Exclusive – Beds & Bars ‘well-positioned to capitalise on expansion opportunities’ but market conditions causing challenges in securing suitable properties, turnover increases to record £72.8m: The pan-European hostel company Beds … view

Pizza Hut Restaurants UK operator in advanced talks with potential buyers: Pizza Hut's biggest UK franchisee is in advanced talks with potential buyers as it races to wrap up a deal to secure its future. Heart With Smart (HWS), which oper … view

Exclusive – Wasabi exploring franchise opportunities to accelerate growth as turnover rises to record £120.3m, ‘strong’ performance continues in 2024: Wasabi, the sushi and bento brand backed by Capdesia, has said it is exploring f … view

Little Dessert Shop aiming to double its 50-site estate by end of 2027 as it focuses on new areas of UK, to roll out more ‘X model’ stores: Dessert franchise Little Dessert Shop has told Propel it is aiming to double its 50-site estat … view

Deep Blue begins strategic disposal programme as it focuses on Harry Ramsden’s, signs heads of terms on two licensing agreements: Deep Blue Restaurants – owner of the Deep Blue, Harry Ramsden’s and Fish & Chips @ 149 brands – has … view

Wingstop UK co-founder – deal with Sixth Street marks a landmark moment for UK QSR sector: Tom Grogan, co-founder of Lemon Pepper Holdings, the UK franchisee for Wingstop, has said the sale of the business marks a “landmark moment for … view

Burger & Lobster planning to more than double presence in the UK over the next few years: Burger & Lobster has said it has “ambitious growth planned for the next few years”, which will see its presence more than double in the UK. It c … view

Azzurri Group CEO – our fast casual concepts could generate greater share of profit over time, won’t rule out looking to add further brands: Steve Holmes, chief executive of Azzurri Group, the ASK Italian, Zizzi, Coco di Mama and Booj … view

PizzaExpress to return to US next year with Florida site: PizzaExpress is to make its return to the US next year with an opening in Florida, which will play a key role in its ambitious plan to reach 1,000 restaurants globally (including t … view

Exclusive – Glendola Leisure and sister company Carlton Hotels see turnover near £100m: Glendola Leisure, which is owned by the Salussolia family, and its sister company, Carlton Hotels, have seen combined turnover near the £100m mark … view

Azzurri Group reports growth in sales and profit as it transitions from pure-play restaurant operator into hospitality investment platform: Azzurri Group, the ASK Italian, Zizzi, Coco di Mama and Boojum operator has reported growth in bot … view

Sector sales increase 2.7% in November as industry sees first real-terms growth since June: Britain’s leading hospitality groups recorded year-on-year sales growth of 2.7% in November, the latest edition of the CGA RSM Hospitality Busin … view

Midlands premium smashed burger brand set to double estate size next year as it hires former GDK franchise chief as ops director: Midlands premium smashed burger brand Burger Boi has told Propel it is set to double the size of its estate … view

Hickory’s MD – planning ten new sites next year, real opportunity to build a special business: John Welsh, managing director of American-style smokehouse and barbecue Hickory’s, which is owned by Greene King, has told Propel that th … view

Exclusive – Comedy Store signs franchise deal to expand across the UK: Comedy Store, the live comedy venue business with sites in London and Manchester, has signed a franchise agreement to expand across the UK, Propel has learned. It ha … view

Julian Metcalfe – In ten years, we’ll have 500 Itsus, warns Labour is making it too expensive to hire staff: Julian Metcalfe, founder of Itsu, the healthy Asian food brand, has warned the government that it is making it too expensive … view

YouMeSushi aiming to reach 35 sites next year with Birmingham and Manchester ‘key areas’, sushi ‘now mainstream and attracting younger customers’: YouMeSushi, the restaurant and takeaway business, has told Propel it is aiming to r … view

C&C Group hires Roger White as new CEO: C&C Group has hired Roger White, formerly chief executive of AG Barr, as its new chief executive. It said that White’s appointment follows an extensive search process led by the nomination committ … view

