Exclusive – Fatto a Mano secures new investment to aid further growth: Fatto a Mano, the independent pizza concept founded in Brighton in 2015 by Rupert Davidson and Dav Sahota, has secured new investment, including from Middleton Enterprises, Propel has learned. Middleton Enterprises, which provides growth capital to established and profitable small and medium-sized business and is also current backer of quick service sushi roll concept SushiDog, said its investment would help the current five-strong Fatto a Mano grow its “commitment to Neapolitan pizza”, including in London. The company made its bricks-and-mortar debut in London with the opening of Fatto a Mano Pizza & Beer in King’s Cross. It followed this up with opening Fatto a Mano Pizzeria at 30 St Martins Lane, Covent Garden, at the end of last year. The business operates two pizzerias in Brighton and one in Hove. Middleton Enterprises said: “We believe Fatto a Mano delivers amazing Neapolitan pizza with best-in-class all-round service. We are incredibly impressed with the quality of pizza, service, site design and overall experience it offers while still remaining affordable. We believe that while the restaurant environment becomes more challenging to operate, the team will be able to continuously deliver at an affordable price-point while others in the category may look to compromise on ingredients, staff conditions and site quality. There’s a genuine dedication to using quality ingredients from Campania and UK independent suppliers and the team’s ability in quality casual dining, including its special team culture, gives us real excitement for the future.”

 

Propel to release new 35,000-word report on experiential leisure market on Thursday, 1 August: A new report produced by Propel on the fast-growing experiential leisure sector will be available to purchase on Thursday, 1 August. The report profiles the current shape of the experiential leisure market – including brands, estate size, trading type and geographical location and future trends. It provides a detailed list of UK experiential leisure companies including key staff and Companies House information. The report includes more than 190 companies, 3,500 sites and a 35,000-word report. Paul Charity, Propel’s managing director, said: “Experiential leisure concepts are expanding rapidly within the UK hospitality industry and in a number of cases growing into key overseas markets. The sector is proving relatively attractive not least because it offers quite high barriers to entry in a number of cases and strong margins. This report delivers an exhaustive overview to all those interested in this exciting sector.” The report will be released on Thursday, 1 August at 9am and is available for £595 plus VAT. Existing Premium Club members can receive it on Thursday, 1 August for £395 plus VAT. The report will be made available for free to existing Premium members on Tuesday, 10 September at 9am. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to order a copy.

Kerb CEO Simon Mitchell to speak at Propel summer conference and party, three free places per company for operators: Simon Mitchell, chief executive of Kerb, will be among the speakers at the Propel Multi-Club Conference and summer party on Thursday, 5 September, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Oxford Belfry. The all-day conference will focus on “new ideas and directions in an era of strong headwinds” and will be followed in the evening by the summer party, with a barbecue and four hours of live music, including the UK’s best Ed Sheeran Tribute Act, The Ed Sheeran Experience; the UK’s top Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow tribute acts joining forces, Scott Borley and Daniel Hadfield; and the famous house band at Piano Works. Mitchell will discuss expanding both the food hall and catering parts of the business in the UK and internationally, what sets its market concept apart, how it nurtures food entrepreneurs and what the future holds for the street food sector. For the full speaker schedule, click here. There are up to three free places per company for operators but Premium subscribers can have up to four places. To book, email jo.charity@propelinfo.com. A room can also be booked for the evening. For more details, email jo.charity@propelinfo.com.

