Exclusive – Tossed to go down franchise route once more as it eyes national presence: Healthy eating brand Tossed, which operates 13 stores in Central and Greater London, has unveiled plans for a nationwide growth and is set to welcome franchise partners once more to share in its “innovative tech-led approach” and scale across the country, Propel has learned. The move follows four years of the brand re-establishing itself in the capital, and off the back of its best year of trading for the 12 months to 29 September 2024, with record sales and profitability. Neil Sebba, managing director of Tossed, said: “We have created a concept in London that resonates with guests who want to eat something fresh, filling and healthy. Everything we do is made fresh to order, fast, and we are able to offer this at a competitive, accessible price. As we look around the country, we see huge demand for a healthy alternative in the quick service fast-food market and strongly believe Tossed is ideally positioned to solve this. Our store fit-out model provides attractive returns for prospective franchisees and will work in all sorts of different store formats and location types, particularly those with high lunchtime footfall. Prospective partners will need to be ambitious on their growth plans but must note that we have extremely high operating standards. All our stores have five-star environmental health officer ratings, and we will expect our franchisees to operate to the same level.” Tossed has been working with franchise consultant Andy Hulbert, of Bee Smart, on its proposals and sourcing and onboarding franchisees. Sebba said: “With his support, we have developed a fully supported offering designed to support the onboarding of new partners, the acquisition of new stores, a robust training programme and launch marketing. We look forward to welcoming our first new partners in due course.” Last month, Propel reported that sales for the 53 weeks to 29 September 2024 for Tossed grew 22% to £9.07m, with further growth anticipated in 2025. The company posted adjusted Ebitda of £378,000 for the period, increased from £53,000 the previous year. The business is privately owned, with directors Sebba and Angelina Harrison having acquired the brand in the summer of 2020. Tossed previously franchised pre-covid, partnering with Welcome Break for several sites before halting those operations as “it made sense not to be in there anymore”. Sebba’s presentation at the Propel Multi-Club Conference last September is one of 100 videos from eight conferences in 2024 that are available to Premium Club members. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com if you are a Premium member and would like this video. Premium Club members also get a 20% discount on tickets to all Propel events in 2025.

 

Propel 500 report – delivery and QSR strongest performers overall: Delivery remains a standout performer, while quick service restaurants continue to perform well, writes Mark Bentley, business development director at Hospitality Data Insights, in the introduction to the Propel 500 report. The comprehensive report showcases the UK’s 500 leading hospitality operators ranked by turnover, providing more than 90,000 words of analysis – delving into company histories, leadership structures, site numbers and financial performance, making it an essential resource for industry professionals. Bentley’s is just one article in a report that is delivered in two parts: an introductory PDF, featuring deep dives into the top 25 companies and 6,500 words of insight from Propel’s expert writers, and a fully searchable Excel sheet, offering easy access to all the data. Further analysis includes Mark Wingett’s exploration of mergers and acquisitions shaping the Top 500’s future, Tim Street’s view of the UK’s franchise market and Phil Pemberton’s insights into experiential leisure as a hospitality cornerstone. Katherine Doggrell examines developments in UK hotels, while Maria Vanifatova, founder of Meaningful Vision, analyses trends in QSRs. Together, the Propel 500 companies generate more than £30bn in turnover across 51,000 sites, and the report spans seven key segments: pubs and bars, hotels, quick service restaurants (QSR), casual dining, cafe and bakery, experiential leisure and fine dining. A list of these operators can be discovered now by visiting the Propel 500 page on Propel’s website. Propel 500 is available now for £595 plus VAT. Existing Premium Club members can purchase it for £395 plus VAT. Premium Club members will receive the report for free on Friday, 28 February at 9am. Order the Propel 500 report today by emailing: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com.

 

Explore the vital role of community engagement at Restaurant Marketer & Innovator, open for bookings: Explore the vital role of community engagement and creating meaningful connections with customers at the Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit. Rosie Prior, managing director at Me:Mo, will talk to Lucy Harwood, brand and marketing director at Boston Tea Party, Russell Danks, managing director at Laine Pub Co, and Lesley Mcilroy, sales and marketing director at Ole & Steen, and reveal effective strategies for leveraging physical spaces to create meaningful connections with customers and foster loyalty to ultimately drive increased repeat visitation. Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit is returning for its seventh edition, and tickets are now on sale. The event is a partnership between Propel and Think Hospitality, aiming to build a community, promote the sharing of ideas, recognise talent and define the future of eating out. Bookings are now open for the two-day conference as the centrepiece of the January event series, taking place on 21 and 22 January at One Moorgate Place in London. The conference will focus on technology, marcomms strategies, proposition, brand building, the latest market insights, digital developments and diversification of revenue streams. It is designed for customer-focused chief executives, marketers, technology and innovation teams, as well as investors wanting to better understand the latest marketing, innovation and development opportunities to build market share and grow. For the full speaker schedule, click here. A one-day ticket for operators is £320 plus VAT while a two-day ticket is £575 plus VAT. Supplier tickets are £420 plus VAT for one day and £725 plus VAT for two. Propel Premium Club members receive a 20% discount. To book, email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com.

