challenging environment. Furthermore, its commitment to fairer trade practices and supporting coffee-growing communities is genuinely inspiring.” He added: “Growth should be a speedboat, not an ocean liner.” A team led by Reed and operations director Zoe Hill bought Paddy & Scott’s from Scott Russell, the remaining co-founder and sole owner, in January. The company was founded in 2007 by Russell and Paddy Bishop, who exited the business in 2016. Paddy & Scott’s has stores in Ipswich, Lichfield, Hadleigh and Colchester.

 

Burger Drop – ‘the ambition is to be as big as Five Guys and KFC’, has more than 200 franchise inquiries in pipeline: North east craft burger concept Burger Drop has said it has more than 200 franchise inquiries in the pipeline and has ambitions to build a business “as big as Five Guys and KFC”. Burger Drop, which was founded in 2020 by Hasan Hamid and Amer Qayyum and currently operates two sites in Newcastle and one in Whitley Bay, is aiming to expand through franchising. Franchised restaurants are due to launch in three new locations including Edinburgh, Manchester and Sunderland, and Hamid said there are more than 200 more franchise inquiries in the pipeline. He added the goal is to be “in the same category as Five Guys, Nando’s, and KFC and we are well underway in building the partnerships and infrastructure needed to get there”. Hamid and Qayyum launched Burger Drop with support from Northumbria University's student and graduate enterprise team. The first restaurant – in Westgate Road in Newcastle – reached revenue of £1.7m in its first year. Hamid said: “The support I have had from the university since day one has been crucial for the growth of Burger Drop, particularly in terms of linking me up with industry professionals. I now have a network of influential and experienced individuals who I can turn to for guidance.” He said one introduction that has been instrumental was with Jonathan Holden, who is chief operating officer at Molly Maid UK, which is one of the largest franchise brands globally. In January, Hamid told Propel that he was targeting 150 stores in the next decade and looking to open five sites in 2024.

KFC plans to hire 700 permanent staff before Christmas: KFC UK & Ireland is planning to recruit more than 700 new permanent staff ahead of Christmas. Open to anyone eligible to work in the UK and Ireland, KFC is offering both part-time and full-time permanent roles at restaurants across the country, regardless of experience. Kathryn York, chief people officer at KFC UK and Ireland, said: “We’re excited to be growing our restaurant teams to help serve up KFC’s delicious fried chicken to customers at our busiest time of year. These roles are a fantastic opportunity for anyone who wants to learn and build a career in a fun, energetic and supportive environment, where people are recognised for their potential above all else.” The recruitment drive comes as KFC continues accelerating its growth strategy in the UK and Ireland market. The company is aiming to open 500 new restaurants across the country over the next decade, a move set to create more than 20,000 jobs. Last month, York told the Propel Talent & Training Conference that getting recruitment and retention right is crucial as the quick service restaurant (QSR) is now a highly competitive market with a smaller pool of talent. “I’ve been with the company for ten years, and one of the biggest differences contextually is the volume of competition we have across the business now,” she said. “Ten years ago, a lot of the key players in the industry weren’t there. Now, it’s a really highly competitive market, which is great because everybody has to be on the front foot and think really carefully about the employer brand, how we show up and how we recruit. Gone are the days when you can do a long, drawn-out process for team members – it has to be quick.” With two thirds of its 30,000 team members across the UK & Ireland under the age of 25, York said KFC is also in the process of “remapping our entire people experience to make sure we are making ourselves fit for the next generation – looking at the entire employee life cycle and all the touchpoints where we’re doing great and where we have opportunities to do better”.

Soho Coffee hires new franchise consultant focusing on UK expansion as it lines up new store opening: Soho Coffee Co – which has 28 managed sites and a franchised business with stores in the UK, Europe and the Middle East – has hired a new franchise consultant focusing on UK expansion as it lines up a new store opening. The business, which last year appointed former head of hospitality at Debenhams, Sam Shutt, as its new chief executive, will open the new store later this week, Propel understands. The launch will be led by new franchise consultant Krishma Vaghela, founder of Franchise Futures UK. “I am pleased to announce that Franchise Futures UK has partnered with Soho Coffee,” Vaghela said. “The affiliation follows the appointment of Sam Shutt as group chief executive last year. Sam has been tasked with overseeing the next phase of development, strategic leadership and growth. With UK franchising a primary focus, I am delighted to be appointed as franchise consultant, responsible for developing Soho’s geographical footprint across country. Soho won the Sammies ‘En Route Retailer Award’ in 2023, which recognises the work the brand is doing to drive and develop within travel hubs, from forecourts and service stations to airports and train stations. The passion for quality and innovation, I believe, makes Soho exceptionally appealing to franchise investors looking for something unique within the coffee space. There are three concepts on offer for franchising, something to suit different investment budgets, whether the drive is to open a single unit or develop into multi-unit operations. The team is preparing to cut the ribbon on a new store.” Last week, Propel reported that Soho Coffee’s turnover increased to a record £18,705,444 for the year ending 28 January 2024 compared with £16,168,162 the year before. Pre-tax losses were up to £3,208,677 from £2,974,553 the previous year.

