Ole & Steen chair – we are getting more out of the existing business, past five weeks in the UK have been the best ever: David Campbell, chair of Danish bakery brand Ole & Steen, has said the company is getting more out its existing UK estate, which has led to it experiencing its “best five weeks ever” of trading and providing significant motivation across its teams. Speaking at Propel’s Multi-Club Conference, Campbell, the former chief executive of PizzaExpress and Wagamama, said that business across Ole & Steen’s estate in Denmark and its UK operation has been “really strong this year”. He said: “The company really doubled down during covid and expanded enormously. It went from about 60 in Denmark to 110 and from about 12 in the UK to 26 – so big, big growth, and arguably a bit too fast. There’s plenty of business to be taken from the stores that we have, and that’s really happening. We changed the management team in Denmark, the group one, and then in the UK, and they’ve been doing a fantastic job. Business is really strong this year. In the UK, the last five weeks have been our best five weeks ever, and that’s with no increase in store count, which is really encouraging.” In terms of when the company may push the button in expansion here, Campbell said: “It’s certainly not today. We’re constantly looking at new places, you’ve got to be opportunistic. There might be some good things that come along, but I think there’s plenty of growth to get in both markets from the estates that we have. One of the things I learnt is when we more than doubled the value of Wagamama from 2013 to 2017, it was mostly through increasing the volume that went through stores. In America they look at a thing called average unit volume. The average unit volume of a Wagamama was something like £28,000 a week, but at the end of that period it was £44,000 a week. So, all of the growth that we were getting was coming from getting more out of it. And that’s what we are doing at Ole & Steen, because you can use the business that you’ve got far better. You also get so much momentum in the business – I can’t tell you how motivated the teams in the UK are at the moment when they’re just going record, record, record, record.” Campbell was among the speakers at the Propel Multi-Club Conference. His video and the 12 others from the conference will be made available to Premium Club members on Friday, 22 November, at 9am. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up. 

 

Sponsored message – Square Kiosk launches in UK: This month, Square unveiled Square Kiosk, a fully integrated software, hardware and payments solution, designed to cut wait times, make service faster and free up staff. Samina Hussain-Letch, executive director Square UK, said: “Aimed at fast-moving and fast-growing restaurants, this new self-service ordering system offers a complete solution to empower diners and streamline order-taking. With staffing issues and labour shortages continuing to be major concerns for those in the hospitality industry, Square Kiosk offers an extra pair of hands. For the cost of £1 a day, Kiosk shows up excited to work, is fast at the job and helps increase order value. With orders taken care of, restaurants can staff up other areas of their business, freeing team members from the counter so that they can focus on other tasks. For the customer, Square Kiosk is a sleek and simple experience that lets them bypass queues and choose upgrades to bolster their orders. Payment couldn’t be easier with Kiosk’s contactless and chip payment technology. Customers also benefit from the integrated Square Loyalty programme, rewarding diners with loyalty points and encouraging return visits.” Square is offering a free trial of Square Kiosk until December. To find out more, click here. If you have a sponsored story you would like to see featured in this newsletter position, email paul.charity@propelinfo.com.

 

Premium Club members to receive next Turnover & Profits Blue Book on Friday featuring more than 1,000 companies, plus videos from Multi-Club Conference on 22 November: Premium Club members will receive the next Turnover & Profits Blue Book on Friday (15 November), at noon. The database will feature 114 updated accounts and 16 new companies, taking the total to 1,110. A total of 644 companies are making a profit while 376 are making a loss. The Blue Book is updated each month and ranks companies by turnover, profit and profit conversion, listing directors' earnings for the past five years. Premium Club members will also receive all the videos from the final Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2024 on Friday, 22 November, at 9am. They include Sophia Handschuh, founder of Sourdough Sophia, the London micro bakery concept that last summer raised £500,000 through a crowdfunding campaign, on how the business is looking to bring something new to the bakery/café category and plans for further sites. Meanwhile, Nick Kleiner, co-founder of Sandwich Sandwich, which last October won the £100,000 top prize in the Uber Eats restaurant of the year awards, discusses how the business is updating the humble sandwich for a new generation, its launch in London and wider expansion plans. Premium Club members also receive access to five other databases: the Multi-Site Database, the New Openings Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database and the Who's Who of UK Hospitality. 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.

