Story of the Day:
Foodservice inflation eases for the 15th month but underlying pressures remain: Year-on-year inflation in the hospitality sector continued its downward trend in September, falling to 2.4%, according to the latest Foodservice Price Index report from Prestige Purchasing and CGA by NIQ. But while this marks the 15th consecutive month of decline, the report also highlights persistent inflationary pressures, with nine out of ten categories showing month-on-month price increases. This marks the fourth consecutive month of overall month-on-month inflation according to the index. The vegetables category continues to report high inflation, driven in part by ongoing elevated potato prices, while the oils and fats category saw the largest month-on-month increase, primarily due to a surge in butter prices. While non-alcoholic beverages continue to be a significant driver of inflation, the sugar, jam, syrups and chocolate category, along with vegetables, now show the highest year-on-year increases. Prestige Purchasing chief executive Shaun Allen said: “The continued easing of year-on-year inflation is welcome news, but the sustained month-on-month increases across almost all categories highlight the volatility that still exists in the market. Operators need to be proactive and adaptable in their procurement strategies, paying close attention to emerging trends and potential disruptions to ensure they remain competitive.” Reuben Pullan, senior insight consultant at CGA by NIQ, added: “After an ongoing stretch of price rises across the hospitality sector, this continued drop in inflation should bring some relief to hospitality venues and consumers alike. Although some costs are easing, month-on-month fluctuations indicate that both revenue and margins are likely to remain under pressure through the rest of 2024 and into next year.”
Industry News:
Sponsored message – Sybron achieves coveted Ecocert accreditation: Sybron, a leading supplier of cleaning, hygiene and catering products to the hospitality industry, has been awarded Ecocert certification for its natural cleaning product range, SyBio, under the Ecodetergent certification. Sybron has become the first UK distributor of commercial cleaning products to achieve the certification. Manufactured in partnership with Biovate Hygienics, SyBio is a range of “planet-conscious products that deliver improved performance, safer applications and reduced costs”. SyBio replaces harmful, non-renewable chemicals with adaptive biotechnology that cleans, augments, remediates and protects a range of environments. “We are extremely proud of this accolade and thank customers for their continued support as we strive to deliver innovative and sustainable cleaning solutions,” said sales and marketing director George Mason. “The Ecocert certification is another step towards Sybron’s greener future; we achieved carbon neutral status earlier this year and in partnership with Planet Mark are now working towards our net zero ambitions. We recognise the challenges customers face with their own sustainability goals and as an innovative business, aim to deliver improved sustainability for all, confident that together we can achieve our collective targets.” Ecocert is recognised globally as a leading specialist in the certification of natural and organic sustainable practices. For more information about Sybron, click
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If you have a sponsored message you would like to see featured in this newsletter position, email paul.charity@propelinfo.com.
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 today (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 Domino’s franchisee Palico, Creams franchisee Park Garage Group, KFC franchisee Goldtique and Subway franchisee Evans Partners. The next Propel New Openings Database will be sent to Premium Club members on Friday (8 November), at 12pm. The database will show the details of 196 site openings, including The Gower Deli in Swansea, Danelaw Coffee, with an opening in West Yorkshire, and Swedish bakery brand Fabrique, opening its seventh London site.
Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a wellness brand that is looking for a chief revenue officer. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The position will play a pivotal role in driving revenue growth across all verticals. Reporting directly to the founder, the chief revenue officer will be responsible for shaping and executing the revenue strategy, ensuring sustained growth and profitability. They will lead all revenue-generating functions to elevate the company’s market position globally with focus on the USA.” The salary is up to £200,000 and the position is based in London. For more information, email emma@corecruitment.com.