 

Chick-fil-A begins building UK operational team: US brand Chick-fil-A has added three new hires to its UK operational team, ahead of its launch here next year. Propel understands the brand, which operates more than 3,000 sites across the US, Puerto Rico and Canada, has hired Matt Broom as technology lead UK. Broom previously spent just over nine years at PizzaExpress, including the last two and a half years as director of restaurant technology. He also spent five years at Whitbread. Chick-fil-A has also hired Alyson Scott as its senior principle lead, international supply chain. Scott joins from TGI Fridays, where she spent more than 16 years, including the last five and a half as its procurement, supply chain and technical director. Katie Grinstead has been hired as head of marketing. Grinstead joins Chick-fil-A after more than six years at Burger King UK, including the last two years as head of brand experience. She also spent five years working in the wider Burger King business, based in Miami. In September, Chick-fil-A revealed it had lined up the first five locations for its debut in the UK next year. The brand will open two restaurants in Belfast and single sites in Leeds, Liverpool, and London. The sites will open over two years, starting in 2025, and Chick-fil-A has opened applications for those wishing to take on a franchise. The brand’s initial expansion into the UK will create approximately 400 jobs. Propel revealed in April that Chick-fil-A had secured a site in Kingston-upon-Thames, as it starts building its opening pipeline here, acquiring the freehold of the HSBC site in Eden Street/Clarence Street. The company is understood to have retained property firm Newmark Group to help it with its expansion in the UK.

 

German Doner Kebab opens in Gateshead: German Doner Kebab (GDK), owned by Hero Brands, has opened a new store in Gateshead’s Metrocentre. The 42-cover, 2,823 square-foot site is located in the centre’s Lower Level Yellow Mall after GDK agreed a deal with landlord Sovereign Centros from CBRE. The restaurant is GDK’s 143rd franchised location across the UK and second within the Newcastle region. The outlet also offers takeaway and delivery.

 

George Hebditch steps down as Prezzo commercial director: George Hebditch has stepped down as commercial director of Prezzo, the Cain International-backed Italian dining group. Hebditch, formerly of Pret A Manger, joined Prezzo last autumn. He previously spent nine years at Pret across two spells. Most recently, he was the brand’s global head of partnership food, safety and marketing. He also had a short contract stint at Samworth Brothers as a project manager. His departure follows that of Olly Smith, who stepped down as chief culinary and brand officer at Prezzo this summer to join the Bamford Collection as its new food director. Smith, who was formerly at Pret A Manger and Nando’s, joined Prezzo in January 2022 as chief culinary officer. The Bamford Collection includes Daylesford Organic and Daylesford Stays – the company’s hospitality division that encompasses a collection of “traditional Cotswold-stone cottages and modern British Inns”. In September, Prezzo confirmed it had hired James Brown as its new chief executive. Brown joins from Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog, where he served as chief executive of BrewDog Bars and held several senior leadership roles since 2015. As part of this leadership transition, Dean Challenger, Prezzo’s former chief executive, will reassume his previous role as chief financial officer following Prezzo’s return to profitability. Propel understands that Challenger’s return to the chief financial officer role will see Jo Harrison leave the business at the end of the year. 

 

Pho lines up Newcastle opening: Pho, the Vietnamese restaurant group led by Pat Marrinan and backed by TriSpan, has lined up an opening in Newcastle. Propel understands the 45-strong company, which recently opened its second site in Edinburgh, is set to acquire the YO! Sushi site in Newcastle’s Grainger Street, for an opening in the first quarter of next year. Pho recently opened in Lothian Road, Edinburgh – its third site in Scotland, following its first Scottish venue at Edinburgh’s St James Quarter, and its central Glasgow location in Renfield Street that opened earlier this year. The business, which also opened in Greenwich, south east London, in September, is also set to open a site in Harborne, Birmingham. The restaurant will become Pho’s first opening in a regional suburb when it opens in early 2025. 

