Big Table Group secures new bank facility, ‘Bella Italia is a standout winner’: Big Table Group – the Las Iguanas, Banana Tree and Frankie & Benny's operator – has secured a new £15m bank facility with Metrobank that can be used for further growth opportunities, Propel has learned. It comes as chief executive Alan Morgan told Propel that its circa 70-strong Bella Italia brand was a “standout winner in the current market”. Last month, the circa 220-strong, Epiris-backed Big Table Group posted group Ebitda of £13.9m for the year ending 27 October 2024, up £1.3m on the prior year, as the business said it had made “clear progress in improving profitability while investing in our future”. Morgan told Propel: “We’re very pleased with Ebitda both last year and moving forward, especially in a tough market. We have had a sharp focus on ensuring the sales we generate are sustainable and profitable, and this came through in our results. You can’t talk about current trading without acknowledging there’s no doubt it’s been tough for everybody – and when trading is tough, that always means there will be winners and losers. The benefit of having a portfolio of brands as we have is that when some are feeling the challenge of the market, others are winning – and for us, Bella is miles ahead. Bella is a brand that knows exactly what it is, which is great value, great quality food, and in particular, great pasta dishes, in a full-service environment. We have been consciously doubling down over the last three or four years on really driving the quality and value credentials, and the results speak for themselves – Bella continues to outperform many of its competitors, shown in its many years of Ebitda growth (excluding covid), with very strong guest and team measures. To ensure we’ve got the firepower for both Bella Italia and Banana Tree growth, we’ve just signed a deal with Metrobank for a facility (currently undrawn) that is there for any growth opportunities.” Morgan said he was “really pleased with the group’s continued profit and efficiency improvements”. He said: “What the group does exceptionally well is manage costs, operate efficiently and manage our platforms and procurement providers to drive synergies across the business. But I’m going to keep going further – your operating model must continue to evolve in this marketplace, so I have engaged AlixPartners to come in and do an efficiency review for us. It may seem odd to do this when we are extremely strong in this area, but I think this is precisely the time to do it – to capitalise on our strengths and make them better.” Morgan’s wide-ranging interview forms part of today’s (Friday, 18 July) Premium Opinion, which will be sent to subscribers at 5pm. Meanwhile, Ceri Gott, an executive coach specialising in culture and leadership and former chief growth and culture officer at Hawksmoor, explains why culture makes or breaks business transformation, and Simon Anderson, co-founder of food hall consultancy Next Phase, looks at what is driving the food hall wave in Greater Manchester. 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.

 

Sponsored message – top industry leaders announced as first speakers for The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show: The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show (previously known as Casual Dining) has revealed its first wave of keynote speakers for this year’s highly anticipated trade event, which will return to Excel London on 24-25 September. Leading the line-up are some of the most influential names in hospitality, including Hawksmoor co-founder and chief executive Will Beckett, New World Trading Company managing director Amber Wood and Prezzo Italian chief executive James Brown. These experts will bring their unique insights to the show (across three theatres), offering attendees a rare opportunity to hear first-hand about the strategies driving some of the industry’s most respected brands. Other big names to join the line-up include: Laura Harper-Hinton, co-founder and chief executive of Caravan; Fulham Shore chief executive Marcel Khan; Arc Inspirations chief executive Martin Wolstencroft; The Alchemist chief executive Simon Potts; Heartwood Collection chairman Mark Derry; Ed Loftus, global restaurant group director at Jamie Oliver Restaurants; Kate Lister-Clancy, group sales and marketing director at New World Trading Company; Prezzo Italian chief marketing officer Mark McCulloch; JKS marketing director Ria Pattni; Laura Mimoun, chief marketing officer at Franco Manca and The Real Greek; and Prezzo Italian marketing director Naddy Onions. Join your industry by booking a free trade ticket here. If you have a sponsored story you would like to see featured in this newsletter position, email paul.charity@propelinfo.com.