Next edition of Premium Club Turnover & Profits Blue Book released tomorrow shows sector companies’ profit outstripping losses by £1.78bn, up from £1.67bn last month: The next edition of the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book, which will be sent to Premium Club members tomorrow (Friday, 12 July), at midday, shows the profit being made by sector companies is now outstripping losses by £1.78bn, an increase on the £1.67bn last month. The Blue Book shows the total profit of the 947 companies in the list is £4,161,037,876 and losses are £2,384,597,270. The Blue Book shows 598 companies in profit and 349 reporting losses. The Blue Book is updated each month and ranks companies by turnover, profit and profit conversion, listing directors' earnings for the past five years. Premium Club members also receive access to five other databases: the Multi-Site Database, produced in association with Virgate; the New Openings Database; the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database; the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database and the Who's Who of UK Hospitality. All Premium Clubs members will be offered a 20% discount on tickets to Propel paid-for events including Social Media for Profit (18 July), the Talent and Training Conference (1 October) and Restaurant Marketer and Innovator (two days in January 2025). Operators that are Premium Club members are also 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 supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

 

JD Wetherspoon chair Sir Tim Martin – margins are better, not expecting to increase prices further this year: JD Wetherspoon chair Sir Tim Martin has told Propel that margins are “better” and the business does not expect to make any further increases on food and drink this year because inflation has abated. However, Wetherspoon is paying £164m extra on labour costs due to the higher living wage, £38m more on repairs due to more expensive material costs and £16m on debt costs because of higher interest rates. Speaking following the company’s full-year update, Sir Tim said: “Margins are better although the company is more focused on profit, which is expected to be in line with market expectations.” Wetherspoon reduced the cost of breakfast last month at 78 of its sites, and in terms of pricing, Sir Tim said he did not expect any further increases on its menus this year. Sir Tim has again rallied the industry in the fight for tax equality with supermarkets and hopes the new government will reform parts of the planning system. “Before asking the government, the trade has to unite behind VAT equality, which is 100 times a more compelling argument than ‘rates reform’, which is a vague concept,” he added. “Lower excise duty is a strong argument, but it also lowers duty for supermarkets. Every pubco and sole trader should campaign for equality. For the first time, we also have a chancellor who understands the relationship between planning permission and the impact on the economy. Planning affects almost every expanding business and investment in the UK.” Sir Tim – ‘we have many potentially excellent sites in the pipeline’ ­– see Company News

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with an international luxury hotel group that is seeking a sales manager. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “You will be driving revenue and building client relationships. You will identify potential new business and clients by researching the market, create and implement a successful sales strategy, seek out opportunities to maximise profit, hit sales targets while acting as an ambassador for the brand, build relationships with travel companies, analyse market trends, build strong working relationships with partners around Europe and the Middle East, and work closely with all departments. The company is looking for a proactive, motivated sales manager with a proven track record in the leisure segment.” The salary is up to £60,000 and the position is based in London. For more information, email ed@corecruitment.com.

 

Exclusive – F1 Arcade completes $130m financing round to aid expansion: Kindred Concepts, the parent company of F1 Arcade, the Formula 1-licensed experiential brand, has completed a $130m (£101.2m) growth financing raise to aid its further expansion. The transaction, which was completed yesterday, was backed by Cheyne Capital, Liberty Media Corporation, Permira Credit and OakNorth. Backed by Formula 1 and Liberty Media, F1 Arcade opened its first venue in London in 2022, followed by Birmingham last November. In April this year, the brand launched its first US site, in Boston Seaport. Propel revealed in May that F1 Arcade was working with advisors Houlihan Lokey on the debt raise as it looks to open 30 locations globally by the end of 2027 – including further openings in the US and UK, as well as in Australia, Europe, the Far East and the Middle East. As part of its roll-out plan, F1 Arcade is set to open in Washington DC later this autumn, with a flagship site in Las Vegas to open next year. The company plans to launch multiple owned and operated sites in 2025, with a plan to launch five more in the US each year thereafter. The first franchise sites are also in development. Propel revealed earlier this year that the business had partnered with York-based consultancy The Franchising Centre to find potential international partners. The concept includes state-of-the-art F1 racing simulator experience, coupled with an “exceptional hospitality offering, perfect for groups, families or corporate entertainment”. Adam Breeden, founder and chief executive of F1 Arcade, said: “We are delighted with the outcome of this latest fundraise which will enable us to accelerate our global expansion. Building on the success we have seen for the F1 Arcade concept in both the UK and US, we are focused on building our pipeline of openings into 2026 and beyond.” Gareth Owen, director in Houlihan Lokey’ Capital Markets Group, said: “The competitive nature of this process highlights the strong investor demand for a brand of this calibre, despite challenging financing markets. The exceptional business acumen of Adam and his management team, together with the proven success of the sites in London, Birmingham, and Boston have attracted a sophisticated and high-quality group of investors.” The group’s flagship site in Las Vegas will become its biggest site to date. The concept will open at the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, which is attached to the destination’s Caesars Palace Las Vegas. Covering more than 21,000 square feet and spanning two floors, the site will feature a terrace offering views of the Las Vegas strip. The venue will also showcase a 41-foot-long bar and a 3,550 square-foot private room. 