AlixPartners – reduction in site Ebitda from Budget could be in excess of 15% without mitigation: Sector advisory firm AlixPartners has said that the impact of the Budget on wage bills could lead to a reduction in site Ebitda in excess … view

Exclusive – Homeslice in administration: London better pizza brand Homeslice, founded by Alan and Mark Wogan, has been placed in administration, Propel understands. Begbies Traynor is understood to have been appointed as administrators … view

Another difficult year for the industry is coming to a close and Christmas is sneaking up on us – bringing both opportunities for some much-needed revenue and a few ine … view

McWin in talks to up investment in Gail’s: McWin Capital Partners, the food investment firm led by Henry McGovern and Steven Winegar, is in talks to increase its stake in bakery brand Gail’s. Bloomberg reported that McWin, which also … view

Soho House founder Nick Jones linked to development in London’s Westminster: Nick Jones, the founder and former chief executive of Soho House, is understood to be in talks to open a hotel and restaurant as part of the Arundel Great Cour … view

Domino’s Pizza among bidders for Wingstop UK: Domino’s Pizza is one of four bidders circling Wingstop UK, which is being rolled out here by Lemon Pepper Holdings. As previously revealed by Propel, Domino’s is competing against US pr … view

Tortilla reports “strong” Q4, delays rebranding of French acquisition: Fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand Tortilla has reported a “strong” Q4 with like-for-like sales up “at least” 4%. The company said that revenue for its U … view

Team behind The Crystal Maze Live Experience and Chaos Karts planning UK roll out for Arcade Arena concept and eyeing overseas expansion: The team behind The Crystal Maze Live Experience attraction and Chaos Karts immersive go-karting has … view

Domino’s reaches a new five-year framework with its franchise partners: Domino’s Pizza Group has announced that it has reached a new five-year framework with its franchise partners to capitalise on its “significant long-term growth … view

Loungers – customer behaviour across brands is consistent, Ritorno Lounge generating gross average weekly sales of just under £95,000: Café bar operator Loungers, which is currently the subject of a £338m takeover bid by US private e … view

Maki & Ramen to open seven sites in 2025, launching franchise arm, eyeing London opening: Edinburgh Japanese restaurant concept Maki & Ramen has told Propel it plans to open seven new sites next year, including its first franchise locatio … view

Guinness supplies to be rationed over Christmas and New Year: Guinness supplies are being rationed over Christmas and New Year as huge demand threatens to outstrip supply. Pub bosses are understood to have been told they face limits on ho … view

Harden’s – price rises outside of London significantly higher as regions show stronger recovery from pandemic: Price rises outside of London are significantly higher than in the capital, suggesting London is still feeling the after-ef … view

Harden’s – price rises outside of London significantly higher as regions show stronger recovery from pandemic: Price rises outside of London are significantly higher than in the capital, suggesting London is still feeling the after-ef … view

XP Factory – plans in place to offset impact of Budget without need for significant price increases, balance sheet being restructured to allow future share buy-backs and dividends: XP Factory, which operates the Escape Hunt and Boom Bat … view

Coco Di Mama MD – London estate has had best 12 months since covid, trialling pizza slices: Jim Attwood, managing director of Coco di Mama, owned by ASK Italian, Zizzi and Boojum operator Azzurri Group, has told Propel that the Italian … view

Caprice Holdings to make UAE debut today: Caprice Holdings, the Richard Caring-backed, high-end restaurant business, will make its debut in the UAE today (Wednesday, 4 December) with the opening of Sexy Fish Dubai, located on the rooftop … view

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 i … view

Soho Coffee CEO – new formats will allow us to go into places we couldn’t before, strategic goal to get to 50 corporate stores and beyond, with further opportunity through new franchising push: Soho Coffee chief executive Sam Shutt ha … view

KKR among suitors for Wingstop UK: US private equity firm KKR is believed to be one of the investment firms running the rule over the UK business of Wingstop, which is being rolled out here by Lemon Pepper Holdings. Propel understands tha … view