 

Feed It Back – only 30% of guests feel their drinks are sufficiently topped up during festive season: Keeping guests’ drinks topped up is set to be one of the biggest opportunities this festive season to drive guest experience, net promoter score (NPS) and guest loyalty, according to research by guest feedback service Feed It Back. It found only 30% of guests last year felt their drinks were sufficiently topped up. In addition, the data from Feed It Back’s Festive Insights Guide 2024 also found that outside of previous visits and word of mouth, email is the biggest driver for how guests hear about festive offerings, at 16%. This was the same as search (4%), social media (4%), local marketing (3%) and online reviews (5%) combined. Olivia FitzGerald, managing director at Feed It Back, said: “Loyalty is such a hot topic at the moment as we look ahead to 2025. Understanding the crucial impact a positive festive season and strong NPS during December can have on your whole year is imperative. We know there’s a clear link between spend per head and NPS. Anything we can do to help drive guest experience will help put businesses on the front foot at the turn of the year.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a fast-growing hospitality business that is looking for a head of maintenance. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The individual will have extensive experience across large multi-site hospitality businesses. They will lead, develop and inspire a team of regional maintenance managers and the helpdesk function, taking accountability for a multimillion-pound budget across planned and reactive maintenance. Working in close collaboration with the operations teams, the mission will be to keep sites in tip-top condition, ensuring excellent service and value for money.” The salary is up to £80,000 plus benefits and bonus and the position is based in Bristol. For more information, email sheila@corecruitment.com.

 

 Miss Millie’s hires new CEO, plans further expansion in 2025, unveils new ‘disruptive’ brand identity: South west fried chicken operator Miss Millie’s has hired Andy Purnell as its new chief executive, as it plans further expansion next year and unveils a new “forward-thinking brand identity, and a disruptive new attitude”. Purnell joined the 14-strong business after two and a half years at Soul Foods Group, the KFC, Starbucks and Taco Bell franchisee, where he was chief financial officer and then general manager. Previous to that, he spent almost seven years as chief executive of The Herbert Group, at one time the largest KFC franchisee in the UK. Miss Millie’s currently operates ten sites across Bristol and the south west, with additional sites in Southampton, Edinburgh, Eastbourne and Newquay, and said it has “exciting plans to expand in various locations around the UK for 2025”. Propel understands that an opening is lined up in Canterbury in Kent next. Miss Millies said it worked with Bristol design agency, Hey!What? on an in-depth review of its brand, looking at how to attract a younger audience engaging with fast-food brands in a totally different way to previous generations. The company said: “The result is a more disruptive, immediately identifiable look and feel for the brand, which has been rolled out across all digital platforms and will be rolled into stores over the coming months.” The rebrand also signalled a much wider review of the entire business, looking at menu construct, new flavours, ingredient suppliers, digital infrastructure, packaging and social media. Purnell said: “Miss Millie’s has an amazing history and brand reputation in the south west, but with our new expansion plans, it was time for a new approach to ensure we have a wider appeal, and we’re so excited to reveal our new look, alongside our new flavours and menu items. It’s so much more than a new look – this is a new attitude and a renewed focus on excellent quality food for everyone.” Miss Millie’s features in the Propel UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database, the next edition of which will be sent to Premium Club members on Wednesday, 11 December. The database is updated every two months, and the latest version features 280 businesses. 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. 