JD Wetherspoon chair Sir Tim Martin – we have many potentially excellent sites in the pipeline: JD Wetherspoon chair Sir Tim Martin has told Propel the company has “many potentially excellent sites in the pipeline”. Wetherspoon will open a number of new sites in the next few months, including at Waterloo and Fulham Broadway stations in London, and Marlow in Buckinghamshire, while this year, the company has opened its first site at a holiday park, in partnership with Haven, and a pub at London Waterloo. Speaking following the company’s full-year trading update, Sir Tim said its new openings are “going well”. He added: “There’s less in number than in the past but we’ve many potentially excellent sites in the pipeline.” In terms of whether the company’s new £840m banking facility could be used for potential acquisitions, Sir Tim said: “In theory, yes. In practice, unlikely.” He put the record staff retention rate down to its staff at headquarters, including directors, spending a lot of time in the pubs and listening to their employees. “Hopefully, they have close relationships with the most important element of pubs – the people who work in them,” he said.

 

Loungers – we’ve taken significant steps to create the team and platform necessary for the next phase of our growth: Café bar operator Loungers has said that its last financial year was, to some extent, a year of transition from a people point of view, and that it took “significant steps to create the team and platform necessary for the next phase of our growth”. It said that at the end of the year to 21 April 2024, it also completed a wholesale reorganisation of the operations team map for its 226-strong Lounge concept, taking it to nine regions and 29 operating areas. Chief executive Nick Collins said: “We identified the need to materially increase our investment in learning and development, and the second half of the year saw the introduction of a number of initiatives that we expect to really kick in during FY25. As the business grows, it is imperative that we ensure best practice is shared across the business, learning as we go. We need to balance the requirement for training and operational consistency across our ever-growing estate, with the need for the business to retain its unique independent culture and personality. It has been pleasing to see staff turnover reduce across the year, albeit we recognise there is always more we can do. As the estate grows, it is critical the operating areas are kept to eight or nine sites, to allow the teams to deliver new openings while ensuring that we are applying the same level of operational intensity that we have delivered for more than 20 years. We have 72% of our operations team that were previously general managers or head chefs within the business, and this very high proportion of people being promoted from within is critical to our continued success. Other people-related investments this year included the introduction of our future operations manager programme and assistant manager and sous chef step-up programmes. On the community side, we introduced regional community managers to extend our local outreach, as part of our determination to make a positive impact on the areas in which we operate. All of these initiatives and investments are part of our clear ambition to be the number one choice for hospitality careers in the UK.”

 

Greene King launches trial of evolved Farmhouse Inns concept: Greene King, the Nick Mackenzie-led business, has launched the trial of an evolution of its Farmhouse Inns brand, Propel has learned. The evolution of the 69-strong brand is called Farmhouse Kitchen and combines carvery dining with an onsite café. After receiving a seven-figure investment, the former Farmhouse Inns site – located just off the A580/East Lancashire Road, Manchester, and formerly known as Applewood Farm – has become a new pilot restaurant. The company said the improved menu includes a combination of “great value roasted, carved and baked dishes, freshly cooked all day, giving guests more of what they love from the previous Farmhouse Inns offering but with the introduction of a café”. The move is part of the company’s ongoing strategy to evolve its brand portfolio. Nuala Gallagher, Farmhouse Kitchen brand director, told Propel: “We’re delighted to be able bring our Farmhouse Kitchen offering to the public. Our first pilot in Manchester is very much a trial site to enhance our offering in the value segment of the market. Farmhouse Kitchen is all about bringing people together around the nation’s kitchen table.”