 

Propel’s Culture, Talent & Training Conference open for bookings, Dishoom people director Andrew O’Callaghan to speak: Propel’s Culture, Talent & Training Conference has now opened for bookings. The conference takes place on Thursday, 9 October at One Moorgate Place in London. Among the speakers will be Andrew O’Callaghan, people director at Dishoom. He will discuss the continuing evolution of the restaurant company’s award-winning people culture, and how it has lowered recruitment fees and staff turnover in the process. For the full speaker schedule, click here. Tickets are £295 plus VAT for operators and £345 plus VAT for suppliers. Premium Club subscribers get a 20% discount. Email: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to book places.

 

Premium Club subscribers to receive next Who’s Who of UK Hospitality today featuring 954 companies, videos from Operational Excellence Conference on Friday, 1 August: The next Who’s Who of UK Hospitality will be released to Premium Club subscribers today (Friday, 18 July), at midday. Another 23 companies have been added to the database, which now features 954 companies. This month’s edition will also include 81 updated entries and more than 255,000 words of content. The companies, listed in alphabetical order, will have their most recent results reported as well as broader information around Ebitda, plans and trading style available. The database merges Companies House information, interviews and other public information to provide an easy to reference and exhaustive guide to the sector. Premium Club subscribers will also receive all the videos from the Operational Excellence Conference on Friday, 1 August, at 9am. They include Philip Eeles, founder of Honest Burgers. Eeles – who is also an investor in Breadstall Pizza and founder of Pineapple, which collects and benchmarks people metrics from 75 business on a quarterly basis – reflects on starting a new restaurant in the current market; the need for a balance between taste, operational efficiency and gross profit; and how people metrics underpin overall performance. Premium Club subscribers also receive access to five other databases: the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, the Multi-Site Database, the New Openings Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database and the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database. All Premium Club subscribers will be offered a 20% discount on tickets to Propel paid-for events and discounts on specialist sector reports. Operators that are Premium Club subscribers are also able to send up to four members of staff to each of our four Multi-Club Conferences for free. Premium Club subscribers 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 subscribers 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 subscribers 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.

 

Hospitality sector has now lost 84,000 jobs since Budget as figure increases by 13,000 in a month: The hospitality sector has now lost 84,000 jobs since the Budget, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics. The data shows the industry has been the hardest hit sector of the economy since October, accounting for nearly half (45%) of all job losses. The 84,000 job losses is an increase of 13,000 in a month. Kate Nicholls, chair of UKHospitality, said: “These devastating job losses are a direct consequence of policy decisions at last year’s Budget, which have disproportionately hit the hospitality sector. The change to employers’ national insurance contributions, in particular, was socially regressive and had a disproportionate impact on entry level jobs. Without a change of tack from the government, we could be looking at even more job losses in hospitality, when we should be bringing people into the jobs market. We desperately need to see action at the upcoming Budget. We urge the government to act on our asks to fix national insurance contributions, by extending the existing exemptions to include both young people and people moving from welfare to work, which will boost jobs and help to reverse this huge loss. We also need to see lower business rates to revive high streets, and a VAT cut on hospitality to drive investment. We have seen time and time again that our sector is extremely capable of meeting the government’s growth and employment objectives, if given the optimal operational environment. This is why we need our asks met, before we are taxed out.”

Pubs and bars see sales dip year-on-year as Euro 2024 comparatives bite: UK Hospitality sales grew 2.7% year-on-year over the 12 weeks ending 1 July 2025, according to new data from HDI, the leading provider of card spending insight and pricing data to the UK hospitality sector. However, growth softened slightly to 2.2% in the latest four weeks. Pubs and bars saw a 0.5% decline in the latest four weeks – a reflection of tough comparatives, annualising the group-stage matches and round of 16 from the men’s Euro 2024 tournament. Fast food and takeaway was the only sector to buck the trend of softening performance. Mark Bentley, business development director at HDI, said: “Pubs and bars are now annualising the men’s Euro 2024 tournament, when England memorably went all the way to the final – so a slight year-on-year dip is no surprise. With the women’s Euro 2025 tournament running until 27 July and knockout stages now underway, it will be interesting to see whether interest builds in a similar way. Early analysis shows that pubs and bars sales on England’s opening game (5 July) were down 11% versus the same Saturday last year – but that coincided with the men’s quarter final. There’s now a real opportunity to engage a broader audience as the tournament builds momentum.”