 

Bubbleology set to make north east debut: Bubbleology, the London bubble tea bar operator, is set to make its debut in the north east. Bubbleology will open its first store in the region on Sunday (10 November) at Eldon Square in Newcastle. The new 292 square-foot kiosk will be a 36th site overall for the business. The kiosk will offer the signature Bubbleology menu of milk and fruit bubble tea, seasonal specials, innovative toppings and customisable elements. Bubbleology founder Assad Khan said: “Eldon Square marks a major step in the expansion of Bubbleology as we continue to grow the brand’s presence in the north of England, where the appetite for bubble tea has been significantly growing. Located within such a high footfall area, we’re excited to be bringing our range to a new audience.” It comes after Bubbleology last month extended its northern footprint with two new store openings – within the McArthurGlen Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet in Ellesmere Port, and a second Manchester store at The Trafford Centre. The company’s new mobile kiosk format was launched in August, as it looks to roll out to high footfall locations in new regions across the UK.

 

Knoops opens first international site: Luxury hot chocolate shop brand Knoops has made its international debut with an opening in Dubai. The store, in the City Centre Mirdif shopping mall in Dubai, leads the “multi-channel testing phase” of the brand into the UAE. Knoops, which said the new opening was in line with its global expansion strategy, said it selected the NDS Group as joint venture partners, with its understanding of the “importance of establishing the multi-channel brand before expanding in the wider region with further partners”. William Gordon-Harris, chief executive of Knoops, said: “Embedding Knoops across the whole Middle East and introducing the region to the rituals of drinking chocolate has been carefully planned, beginning with the first UAE store. The City Centre Mirdif is the perfect place to launch in this important market.” The company plans to use the proceeds of its recent crowdfunding campaign, which raised more than £2m, to expand its footprint both in the UK as well as internationally. The campaign is part of a wider fundraise being undertaken by Knoops, having been granted EIS approval for £5m. In September, Knoops told Propel it plans to open between ten and 20 stores in the UK next year and is engaging in franchise conversations in territories like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt and Turkey. Knoops, which currently has 21 shops, with a target of 300 in the UK “within a few years”, is bidding to open up to 5,000 stores worldwide in the next decade. The company has openings lined up in Belfast, Newcastle and York. 

 

Greater Manchester McDonald’s franchisee opens 20th site: McDonald’s franchisee Edge Restaurants, which operates in the Greater Manchester area, has opened its 20th site. Franchisee Mark Nuttall has opened the restaurant at the 3 Capital Quay building, in Salford Quays, near Manchester United’s Old Trafford football ground. Nuttall has acquired a former Chiquito unit that has been empty since 2020. Last month, Propel reported Edge Restaurants saw its turnover pass £80m and profit more than double in the year to 31 December 2023 after acquiring two new restaurants. The company’s turnover for the year was £86,399,132, a 27.3% increase on the £67,869,310 in 2022, when it operated 17 restaurants. The previous year, the company had grown its turnover by almost £10m after acquiring four new restaurants. Pre-tax profit increased from £2,459,383 in 2022 to £5,382,714, despite a rise in costs of more than £6m and administration expenses going up by more than £9m. Edge Restaurants featured in an in-depth analysis of the McDonald’s UK franchisee landscape by Geof Collyer, of Lavender Bank Partners, which was published in Friday’s (1 November) Propel Premium Opinion. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. The single subscription rate is £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription.

Honi Poké strengthens London footprint with Baker Street site: Hawaiian poké specialist Honi Poké, which is looking to add a further 15 sites to its UK estate over the next 12 months, has added a site in London’s Baker Street to its opening pipeline. The company, which was founded by Vladimir Martynov and Kosta Varesko in 2017, currently operates 17 sites across London and three regionally, in Bristol, Leeds and Manchester. Honi Poké has now secured the ex-Tamarind Tiger site at 13 Baker Street, between Itsu and a Joe & The Juice. As previously revealed by Propel, Honi Poké recently secured the former Veggie Pret site in St Mary Axe in the City of London and is set to also take the ex-Veggie Pret in King William Street. Honi Poké has a further site close to completion and has several more in legals. Brandon Elmon, of Genius1 Group, acts on behalf of Honi Poké.