 

Temper hires Julie Centracchio as new FD: Temper, the Imbiba-backed, Sam Lee de Lagonell-led modern barbecue brand, has hired Julie Centracchio, previously of JD Wetherspoon, Peach Pub Company, WatchHouse and Boston Tea Party, as its new finance director, Propel has learned. Centracchio has more than two decades of experience in senior roles within the hospitality industry, and most recently spent a period as finance director at coffee concept WatchHouse. She stepped down as chief financial officer at Boston Tea Party at the end of 2022. She joined the all-day dining business in autumn 2019 after more than two years as finance director at Peach Pub Company. This spring, Temper launched a sister, smash burger-focused concept – Temper Burger – on the former Patty & Bun site in White City. Propel understands that it is already looking at further sites in the capital for the concept, which offers smash burgers made with the same beef as its steaks. The company, which launched in 2017 and is operated under the Casper & Cole umbrella, opened its fifth Temper restaurant in the capital, in Merchant Square, Paddington, last year.

 

Roti King secures stand-alone site for Gopal’s Corner concept: Malaysian restaurant business Roti King has secured a stand-alone site for its Gopal’s Corner concept. Propel understands that Roti King has acquired the former Dirty Vegan site in Westfield London for an opening under the concept, which focuses on Malaysian Tamil cuisine. The three-strong Roti King currently operates three sites under the Gopal’s Corner name in the Market Halls in Victoria, Oxford Street and Canary Wharf. The concept’s menu includes a banana leaf rice meal, crispy rice pancakes called dosas, noodles, spicy curries and a flaky and buttery flatbread called roti canai. Roti King, which was founded by Malaysian chef Sugen Gopal, opened its first permanent eponymous site in London, in Doric Way near Euston in 2014, following its original location inside the Oriental City food hall (now Bang Bang Oriental) in Colindale. Roti King subsequently launched sites in Lower Marsh in Waterloo and in the Circus West Village part of the Battersea Power Station development. The company is set to open a fourth eponymous site later this year, and its first in the City, in Artillery Lane, just off Bishopsgate. Propel revealed last month that Ganan Kanagathurai, former chief executive of Itsu, had acquired a stake in Roti King and become the Malaysian restaurant concept’s chairman. He is also a non-executive director at Bubba Oasis, the all-day restaurant and bar concept. Kate Taylor, of DCL acted, for Westfield London.

 

Moto set to develop two new sites and 33 trading units as it reports turnover up to £1.07bn: Moto, the motorway services operator, is set to develop two new sites and 33 trading units, as it reported a rise in turnover. Last year, Moto’s turnover exceeded £1bn for the first time, and in the year to 27 December 2023, it grew further from £1,058,407,000 to £1,067,526,000. Of this, £456,122,000 was non-fuel turnover (2022: £404,768,000). Pre-tax profit dropped from £39,424,000 in 2022 to £36,866,000. However, the 2022 figure included £11,811,000 in exceptional items from HM Revenue & Customs, relating to the historic VAT treatment of gaming machines and a claim for an overpayment of VAT. Moto received no government grants (2022: £226,000). The group reported net assets of £352,000 (2022: £31,223,000) following the payment of £60m in dividends (2022: £199,092,000). Director Claire Catlin said: “The group is well-placed to benefit from recovery and growth in the UK economy. Traffic levels have returned to circa 97.4% of pre-covid levels. The group invested £39.4m in capital expenditure over the period. Investment was focused on the redevelopment of numerous sites, rolling out 35 new trading units across KFC and Pret A Manger. Alongside investment in our technology infrastructure to leverage future growth, and the purchase of land at two locations, both of which have full planning permission. The directors consider the financial position of the group to be in line with expectations given the structure of the group and its financial performance. Our vision is to transform the UK’s rest stop experience. During 2024, the business will continue to invest significant capital into site redevelopment and technology, as well as investing the development of two new sites and in the opening of approximately a further 33 new trading units, providing a higher and more assured returns.”