 

Christie & Co – notable increase in activity from pub companies in first half of year, clear shift toward wet-led models and increasing demand for accommodation: Christie & Co has said it has seen a notable increase in activity from pub companies in the first half of the year, with a clear shift toward wet-led models and increasing demand for venues with accommodation. Its latest Pubs & Restaurants Market Review said despite significant economic headwinds and operational challenges, there is still solid demand in the market for new site acquisitions. It reports a notable increase in activity from pub companies in the first six months of the year, both looking to acquire new sites that fit their criteria and to streamline their portfolios. Independent buyers are still the most active in the market, representing the buyer in 65% of deals agreed by Christie & Co this year, while around 86% of pubs it has sold this year have been for continued use. The report said the market remains polarised, with strong demand for assets under £600,000 and at the prime end of the market, while demand has also moved away from food-led establishments to wet-led. The report also reveals that demand in big cities outside of the capital have seen a slight softening, while London and the south east have seen a resurgence and lifestyle businesses in “honeypot” locations remain popular. The market for pubs with accommodation is experiencing significant growth, while the report notes consumers’ growing preferences for low and no-alcohol options, as well as venues that offer unique experiences and vibrant atmospheres. Stephen Owens, managing director pubs and restaurants at Christie & Co, said: “Our latest report highlights the sector’s enduring appeal and adaptability in the face of significant ongoing pressures. Pubs and restaurants are continuing to attract strong interest, particularly those that are well positioned, competitively priced and capable of diversifying income streams. We’ve seen a clear shift toward wet-led models and increasing demand for venues with accommodation, as operators look to broaden their offering and boost profitability. Independent buyers remain a driving force in the market, reinforcing confidence in the long-term opportunities in the hospitality sector as we move through 2025.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with an events and hospitality business that is seeking a head of people. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The role will champion culture, develop talent and support growth at major live events throughout the UK.” The salary is up to £75,000 and the position is based in the south west of England. For more information, email marlene@corecruitment.com.

 

Burger King UK CEO – reducing delivery driver wait time is helping us drive sales, focusing on poorer performing stores has pulled us ahead of the market: Burger King UK chief executive Alasdair Murdoch has said reducing delivery driver wait time is helping the business drive sales, and that focusing on operations within its poorer performing stores has pulled it ahead of the market. Murdoch said since Burger King UK acquired the brand’s master franchise here seven years ago, the focus has been on “delivering the same sort of guest experience across every restaurant” – whether company owned, run by individual owner operators or by large corporate franchisees. Speaking at Propel’s Operational Excellence Conference, Murdoch said: “We have reduced our rider wait time from four minutes 30 seconds down to three minutes 40 seconds, and that’s a very significant amount of time. The less time they’re waiting, the more often drivers will be outside your restaurants to take your food to someone. It allows us to drive sales, and it does work. Another thing we have looked at is online time, as in the bad old days, some restaurants would turn the connections off to aggregators, which is pretty naïve. We’ve had a bit of a purge, and we can clearly do a bit more on that. The other one is order accuracy. One of the real frustrations operators have with aggregators is how much you have to pay in refunds. We’ve attacked this in a few different ways. The first is by the operational layout of the delivery menu, and we also changed how effectively the food comes across the pass. Speed of service is really key, and again, we’ve moved from three minutes 40 seconds from the moment you pull up or walk in to the moment you get your food down to two minutes 45 seconds. I think we should be sub two minutes 30 seconds, and I think we’ll get there.” Murdoch said the brand has only “woken up to” Google reviews in the last three years or so but has improved its average rating from 3.2 to 4.5, meaning it is “performing better than both McDonald’s and KFC” on the platform. “KFC have had a big push on this recently, so we need to make sure we redouble our efforts and look at how we drive consumer experience inside a restaurant, which we have been pretty poor at historically, if I’m honest,” he said. “I think we can do a better job, and we want make sure we maintain that gap on our quick service restaurant counterparts.” Murdoch said while sales results are not entirely driven by operational metrics, a lot of the company’s like-for-like sales growth has definitely come through delivery, “and that is driven entirely by what we are doing in our store versus what some of our competitors might be doing”. He added: “Our focus has helped us drive that. In particular, we have been able to focus on our poorer performers and get them up, because you’re always going to have a tail, but it’s about how you make the gap between the top and the bottom as small as you can. We were a couple of points behind the market in 2023 in terms of sales performance, and now we’re a chunk ahead of it.” Premium Club subscribers will receive all the videos from the Operational Excellence Conference on Friday, 1 August 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 supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

