Wingstop CEO – UK average unit volumes now exceeding $2.5m: Michael Skipworth, president and chief executive of Wingstop, has said that average unit volumes (AUV) for its business in the UK are now exceeding $2.5m (£2m). Skipworth was speaking to analysts after the brand reported 21.6% like-for-like sales growth in its first quarter. On the brand’s current 44-strong UK business, he said: “Our vision is to scale Wingstop into a global brand, and I’ve shared in prior calls how we believe our international business is supercharged for growth. There is tremendous excitement across the globe as consumers have the opportunity to experience our flavour for the first time. Like-for-like sales trends resemble that of the US business, double-digit growth stacked on top of double-digit growth in the prior year and primarily driven by transactions. Averaging across all markets outside of the US, we have nearly doubled our AUV since the start of 2022. In the UK, AUVs now exceed $2.5m, leading our UK brand partner to accelerate growth and expand to more than 40 units. Our newest markets, Canada, Puerto Rico and Korea, are executing that UK playbook and achieving record sales weeks. We believe our new markets are scaling awareness on a curve that draws parallel to the success we are experiencing in the UK.” Last May, Skipworth said that the UK market served as a playbook for future market launches for the brand and “continues to expand average unit volumes past $2m (£1.59m), while unit economics are at levels comparable with our domestic business”. Earlier this week, Propel revealed that Lemon Pepper Holdings, the company behind the rollout of Wingstop in the UK, is set to add a site in Ealing, west London, to its 2024 opening pipeline. Propel understands that Wingstop UK has received consent to open at the former TSB site at 31 New Broadway. Last month, Wingstop UK strengthened its footprint in London by opening its new site in the former Bodeans site at 169 Clapham High Street. Wingstop UK is on track to open 15 sites this year, including further restaurants in London – in Croydon, and its largest site yet, at Westfield Stratford City. The brand, which launched here in 2018, recently secured a former Burger King site in the Midsummer Place scheme in Milton Keynes. Wingstop UK will open its latest site next week in the Merry Hill shopping centre in the West Midlands. Last month, Lemon Pepper Holdings co-founder Herman Sahota told City AM that it sees potential to grow Wingstop to more than 300 sites here in time. Wingstop features in the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book, which is available exclusively to Premium Club members. Its turnover of £21,370,720 for the year to 27 March 2022 is the 398th highest in the database. Lemon Pepper Holdings features in the UK Food & Beverage Franchisee Database, the latest edition of which will be sent to Premium Club members next Wednesday (8 May), featuring ten new entries. 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.

 

Oisin Rogers to speak at Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference, open for bookings with 20% discount on tickets for Premium Club members: Oisin Rogers will be among the speakers at the Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference. The all-day conference takes place on Tuesday, 14 May at One Moorgate Place in London and is open for bookings. Rogers will talk about the creation and running of The Devonshire, the Soho pub that incorporates a three-metre-long bespoke wood ember grill, the first of its kind in the UK; an on-site aging chamber that is the biggest in central London; its own bakery; three dining rooms; and the extraordinary lengths it has gone to in order to deliver the perfect pint of Guinness. For the full speaker schedule, click here. Tickets are £295 plus VAT for operators and £395 plus VAT for suppliers. There is a 20% discount for operators and suppliers who are Premium Club members. Email: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to book places.

 