 

Liberum – disposal of Marston’s CMBC stake should support further momentum in the business: Sector analyst Anna Barnfather at Liberum has said that Marston’s £206m cash disposal of its remaining 40% stake in Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) is a positive strategic move for multiple reasons and should support further momentum in the business. Marston’s intends to use the proceeds to pay down bank debt, likely the unhedged portion of its £229.9m drawn bank facility, plus £40m private placement. Marston’s estimates that this would save £18m of interest payments annually, implying rate saving of 8.9%, with future bank debt likely to be refinanced at more favourable rates. Barnfather said: “The disposal of the remaining stake in CMBC is a positive strategic move for multiple reasons – 1) attractive valuation of 14.5 times EV/Ebitda versus Carlsberg/Britvic deal 13.6 times; 2) accelerates deleveraging bringing pro forma net debt to less than £1bn excluding leases, 3) broadly earnings neutral and 4) refocuses as pure play pub operator. Importantly this should improve visibility and transfer value back to shareholders. Marston’s continues to make strong progress in FY24E, with all metrics (like-for-likes, margin, cash flow and debt) moving in a positive direction with increasing velocity to trigger a re-rating. The disposal of its CMBC stake should support further momentum and we note the longer-term scope for upgrades with continued strong performance on the top line, and an acceleration of efficiencies rebuilding margin. Furthermore, we believe the new chief executive, Justin Platt, could add further clarity and confidence to the existing strategy and deleveraging at an investor day planned for the autumn. The shares still trade below their pre-covid range of 8.0 times-10.6 times, on CY24E EV/Ebitda of 7.3 times and look undervalued on circa 60% discount to net asset value per share of 95p. We believe this is largely because leverage remains comparably high although it is declining (to 6.8 times in FY24E, 6.0 times in FY25E, and 5.3 times in FY26E, hedged and 83% freehold backed). Our target price of 65p is based on 9.0 times multiple. We believe an improvement in operating free cash flow generation is the key to unlocking the equity value, reducing the reliance on ‘external’ factors (disposals and dividends) to bring absolute debt down further. Margin progression will be key.”

 

Windsor & Eton Brewery overfunding on latest crowdfunding campaign: Brewer and retailer Windsor & Eton Brewery is overfunding on its latest crowdfunding campaign after reaching its £200,002 target in just 24 hours. The company, which operates four bars in Windsor and is a supplier to more than 350 pubs, bars and hotels, has so far raised almost £220,000 from in excess of 80 investors through Seedrs. The campaign gave Windsor & Eton Brewery a pre-money valuation of £9m. The company said it would use £100,000 of the funds to secure a new pub and is already in discussions on a “large” site. A further £50,000 will be invested in sales and marketing, with the company aiming to run its first sustained brand building campaign under the banner of “Beers with Stories to Tell”. The final £50,000 will be invested on increasing the capacity of its brewery. Chairman and co-founder Will Calvert said: “We are delighted with the response from both existing and new investors. Fourteen years after we brought craft brewing back to the heart of this historic brewing town, we are so pleased that our supporters remain as excited about our plans as we are.” In 2021, the company launched a crowdfunding campaign and raised £762,963 from 561 investors. 

 