Red Oak Taverns reports record revenue, driven by continued investment in estate and strengthening of partnerships with tenants: Red Oak Taverns, the national pub operator founded by Aaron Brown and Mark Grunnell in 2011, has reported record revenue for the year to 31 December 2024, driven by continued investment in its estate and the strengthening of the partnerships with its tenants. The company’s turnover grew from £20,663,263 in 2023 to £24,558,388. Its pre-tax profit dropped from £7,488,240 to £189,480 – with the 2023 figure including £8,391,453 in fair value movements. The previous year also included a loan of £1,747,214 being written off following a refinancing in December 2023. Grunnell said the year saw a “strong performance” which was “underpinned by careful financial management, operational resilience and a continued focus on delivering value.” He said: “Sales of the group reached a record level, representing an increase of 19% compared to 2023. This growth contributed to an operating margin (adjusted for disposals of assets) of 33%, up from 32% in the prior year. A key factor driving the increase in sales was the continued investment in our estate, with £3.1m spent on maintenance and capital expenditure. In addition, we strengthened our partnerships with tenants to support and enhance operational performance. During the year, the company acquired 19 high-quality sites for £12.6m and disposed of nine underperforming assets as part of an ongoing strategy to optimise the portfolio. The Euro Championships during the summer of 2024 provided a significant boost to trade across our estate. Many pubs experienced increased customer visits and higher sales volumes on match days, which positively impacted overall revenues for the year. The company actively supported this through targeted marketing and event programming in partnership with tenants.” At the year-end, the company’s net assets stood at £44.5m, representing a slight increase on 2023. Its net current liabilities increased from £2.7m to £5.0m, which is partly attributable to a £2.9m loan facility that falls due in 2025, and which has been reclassified as a current liability. “Despite this increase, the group maintains a strong financial position, supported by cash reserves of over £1.8m and total bank borrowings amounting to £76.8m,” Grunnell added.

 

Gym Group’s largest shareholder sells 5.6% stake: Gym Group’s largest shareholder, Blantyre Special Situations Fund, has sold 5.6% of its holding in the fitness operator through a secondary block trade. Blantyre, which previously held a 11.75% stake in Gym Group, sold 10,033,120 shares at a price of 140p per share to institutional investors and family offices, via an accelerated bookbuild process. Rothschild & Co Redburn served as the sole bookrunner for the transaction, while Ocean Wall acted as originator and corporate adviser. The Gym Group did not participate in the transaction and did not receive any proceeds from the share sale, as this represented a secondary offering by the selling shareholder only. The block trade targets institutional investors exclusively, with no shares being offered to retail investors as part of the transaction. The Gym Group stated: “Following the transaction, the seller will retain a significant shareholding in the company. In connection with the Transaction, the seller has agreed to a lock-up undertaking in respect of its remaining shareholding in The Gym Group. This lock-up restricts the disposal of any further shares held by the seller for a period of six months following 15 July 2025, subject to customary exemptions and waiver provisions.” Earlier this month, Gym Group, which operates circa 250 outlets, said it was closing in on a million members, with good trading momentum driven by “excellent” performances at its new sites. The 2025 Experiential Leisure Report, the second year of Propel’s exhaustive report on the fast-growing experiential leisure market, will be published on Friday, 1 August at 9am. The report profiles the current shape of the experiential leisure market – including brands, estate size, trading type and geographical location and future trends. It includes opinion from leading players Juliette Keyte, marketing director at Red Engine, Richard Beese, co-founder of We Do Play, and Lisa Boden, partner at investor Edition Capital, and provides a detailed list of UK experiential leisure companies including key staff and Companies House information. The report includes 197 companies, marking a 10% growth in the sector since last year’s study, with 3,700 sites. The report is available for £595 plus VAT to pre-order now. Existing Premium Club subscribers can receive it on Friday, 1 August for £395 plus VAT. The report will be made available for free to existing Premium subscribers on Wednesday, 10 September at 9am. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to order a copy.