 

Thwaites to look at reducing investment and staffing levels to mitigate ‘significant’ headwinds arising from Budget: North west brewer and retailer Daniel Thwaites has warned it will have to look at reducing investment and staffing levels to mitigate the “significant and unwanted” new headwinds resulting from the Budget. Chairman Richard Bailey stated: “Since the summer, there has been a marked decline in confidence, both for consumers and businesses. This has been particularly noticeable in our hotels business, which has experienced a slowing in sales. With the measures announced [in the Budget], it is disappointing that already the chancellor has indicated that additional tax rises will be needed in her future Budgets to meet the government’s spending plans. There is limited scope for price increases in the current economic environment, so collectively, these policies force us to think differently to consider ways to mitigate these taxes. They make it less attractive to employ people and will reduce investment. Ultimately, they will be borne by working people through either lower pay awards or reduced employment. The much-vaunted reduction in the price of a pint by 1p is irrelevant against the context of these new measures. These changes will come in from the start of our next financial year, and while the profitability of the company is currently holding up, significant and unwelcome new headwinds have been introduced.” It comes as Thwaites reported turnover increased to £63.5m for the six months ending 30 September 2024 compared with £60.3m the year before. Operating profit was up to £9.4m from £8.8m the previous year, with the increase largely due to the contribution from Langdale Chase in Windermere, which was closed in the first half of the last financial year, reopening in November 2023 following refurbishment. Net debt at 30 September 2024 was £71.2m (2023: £70.6m), an increase of £0.6m compared with last year and up £0.4m from £70.8m at 31 March 2024. No acquisitions were made in the period, but the company said it continues to look at opportunities for high quality properties. A total of £6.9m was invested in the period, which was down from £11.8m the previous year as this included the major investment in Langdale Chase. Two pubs were sold in the period, generating total proceeds of £0.7m, which was in line with their book values.

 

Vagabond promotes Christobell Giles to MD: Vagabond Wines, which was acquired out of administration by Majestic earlier this year, has promoted Christobell Giles to managing director. Giles has served in the role of acting general manager since August after Matthew Fleming stepped down. Giles joined Vagabond in March 2023 as operations director and has previously worked for companies including The Restaurant Group-owned Wagamama, Hilton Hotels and Megan’s Restaurants. She has been a central member of Vagabond’s senior leadership team, overseeing operations across its nine wine bars in London and Birmingham, and the ongoing development of the brand’s food and beverage proposition. In her expanded role, Giles will take on overall responsibility for delivering Vagabond’s growth strategy, including the expansion of its wine bar portfolio across the UK, the implementation of its new CRM programme, and investment in the recruitment, learning and development of its staff. Majestic acquired the then 12-strong Vagabond out of administration in April, securing the futures of nine wine bars and 171 jobs. Majestic plans to invest in the long-term future of the Vagabond business, including opening new wine bars and growing the brand’s customer base. Giles said: “We have passionate and knowledgeable teams, great momentum and ambitious growth plans – all of which sets us up for a very bright future as part of the Majestic group.” Propel revealed in May that Majestic paid a total consideration of £6.5m for Vagabond. The sites in London’s Battersea Power Station, Charlotte Street, Fulham, Monument, Northcote Road, Paddington, Shoreditch and Victoria, as well as its Birmingham outlet, were all included. Of the remaining sites, the two at Gatwick airport were sold to Airport Retail Enterprises in June, while the outlet in London’s Canary Wharf was closed.

 