Wagamama to launch first brunch menu across selected sites, includes Grind link up: Wagamama, The Restaurant Group-owned brand, is to launch its first brunch menu into 22 of its sites across the UK, from next Wednesday (17 July). Brunch will be served at the selected Wagamama sites from 8.30am to 11.30am, with the brand opening to customers earlier than before. The company said highlights will include a chicken katsu waffle and a series of “morning baos” filled with a choice of bacon, sausage, vegan bacon or vegan sausage. The menu will also include sides such as Japanese-style corn fritters and bang bang hash browns. There will also be açaí bowls, Wagamama’s version of French toast and smashed croissants. The brand is also adding a selection of cocktails and mocktails. Kay Bartlett, chief marketing officer at Wagamama, said: “We’ve seen an increase in consumer demand for an all-day dining offering and appetite for brunch dishes. This announcement is in response to that, and we’re thrilled to introduce our Wagamama take on brunch. The decision to open our restaurants at 8.30am has involved a great amount of hard work and dedication from our brilliant teams and we’re all really proud and excited about this latest round of innovation and chapter in the Wagamama story.” Wagamama’s brunch menu will be available at its sites in London’s Bankside, Battersea Power Station, Bromley, Camden, Covent Garden, Kingston, Royal Festival Hall/Southbank, and Wimbledon, plus its restaurants in Ashford Designer Outlet, Clifton (Bristol), Cardiff Library, Dorchester, Guildford, Horsham, Tunbridge Wells, St Albans, Birmingham Brindley Place, Bolton, East Midlands Designer Outlet, West Bridgford, Sheffield Meadowhall, and Teesside. Wagamama also said it is also set to be open as a “quick coffee stop”, with the launching of a collaboration with sustainable, London-born coffee brand, Grind. This month, Wagamama and Grind will be going on the road with the “Grind bus”. 

 

Awesome Chips owner set to introduce new concept with Nottingham launch: Roni Dalal, owner of Belgian frites business Awesome Chips, is set to introduce a new concept with its Nottingham opening. The company, which currently has sites in Leicester, Wood Green in north London and the Bullring shopping centre in Birmingham, is preparing to launch in a former vape store at 16 Albert Street in Nottingham. The venue will be the first to have wings added to the menu, with a variety of rubs and sauces, and will be known as Awesome Chips and Wings. For added flavour, the fries will be served with a choice of two rubs or peppers from a list including cayenne pepper, masala pickle, barbecue and jerk – or simply salt and vinegar. There will also be 20 toppings and sauces with options such as Cajun, chipotle, mango chilli lime and ketchup – all made in-house. “Historically, we've only ran Awesome Chips stores, small stores for fast food, come in, collect and leave,” Dalal told Nottingham Live. “This store is a lot bigger, so we have put seating in and increased the menu as well. I don't feel certain sites or towns, you could just do chips and survive. I think Nottingham might be one of those, and that is why we have changed the concept to include chicken. We have looked at how we can increase the numbers in terms of having a complete meal rather than just having chips, and this is going to be our test.” Dalal, who has a target of 50 stores within the next seven years, previously owned a chain of 28 Zumo Juice Bars before selling the brand in 2007. Founded in 2015, Awesome Chips launched a franchise programme in January 2023.

 

Patrick Powell leaves Allegra and Midland Grand Dining Room posts: Former Chiltern Firehouse head chef Patrick Powell has left his posts at the Allegra and Midland Grand Dining Room venues in London. Both were projects with hotelier Harry Handlesman, who is also behind Booking Office 1869 at St Pancras and the restored St Pancras Hotel, and who first partnered with Powell seven years ago to open Allegra in Stratford. Powell was also in charge of the original menu for Booking Office 1869 before taking on the main restaurant at the St Pancras Renaissance, launching Midland Grand Dining Room, reports Hot Dinners. Powell has already left Midland Grand, while his last Allegra service is on Sunday (14 July). “The time has come for me to move on and I am hugely excited for the future and my next chapter,” Powell said.

 

Karak Chaii opens fourth store of 2024, four more in build: Birmingham Indian street food concept Karak Chaii has opened its fourth store of 2024, with four more in build. Karak Chaii has opened at 5 Royal George Buildings in Rugby, for its 18th site overall. Other openings this year have included launches in Coventry and Birmingham. “PPG has been long time partners with Karak Chaii and we are delighted to see the fourth store opening of 2024,” said franchise consultant Paolo Peretti, of Paolo Peretti Group. “It's going to be a busy year as Karak Chaii has shops in build in Plymouth, Leicester, Tooting in London and Bedford.” Peretti previously told Propel that the concept could “comfortably” open up to 80 more sites before exploring smaller formats.