 

Wagamama to open new Preston restaurant next month: Wagamama, The Restaurant Group-owned brand, is to open its new site in Preston next month. Wagamama will open in the city’s newly launched £45m Animate leisure scheme on Monday, 25 August. The brand has taken a 4,125 square-foot unit on a 15-year lease. The venue will seat 164 guests inside, with an additional 32 seats outdoors, and create 55 jobs. The opening marks Wagamama's 167th restaurant in the UK and Ireland and its 59th in the north of England. The Preston restaurant will offer two of the brand’s newest initiatives, with students able to get 20% off Sunday to Thursday when they sign up to the platform Student Beans, while emergency service workers will be able to obtain a discount through the Blue Light Card programme. The new restaurant follows the launch of Wagamama’s new brand platform, “Food Is Life”, which celebrates food’s emotional power and cultural importance.

 

Azzurri Group opens Zizzi in Cotswolds Designer Outlet: Azzurri Group – the ASK Italian, Coco di Mama, Boojum and Zizzi owner – has opened a new Zizzi restaurant in the Cotswolds Designer Outlet in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. The site, which has space for 110 guests inside and an additional 58 outside, has launched alongside Zizzi’s new summer menu, which includes dishes such as the Diavoletta Bombe, a new and spicy take on Zizzi’s iconic garlic bombe filled with a fiery Alla Vodka sauce, Roquito chillies and gooey mozzarella, and King Prawn Vongole, a Mafaldine pasta dish with king prawns and clams in a wild garlic, lemon, caper and parsley butter sauce. Last week, Propel revealed that Azzurri Group had lined up a first leisure park site for US brand Dave’s Hot Chicken, which it is rolling out over here. Azzurri is set to convert its ASK Italian site in Stevenage Leisure Park to the US brand, with an opening scheduled for October. The Steve Holmes-led group opened the first UK Dave’s Hot Chicken site in London’s Shaftesbury Avenue in December and has lined up Birmingham and Manchester for its next two sites, as it kicks off national expansion plans for the brand.

Leon launches exclusive sharing salads on Just Eat for Business: Natural fast food brand Leon has launched exclusive sharing salads on Just Eat for Business, with each serving up to six people. The range includes the Chicken Caesar Sharing Salad, featuring chargrilled chicken thighs, grains, Grana Padano cheese and a honey mustard caesar dressing, as well as the Firecracker Chicken Sharing Salad, packed with Middle Eastern spiced vegetables and a Firecracker dressing. Further options include the Smoked Salmon & Egg Sharing Salad, with creamy Golden Goddess dressing, the Supergreen Falafel & Hummus Sharing Salad, with roasted red peppers and smoky pink kraut, and the Roasted Veggies & Grains Sharing Salad, with lemon and black pepper dressing. Matt Ephgrave, managing director at Just Eat for Business, said: “Our 2024 order trends data clearly highlights a continued surge in healthy eating at work, with employees increasingly mindful of their food choices and recognising that what they eat directly impacts their energy levels, productivity, and overall wellbeing. This exclusive launch with Leon perfectly responds to this trend, and we’re delighted to strengthen our partnership with Leon to deliver these innovative and delicious menu items that align with what office workers are genuinely seeking.” Mac Plumpton, managing director at Leon, added: “Leon has always been a go-to for fuelling offices and busy workers, so this felt like a natural next step. These new additions bring our naturally fast food straight to the workplace.”