Bread Ahead signs franchise partnership to launch in the Philippines: Independent bakery and baking school business Bread Ahead has signed an exclusive franchise partnership in the Philippines with Specialty Food Retailers, with plans to open 15 bakeries and a bakery school across the territory. Specialty Food Retailers is part of the broader Rustan Group of Companies, which is a market leader in the region across fashion, beauty, department stores and food and beverage. The company said the deal marks Bread Ahead’s first venture into the continent and the start of its “ambitious Asia-wide expansion, with the Philippines as its first milestone”. Matthew Jones founded Bread Ahead in Borough Market in 2013 and has since grown it to eight locations across London and three in the Middle East. Bread Ahead plans to open a total of 35 locations across the GCC region in the coming years. The company said: “With Specialty Food Retailers’ support, Bread Ahead will bring its unique retail bakery experience and immersive workshops to Manila, introducing locals to the art of baking and the brand’s celebrated treats. Further expansion is being explored in neighbouring countries, reinforcing Bread Ahead’s mission to share the life skill of baking with communities worldwide and nurture a new generation of bakers.” Last year, as Bread Ahead was gearing up to make its overseas debut, Jones told Propel he was planning significant international expansion, with 40 sites set to open in the next three years. “I want a full global roll-out,” he added. “To become a global brand – all corners of the world.” 

 

Gusto Italian closes Didsbury site, investment process ongoing: Gusto Italian, the Palatine and Beechbrook-backed, premium Italian restaurant and bar group, has closed its site in Didsbury, Greater Manchester, “following an approach from a well-known high street retailer”. In May, Propel revealed that the Matt Snell-led business, which now operates 13 sites across England and Scotland, was working with sector specialist advisors Tamweel on its options, which may include securing new investment or a sale of the business. Propel understands that the closure of the Didsbury site has no impact on this, and that this process is ongoing. Commenting on the Didsbury closure, a spokesperson for Gusto Italian said: “As part of our commitment to delivering excellence across all locations, Gusto Italian continually reviews the performance and strategic fit of each of our restaurants. This proactive approach enables us to make well-informed decisions in the best interest of our business and our team. After careful consideration, and following an approach from a well-known high street retailer, we have decided to close Didsbury as a trading location. Didsbury has been part of the Gusto Italian family for many years, and we are deeply grateful to our loyal guests and community who have supported us over this time. As always, our team members are our top priority. We are doing everything we can to support them in finding new roles within the business or guiding them as they take the next steps in their journey.”

 

Paul partners with Pizza Hut and PF Chang’s franchisee, ten stores to open in south east of England over next five years: Pizza Hut and PF Chang’s franchisee Zaf Holdings has become French artisan bakery and patisserie brand Paul’s newest franchise partner. Zaf Holdings will open ten stores over the next five years, bringing the Paul brand to key locations in the south east of England. The first store is targeted to open in 2025. Established by Arif Jivraj in 2017, Zaf Holdings owns and operates food and restaurant brands including circa 30 Pizza Hut UK delivery units as well as PF Chang’s in Central London, holding the exclusive rights to develop the brand across the UK. Jivraj has more than 35 years of industry experience. In addition to Pizza Hut and PF Chang’s, he has previously operated multiple brands including KFC, Starbucks and Subway. He has also served on many franchise boards, received multiple operational and franchise awards and is currently chairman of the Pizza Hut UK franchise council. Paul chief executive Julia Powell said: “Arif and his team’s experience and knowledge will ensure the brand’s credentials and quality are maintained as we bring Paul to a wider customer base as stores are developed across the south east.” Jivraj added: “At Zaf Holdings, we firmly believe that choosing the right brand to partner with is a fundamental prerequisite for long-term successful growth. When you combine the quality of an international brand like Paul, with a franchisor team that is as authentic and passionate about its brand today as it was when it was first founded, you get magic! We believe that with our expertise of operational excellence and Paul’s authentic and timeless brand we can provide the wand to the magic of Paul.” Paul currently operates 32 stores trading under the Paul and Paul Le Café brand in and around London. The company’s first franchise partner opened a store in Reading earlier this year.