 

Pizza Pilgrims to make Welsh debut next month: Pizza Pilgrims, the pizzeria brand, will open its first site in Wales next month. Propel revealed in March that the 24-strong, Imbiba-backed business was planning to launch in Cardiff in the former RBS premises at 1-4 High Street. The restaurant will welcome customers on Wednesday, 16 August. The pizzeria will have 90 covers inside and 48 outside and feature a fizzy water fountain as well as a giant pizza oven. “We’re over the moon to be joining Cardiff’s thriving restaurant scene,” said co-founder James Elliot. “The city has a fantastic Italian food heritage, and we can’t wait to bring a slice of Napoli to Cardiff. Our goal is to create a fun, welcoming pizzeria where people can enjoy great food and feel like they're on holiday in southern Italy.” In May, Pizza Pilgrims reported record results and laid out plans to expand into Scotland as well as Wales. In the year to 25 June 2023, revenue increased 37% to £28.7m (2022: £21.0m) and pre-tax profit more than doubled to £0.7m (2022: £0.3m). Ebitda before exceptional items was £2.4m (2022: £1.1m). Pizza Pilgrims said it typically opens six new sites each year and further sites are scheduled to open in London's King's Cross in November and in Edinburgh by December.

Sandwich Sandwich to launch second London location this year, confirms debut site in the capital will open next week: Bristol operator Sandwich Sandwich, which last October won the £100,000 top prize in the 2023 Uber Eats restaurant of the year awards, will launch a second London location this year and confirmed its debut site in the capital will open next week. The company, which operates three sites in Bristol, will open 1 Gresham Street on Thursday, 18 July, with delivery available exclusively on Uber Eats. Sandwich Sandwich, which was founded in 2012 and is operated by father-and-son duo Nicholas and Joshua Kleiner, previously said it plans to launch locations both across the UK and internationally, including ten in London over the next two to three years. Nicholas Kleiner said: “When we won the Uber Eats Restaurant of the Year award, we said the investment would help our ambitions to grow, but we didn’t imagine it would be quite so soon. We cannot wait to open our doors in London and see the public’s reaction to our freshly made, locally sourced sandwiches and our famous sweet and savoury treats.” It is understood that the brand’s second London location will be near London Bridge. Sandwich Sandwich, which earlier this year appointed former Comptoir Group chief executive Chaker Hanna as a non-executive director, is also preparing to take its first steps into dark kitchens with Uber Eats.

 

Restaurant Associates takes over operation of Maria G’s sites: Restaurant Associates has secured a contract to operate the Maria G’s brasseries business in London. Restaurant Associates, which is part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, is taking over from chef Robin Gill at the two sites in Fulham and Kensington. The sites are open to the public while located within Riverstone luxury living communities for the over-65s. There are also plans to open more sites under the concept. The new culinary offer at the two Maria G’s sites will be overseen by MasterChef: the Professionals winner,Steve Groves, who also recently crafted a menu with Restaurant Associates for the Design Museum in London. In the coming months, Restaurant Associates will also be introducing a series of culinary pop-ups with the likes of Ivan Tisdall-Downes, co-founder of Native, and celebrity chef Dipna Anand, who will take over the kitchens for special events. Matt Thomas, chief executive of Restaurant Associates, said: “This collaboration is built on our shared values of quality, first-class service, exceptional experiences and fabulous food. Maria G’s will embody the essence of a neighbourhood favourite, featuring a regularly changing, produce-led menu. We are thrilled to introduce this new chapter for Maria G’s.”