 

Canadian pancake brand Fluffy Fluffy launches in Birmingham for 16th UK site: Canadian pancake brand Fluffy Fluffy has opened in Birmingham for its 16th UK site. Propel revealed last month that Fluffy Fluffy was lining up a launch in the city, and it has now opened in Ladypool Road. The opening follows launches this year in Brighton, Windsor, Newcastle and the East Midlands Designer Outlet in Alfreton. “We’re thrilled to announce the successful launch of our 16th Fluffy Fluffy store, now open in Ladypool Road, Birmingham!” a company spokesman said. “Over the weekend, we welcomed hundreds of guests, from loyal fans to new faces, to celebrate our expansion into this vibrant city. With long queues, buzzing energy and, of course, our signature soufflé pancakes, it was an incredible milestone for our team and community. We’re proud to be growing, evolving, and bringing the fluffiest experience to even more neighbourhoods across the UK.” The brand plans to open at least ten new UK stores this year as it works towards a long-term goal of 100 locations here.

 

Glasgow operator The Superlative Collection to open eighth venue in city: Glasgow operator The Superlative Collection is to open its eighth venue in the city. The Delphine, an all-day bistro, cafe and bar, is due to open in August, in Princes Square. Situated in the courtyard of Princes Square shopping centre in Buchanan Street, the cafe and wine bar will offer a “casual yet refined experience”. The 130-cover venue will include a large bar area, terrace and courtyard with a private dining room. Led by head chef Kenny Maltman, The Delphine’s menu will be inspired by the summer, with a selection of salads and brunch dishes that draw influence from different cuisines across the world. Dishes will include Thai prawn and cod fishcakes served with a poached egg and hollandaise; and sunny vibes salad with brown rice, cashews, quinoa, greens and lemongrass. A selection of house-blend smoothies, shakes and juice will also be available alongside cocktails. The Delphine marks the group’s second opening this year following The Noble pub in Bothwell Street in February. The company’s other venues are Glaschu, Maison by Glaschu, Gōst, The Duke’s Umbrella, The Clubhouse and Blue Dog. Nicole Ramage, area general manager of The Superlative Collection’s Princes Square venues, added: “We are excited to be part of the positive change and new direction of the iconic Princes Square, after seeing such success with Maison by Glaschu and The Clubhouse already. Opening our third venue as part of this redevelopment is an honour, and we can’t wait to give people even more reason to visit the Square.”

 

Isle of Man Costa Coffee franchisee set to open its seventh store on the island: Isle of Man Costa Coffee franchisee Fancy A Coffee is set to open its seventh store on the Island. The company, which is led by Charles Dawe and Magdalena Bachanek, has operated the Costa Coffee brand on  the island for 20 years. It has now agreed terms for a store to be housed within the Harbour Lights premises in Shore Road, in Peel. Harbour Lights went up for sale in April, with owner Bill Foster announcing his retirement. In a statement, Fancy A Coffee said: “We are proud to be continuing to contribute to the island’s economy and will be making a further significant investment in a building that is in a flagship spot of one of the island’s most scenic locations. Work will get underway soon and the new store will open in autumn of this year and will be open all year round, with extended hours into the evening throughout the summer months.”