 

Signature Group director – the phrase we are using is ‘survive 25’, we have no choice but to raise prices: Louise Maclean, director of sales and marketing at the Signature Group, the 24-strong Scottish hospitality business, has said that the company will have no option but to increase prices of every single one of its products and cut back hours in order to survive a £1.7m bill thanks to chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget. Maclean told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We are looking at a price increase on 1 April to reflect the cost pressures that are coming into the business, both from the Budget announcements in 2024, but also from price rises that out suppliers are passing on to us. We have no choice but to pass onto the customer, which is what none of us want to do. We don’t want to see increased prices at the till, but there is no choice because if we don’t, we’re going to be a loss-making business in 2025.” She said that the firm’s suppliers’ costs have increased because of the Budget, which are passed on to venues. She said: “We have our own cost pressures, which is £1.7m. We cannot survive as a business unless we pass them on to the customer.” The price of every single product will have to go up by around 10% if the company wants to keep going, Maclean added, highlighting that the hospitality sector is seeing a “raft” of closures, and people are “pulling back hours”. She said: “For us to maintain profitability from 2024, we have to pass on the price rise to the consumer and ensure sales don’t drop. So, it’s a big, big gamble. I don’t want to see £20 fish and chips in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket, but that’s what we are looking at. The phrase we are using is ‘survive 25’ These are the battles we’re facing.” Last month, Signature Group founder Nic Wood told Propel that the group, which has venues across Scotland, is considering expanding into England, and has the structure in place for another four or five openings.

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a specialist procurement business that is seeking a category manager to join the team. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The position will be responsible for all fresh produce and dairy categories by implementing procurement strategies, managing supply base, negotiating the best deals and seeking for opportunities to increase and improve the categories.” The salary is up to £65,000 and the position is based in Manchester. For more information, email mikey@corecruitment.com.

 

Exclusive – Crepeaffaire’s future secured via acquisition by new founder-led vehicles: The future of Crepeaffaire, the crêpes concept, has been secured after it was acquired by two new vehicles – Crepe Union and Crepe Trading, led by its founder, Daniel Spinath, and chief executive, Allen Kerslake, Propel has learned. The acquisition, which is understood to have been carried out via a restructure of the business, completed yesterday (Tuesday, 14 January). It is understood to assure the development and expansion of the brand in the UK and internationally across a variety of existing and new distribution channels. In the UK, Crepe Trading has seven sites plus two in the pipeline, while Crepe Union has two franchise sites plus one in the pipeline. Internationally, Crepe Union has 17 franchise sites across the GCC and Netherlands, and a US launch is planned for the second quarter of this year. The majority of the UK equity stores, owned and operated under Crepe Trading, will become a franchisee of Crepe Union, while the existing UK and international franchise business will continue in its current form under Crepe Union. The combined businesses are understood to have a pipeline of new initiatives in place, including UK expansion and the brand’s planned launch in the US. Spinath told Propel: “The split between the UK and international business activities under the two companies makes strategic sense. This structure positions us optimally for growth in an increasingly popular sector.” Kerslake added: “We are pleased to announce this new venture with Crepeaffaire. The brand has a long and successful trading history in its UK home market with enormous growth potential.” The Business Growth Fund (BGF) invested £2m in the business in 2018. Crepeaffaire features in the UK Food & Beverage Franchisor Database, the latest edition of which was sent to Premium Club members last month, featuring 50 new entries and now has a total of 330. 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.