Company News:
BrewDog hires Lisa Buckley as new chief retail officer: Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog has hired Lisa Buckey, former chief executive of Leisure TV Rights (LTR) and ex-managing director of Cote, as its new chief retail officer – a global role overseeing the company’s retail offering, which includes more than 120 bars and hotels across the world. Buckley stepped down as chief executive of Ninja Warrior operator LTR after two and a half years in the role last month. The former Wagamama UK operations director and Côte Brasserie managing director, who was appointed LTR’s chief executive in February 2022, stepped down to “pursue new opportunities”. She joined the Imbiba-backed business in January 2021 when it had one Ninja Warrior UK adventure park, and during that time built the company’s portfolio to five Ninja Warrior sites throughout the UK, including its latest Teesside opening in July, which has been LTR’s most successful opening to date with record opening sales. Earlier in her career, she held several roles within Tragus Group and Casual Dining Group. She will join BrewDog’s senior leadership team and report to chief executive James Arrow. Buckley will start her new role at BrewDog on 6 January 2025. Earlier this year, BrewDog opened in Bangkok, Denver (its first-ever US franchised location and its tenth US location), Perth (its fifth location in Australia) and a second Rotterdam bar. BrewDog is also continuing its expansion into major travel hubs, most recently opening at Edinburgh Waverley station and London Waterloo. The company said the two new locations follow successful openings at London Gatwick’s North Terminal and Amsterdam Centraal station and form part of a growth plan that will see partners open and operate BrewDog bars and venues at some of the world’s busiest and most important travel locations. Arrow said: “I’m focused on hiring exceptional new talent into the business and strengthening our leadership team and I’m thrilled Lisa will be joining us. She brings an incredible array of hospitality experience and is a critical hire as we evolve as a brand, develop our crew and customer offer, scale globally and importantly drive profitability across our business.” Buckley said: “Super excited to join the team at BrewDog! I have always considered it an exciting brand that has grown exponentially and really looking forward to being part of the next chapter.”
KFC UK system sales down 6% in third quarter and 3% year to date: Yum! Brands has reported KFC system sales in the UK were down 6% for the third quarter ended 30 September 2024 compared with the previous year. In the year to date, KFC UK system sales have fallen 3% – one of four markets that have seen a drop in sales. The others are the Middle East, Turkey and north Africa (9%) and the US and Asia (both 7%). The UK accounts for 6% of KFC’s system sales worldwide. Globally, KFC like-for-like sales in the quarter fell 4%, with US like-for-like sales down 5%. System sales worldwide were up 1% and operating margin was down 6.1%. KFC opened 685 gross new restaurants in 65 countries during the period. Operating profit was down 2% to $339m. Meanwhile, Pizza Hut system sales in Europe, including the UK, were down 7%. The continent accounts for 12% of Pizza Hut’s system sales globally. Year-to-date sales are down 6% in the region – the joint highest with Middle East/Africa. Globally, Pizza Hut sales in the quarter were down 2%, while like-for-likes dropped 4%. US system sales, which account for 41% of global sales, were down 1%. Operating margin fell 2% while operating profit dropped 6% to $91m. Pizza Hut opened 292 gross new restaurants in 36 countries during the period. Taco Bell like-for-like sales increased 4% and system sales were up 5%. In its international division, like-for-likes were up 1% and system sales grew 6%. In the year to date, Taco Bell like-for-likes have grown 3% and system sales are up 5%. Operating profit in the third quarter increased 11% to $251m and operating margin increased 1.6%. Taco Bell opened 49 gross new restaurants in 15 countries during the period. Yum! Brands’ revenue was up 8% in the quarter to $1,826m compared with $1,708m the previous year. In the year to date, revenue is up 3% to $5,187m compared with $5,040m the year before.