Variety of quick service restaurant operators to feature in next New Openings Database being released to Premium Club members today: The next Propel New Openings Database will be sent to Premium Club members today (Friday, 3 May). The database will show the details of 130 site openings, including which company has opened a site or its plans to open one in the future. It will have details on what type of site it is and its location, and there will also be a website link to the businesses. The database is published on a monthly basis and Premium Club members will also receive a 6,700-word report on the 130 new additions to the database. The database includes new openings in the quick service restaurant sector such as a second site for Master Bao, opening in London’s Westfield Stratford in May. Also included is US better burger brand Shake Shack, which is to further strengthening its footprint in the capital with an opening in Notting Hill Gate, and Temper, the modern barbecue brand, which has launched a sister smash burger-focused concept called Temper Burger that has opened on the former Patty & Bun site in White City, west London. Premium Club members also receive access to five other databases: the Multi-Site Database, in association with Virgate; the Turnover & Profits Blue Book; the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database; the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database; and the Who’s Who of UK Hospitality. Plus, all members will be offered a 20% discount on tickets to five Propel paid-for events – The Excellence in Pub Retailing Conference (14 May), Social Media for Profit (18 July), the Talent and Training Conference (1 October) and Restaurant Marketer and Innovator (two days in January 2025). Operators will also be 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 a supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

 

The Wolseley Hospitality Group CEO – collaboration is key to revitalise this energetic sector: Baton Berisha, chief executive of The Wolseley Hospitality Group, has said that to revitalise “this energetic sector, collaboration is key” and that businesses, policymakers and trade associations must unite “for collective action and innovation”. Berisha said: “Hospitality is woven into the fabric of our lives, it’s at the heart of communities. These spaces that on the outside might be a restaurant, bar or dancefloor represent so much more. Yet, amidst its invaluable role, we often overlook the hard work and dedication of those who create these experiences and fail to support the environments that enable us to enjoy our day to day. This industry isn’t just about serving meals; it’s a cornerstone of our economy, contributing £66bn and employing three million people across the UK. With 99% of its businesses being small and medium-sized enterprises, it’s a playground for entrepreneurs and creativity. I can’t think of an industry that is so diverse, creative, and adaptable, even in the face of turmoil. And the turmoil has been relentless, its impact on the industry is clear. It has withstood Brexit, rail strikes, volatile governments and unforgiving legislation, rising costs and limited relief measures, pushing many establishments to closure. It is during these times that hard working businesses need the government to step up to the mark. A key part in this is a VAT reduction, which many industry experts have called for and continue to push for ahead of the autumn statement and this year’s General Election. The UK has one of the highest rates of VAT for hospitality in Europe, which is, of course, a significant drag on our competitiveness on the world stage. A reduction in VAT saved many establishments from the brink during the pandemic, stimulating demand and generating revenue. Not only would a reduction mitigate the ever-increasing number of closures we continue to see across the industry, but also allow hospitality businesses to keep prices more affordable for the public, so that people can enjoy new places and experiences. To revitalise this energetic sector, collaboration is key. Businesses, policymakers and trade associations must unite for collective action and innovation. We need to inspire all generations to look to hospitality as a positive and safe career choice, working collectively to protect this valuable, exciting and rewarding industry. Let’s stand together to support the essence of hospitality, and work towards a better future for both businesses and customers alike.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a branded bar and restaurant business that is looking for an operations manager. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “You will oversee up to seven sites. With new openings planned for 2024-25, this number will grow. A key focus for this company is its people and its culture – it’s a community and as such really looks for people who understand and live by its values. This is not a Monday to Friday position. You will coach, mentor and develop your team and be a true ambassador for the brand. You will roll your sleeves up and get stuck in on service and take the time to develop your general managers.” The salary is up to £65,000 and the position is based in the north west of England. For more information, email sonny@corecruitment.com.

 