 

Australian hotel group to make UK debut: Australian hotel group TFE Hotels is set to open its first UK properties. TFE Hotels said it has a strategic focus on cultural hubs beyond London with two new Adina-branded apartment-hotels – The Hobson Cambridge by Adina and The Wellington Glasgow by Adina – set to open in the autumn. The move follows more than two decades of growth in Europe by TFE Hotels and said it reflects the growing demand for flexible, design-forward apartment-hotel experiences in key leisure and business destinations across the UK. With existing Adina apartment-hotels across Germany, Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, Hungary, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, TFE Hotels said the UK represents a natural next step in the group’s European strategy. Asli Kutlucan, chief executive of TFE Hotels Europe, said: “Our arrival in Cambridge and Glasgow signals a confident step forward for TFE Hotels’ European strategy, tapping into two cities with rich cultural appeal, strong tourism demand, and growing business travel. These openings not only strengthen our European footprint but also lay the foundation for further growth in the UK market.” The Hobson Cambridge by Adina is located in a historic former police station in the heart of Cambridge while The Wellington Glasgow by Adina is set just off George Square. A spokesperson told Propel that TFE Hotels was concentrating on these two openings for now before looking at possible expansion opportunities.

 

Cosmo to open in Preston next week: World buffet brand Cosmo will open in Preston next week for its 20th UK location. Propel revealed last month that Cosmo would be opening in Preston’s £45m Animate scheme, a council-owned leisure and entertainment destination. Cosmo will now open the 12,000 square-foot site on Sunday, 27 July, offering more than 150 dishes, cooked fresh every day, from around the globe. Supporting the 60-strong team at the Animate location will be Cosmo’s robot waiters, Bella and Hola. Suzanne Wink, head of operations at Cosmo, said: “The Preston city centre site really shows off what Cosmo is all about – scale, theatre, and impressive variety. Our restaurant at Animate is one of the biggest and boldest in our ever-expanding group.” Last month, Cosmo said it is aiming to open up to six new restaurants per year. The company is currently rolling out its fledgling Umami World Kitchen concept, which already operates sites in Blackpool and Telford and is planning to launch further sites under the concept in Leicester, Colchester, Newcastle, Peterborough and Swansea. Earlier this year, Cosmo also launched a new concept called Smokin’ Hot Buffet and Grill in Coventry, relaunching its Umami World Kitchen in the city’s Corporation Street under the concept.

 

McDonald’s franchisee who previously led the brand’s operations in Lebanon acquires sixth store: McDonald’s franchisee Ali El Hajj, who previously led the brand’s operations in Lebanon, has acquired his sixth store here. El Hajj, who was McDonald’s country operations manager for McDonald’s in Lebanon from 1998-2000, and a general manager for the brand in Bahrain from 2000-2012, founded AMH Family Enterprises in 2012 after moving to the UK. He has now acquired the franchise of the existing McDonald’s restaurant in East Grinstead, West Sussex. The company’s turnover grew from £10,144,029 in the nine months from 1 July 2022 to 31 March 2023 to £19,051,812 for the year to 31 March 2024. A pre-tax loss of £5,930 in the nine-month period turned into a profit of £582,278 in the year to 31 March 2024.

 

Tokyo Industries-owned historic Welsh manor house launches new experiential marquee concept: Caer Rhun Hall, a historic Welsh manor house owned by Tokyo Industries, has launched a new experiential marquee concept. The luxury marquee, which sits within the grounds of the house, can host up to 250 guests for weddings, celebrations and corporate events, against the backdrop of the Snowdonia National Park. There are a range of special experiences available, including the option for a photoshoot with a super car. The structure has a fully lined interior, lighting, heating, a dance floor, a kitchen and a dedicated bar area. Guests can choose from expertly curated menus from the hotel’s in-house team or opt to use their own caterers. Plans are also underway for the development of a state-of-the-art health and wellness centre, set to open in 2026. Chris Bateson, operations director at Tokyo Industries, said: “Caer Rhun Hall has long been a special place for celebrations, and the launch of our new marquee marks an exciting new chapter.” Caer Rhun Hall relaunched under the ownership of Tokyo Industries in 2023 after falling into administration under previous owner, Northern Powerhouse Developments, in 2019. Last month, Tokyo Industries broke new ground by launching its first theatre, opening The Emerald Theatre in the former Proud Embankment venue in London’s Victoria Embankment. At the same time, it acquired The Social club/bar, at 5 Little Portland Street, near Oxford Circus, which the company will operate as part of its 11-strong live music venue arm. Tokyo Industries now operates 49 venues in the UK and 19 internationally and will pass the 50-mark later this year by launching Zerox Hotel in Newcastle and a new Irish bar concept in Manchester.