Burger & Lobster eyes regional return: Burger & Lobster, the nine-strong restaurant group, is eyeing a return to the expansion trail in the UK and is understood to be in talks on making a new move outside of London. Propel understands that the business, which previously operated sites in Cardiff and Manchester, is in advanced talks on taking a site in Brighton’s Market Street in The Lanes. It is thought that Burger & Lobster may look to open a smaller format than it previously operated regionally. In September, the company reported a marginal decline in turnover for the year to the end of 2023 but saw its restaurants’ sales grow by close to 4% and pre-tax profit almost double. Turnover in the year stood at £36,144,574 (2022: £36,510,956), while Ebitda was £3,545,116 (2022: £2,232,250). Pre-tax profit stood at £1,274,279 (2022: £681,104). Group Ebitda increased from 6% of sales in the 2022 financial year to close to 10% in 2023 and the operating profit increased to close to £1.5m. The company said: “The business remains in a strong financial position at the end of 2023, with the net asset position of £4.1m (2022: £3.3m) and a cash balance remaining at £9.2m. The business remains focused on driving performance in existing restaurants in London by enhancing the quality and relevance of its offering while continuing to invest in the teams and processes to support the operations and in the brand. The enhancement of our customer’s experience remains our main objective.” The Misha Zelman-led business also operates a further 11 restaurants in New York, Singapore, Bangkok, Genting, Kuwait City, Hong Kong and Doha.
Poke House secures €5.5m loan to support expansion plans: Poke House, Europe’s largest poké restaurant brand, has secured a new €5.5m (£4.61m) loan to help expand its presence internationally. Investment management firm Banca Ifigest provided the new loan to support Poke House in its “strategic development plan launched in 2019, with the aim of consolidating and expanding its presence on the international market”. Matteo Pichi, chief executive of Poke House, said: “This agreement is an important confirmation of our ability to build, starting from Italy, a leading global company in the healthy bowls segment. Thanks to this operation, we will be able to continue on our path of growth and global consolidation.” Pichi told Propel last month that Poke House is planning its next phase of growth, refocusing on the UK market and expanding further in the US. Founded in November 2018 in Milan, the business has expanded across Europe and the UK, reaching 150 directly owned stores in nine countries, including ten in London. Additionally, Poke House has minority stakes in Sweetfin (California) and Poke Perfect (Netherlands), bringing its global footprint to around 190 stores. Poke House reported €92m in revenue for 2023, with €5m Ebitda and a gross merchandise value of €130m. In 2024, Poke House said it aims to surpass €100m in revenue, with the total group projections reaching approximately €150m. Pichi told Propel that from next year, the company expects to open circa 40 restaurants per year globally with a focus on the US and the UK. He said: “We expect to open at least five sites per year in London to reach 25 sites there by 2027.”
Ikea plans to open more restaurants across UK: Ikea, which launched its first stand-alone restaurant on the UK high street last week in London’s Hammersmith, has said it plans to open more across the UK. The new restaurant, located next door to Ikea Hammersmith, sold close to 2,000 meatballs on its opening day (Thursday, 31 October) and is on track to shift around 100,000 before Christmas. Matthew Gould, a UK-based market manager at Ikea, told the Standard: “Since opening, the response has been fantastic. It’s wonderful to see it becoming a social hub so quickly — people are coming in for breakfast meet ups, bringing their kids after school, and we even spotted a date here one evening. [More] Ikea city restaurants will open in London in spring 2025, with Brighton to follow after. We’re also exploring other locations where these new stores and restaurants can be opened.” A company spokesperson told the Standard that 1,000 customers walked through the door in the first 24 hours of trading and more than 5,000 visited over the weekend. Many went only to dine, without any need for homeware next door. A standard serving of eight meatballs in the restaurant comes alongside mashed potato, peas, and a cream sauce and costs £5.50. Elsewhere on the menu are dishes such as fish and chips and salmon with couscous and yoghurt for £6.95. A nine-item full English breakfast – made up of two slices of bacon, two sausages, two hash browns, an omelette, baked beans and a tomato – is £3.75.