Wendy’s CFO – we expect to see up to 50 UK restaurants by the end of the year, making progress in profitability here: Wendy’s chief financial officer Gunther Plosch has said the company expects to see up to UK 50 restaurants by the end of the year, and that it is making progress in profitability here. It also reaffirmed its belief that the UK has a long-term potential for up to 400 Wendy’s restaurants. The third-largest quick service restaurant chain in the US, Wendy’s made its UK return in the summer of 2021 and has since grown to 36 sites – including ten from franchisees GH Burgers, Square Burgers, Blank Table and JRK Restaurants. Speaking to investors following the company’s first quarter results, Plosch said: “From a numbers point of view, we had 37 restaurants in the UK at the end of the first quarter, 12 of which were were company operations. From a margin point of view, as you probably have seen already, the impact of the investments we are making in the UK had an adverse impact on our consolidated margin of about 60 basis points. Interestingly enough, however, year-over-year, our consolidated margin improved by 90 basis points. So, more of an improvement than we have seen in the US. Also, we are making progress in the UK profitability. We continue to expect for the year headwind on the UK operations in our consolidated margin of about 50 basis points. From a short-term outlook, we would expect to have, by the end of the year, about 48 to 50 restaurants in the UK. We’re building company restaurants, and obviously we have signed up several franchise partners that are very excited investing in the business and helping us develop that market. We’ve always said that the UK is a key strategic market for us, kind of the beachhead for the rest of Europe. We absolutely expect that over time, that market should yield 400 restaurants for us. We’ll see how long that takes us, but that we believe it is our fair share in that market. As you also know, we are exploring Continental Europe, with the prime candidates that we’ve always talked about, Ireland and Spain.” Wendy’s said it expects global same restaurant sales growth of 3% to 4% in 2024 and remains on track to reach over $2bn in global digital sales this year. It opened 35 new restaurants globally in the first quarter, which the company said supports its goal of 2%-plus net unit growth in 2024, which includes approximately 250 to 300 new restaurant openings. Last month, Wendy’s set out its next pipeline of UK openings, including launches in Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Sheffield, Wood Green (London), Southend, Colchester, Cambridge and Newcastle.

 

Rarebreed Dining – business perfectly balanced for growth to a ten-site operation, recent lfls up 12.2%: Jordan Hallows, founder of Rarebreed Dining, the three-strong steak-focused pub company, has told Propel that the business is perfectly balanced for growth to a ten-site operation. It comes after the company appointed advisors to assist with a strategic review of the business and its property assets as it gears up to consider its options. Rarebreed, which is working with Savills on its options, currently operates from The Plough Inn, Cobham (leasehold); The Shurlock Inn, Twyford (freehold); and The Waverley Inn, Weybridge (freehold). Savills said that Rarebreed “represents an exciting opportunity for an investor to participate in a profitable platform, with a proven concept and an experienced team to roll out into other similar catchments”. The group’s current financial year began on 1 October 2023, and Hallows told Propel that in the first quarter like-for-like sales were up 18.1% on the previous year, while they were up 7.3% in the second quarter and ahead by 12.2% for the first four weeks of the third quarter. He said the company’s Ebitda was up 35.2% on a like-for-like basis in the first quarter, and up by 15.7% in the second quarter. He said: “The company is in a strong position. We’ve made efficiencies in the head office to reduce salary costs by outsourcing two departments, allowing us to scale up or down as necessary. Improvements in systems and procedures have also saved costs company wide. We have also got ahead of the new tronc legislation with pay structure company wide. At the same time, we have improved staff retention due to extensive benefits programme, training and competitive pay and bonus schemes. There is also a succession plan for growth with a loyal team, at every level, showing desire and ability to step up. Therefore, we believe the business is perfectly balanced for growth to a ten-site operation, with the right investment behind it.” The company was founded in December 2014 by Hallows, who wanted to create a high-quality steak restaurant experience outside of London located in “a relaxed environment in beautiful buildings”.