 

Cinema operator Curzon acquired by Punch backer Fortress Investment Group: Cinema operator Curzon has been acquired by US investment firm Fortress Investment Group, which backs Punch Pubs & Co. Curzon operates 16 cinemas with a total of 46 screens across the UK, as well as film distributor Curzon Film and the Curzon Home Cinema streaming service. Curzon introduced international film to UK audiences by importing and screening some of the first foreign language films in the UK. Over the following decades, Curzon expanded its network of cinemas and distribution capabilities. Film distributor Artificial Eye was founded in 1976 and became part of Curzon 30 years later. In recent years, the company has opened new cinema locations in Hoxton, Camden and Kingston-upon-Thames in London as well as Canterbury in Kent. “Curzon is an iconic film company, with global recognition for its long legacy of releasing and connecting independent and critically acclaimed films to UK audiences,” said Allison Swayze, managing director at Fortress. “We’re pleased to acquire Curzon and bring our support to the company’s dedicated team. Curzon has exciting near-term plans, which include expanding its cinema footprint and delivering awards and release plans for an exciting slate of films. Our acquisition secures the jobs of more than 350 employees and helps Curzon continue to offer film fans a range of independent and blockbuster movies, both in cinema and at home.” Curzon Film, the company's distribution business, has hailed notable successes in the past year, including the release of Kneecap – a film Curzon helped develop – which, in partnership with Wildcard Distribution, has grossed more than £2m at the UK and Ireland box office. The Curzon Home Cinema streaming service was launched in 2010. In addition to a website, the Curzon Home Cinema app is currently available on a variety of streaming technologies and platforms.

 

Davy’s Wine Merchants to open boutique bowling alley concept: Davy’s Wine Merchants is opening a boutique bowling alley in Greenwich, south east London. Vintners Lanes will launch on Friday (15 November) in a former Victorian brewery inside the company’s Vintners Yard complex, beside Davy’s Wine Vaults in Waller Way. Featuring six bowling lanes, the venue will offer an experience that “combines premium bowling with exceptional food, drinks and events”. The food menu will feature sharing platters, artisan pizza, burgers and classic wings, with the drinks list including hand crafted signature cocktails and mocktails, alongside craft beer, wine curated by the Davy’s wine merchants’ team and no and low-alcohol options. The Vintners Lanes team also plans to bring a range of entertainment to the venue in the coming months, including cocktail making classes and live music. Davy’s Wine Merchants chairman James Davy said: “I’m delighted to be breathing new life into this key heritage landmark in Greenwich and Vintners Lanes is the perfect way to do it. You can really feel the history of the place as soon as you step through the door, and with the high standard of food, drinks and service you’d expect from a Davy’s business, we’ve really elevated bowling into a more grown-up experience.” Davy’s also operates a portfolio of 16 wine bars across the capital.

 

Devonshire Hotels and Restaurants acquires Premier Inn and Beefeater in Derbyshire from Whitbread: Devonshire Hotels and Restaurants, which operates six hotels as well as restaurants and inns in Yorkshire and Derbyshire and a range of holiday cottages, has acquired the Premier Inn Chesterfield West hotel and Highwayman Beefeater restaurant from Whitbread for an undisclosed sum. Located in the Derbyshire village of Eastmoor just off the A619, the hotel currently offers 25 rooms alongside a Beefeater restaurant and employs 28 staff. The Devonshire Group will enter a period of planning to bring forward a new vision for the site that will be announced in due course. In the meantime, the restaurant and hotel will retain the name The Highwayman. All existing staff at the site will continue in their employment under the Devonshire Group’s ownership. Stephen Vickers, chief executive of the Devonshire Group, said: “We are always looking for opportunities to create and grow businesses that have a positive impact on local people, local employment and the wider visitor economy in Derbyshire. The Highwayman site represents just that, providing us with the chance to enhance an already successful site to encourage even more visitors to this special corner of the UK.”