Heavenly Desserts preparing to make mainland European debut with double Hamburg launch: Artisan dessert restaurant Heavenly Desserts is preparing to make its mainland European debut with a double launch in Hamburg, Germany. In March, Propel revealed that Heavenly Desserts was looking to ramp up its roll out on the continent, with a focus on Germany, after signing with franchise consultant Raimond Roßleben. The brand’s new national operations manager, Wesley Williams, then told Propel in June that Hamburg was among its pipeline of international openings, along with Pickering (Canada), Karachi and Lahore (Pakistan) and New Delhi (India). “Heavenly Desserts will soon open two restaurants in Hamburg,” Roßleben said. “Currently, Heavenly Desserts plans to open an additional 20 restaurants per year, with a controlled expansion. In German-speaking countries, we are now starting recruitment with franchise partners who are motivated to develop one region at a time.” Heavenly Desserts currently has 56 UK locations plus a single overseas site in Mississauga, Canada. The company is targeting 100 sites by the end of 2026 and has a long-term aim of estate of 250 UK stores.
Urban Village Pubs returns to expansion trail with double acquisition: Urban Village Pubs, the company founded by Gavin Drew and Ian Grundy in 2017 and backed by Rockpool LLP, has returned to the expansion trail with the acquisition of two pubs in Oxford, Propel has learned. Urban Village has acquired The Victoria, “an iconic pub in Oxford’s thriving Jericho area”, where the company has taken a new free-of-tie lease from Red Oak Taverns. The second is the Big Society in the city’s Cowley Road, an assignment of a long free-of-tie lease, from Oxford’s Oriel College. Urban Village, which acquired the two sites from Spice Island, is planning refurbishments at both sites over the next few months. The double acquisition takes Urban Village to ten sites across the south east of England, with operations in both the London suburbs and in urban areas within the Home Counties. Drew said the business had been tracking these pubs for “a while now, and they seem a perfect fit to enhance our current estate”. Grundy said: “We loved these pubs from the first time we visited them. They both have lots of character, are in excellent trading areas, and have great potential for growth. We are looking forward to building on their existing successes and welcoming the teams into the Urban Village family and culture. These pubs bring a strong trading history, but with big opportunities for further growth.” The off-market deal was facilitated by Paul Tallentyre, of DCL, for an undisclosed figure.
Sixes extends partnership with TeamSport, first Sixes Growth site to open next week: Sixes, the cricket-based competitive socialising concept, has extended its partnership with TeamSport, Britain’s biggest indoor go-karting operator, with an opening in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. The first site under the new partnership, which sees Sixes’ offer integrated into TeamSport’s sites, was launched this summer in London’s Docklands. A further opening subsequently took place in Watford, and a third opened this week in High Wycombe, with further locations “to be announced soon”. TeamSport trades from 35 sites in the UK, three in Germany and two in the Netherlands. Sixes, which recently made its debut in the south west with the opening of a franchise site in Bristol, will open its first site under its Sixes Growth venture next Friday (15 November) in Headingley, Leeds. In September, the business partnered with City Pub Company founder Clive Watson, former cricketer David Nash and his brother Glen, and Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar for the new venture. “We’ve teamed up with some of our investors who have started a growth fund people can invest in,” Waugh told the Propel Multi-Club Summer Conference. “The idea is they will take on leases in the UK where we can use our operations team to run them. This will allow us to grow the brand in the UK without having to raise more funds and allows us to focus our resources on new territories and the US.” Sixes Growth plans to open ten sites by 2026 in cities like Bristol, Cardiff, Nottingham, Southampton and Brighton.