 

Honest Greens secures new investment to aid its expansion across Europe: Honest Greens, the Spain-based healthy fast-casual restaurant brand which is planning a launch into the UK market, has secured new investment to support its goal to “transform the dining landscape across Europe”. Act III Holdings, the investment firm led by Ron Shaich – the founder and former chairman and chief executive of Panera Bread –has made a strategic investment in Honest Greens, which operates from 30 locations across major cities in Spain and Portugal. Act III Holdings has more than $1bn in assets dedicated to partnering with consumer-facing brands. Propel revealed in 2023 that Honest Greens was looking to enter the UK market, and it is thought to be still looking for sites in London. That same year, it appointed Johny Fraser, formerly of Joe & The Juice, as its UK managing director to oversee its launch here. He was recently promoted to chief operating officer of the entire Honest Greens business. Honest Greens stated: “We’ve always believed in the power of food to bring people together and create positive change. Act III Holdings’ investment marks a significant milestone for Honest Greens as the company looks to expand its footprint and enhance its operations. With Act III’s capital and support, we will amplify our impact, bring Honest Greens to even more countries, and redefine what it means to eat well.” Shaich added: “We are excited and honoured to partner with the Honest Greens team. The brand represents the future of dining: the food is delicious, appeals to the health-focused consumer, and is deeply connected to its communities. The team at Honest Greens has mastered a very complex supply chain and operation, enabled by proprietary technology, to produce chef-quality fare that is powerfully resonating with consumers. We see immense potential in what the team has built and are thrilled to support Honest Greens as the company grows and makes an even greater impact on the food space.”

 

JD Wetherspoon to open four more pubs on holiday parks as it expands Haven partnership: JD Wetherspoon is expanding its partnership with UK holiday park operator Haven with four new on-site pubs. In January 2024, Wetherspoon announced an exclusive partnership with Haven and followed this with the opening of its first site on a holiday park, The Five Stones at Primrose Valley in Filey, North Yorkshire. Wetherspoon is now expanding that partnership to the Haven sites at Cleethorpes Beach in Lincolnshire, Devon Cliffs in Devon, Kent Coast in Kent and Haggerston Castle in Northumberland. Haven has invested £6.7m into the expansion of the new pubs as part of a broader £8.3m investment into its food and drink offerings for 2025, which also includes two new Burger Kings, at Hopton Holiday Park in Great Yarmouth in Norfolk and Lakeland Holiday Park in Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria. Since opening last February, The Five Stones has seen more than 168,000 draught pints poured, 25,000 bottles of beer and cider served and nearly 200,000 soft drinks enjoyed by guests. Almost 400,000 meals have also been served. Haven chief executive Simon Palethorpe said: “We are delighted to expand our partnership with Wetherspoon. The success of The Five Stones at Primrose Valley reflects our ongoing efforts to grow and enhance our food and beverage partnerships and offerings, and we look forward to bringing this experience to even more locations across the UK for our guests and holiday homeowners to enjoy.” Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson added: “Our pub at Primrose Valley has proven a great success and we are confident that the four new pubs will be welcomed by guests and owners.” Following the announcement of the link-up last January, Palethorpe told Propel it was “just the beginning” of a partnership between the two businesses.

 

KFC hires Scott Mezvinsky as new global CEO: KFC has hired Scott Mezvinsky, until recently the president of Taco Bell North America and international, as its new global chief executive. Mezvinsky, who will take up his new role on 1 March, will report to parent company Yum! Brands’ chief executive David Gibbs and replaces Sabir Sami, who is stepping down at the end of February. In his new role, Mezvinsky will assume global responsibility for brand strategy and performance of the KFC division, which represents 50% of Yum!’s divisional operating profit. He has been with Yum! for 20 years, including as Taco Bell’s global chief strategy and financial officer, leading the finance, development and strategy functions to help reach the company’s goal of becoming a $20bn brand. Gibbs said: “Scott is one of Yum!’s most respected leaders, with more than 20 years of experience with the company in areas including operations, strategy, finance and development and a strong track record of delivering impactful results. In his most recent role as president of Taco Bell North America and international, Scott has helped implement Taco Bell’s well-known bold and exciting ideas and ensured that global restaurant teams and customers have an industry-leading experience.” Mezvinsky said: “I am excited to play a role in continuing to strengthen and accelerate the growth of this legendary brand in virtually every corner of the world.” KFC operates more than 30,000 restaurants in 150 countries and territories around the world, including circa 1,000 in the UK.

 

Cineworld to shut Nottingham site: Cineworld is set to shut its site in Nottingham next month. The multiplex is located in the Cornerhouse complex in the city and features 14 screens. A statement from the company said: “After years of providing movie lovers with a place to feel more, we regret to inform you that, following the landlord's decision to reject our proposals, we will be closing on 2 February. We hope to see you again soon in one of our cinemas.” Cineworld completed a restructuring plan last year, with cost saving initiatives including the reduction of rents to market level at several UK sites. It also delisted from the London Stock Exchange after its share price collapsed and was taken over by its lenders through a debt-for-equity swap. In December, two former Cineworld sites, in Poole and Castleford, were taken over by Vue International.