 

Banana Tree shakes up menu: Banana Tree, the Big Table Group-owned brand, has shaken up its menu. The refreshed offer introduces additions such as crispy duck gyoza, teriyaki steak soba and gochujang chicken bowls. Long-standing favourites like its chicken satay, made from the founder’s mother’s recipe, anchor the menu, while Banana Tree said the new options reflect its ongoing evolution and “commitment to culinary innovation” and providing a 40% vegan offering to its guests. Banana Tree executive chef Rahul Shah said: “As we expand our menu, we’re dedicated to preserving the heritage and flavour profile that Banana Tree is known for. Our new dishes celebrate the vibrant flavours of south east Asia, blending traditional and modern ingredients to encourage our guests to explore new flavours while feeling at home with familiar favourites such as our katsu or pad Thai.” Alongside the refreshed menu, Banana Tree has also launched “Explorer’s Tapas sets”, allowing diners to sample multiple south east Asian flavours in one meal, as well as a new lunch menu. To mark the arrival of the new menu offer, Banana Tree’s flagship restaurant in London’s Soho now has a video wall, offering guests a visual journey into the brand’s story. Banana Tree operates 21 sites with Big Table Group acquiring the then nine-strong business in September 2022.

 

Husband and wife team open debut site after partnering with MJMK: Husband and wife team, John and Desiree Chantarasak, have opened their debut site, in partnership with MJMK Restaurants. Following on from a number of pop-ups and residencies, the pair have brought bringing AngloThai – their take on Thai-British cuisine – to their first bricks-and-mortar site in Seymour Place in London’s Marylebone. John Chantarasak serves his personal interpretation of Thai cuisine, drawing inspiration from both his Thai and British heritage. The food is complemented by a European wine selection “that focuses on Desiree’s passion for excellent wine grower craftsmanship”. There are 50 covers in the main restaurant, and in early 2025, “Baan”, named after the Thai word for home, will provide a private dining space. Founded in 2018 by Jake Kasumov and Marco Mendes, MJMK opened its debut site, Casa do Frango, in London Bridge. Since then, the group has launched Kol and Fonda with Santiago Lastra, Lisboeta with Nuno Mendes, and a further three Casa do Frango sites.

 

Galgorm Collection unveils plans for £50m investment as it acquires two sites in Northern Ireland: Belfast hospitality group Galgorm Collection has unveiled details of a £50m investment as it acquired Galgorm Castle Estate in Ballymena and Roe Park Resort in Limavady. The investment includes acquisition costs and a multimillion-pound transformation plan for both properties. Galgorm Collection – which owns sites including the Galgorm, The Rabbit Hotel and Retreat, and The Old Inn – acquired the Galgorm Castle Estate from the Brooke family and the four-star Roe Park Resort & Spa for a combined £28m. In addition to acquiring both properties, the now seven-strong Galgorm Collection has committed an additional £22m to enhance the properties and estates over the next five years. Roe Park Resort will have a new adult-only spa, and improvements made to its golf offering. The golf course at Galgorm Castle Estate will also be improved, with detailed plans being unveiled in the coming months. Colin Johnston, managing director of Galgorm Collection, said: “These are two iconic properties with strong legacies, and we are committed to building on their successes. Our £22m investment will further enhance their offerings, creating new opportunities for guests to enjoy unparalleled experiences.”

 

Tampopo founder – ‘at least one of my sites will stop becoming viable as a business’ as a result of Budget: David Fox, founder of pan-Asian restaurant business Tampopo, has said “at least one of my sites will stop becoming viable as a business” as he counts the cost of the Budget. Tampopo operates six sites across Manchester and London. Fox told the Manchester Evening News he expects to face extra costs of £50,000 per site when the measures announced in the Budget come into effect. He said: “I hate the notion that business can afford it. I made about 3.5p in every pound last year. That’s not really giving me much bandwidth to suck it up. At least one of my sites will stop becoming viable as a business. I have some sympathy that [chancellor] Rachel Reeves needs to generate higher taxes, but my worry is that the quantum is so large, it might actually reduce tax generation due to fewer businesses generating tax. Most consumer facing businesses have come out of a really difficult time – we’re not energy companies, we’re not public sector businesses that don’t go bust. We’re run by real people, real human beings, with people’s hard-earned money. The good old days of hospitality are more and more in the dark and distant past.” At the weekend, sector leaders warned in a letter to Reeves that business closures and job losses within a year are “inevitable” as a result of the Budget.