Swingers to launch in Las Vegas this week, reveals further details of Dubai and Boston openings: Crazy golf brand Swingers will launch in Las Vegas this week and has revealed further details of its Dubai and Boston openings. The company will launch at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on Friday (8 November), for its third US venue and fifth overall. Set over 40,000 square feet and three floors of former nightclub space in one of MGM Resorts’ iconic properties, it will, by some distance, be the largest Swingers location to date. The venue will comprise four mini golf courses, two 60-foot-long bars, a premium street food concession and a Carnival – the new Swingers retro arcade experience that launched in its London West End site this summer. This will be followed later this year by the brand’s Middle Eastern debut, in Dubai’s Bluewaters Island. The 21,000 square-foot venue will span two floors, comprising three mini golf courses and three cocktail bars alongside a signature street food offer. Swingers’ first franchise, it will also have a two-storey clubhouse, immersive scenic projections and the first Swingers speakeasy, offering a private bar and golf course. Swingers will then return to the States in the autumn of 2025 for a fourth US location, in Boston, joining the city’s new adult “social scene” at 777 Boylston Street in the Back Bay neighbourhood. In partnership with Tavistock Restaurant Collection, longtime operators of Abe & Louie’s and Atlantic Fish Co, it will occupy 21,000 square feet of the second and third floors of the development. The location will comprise several mini golf courses, bars, street food vendors and the third Swingers Carnival arcade. “We’re excited to bring the Swingers experience to the global destinations of Dubai, Las Vegas and Boston, as we continue our international expansion,” said Matt Grech-Smith, co-founder and co-chief executive of Swingers. “The explosive growth of competitive socialising is reshaping the entertainment landscape, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of this movement.” 

 

Hand Picked Hotels receives £20m cash injection from shareholders after losses mount: Hand Picked Hotels, a collection of 21 country houses and spa hotels across the UK, has received a £20m cash injection from its shareholders after its losses mounted in the year to 28 December 2023. The loans incur 10% interest per annum and are repayable by 2029. In its accounts for the period, the company said: “The group has net current liabilities, excluding short term loans, of £1.9m (2022: £4.3m) and net liabilities of £51.5m (2022: £31.3m). Shareholder debt was £145.3m at the period end (2022: £126.5m), and the group currently has no external bank loan facilities. Subsequent to the period end, the shareholders have provided additional loan facilities to the company and group of £20.5m to support the group's working capital.” During the year, the company’s pre-tax loss widened from £15,943,915 to £20,156,615. Turnover grew from £53,055,947 to £54,551,068. No government grants were received (2022: £98,900) and no dividends were paid (2022: nil). Following a review, an impairment charge of £2m (2022: £6.7m) was recognised over the tangible fixed assets of the group. Director Rebecca Simonds said: “Contributors to the increase in the loss were economic inflationary pressures in the group’s direct and indirect cost base, albeit partially mitigated by a reduction in the impairment charge over the group’s tangible fixed assets. The directors remain optimistic about the future success of the company and the group and have invested in new roles and activities to improve the operation of the business and the guest experience. We are also developing plans to invest in the physical estate to build a truly appealing offering. We are analysing the market and competitive landscape to define and refine the long-term business planning of the group and each hotel individually.”

Popeyes launches first festive menu in UK: Popeyes UK, the US fried chicken quick service restaurant brand backed here by TDR Capital, has launched its first festive menu. The Festive Feastin’ Menu features six items that combine the flavours of New Orleans with British festive classics: The Festive Superstack Sandwich, The Festive Feastin’ Roll, The Chicken Festive Feastin’ Roll, sage and onion hash brown, Frostin’ mint shake made with Oreo, caramel latte and The Festive Superstack Box Meal. Dave Hoskins, head of food at Popeyes, said: “This festive season we want to give our guests a taste of the traditional holiday flavours everyone knows and loves, 

 

ETM Group to open new sports bar Blackwood in London’s West End next spring: Blackwood, the new sports bar from ETM Group and Maven Leisure, is to open in London’s West End next spring. The new pub and kitchen site in Shaftesbury Avenue will be part of Sport London – the premium sports-led hospitality venues from ETM Group and Maven Leisure. Michael Farquhar, the group’s chief operating officer, said: “We’re thrilled to announce Sport London is expanding to Piccadilly Circus with the opening of Blackwood Sports Pub and Kitchen. This venue will offer a unique blend of sports entertainment and a delicious dining experience.” The business recently opened its new rooftop bar and restaurant, Kitty Hawk, on the rooftop of the Page 8 Hotel, which offers views across Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square.