 

West African street food concept to open first permanent site today: West African street food concept Jollof Mama will open its first permanent site today (Thursday, 11 July). Founded in 2016, Jollof Mama joined street food market Kerb’s InKERBator scheme and went on to trade at markets across London. Actor Will Poulter even campaigned for it to receive a permanent location at Victoria Park Market, but its first permanent spot will instead be in Banana Warehouse at London’s Seven Dials. From there, husband-and-wife team Samuel Olorunfemi and Tieyan Eweka-Olorunfemi will offer traditional Nigerian flavours such as their signature Jollof rice and beef suya and what they claim is the “first African burrito”. They added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for us that will take our business to the next level. We see our food as a gateway to west African cuisine, so we’re really excited to be at an iconic location where we can bring Nigerian flavours to an even bigger and wider audience.” Jollof Mama will be followed later this month by another new trader at Seven Dials, with a permanent site for Italian comfort food brand Mezzo, inspired by chef Alice Di Chiara’s upbringing in Rome. Another InKERBator grauuate, Mezzo will offer dishes such as the Cacio e Pepe and Amatriciana from Cucumber Alley from Thursday, 25 July. A third InKERBator alumni, Dirty Bagels, will join Seven Dials in August, offering premium pulled pork marinated for ten hours and roasted for 12 before being shredded. Founded in 2015 by Simone Sapienza, it also operates a stall at Old Spitalfields Market.

 

Dom’s Subs co-founder launches first bar: Greg Boyce, co-founder of Dom’s Subs, the sandwich concept in London’s Hackney, has launched his first bar. Boyce, who founded Dom’s Subs with Dom Sheringham in Hackney Road in 2020, has opened Rasputins in London Fields with Simon Bazeley, who previously worked at Soho pub The Blue Posts. The site, the former Deep Cuts bar at 171 Mare Street, has been used by Dom’s Subs for the past year for baking its bread, reports Hot Dinners. Offering “hot dogs, beer and martinis”, there are also plans for it to sell Dom’s Subs sandwiches. In 2021, Boyce and Sheringham launched a second Dom’s Subs site, in a former Subway unit at 22 Bevis Marks in The City, which closed at the end of last year. The duo, who are also behind Lanark Coffee and also previously operated Visions Canteen in Shoreditch, have since launched two more Dom’s Subs sites in the Square Mile – a kiosk at 8 Ludgate Circus and a shop in the former Earls Sandwiches unit at 7 Cullum Street in Leadenhall.

 

Flip Out launches new membership scheme: Flip Out, the UK-based trampolining concept that is operated here by We Do Play, has launched a new membership scheme. Costing £15.50 a month per child, it includes a complimentary spectator pass per visit; 10% off treats and drinks; 20% off birthday party packages; and the option to bring a friend for free every month. Richard Beese, co-owner of We Do Play, said: “Our new premium membership gives parents the chance to get their kids active, entertained and having fun for two whole hours every day at one of our parks across the UK. We are proud to say that Flip Out is the only attraction group offering such a cost-cutting package at the moment – we have this summer covered.” The memberships have a minimum three-month term. Prices are slightly higher at Flip Out Basingstoke (£16.50) and Canary Wharf (£18.50). We Do Play operates 35 Flip Outs in the UK alongside five sites for crazy golf concept Putt Putt Social. In May, Propel exclusively revealed that We Do Play had signed an exclusive deal to launch Canadian interactive gaming concept Activate Games here. Beese said it is seeking at least 30 prime sites to roll it out, with the first expected to open by early 2025. 

 

MJMK and Santiago Lastra confirm September launch for Fonda restaurant: London bar and restaurant operator MJMK and Mexican chef Santiago Lastra have confirmed a September launch for their new Mayfair restaurant called Fonda. The two previously joined up to launch Kol in London’s Marylebone, in October 2020. Opening in Heddon Street, Fonda will offer regional Mexican cooking with dishes such as raw tuna with pink mole, tomatoes and pine nuts; and confit whole scallops on a gooseberry, sesame and burnt habanero salsa with a freshly made tortilla. Drinks will include four varieties of agave and wine from lesser-known regions and grapes. Founded in 2018 by Jake Kasumov and Marco Mendes, MJMK opened its debut site, Casa do Frango, in London Bridge. Since then, the group has launched Kol with Lastra, Lisboeta with Nuno Mendes, and a further three Casa do Frango sites.