 

Ale Hub aiming to double estate size over next 18 months ahead of becoming a national franchise within five years: Midlands micro-pub concept Ale Hub is aiming to double the size of its estate size over the next 18 months ahead of becoming a national franchise within five years. Ale Hub, which is owned by law graduate Connor McDiarmid, opened its first branch in Dickens Heath, Solihull, in September 2020, and has since expanded to nine pubs across the Midlands. The business, which is entirely wet led, has now launched a franchise programme and partnered with consultants whichfranchise to lead its expansion plans. “We would like to open four new franchises this year with a view to opening five the following year,” McDiarmid told whichfranchise. “Sustainable growth is key – we want to provide the necessary support for our franchisees, and if we open too many too quickly, that becomes more of a challenge. We see Ale Hub as being a national franchise within the next five years. Internationally may be trickier, with the traditional British pub being iconic, but who knows what the future holds? We opened our first pub during the pandemic, which allowed us to develop a durable business model. We are a unique proposition as there are currently no other small pub franchises on the market in the UK. We are offering a proven business model that has been honed across our nine pubs. We have bucked the trend of pubs closing down and shown that people do want a local community pub that focuses on quality as opposed to generic chain pubs.” Ale Hub said no hospitality experience is required to become a franchisee, with a “positive attitude and great people skills” more important. Franchise packages are being offered for an average start-up cost of £81,300 plus VAT including a £25,000 franchise fee and £50,000 fit out costs. Year one revenue of £200,000 is anticipated, with a net profit of £21,800 after costs. “We are looking for our first franchisee as we feel we can grow more quickly and sustainably using their local knowledge of where an Ale Hub would be best placed,” McDiarmid added. “Currently, we are based in the Midlands, so we are looking to expand out from there. Our pubs are entirely wet led, so the focus is on quality and customer service. This is what sets us apart from our competitors as most large pub chains are focused on selling food. We are a premium pub, so our target market is those people who are happy to pay a little bit more for a better overall experience.”

 

The Ivy Collection plans Liverpool opening: The Ivy Collection, the Richard Caring-backed restaurant brand, is again eyeing an opening in Liverpool. The business has applied to open a The Ivy Brasserie at the former Bank of England site in Castle Street, in the city. Pre-pandemic, the company had been linked with an opening in the redevelopment of the Bank of Liverpool’s former head office in nearby Water Street. In March, the Sunday Times reported that at least ten sovereign wealth funds and family offices registered interest when serial sector investor Caring kicked off the £1bn sale of his The Ivy Collection business earlier this year. Sources said that suitors included the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Mubadala, the UAE fund controlled by Manchester City football club owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is not in the running, the sources added. HSBC is overseeing the sale of Troia (The Ivy Collection’s parent company). Caring, who declined to comment on the sale, has a 50% financial interest, with the other half being owned by Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani, the former prime minister of Qatar, otherwise known as HBJ. Caring claims to have full management of the group, however. The plan was to whittle bidders down to a handful of serious names by the end of April, and to finalise the sale by the end of June, although the timetable could slip. Expansion in the UK and abroad is indeed being signposted to suitors, according to those close to the sale. In Britain alone, more than 30 areas of “white space” – locations where new Ivy openings could thrive – have been identified. Opportunities are also to be found in the Middle East and the US, sources said.

 

Livelyhood acquires seventh pub as part of ‘strong growth plans for 2024’: Independent south London pub group Livelyhood, owned by Sarah Wall, has acquired its seventh pub as part of its “strong growth plans for 2024”. Livelyhood has bought The Bull at 129 Wanstead High Street into its portfolio – its first pub in east London and first outside the south of the capital. The pub joins The Perky Nel in Clapham, The Regent in Balham, The Old Frizzle in Wimbledon. The Faber Fox in Crystal Palace, The Artful Duke in Bromley and The Rosy Hue in Elephant & Castle in the Livelyhood estate. The Bull’s 22 team members will be retained by Livelyhood, which plans to renovate the property over the winter of 2025. Wall said: “We’re delighted that The Bull pub is now part of Livelyhood and can join us on our journey of growth for the year ahead. The Bull already has an incredible team in place and prides itself as a real community, local pub, which strongly aligns with our own values and expectations of what a stand-out pub should be. A beautiful building and former bank, The Bull has a rich history and has been a huge part of the local community since its inception as a pub ten years ago.” The Bull was converted from an Allied Irish bank by former banker Mark Foster in 2014, originally as The Manor House, and changed its name in 2020. AG&G brokered the deal. In January, Karen Bosher, former chair of Greene King’s Venture Brands, joined Livelyhood as a non-executive director.

