Exclusive – Loungers CEO invests in Bosco Pizzeria: Nick Collins, chief executive of café bar operator Loungers, has invested in pizza concept Bosco Pizzeria, Propel has learned. Propel understands that Collins, who has been chief exec … view

Stonegate well-positioned to ‘maintain trajectory of profitable growth’: Stonegate Group, the UK’s largest pub company, has said it is “well positioned to maintain our trajectory of profitable growth”. It comes as the group rep … view

Giggling Squid co-founder – new labour costs mean focus on larger sites and a possible rethink on how big we can grow, casual dining sector will be a very different place in a decade: Andy Laurillard, co-founder of Giggling Squid, the T … view

Exclusive – Big Mamma Group to open four new UK sites this year as turnover nears record £45m: Big Mamma Group, which is backed by McWin, has said it plans to open four new UK sites in 2025 as it reported turnover increased to a record … view

Jonathon Swaine to step down as Shepherd Neame MD, Pubs: Kent brewer and retailer Shepherd Neame has announced that Jonathon Swaine is to step down as managing director, Pubs, on 17 April 2025. Swaine, formerly of Rank Group and Fuller� … view

Caprinos looking to make motorway services and airport debuts and seeking to grow company-owned estate: Fast-growing pizza franchise Caprinos has told Propel it is looking for its first motorway services and airport locations this year an … view

Topgolf founders’ new Poolhouse concept secures $34m of funding, gears up for London launch: The founders of Topgolf and World Golf Systems have secured $34m (£25.9m) of funding to launch their new competitive socialising concept calle … view

Heavenly Desserts to kickstart international expansion this year with openings in Canada, Germany, Pakistan and India: Artisan dessert restaurant Heavenly Desserts is to kickstart its international expansion this year with openings in Can … view

Big Licks aiming to open first franchise stores this year as it targets 100 UK sites and overseas expansion: Smash burger and dessert concept Big Licks has told Propel it is aiming to open its first franchise stores this year, as it targe … view

Esquires owner reports ‘strong trading momentum’ as full-year sales climb to £35.1m, strong pipeline of new stores anticipated in UK: Cooks Coffee Company, owner of the Esquires brand, has reported “strong trading momentum” with … view

Foodservice price inflation remains calm amidst global economic crosscurrents: The latest CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index (FPI) indicates a continued easing of inflationary pressures, with the Index remaining relatively flat in Febru … view

Being asked to contribute to this month’s legal briefing happened to coincide with a classic parenting moment: my youngest lost his wallet on a night out. Of course, it contained not jus … view

Church’s Texas Chicken plans UK launch in next two years, could grow to between 300 and 500 sites here: Church’s Texas Chicken, one of the largest quick-service chicken restaurant brands in the world, is targeting a launch in the UK i … view

SushiDog gears up to open ‘landmark site’, plans a further eight venues in next 18 months including regional debut: Quick service sushi roll concept SushiDog will open its tenth site in London – and largest yet – later this month, … view

Gong Cha reports record sales as it steps up expansion: Gong Cha, the fast-growing bubble tea brand headquartered in the UK, enjoyed record sales last year as it stepped up aggressive expansion plans. The brand said system sales, comprisi … view

Yard Sale Pizza secures Piper backing, sees potential for more than 500 UK locations: Piper, the private equity backer of Flat Iron and Turtle Bay Restaurants, has acquired a stake in Yard Sale Pizza, the restaurant and delivery business … view

Pubs and clubs could open later under new powers for London mayor, licensing reform panel formed: London councils that block pubs and clubs from opening later could have their decisions overturned by the mayor of London under new governme … view

Tokyo Industries CEO partners with Manchester operators for new vehicle to acquire their former sites out of administration: Tokyo Industries chief executive Aaron Mellor has partnered with Manchester operators Joel Wilkinson, Dan Mullen … view

JD Wetherspoon targeting hotels as it steps up search for franchise partners with Christie & Co hire: JD Wetherspoon is stepping up its search for franchise partners as it targets hotels to open its pubs. The company has hired Christie & … view

PizzaExpress secures refinancing deal: PizzaExpress has agreed a refinancing deal with more than 97% of its existing bondholders. The company said the refinancing agreement follows a good opening quarter for the brand with like-for-like s … view

Hugh Osmond ups stake in Various Eateries: Serial sector investor Hugh Osmond has upped his stake in Various Eateries, the Coppa Club and Noci concept operator. Xercise2 Limited – a company owned and controlled by Osmond – has purchas … view

Banana Tree MD – the brand could grow to 75 sites and ‘maybe beyond’, Cardiff site is Big Table Group’s single biggest investment project: Kate Wilton, managing director of the Big Table Group-owned Banana Tree, has said the south … view