 

Canadian pancake brand Fluffy Fluffy set for north east debut: Canadian pancake brand Fluffy Fluffy is set to make its north east debut, in Newcastle, for its 11th site here. The brand, which launched in the UK in Manchester in 2022, has broken plenty of new ground this year, opening its first stores in both London and Wales. The exact location of its Newcastle store has not yet been revealed. Fluffy Fluffy first launched six years ago, in Toronto, and has said it is aiming for 25 UK locations by the end of 2025 as it works towards an eventual estate here of 100-plus.

  

SushiDog to add to London portfolio with Bank opening: Quick service sushi roll concept SushiDog is set to add to its presence in London with a second opening in the City. The eight-strong business will open on the former Hop site at 37 Coleman Street, a short walk from Bank station, on Tuesday, 19 November. Earlier this year, SushiDog, which was founded in 2018 by Greg Ilsen and Nick Goldstein, secured a further round of funding from investor Middleton Enterprises to aid its expansion plans. The company, which recently opened at 106 New Oxford Street, is targeting a five-year growth plan of opening 30 sites. It is thought to be in talks on a further site for an opening later this year/early 2025. In August, Propel revealed that Richard Morris, the former chief executive of Tortilla, the UK’s largest fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand, had joined SushiDog as a non-executive director. Morris said he believed that SushiDog can do the same in the grab and go sushi category that Tortilla did with burritos. 

 

Golf club concept Pitch secures Birmingham site: Golf club concept Pitch, which is the brainchild of friends and golf professionals Elliot Godfrey and Chris Ingham, has secured its debut site in the Midlands, in Birmingham. The concept, which recently opened its first international site, in Dublin, has secured an opening at 2 Colmore Square, The Priory, Queensway, for the first quarter of next year. The business said: “This centrally located venue will bring an innovative golf and social gaming experience to Birmingham, complete with eight interactive bays with games designed for golfers and non-golfers, a custom fitting bay, and our signature 18 Greens menu.” Last month, Propel revealed that Pitch had entered a joint venture with England and Manchester United footballers Luke Shaw and Mason Mount to open a site in Manchester. Pitch, which launched in London’s Bishopsgate more than four years ago and is set to open a third site in the capital later this year in Canary Wharf, has long-term plans to open new sites across the UK and add further sites internationally. The recent opening in Dublin was the concept’s first franchise site – in partnership with entrepreneur Christopher Best. Pitch plans further openings in Brighton and London next year. Adam Bowers, of Onepoint2, is retained by Pitch to aid its further expansion across the UK. 

 

Diageo hires Jason Thorndycraft to oversee new venue in London’s Covent Garden: Diageo has hired Jason Thorndycraft, formerly of The Deltic Group, Drake & Morgan and Novus, as managing director of its upcoming £73m, 50,000 square-foot microbrewery and culture hub for Guinness, which will open in central London, next year. Thorndycraft stepped down as chief operating officer at national security staffing business Professional Security earlier this year, after just over three years with the business. He spent more than five years at bar and nightclub company The Deltic Group (latterly Rekom), including a year as its chief operating officer. Diageo’s “Guinness at Old Brewer’s Yard” venue will open in Covent Garden and feature a microbrewery and culture hub. Ground was broken on the project in August last year and was billed by then Diageo GB managing director Dayalan Nayager as a “new home for Guinness in the heart of London”, creating up to 150 jobs.

 

Dipna Anand set to return to her family’s roots with opening in London’s Southall: Restaurateur and author Dipna Anand is set to return to her family’s roots by opening a restaurant in Southall, west London. Anand, author of cook books Dip in Brilliant and Beyond Brilliant, is the third generation of a family of chefs who came to the UK in 1973 and launched the Brilliant Restaurant in Southall two years later. She is now preparing to open a new restaurant, Brilliant Gastro, at Berkeley Group’s landmark The Green Quarter development. “It’s always been a dream of mine to open a gastro-style dining experience,” she said. “Casual dining offers a relaxing and accessible way to dine out. We’ll have a wide array of new dishes that I’m excited for people to try.” The Green Quarter, which will also include a gym, screening room, co-working space, lifestyle stores and a café, is expected to welcome its first residents next year. Marcus Blake, managing director at St George, part of the Berkeley Group, added: “Dipna Anand is such an iconic chef, and welcoming her to Parkside Yards signals a huge milestone for the evolution of The Green Quarter.” The opening follows the launch of the Dipna Anand Kitchen & Bar and Dipna Anand Indian Street Food in Milton Keynes’ Unity Place development last year. She also previously operated Dip In Brilliant in Chelsea’s Fulham Road and Dipna Anand at Somerset House.