 

Gentlemen Baristas co-founder launches new coffee brand: Henry Ayers, co-founder of coffee company Gentlemen Baristas, has launched a new coffee brand “focused on how to ensure beautiful coffee makes a difference”. Propel reported last month that Ayers was preparing to launch All Things Bloom, with Hestia Hospitality, a new investment vehicle from a consortium of high-net-worth individuals, taking a minority stake. All Things Bloom has now launched and also partnered with Home Kitchen, a social enterprise that will work to recruit, train and employ people who have experienced homelessness into the hospitality sector. It has launched with ten coffees (seven single varietals, two blends and one decaffeinated), all selected by Ayers and hand roasted at a facility in Battersea. These include coffees from named farmers in Brazil, Guatemala, Papa New Guinea, Zambia, Burundi and Columbia. “I wanted our coffee to be beautiful in the way it’s roasted to perfection and packed with quality flavours,” Ayers said. “I also wanted it to be beautiful in the way it makes an impact; to the farmers we source from, the communities we partner for life with, and to the vulnerable people we support alongside Home Kitchen. I have so much more I want to achieve with coffee – seeing peoples smiles after sips of our coffee and feeling a room abuzz with ideas over a cup – that where we get our energy from. That’s when All Things Bloom.” Gentlemen Baristas, co-founded by Ayers in 2014, went into administration in January, with four of its seven sites closing. Joining him in leading All Things Bloom are Tom O’Toole and John Rowe. Andrew Fishwick, who is fronting Hestia Hospitality, said: “Sometimes in life you get to be in the very fortunate place, where you get to introduce exceptional people to other exceptional people, safe in the knowledge that amazing things will come from it. All Things Bloom is just a such project. I could not be prouder of all the good that they have created and being on the this incredible journey alongside them.”

 

Popeyes UK eyes debut site in Northern Ireland: Popeyes UK, the US fried chicken quick service restaurant brand backed here by TDR Capital, is lining up its first opening in Northern Ireland. The Tom Crowley-led business is understood to have lined up an opening at the Forestside Shopping Centre in Belfast. Next week, the company will make its debut in Leeds with the opening of a delivery kitchen site. It will mark the brand's fourth delivery kitchen opening in 2024, and the brand’s 48th location since landing in the UK in November 2021. Earlier this week, Propel reported that Popeyes UK had reached £100m-plus annual sales since its launch here in November 2021. The business plans to double its estate in 2024, opening more than 30 new locations by the end of the year.

 

Jason Atherton to open new brasserie restaurant Sael in London’s St James’ Market: Chef Jason Atherton and his wife Irha are opening a new brasserie restaurant in the former Aquavit site in London’s St James’ Market this summer. The couple said Sael would serve “affordable, no-holds-barred cooking” that celebrated all things British without “the shackles of traditional fine dining”. The new restaurant’s kitchen will be led by Dale Bainbridge, who has worked with the Athertons’ Social Company group for a decade and is currently executive chef at their Michelin-starred Pollen Street Social restaurant in Mayfair. Sael will occupy a 9,088 square-foot site in the Crown Estate-owned St James’ Market development in Piccadilly, which is home to Fallow and its sister restaurant, chicken concept Fowl. The Athertons said: “St James’ Market is an iconic British landmark in the heart of London. Originally the site of a medieval cattle market, it is steeped in a rich history that makes it the perfect location for our new concept, Sael. To be able to work with the Crown Estate in such a location on a quintessentially British-style brasserie is a dream of ours, delivering affordable, no-holds-barred cooking to the British public and international visitors. By celebrating our fantastic ingredients in an innovative way, we can get rid of the shackles of traditional fine dining and create a place for people to relax and enjoy not only the excellent food and drink, but the whole atmosphere, with a carefully designed fit out and artwork showcasing British music icons past and present. We feel that, after four unsettled years during and following the pandemic, Sael will provide a much-needed celebration of all the amazing culinary delights from our Isles.”