 

YoYo Noodle opens at Metrocentre in Gateshead: YoYo Noodle, the first Chinese cuisine franchise in the UK, has opened a site at the Metrocentre in Gateshead. The 2,786 square-foot venue has opened in Upper Blue Mall, offering customisable noodle and rice dishes. Customers can select from various bases, proteins, vegetables and sauces to create their meal. YoYo Noodle will be joined at the Metrocentre by Tomahawk Steakhouse, which as Propel reported last month, is launching its new hot stone concept. The restaurant, in Upper Yellow Mall, is set to open before the end of the year. German Doner Kebab, owned by Hero Brands, has also opened its new 42-cover restaurant in Lower Yellow Mall, while Azzurri Group-owned ASK Italian, Nando’s and The Restaurant Group-owned brand Wagamama have invested in significant refurbishments to their stores in Metrocentre’s Qube. Food-to-go operator Greggs is also fitting out its new large store format in Upper Town Square, opening in December.

  

EasyHotel opens new hotel in Marseille: EasyHotel has expanded its European portfolio with the opening of a new hotel in Marseille, France. EasyHotel Marseille Euromed joins the brand’s existing French venues in Nice Old Town, Paris Charles-de-Gaulle Villepinte and Paris Nord-Aubervilliers, with a fifth, in Ferney-Voltaire, due to open in 2027. The Marseille hotel features 111 rooms, including 74 doubles, 30 twins and seven accessible rooms. EasyHotel chief executive Karim Malak said: “We’re already seeing the hotel is a big hit among those attending events and business travellers, thanks to its accessible offering and strategic location. Our ambition is to be able to offer a network of a thousand hotels in Europe over the long term.” The brand, which operates 49 hotels across Europe, is looking to drive new growth by increasing its openings over the next few years at major cities across Europe. Earlier this year, EasyHotel said it had refinanced and received a new £20m investment from a shareholder, and was planning wider UK expansion.

 

SSP appoints new non-executive director: SSP Group, the operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations worldwide, has appointed Karina Deacon as an independent non-executive director. Deacon will join on 1 January 2025 and be a member of both the audit and nomination committees. Having started her career as an auditor with PricewaterhouseCoopers, she has held various management positions at large, Danish-listed companies, spending 13 years with the facilities management company ISS, four years as group chief financial officer of cleaning equipment manufacturer Nilfisk, and four years as chief financial officer of Saxo Bank. From early 2020 to May 2024, she served as group chief financial officer of the shipping and logistics company DFDS. SSP chair Mike Clasper said: “Karina has strong financial experience having worked as a chief financial officer in several listed companies and will bring relevant travel and services industry insight, alongside additional breadth and diversity, to the board as it focuses on delivering SSP’s strategic priorities.”

 

Former Palomar and Machneyuda chefs set to relaunch Middle Eastern steakhouse concept: Former Palomar and Machneyuda chefs Shiri Kraus and Amir Batito are set to relaunch their Middle Eastern steakhouse concept, Black Cow. The Israeli duo launched Black Cow at the Hawley Wharf development in London’s Camden in 2021, which has now closed. They are now set to relaunch a revamped Black Cow in east London’s The Stage, in January. The Stage is a “reimagined development” of the 1570s Shakespearean Curtain Playhouse Theatre in Curtain Road split into three dining areas. Black Cow will offer a dining experience filled with theatrics, from an open-fire kitchen to plates arriving with flaming herbs. Dishes will include a choice of cuts, including picanha, T bone or onglet, served table-side with flaming herbs and complemented by a variety of small plates. There will also be signature cocktails, a range of lager and wine from independent and old world, family-owned producers. Last year, the duo also launched “American diner with Middle Eastern influences” Epicurus in Camden’s North Yard.