Beaumont Mayfair to launch new restaurant: The Beaumont Mayfair, owned by Ellerman Hotels, is set to launch a new restaurant. Opening in September, Rosi will be led by newly appointed culinary director Lisa Goodwin-Allen, who helped Northcote hold a Michelin star for over two decades. There will be seasonal signature pies and steaks featuring standout cuts of English Wagyu, Lake District beef and heritage Hereford herds. Rosi will take over from the current The Colony Grill restaurant at the hotel. Goodwin-Allen said: “Rosi is a restaurant where the menu is full of dishes you really want to eat, and the atmosphere is just as inviting. I hope Rosi will be embraced by Londoners, just as I have been.”

 

Roadchef opens first-ever farm shop: Roadchef has launched its first ever farm shop, at Sedgemoor Services Southbound on the M5, which marks the company’s first venture into showcasing premium local artisan produce. Sedgemoor Farm Shop will showcase quality produce from more than 40 local Somerset producers. Among them are Beaus Bakehouse offering artisan cakes, Sedgemoor Honey Farm providing authentic Somerset honey, and handmade Scotch Eggs from artisan producer Nutts. Other highlights include Willow and Finch's traybakes and cookies, Brazier Coffee Roasters supplying premium coffee, and family-run Westcroft Eggs. Kevin Whitehouse, retail, procurement and supply chain director at Roadchef, said: “Normally people on motorways drive through the countryside but don't take the time to appreciate it. Our Farm Shop changes that by offering visitors a genuine taste of Somerset – from artisan honey to locally baked goods.”

Kent Wimpy franchisee opens third site: Kent Wimpy franchisee Adnan Etemi has opened his third site with the brand. He has opened at 44-46 Station Road in Birchington, Thanet, joining his Wimpy restaurants in Sittingbourne and Ashford. Etemi’s investment has seen a major renovation of the property, including installing a new kitchen and dining areas capable of seating up to 45 people. “I know from first-hand experience that we have plenty of Wimpy fans in Kent and I am thrilled to have been able to expand into a new location for us,” he said. “Birchington is a super little seaside resort and, together with my team, I’m looking forward to meeting both local residents and visitors alike.” Chris Woolfenden, Wimpy UK’s general manager, added: “We are delighted to bring Wimpy to Birchington for the first time and have no doubt that the new restaurant will quickly become a popular destination for those looking for great value food, freshly cooked to order and served to the table.” Etemi’s operates the restaurants under his AM Wimpy business.

 

Michelin-starred chef Nieves Barragán Mohacho to open second site in partnership with JKS Restaurants next month: Michelin-starred chef Nieves Barragán Mohacho will open her second site in partnership with JKS Restaurants next month. Mohacho will open Legado in London’s Shoreditch on Thursday, 28 August – building on the launch of the Michelin-starred Sabor in 2018. Legado will be Mohacho’s largest project to date and will feature seating for around 60 in the dining room and space for 16 at the counter. The venue will also feature Taberna, a dedicated bar and outdoor terrace open all day serving tapas and pintxos. Nieves said: “Spain’s food heritage is incredible and has rightly deserved recognition in London and globally. Its colours, tastes, and smells are rooted deeply within me. However, many dishes I love, have never been seen outside the country, and I want to bring them and even more to London.” Dishes include Crystal Mediterranean Prawns, finished with smoked paprika and Moscatel vinegar, and confit lobster with chilli and garlic on a base of thinly sliced rose potatoes – each topped by an egg fried Spanish-style. A 150-bin wine list will celebrate traditional and emerging regions and styles, showcasing the finest in Spain, while a rotating selection of 18 wines by the glass will allow guests to explore a wide selection of varieties.