 

Peppermint to launch new dining and events space at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park later this month: Bars and event solutions business Peppermint will launch a new dining and events space at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London later this month. Working in partnership with the London Legacy Development Corporation, Peppermint was appointed operator of the destination – which will host a programme of activities and collaborate with local and independent businesses – in January. Riverside East will now launch on Thursday, 16 May, featuring four unique dining spaces including a 300-cover café; The Yard, an outdoor space with a dedicated street-food vendor; and The Terrace, which will offer a roof garden with panoramic views across east London. The café will have a menu designed by Lulu Cox – formerly of Rochelle Canteen, Bocca di Lupo and St. John – with dishes focusing on sustainability and wellness. There will be breakfast pots, toasties and artisan pastries in the morning, followed by plant-forward, hyper-seasonal plates such as smoked trout with hash browns, beetroot salad with goat curd and smoked almonds, and wild mushroom and lentil burger. There will also be a weekend brunch menu led by Jamie Duvale, former head chef at The Ramsay Group. The Terrace, meanwhile, will serve up pizza and flatbreads to accompany craft beer from local breweries and a wine list highlighting low-intervention grapes, while the 1,000-cover The Yard will feature independent street food through rotating pop-ups. Peppermint was founded in 2003 by Alex Brooke and Adam Hempenstall, servicing more than 40 events and festivals every year including Camp Bestival, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland and Rewind.

 

Samyukta Nair to open new Thai concept: Restaurateur Samyukta Nair, who runs the LSL Capital hospitality group with her father Dinesh, is set to open a new Thai concept in London’s Mayfair. A collaboration with Rose Chalalai Singh will see Koyn Thai open below Nair’s contemporary Japanese restaurant at 38 Grosvenor Street, replacing the basement space that previously served as the larger dining room for the Japanese concept, reports the Evening Standard. Singh, who specialises in home-style Thai food, will serve a menu inspired by the dishes her grandmother prepared in Bangkok alongside a Parisian influence from her restaurant, Rose Kitchen, in the French capital. Dishes will include toasted coconut pomelo salad; escargots with wild garlic and green chilli and Thai basil; a Chiang Mai platter comprising spicy pork sausage, nam prik, sticky rice, and crispy pork skin; and a southern Thai crab curry. “I’m excited about my new home at Koyn Thai in Mayfair, and the opportunity to be able to come to London and collaborate with Sam in the best way I know – with great spirit and the very best of Thai flavours,” said Singh. Nair added: “The cosmos of Koyn has always focused on duality and Koyn Thai is an exciting addition that takes this a step further. The diverse flavours of Asian cuisine is at the forefront of our collaboration, one that I am particularly excited to bring to London this summer.” Nair is also behind concepts such as Jamavar, MiMi Mei Fair, Socca and Bombay Bustle.

 

Zuma operator taking Roka to Greece to kick off year of 20th anniversary pop-ups: Azumi, which is led by Sven Koch and operates the Zuma and Roka high-end restaurant brands, is set to take Roka to Greece. It will launch a pop-up at the Cavo Tagoo hotel in Santorini location on Friday, 10 May, as part of a year-long series of events to celebrate 20 years since the launch of the first Roka restaurant in London’s Charlotte Street. The pop-up will feature Roka signature dishes such as yellowtail sashimi with yuzu-truffle dressing; sea bream fillet with ryotei miso and red onions; miso crème brûlée with pistachio ice cream and dark chocolate; and green tea pudding with crunchy jivara and pear ice cream. There will also be cocktails inspired by the island and a wine list showcasing some of the best Greek producers. Co-founder and creator of Roka, Rainer Becker, said “After the success of Zuma in Mykonos, opening with our partners in Cavo Tagoo Santorini was the perfect next step for our business in Greece.”

