Propel to launch four ground-breaking reports in 2025 for Premium subscribers, prices to be pegged: Propel will launch four ground-breaking reports in 2025 that will be available free to Premium subscribers. The Propel 500 report is an ambitious new project that will bring together the top 500 companies within the sector, offering not only comprehensive listings but also insights into the forces driving growth, innovation, and transformation across the industry. The report will be available at the end of February free for Premium subscribers. The International Report, released in spring, will examine the 100 biggest international brands expanding in the UK with analysis of turnover, market size, estate numbers and strategy. The Experiential Leisure Report will be the second edition of the report launched this year and will track the growth of the UK experiential market. The report will be available early summer. The Brands Report, launched in the autumn, will be a guide to the 500 largest foodservice brands in the UK listed by estate size. Propel managing director Paul Charity said: “There are 492 companies currently subscribed to Propel Premium, with its comprehensive overview of the UK foodservice market. We have sought to add ever more value and insight for our Premium subscribers year-by-year. Next year is no different with new reports added to the existing stable of benefits plus prices unchanged from this year.” Operators pay £495 plus VAT for an annual Premium subscription while suppliers pay £595 plus VAT. One-third of subscribers have now opted to take an unlimited subscription for £995 plus VAT, which means they can have limitless numbers of their staff receiving Premium. To sign up or to hear about the many other benefits of Propel Premium, email Kai Kirkman on kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com.

Iberica set for administration after failure to sell the business: Iberica, the Spanish restaurant business, which currently operates four London sites and one in Leeds, has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, after a sales process failed to find a buyer. Propel revealed last month that Iberica, which was founded in London in 2008, had appointed RSM UK to assist in the disposal of the business. It is thought that would-be suitors had the opportunity to acquire the brand and intellectual property. The deadline for offers for the business was set for 4pm on 28 November. The company currently operates sites in Canary Wharf, Farringdon, Marylebone and Victoria, and in Hepper House, Leeds. In October, the company said it was looking to extend the leases of its UK restaurants but not undergo any further expansion here, while it was also still exploring international opportunities. It came as the company reported a slight increase in turnover for the year to 30 September 2023, up from £9,042,000 in 2022 to £9,075,000. Restaurant Ebitda was down from £1,376,000 to £1,084,000, with Ebitda before pre-opening and exceptional costs down from £309,000 to a loss of £93,000, and overall Ebitda down from £399,000 to a loss of £72,000. The company’s pre-tax loss widened from £309,304 to £826,985, and post year-end, in May 2024, it refinanced its loan facilities. Its bank loans at the year-end had stood at £4,230,166 (2022: £4,589,478) and had been due for repayment in April 2025. RSM declined to comment.

Deliverect acquires ordering and kiosk platform Tabesto: Deliverect, the Belgian online food delivery management software start-up, has acquired Tabesto, the first all-in-one restaurant and fast-food ordering and payment kiosk. As part of the deal, Guillaume Hourmant, Tabesto chief executive and co-founder, will act as head of Deliverect Kiosk, where he will be responsible for ongoing product strategy. Tabesto will be a product of Deliverect and operate in France and Switzerland. Deliverect Kiosk will also be available in the UK, Benelux, and Spain, with plans to expand further into Europe and other regions in the following months and globally over the course of the next year. Deliverect said Tabesto kiosks are customisable, can integrate with existing suppliers, and are adaptable to any restaurant and enables a “seamless and flexible payment experience”. There is also the ability “to edit with ease” – publishing kiosk menus alongside all other digital menus from a single screen. Zhong Xu, Deliverect chief executive and co-founder, said: “The acquisition of Tabesto enables us to further support both on and off-premise ordering experiences, allowing restaurants to manage their menus and operations centrally across all their digital channels.” Hourmant added: “By integrating our all-in-one ordering and payment kiosks with Deliverect’s extensive ecosystem, we can help more restaurants worldwide embrace the power of digitisation, driving efficiency and elevating the dining experience.”