Caring opens international debut site for Harry’s concept: Serial sector investor Richard Caring has opened the first international site for his Harry’s bar and restaurant concept, in Qatar. He has partnered with the Alfardan Group Hospitality to open the venue at the Marsa Malaz Hotel Kempinski, The Pearl, in Doha. Propel previously revealed that Caring has been linked to a site in London’s King’s Cross for an opening under the concept. Propel understands Caring has acquired the former Vinoteca site in King’s Boulevard, which closed earlier this year. Vinoteca was acquired by investment firm Breal Group out of administration last summer and currently operates sites in Borough Yards, Chiswick, Farringdon and Bloomberg Arcade. Vinoteca sold its site in King’s Cross in June for an undisclosed sum. Caring opened the latest Harry’s site in July, at Terminal House in Grosvenor Gardens, opposite Victoria station. Harry’s Bar Restaurants also currently comprises eponymous restaurants in Knightsbridge (Basil Street) and Marylebone, plus private members' club Harry’s in South Audley Street, Mayfair. In September, it was reported that Caring is close to clinching a sale of his collection of Ivy restaurants, paving the way for a new owner of the business. Sky News reported Caring, who began exploring an auction late last year, is on the brink of signing a deal with Si Advisers, a little-known London-based firm.
Whitbread begins search for new chair: Whitbread, the owner of the Premier Inn hotel brand, and Beefeater and Brewers Fayre restaurant brands, has begun the search for a successor to chairman Adam Crozier. Sky News reported that Russell Reynolds Associate, which is acting for Whitbread, has begun sounding out possible candidates for the post. Crozier, who has chaired the company since 2018, is expected to step down at some point in the next 12 months, although he would not be “timed out” under corporate governance guidelines until 2026. Under his stewardship, Whitbread has been radically reshaped, selling its Costa Coffee subsidiary to Coca-Cola in 2019 for nearly £4bn. The company has also seen off an activist campaign spearheaded by Elliott Advisers, while Crozier also orchestrated the appointment of Dominic Paul, its chief executive, following Alison Brittain's retirement. Whitbread is now engaged in a plan to sell a number of Beefeater and Brewers Fayre restaurants as it seeks to focus on the expansion of Premier Inn. It said recently that it sees potential to grow the network from 86,000 UK bedrooms to 125,000 over the next decade or so. Crozier is one of Britain's most seasoned boardroom figures and now chairs BT Group and Kantar, the market research and data business backed by Bain Capital and WPP Group. He previously ran the Football Association, ITV and Royal Mail Group, which during his period in charge, included the Post Office. Shares in Whitbread are currently trading at around 3,083p, giving the company a market capitalisation of about £5.5bn. Whitbread declined to comment.
Sunset Hospitality Group opens three new venues in London: Sunset Hospitality Group (SHG), the UAE-based hospitality group, has opened three new venues in London. Propel revealed in July that the group, which operates more than 100 venues in 22 countries, planned to open cocktail bar Luum, restaurant Amelie and Japan-inspired restaurant Sachi between Belgravia and Knightsbridge. All three have now opened at 19 Motcomb Street. Amelie offers a ground floor dining area, with a grand staircase leading up to a mezzanine dining room, alongside an outdoor terrace, and showcases live entertainment and experiences. Sachi spans the second floor and the rooftop of the former Pantechnicon building, with the second-floor restaurant focused on an omakase counter and an open kitchen, while the rooftop bar offers sake, cocktails and sharing plates alongside live music. Luum also has live music as well as a curated cocktail menu and small plates such as tacos and ceviche. SHG, which previously explored launching its Black Tap burger concept in London, also previously operated SushiSamba in the UK. SHG is also behind French-Japanese fusion spot Cafe Kitsune, also at 19 Motcomb Street, and Japanese restaurant The Aubrey in Knightsbridge.