 

Ex-Molson Coors director joins the board of Tiny Rebel: Martyn Cozens, former director of on-trade UK at Molson Coors, has joined the board of South Wales brewery Tiny Rebel Brewing Company as a non-executive director. Cozens, who will join Tiny Rebel’s board on Saturday, 1 June, has spent more than 30 years in the brewing industry and has cross functional experience at senior levels in procurement, sales and marketing and mergers and acquisitions. He led Molson Coors’ acquisition of Sharps brewery and the Doombar brand in 2011 and assumed overall responsibility for the business. He spent more than 20 years at Molson Coors, stepping down from the business at the end of last year. Tiny Rebel co-founder and chief executive Brad Cummings said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Martyn Cozens to the Tiny Rebel family as our newest non-executive director. With a track record of unparalleled success in the UK on-trade, Martyn brings a wealth of experience and innovation to our team. As an inspirational leader, he's not just a game-changer; he’s a game-winner. Martyn’s achievements speak volumes – from spearheading the success of brands like Doombar and Madri and building an unrivalled on-trade sales team, his expertise is second to none. We’re confident that his strategic vision and industry prowess will propel Tiny Rebel to new heights.” Earlier this year, Tiny Rebel said it remained “dedicated to exploring new opportunities for future Tiny Rebel bars across the UK” despite announcing the closure of one of its sites in Newport. The company operated three bars – the taproom at its award-winning brewery in Newport, one in Westgate Street in Cardiff city centre, and another in High Street in Newport city centre, but took the decision to close the latter. 

 

Italian gelato brand Amorino opens in Hampstead: Italian gelato brand Amorino has opened a new store in Hampstead, north west London, for its 29th UK site. The venue has opened in a former O2 phone shop at 38 Hampstead High Street. “Calling all gelato lovers in Hampstead and beyond! The wait is over – Amorino has arrived in your neighbourhood, and we’re ready to delight your taste buds with our heavenly gelato creations,” head of franchise at Amorino UK, Roman Aslamzada, posted on social media. “Step into our charming store in Hampstead and embark on a delicious journey through a world of artisanal gelato. Indulge in our signature flower-shaped cones, expertly crafted with your favourite flavours, or treat yourself to a decadent cup overflowing with creamy goodness. Whether you’re craving a classic flavour or eager to explore our seasonal specialties, our gelato artisans are here to create a scoopful of happiness just for you.” It is Amorino’s third UK launch of 2024 and follows last month’s opening at The Lexicon Centre in Bracknell, Berkshire. “It feels like just yesterday I met Sarfraz Nawaz and Karim Dhamani for the first time at our Chelsea head office in August 2023,” Azlamzada added. “They’ve now opened their very first store in the vibrant heart of Bracknell at The Lexicon Centre. The store’s launch was nothing short of phenomenal, with record-breaking sales and an incredible turnout. Here’s to a colourful year ahead filled with more successes and milestones.” Propel reported last month that UK site number 30 for Amorino will be its furthest north yet, having secured a site at 39 Parliament Street in York, in the former Naked Deli unit that closed in January 2023. Amorino, which also has stores in Paris, Rome and Qatar, has previously targeted having 50 UK stores by 2025. 

 

South coast McDonald’s franchisee opens 11th site: South coast McDonald’s franchisee Jose Luis Calaza Pernas has opened his 11th site with the brand. His company, Luma Restaurants, has opened a 65-seater restaurant at Whiteley Shopping Centre in Fareham. “We are delighted to open another new McDonald’s restaurant in Fareham and can’t wait to see local customers, both new and old, enjoy our services on offer,” said Pernas. “People are at the heart of our business, and we look forward to welcoming new employees with the jobs our restaurant will create. We’re committed to investing in opportunities for a mix of all ages, life stages and backgrounds, promoting flexibility and equality. It’s particularly exciting to be opening this new restaurant as McDonald’s celebrates its 50th year in the UK.” McDonald’s said the restaurant will feature a new layout with the latest technology to create a more seamless and enjoyable experience for customers. The new kitchen design and dedicated courier waiting area allow crew to better accommodate both courier and customer needs, the company added. Pernas founded Luma Restaurants in 2016 and previously operated a portfolio of central London McDonald’s restaurants before switching regions last year, starting afresh with ten sites on the south coast.