Brighton Pier Group sets out plans to go private: Brighton Pier Group has announced its proposal to go private and to cease trading on AIM after undertaking a review of its strategic options. It comes as the business said that trading res … view

Kaspa’s – diversification of the model is essential to our 500-store target, looking to expand into new dayparts: Kaspa’s group managing director Francesco Arcadio has said diversification of the brand’s model is essential to reac … view

Marugame Udon signs UK master franchise agreement with Karali Group to accelerate growth: Marugame Udon, the international udon noodles and tempura restaurant brand has signed a UK master franchise agreement with Karali Group to accelerat … view

RedCat Hospitality’s FY25 underlying profit expected to more than double, after transitional year: RedCat Hospitality, the recently rebranded operator of Coaching Inn Group and RedCat Independent Pubs, has said that its adjusted Ebitda … view

Wingstop UK breaking global records, confident in going after larger locations: Wingstop UK has had a record-breaking start to the year, including setting new global standards, according to chief executive Chris Sherriff. Since launching … view

Market Halls acquires Brighton’s Shelter Hall from Sessions for first site outside London: Market Halls, the London food market hall operator, has acquired Shelter Hall in Brighton from Sessions in a multimillion-pound deal. The acquisi … view

Le Pain Quotidien reveals target locations as it seeks franchisees to start building back its UK estate: Le Pain Quotidien has revealed a list of target locations as it seeks franchise partners to start building back its UK estate. The b … view

Dishoom co-founder – I think we can open two or three sites a year in the UK: Shamil Thakrar, co-founder of award-winning Indian restaurant group Dishoom, has said he believes the company can one two or three sites a year, “while stil … view

New World Trading Co announces record sales of £73.5m, lfl sales up average 16% at The Botanist conversions, planning rebrand: Graphite Capital-backed pub restaurant group The New World Trading Company (NWTC) has announced record sales a … view

Black Sheep Coffee raises £11.5m of liquidity through a mixture of debt and equity: Black Sheep Coffee has raised £11.5m of liquidity through a mixture of debt and equity “to ensure the group has sufficient liquidity to continue to tr … view

Exclusive – Patty & Bun completes successful restructuring of the business: Patty & Bun, the better burger concept led by Joe Grossmann, which appointed advisors at the start of the year to explore its strategic options, has completed a … view

Cost of living pressures hold down delivery and takeaway sales in February: Britain’s leading restaurant groups continued to struggle for growth in delivery and takeaway sales in February 2025, CGA by NIQ’s Hospitality at Home Tracker … view

Burgerism begins franchise journey, foundations built to become a national brand: Mark Murphy, co-founder of Burgerism, the fast-growing, north west smash burger concept, has told Propel that the company is to begin exploring franchising … view

Exclusive – Rosa’s Thai, Pho and Mowgli brought together under Arcturus Group, Jason Cotta hired as CEO: TriSpan, the investment firm, is to bring together three of the brands it backs – Rosa's Thai, Pho and Mowgli – under one hol … view

Flight Club operator targeting 84 sites by 2030 as full-year revenue increases to record £77.1m: Red Engine, the Flight Club and Electric Shuffle operator, and its franchise partners are aiming to open 45 venues over the next five years … view

JD Wetherspoon – no plans to slow down recruitment or cut jobs despite annual £60m increase in labour costs, no longer using third-party booking platforms for hotels: JD Wetherspoon chairman Sir Tim Martin has told Propel it has no pla … view

JD Wetherspoon reports like-for-like sales up 5.0% in past seven weeks as half-year revenue passes record £1bn: JD Wetherspoon has seen like-for-like sales in the seven weeks to 16 March 2025, increase 5.0% as the company reported record … view

Caprinos targeting London for next phase of expansion, set to launch in the Middle East this year: Fast-growing pizza franchise Caprinos has told Propel it is targeting London for its next phase of expansion and is also set to launch in t … view

Flat February for hospitality businesses as consumer spending tightens: Britain’s leading restaurant, pub and bar groups delivered fractional like-for-like sales growth of just 0.1% in February, according to the latest CGA RSM Hospitali … view

Shepherd Neame – increase in NLW and national insurance will add £2.6m to costs annually from April, reports ‘strong’ first half in ‘challenging’ market: South east brewer and retailer Shepherd Neame has said the impact of the … view

Exclusive – Knoops strengthens leadership with COO and MD hires: Luxury hot chocolate shop brand Knoops has strengthened its leadership team with four new appointments, as it looks to accelerate its expansion plans here and abroad, Prop … view

Exclusive – Knoops strengthens leadership with COO and MD hires: Luxury hot chocolate shop brand Knoops has strengthened its leadership team with four new appointments, as it looks to accelerate its expansion plans here and abroad, Prop … view