Harbour Hotels falls to loss as labour and utility costs squeeze margins: Harbour Hotels fell to a loss for the year ending 31 December 2023 as labour and utility costs put a squeeze on margins. The company reported turnover fell to £57,369,180 compared with £58,007,140 the previous year. The group posted a pre-tax loss of £2,071,998 compared with a profit of £2,937,759 the year before. Occupancy was up to 74% from 72% the previous year. In their report accompanying the accounts, the directors stated: “Building on the momentum of last year, 2023 presented both opportunities and hurdles. The year saw revenue comparable with 2022 when allowing for the lower VAT rates applicable last year showcasing the group’s resilience and at the same time highlighting the challenges the business continues to face. A strategic focus on luxury experiences remained a key driver. The adaptability honed during the pandemic also proved valuable, allowing the group to cater to evolving preferences like increased demand for staycations and wellness offerings. However, rising costs driven by the high-inflation environment experienced in the UK squeezed margins with labour and utility costs particularly impacted in the year. The challenges were met through disciplined cost control measures and a greater emphasis on labour efficiency.” The group did not receive any government grants (2022: £78,667). No dividend was paid (2022: nil). The company, which is owned by the Nicolas James Group, operates 15 hotels and spas in locations across the UK.
Superbowl UK to open in Wolverhampton for 15th site: Superbowl UK is to open a site in Wolverhampton for its 15th location. The company will be the anchor tenant of a new leisure hub in the city. The 17,000 square feet of vacant retail space in the Mander Centre will be transformed across Victoria Arcade and Victoria Street. Superbowl UK will deliver a new mixed-use concept venue featuring 12 bowling lanes, a Crazy Club soft play area, interactive darts, a bar and diner and an arcade, which will open in early 2025. Kate Quaintance, acquisitions director for Superbowl UK, said: “Wolverhampton will be the 15th branch for the Superbowl UK group as part of our significant growth in the last five years.” Last week, Disco Bowl, the family entertainment operator led by Pete Terry and Nigel Blair, acquired three Superbowl UK centres from QL Partnership for an undisclosed sum. The venues are in Cardiff and Newport in Wales, and Warrington in Cheshire.
South west McDonald’s franchisee returns to profit, acquires five restaurants from fellow franchisee: South west McDonald’s franchisee Orchestra returned to profit in the year to 31 December 2023 and has acquired five restaurants from a fellow franchisee. Orchestra, founded in 2013 and led by David Shawyer, now owns and operates nine restaurants in Devon and surrounding areas. He has acquired five stores from former franchisee David Hunt, who has retired after running six restaurants in north Devon and Somerset. In his company’s accounts for the year, Shawyer said: “Sales growth was driven by the opening of five new stores, alongside growth in revenue from digital channels. 2023 saw the business continue to expand its operations, with five stores opened in the year, and one of them acquired under business facilities lease agreement. The business remains optimistic regarding future trading and continues to reinvest in its existing stores. The net assets of the company were £1.5m (2022: £1.2m) at the balance sheet date, reflecting the solid position of the company from an overall solvency point of view. This strong balance sheet is the foundation on which the company can continue to grow and prosper. The company is also planning further expansion in the years ahead.” The company turned a pre-tax loss of £83,677 in 2022 into a profit of £741,375 as turnover grew from £19,223,763 to £24,103,249. Dividends of £191,516 were paid (2022: £94,000). Hunt’s business, David Hunt (North Devon), which he founded in 1998, was declared insolvent last month. In its last full accounts, for the year to 31 December 2022, the company reported turnover of £18,384,882 (2021: £17,210,064) and a pre-tax loss of £152,523 (2021: profit of £1,238,495).
Atis confirms ninth site will open this month: Atis, the London salad brand co-founded by former Noble Rot sommelier Eleanor Warder, has confirmed its ninth site will open this month. The outlet will open at 98 Moorgate on Monday, 18 November, offering customisable salad bowls, protein plates and a new autumn specials menu, including Thai salmon satay, cauliflower crunch and butterbean stew. Atis’ new partnership plate with London restaurant Le Bab will also be available, which includes fresh sumac chopped tomato salad with crisp cucumber and grains, topped with za’atar-spiced pitta chips and drizzled with Le Bab herb yoghurt and Le Bab’s chilli sauce. Warder said: “We are committed to bringing real and delicious food to Londoners and our new opening in Moorgate is another step in the right direction. It makes business sense for us that we also enter the corporate catering business, and the feast style dining means we continue to offer people customisable choices while making real food more accessible.”