 

Dubai hospitality group confirms May opening for French cuisine brand’s UK debut: Dubai hospitality group Fundamental Hospitality has confirmed its first UK site for its French cuisine brand, La Maison Ani, will open this month. Propel revealed in February that the group, which made its UK debut in December with the launch of its flagship Greek and Mediterranean brand Gaia in London’s Mayfair, was set to bring over two more of its brands – La Maison Ani and 1930s-style pan-Asian dining brand Shanghai Me. La Maison Ani will now open in Cadogan Gardens, also in Mayfair, on Saturday, 25 May – the brand’s second location having launched in Dubai in April 2022. Chef Izu Ani will offer fresh artisanal bread, viennoiseries and pastries served from the boulangerie, in the mornings, followed by light seasonal lunches before transforming into a brasserie in the evening with a dedicated bar and counter seating, plus a private dining room seating 14. There will be 168 covers inside overall plus 14 more on a terrace. The à la carte menu will include a choice of three caviars alongside dishes such as beef carpaccio with parmesan cheese and truffle dressing; seafood risotto with pistachios; roasted fillet of seabass in tomato sauce with sumac rice; whole baby chicken in Perigueux sauce with seasonal truffle; and lamb cutlets with pita bread and spiced aubergine.

 

Former pharmacist opens debut restaurant reflecting her love for risotto after switching careers: Former pharmacist Cordula Schulz has opened her debut restaurant reflecting her love for risotto after switching careers. Cordula, who grew up in Germany, developed a passion for cooking while travelling and learning about different cuisines, and upon returning home to Berlin, began hosting dinner parties for friends and family – always serving a risotto course. After moving with her family to the UK, she decided to pursue her dream of opening a restaurant and has opened the 42-cover all’onda in the former Navaro site at 67 Charlotte Street, in Fitzrovia. Head chef Andrea Granzarolo, who has worked with Hélène Darroze as well as at London venues The Greenhouse and The Square, leads the kitchen, combining his technical knowledge of the traditional risotto with a contemporary twist, showcasing seasonal ingredients from the UK. Together with Schulz, he has developed a number of variations on the classic risotto, such as spring green risotto primavera; squid ink risotto; pumpkin and shiso; seaweed, bottarga and white asparagus; and sweetbread and artichoke. There are also starters such as red bream crudo with fennel, radish, citrus; and yuzu kosho and beef tartaccio with smoked soy, parmesan and parsley; while main courses sitting alongside the risotto include duck with carrot, tamarind and plum; and Cornish turbot with verbena, matcha and green asparagus. The drinks list features cocktails and a wine list featuring varieties predominantly from Italy and France.

 

Retirement homes developer set to open new restaurant at its Surrey site to the public: Retirement homes developer Rangeford Villages is set to open a new restaurant at its Surrey site to the public. The Oak and Honey restaurant will open this month at Homewood Grove, a “lifestyle community for the over-60s” in Ottershaw. Hungarian-born Andras Miszkuly will lead the menu as head chef, working with the village’s kitchen garden and allotments teams to ensure a farm to table approach. “I am pleased to be joining the team here at Oak and Honey restaurant and bar as we embark on this exciting new journey,” he said. “Starting from scratch means there’s lots of scope for me to be able to put my creative flair on the dishes we serve here, always with a focus on using the freshest, seasonal ingredients and designed to showcase the very best local produce.” The restaurant will be open daily for brunch, lunch and dinner.