Exclusive Collection outlines four key focus areas as it releases latest impact report: Exclusive Collection, which operates eight luxury hotels and spas across the UK, has outlined four key focus areas as it released its latest impact report. The company, which was the first hotel operator to achieve B Corp certification, is aiming to reduce water consumption by 3%, become carbon positive on scope 1 and 2 by 2026, improve biodiversity metrics, and enhance its employee value proposition. Exclusive Collection said it is dedicated to a zero waste to landfill policy and, where possible, grows its own produce on its 691-acres of grounds and estate land. Leftover food from events in 2023-24 was redistributed to local communities and projects, saving 6,257kg of edible food, feeding 486 households with 14,510 meals and avoiding 26,283kg of carbon emissions. Exclusive Collection said effective energy consumption has also helped reduce energy usage by 3% annually. The company was founded in 1981 and its properties include Fanhams Hall in Ware, Hertfordshire, and Lainston House in Winchester, Hampshire.
The Salad Project to open seventh site and first over two floors: The Salad Project, the all-day dining concept that launched in London in 2021, is set to this week open its seventh site. It will open at 18 Tottenham Court Road on Friday (8 November), as it works towards a target of 20 stores by 2028. The site will be The Salad Project's first two-floor store, featuring a mezzanine level with a large communal seating area. Co-founder James Dare said: “The Tottenham Court Road store is a significant step forward for us. This location will not only expand our presence, but also enhance the social and community aspect of dining with The Salad Project. Our mezzanine area and communal space are designed to be spaces where people can gather, connect, and enjoy our salads together, making it a truly special experience.”
Karak chai business set to make Central London debut: Karak chai business Chai & Chapati is set to make its Central London debut, Propel has learned. Owners Atif Rafique and Asdad Rehman opened their first location in August 2020, over two floors at 187 Dunstable Road in Luton. This was followed in June 2023 by the launch of a double-fronted venue at 544-548 Kingsbury Road in Kingsbury, north west London. Chai & Chapati has now acquired the former Mams Arabic street food store at 136 Brompton Road in London’s Knightsbridge. The owners are also behind American-style diner Salt & Smash at 60 Christchurch Road in Reading. Percy Fricker, of Restaurant Property, acted on the Knightsbridge deal.
London matcha bar concept to open fourth site: London matcha bar concept Jenki is to open its fourth site, in Borough Market. Whisk by Jenki will launch at 4 Stoney Street later this month, offering a limited-edition Borough Market-exclusive matcha latte. The outlet will join the brand’s other sites in Covent Garden, Spitalfields and at Selfridges in Oxford Street. Jenki was founded in 2020 by Claudia and Otto Boyer.
London premium biodynamic and organic wine importer set to open its first wine shop and bar: London premium biodynamic and organic wine importer Dynamic Vines is set to open its first wine shop and bar. Opening at 149 Lordship Lane on Tuesday, 19 November, it will offer wine to take home or enjoy in the bar without any corkage fee. Focusing on independent winemakers, all wine will be sourced from minimal intervention, sustainable vineyards. There will also be with a selection of charcuterie, cheese and bread to eat in or take away. Offering a few individual tables as well as a large, eight-seater communal table, there will be a rotating schedule of visiting producers dropping in to share their stories and work, as well as weekly tastings with the team. Membership will also be available for discounts in the shop/bar and online, while guests can start their own collection by storing wine at the warehouse. Frederic Grappe, who founded Dynamic Vines in 2005, said: “Nowadays, we are in such a hurry to make wine that are good to drink immediately. Instead, what we are trying to do is offer various back vintages to enhance the consumer’s relationship with a wine, so they have the opportunity to try well aged biodynamic wines and see how their identities evolve over the years. It’s about restoring the idea that you can savour wine for a specific moment in time.”