 

Starbucks – ‘buy something or leave’: Starbucks has said it is reversing rules for its cafes in North America that allowed people to use its facilities even if they had not bought anything. The changes, which are set to come into force from Monday, 27 January, are a U-turn from a policy introduced six years ago that allowed people to linger and use toilets without making a purchase. The move is part of a plan announced by new chief executive Brian Niccol as he tries to tackle flagging sales. Its new code of conduct, which also addresses harassment and bans smoking and outside alcohol, aims to make Starbucks stores more welcoming. “Implementing a coffeehouse code of conduct is a practical step that helps us prioritise our paying customers who want to sit and enjoy our cafes,” a Starbucks spokesman told the BBC. “These updates are part of a broader set of changes we are making to enhance the cafe experience as we work to get back to Starbucks.” The company said the new rules will be displayed at every store and staff will be instructed to ask anyone who violates the code of conduct to leave. Other changes set to be introduced this month include offering one free refill of hot or iced coffee to customers who buy a drink to consume on the premises.

 

Mowgli plans Norwich opening: Mowgli, the Nisha Katona-led, TriSpan-backed business, is planning to open a site in Norwich. The 25-strong business, which opened its second site in London, at Westfield Stratford, last November, plans to open in the former Superdry clothing store in Norwich’s Chantry Place. Mowgli, which made its debut in the capital in Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, in November 2021, will next open on the ex-Café Royale site in Nelson Street, Newcastle, this spring.

 

Neos Hospitality hires James Keeton as new FD: Nightclub and bar operator Neos Hospitality, formerly Rekom UK, has hired James Keeton as its new finance director. Keeton joins the 19-strong business after just over two years as European finance director of TEG Europe, the European subsidiary of the global live entertainment, ticketing and technology business. Earlier this month, Neos announced it was to bring its après ski themed party bar brand, Barbara’s Bier Haus, to Bournemouth, having acquired the former Revolution site in Christchurch Street. The acquisition takes the Neos estate to 19 sites and further expands its presence in the south of the UK, running alongside the company’s existing venues in Bournemouth – Cameo and My. Neos is also set to transform its Pryzm site in Bristol into a “next generation split-experience party bar venue” as it implements its “progressive business strategy”. The venue closed on New Year’s Eve to undertake a £2.5m refurbishment, reopening at the end of this month. The transformation will see the venue divided into two new spaces: Barbara’s Bier Haus, which will make its debut on the ground and first floors of the building in March, and Circuit, a “modern late-night venue” scheduled for opening at the end of January. 

 

Surrey and Hampshire McDonald’s franchisee reports ‘significant’ turnover boost driven by three new store openings, increased demand and new pricing: McDonald’s franchisee MLS Operations has reported a “significant” turnover boost in the year to 31 December 2023 driven by three new store openings, increased demand and new pricing. The business started the year operating 15 restaurants within Surrey and Hampshire and finished it with 18. The company’s turnover increased from £59,930,069 in 2022 to £73,411,723. Pre-tax profit more than doubled from £240,837 to £662,939, despite a costs increase of more than £4m and an additional £7m in administration expenses. Dividends of £99,000 were paid (2022: £108,000). Owner Mark Schweizer, who started as a part-time crew member with the company in 1981 before rising through the ranks, said: “Despite the challenges encountered during the year, the company has demonstrated resilience and a strong commitment to growth. In 2023, the company achieved a turnover of £73m, representing a significant increase from the previous year’s £60m. This growth was driven by increased market demand, inflation adjusted new selling prices and the opening of three new stores. Additionally, major refurbishment work was completed on three existing stores, enhancing the overall customer experience. The net assets of the company were £3.3m (2022: £3.2m) at the balance sheet date, reflecting the solid position of the company from a solvency and liquidity perspective. This strong balance sheet provides a foundation on which the company can continue to grow and prosper. The company plans to continue its expansion by acquiring more stores and invest in innovative technologies to enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.” Schweizer’s roles with McDonald’s included operations director and head of restaurant services, before he become a franchisee in 2017.

 

Ottolenghi to make international debut this month: London restaurant and deli operator Ottolenghi is to make international debut, in Switzerland, later this month. Ottolenghi Geneva at Mandarin Oriental will open on Thursday, 30 January. The restaurant will be inspired by the ethos of the group’s London restaurant Rovi, and “will champion a vegetable-centric menu, bold flavours and a focus on fermentation and cooking over fire”. The venue will be helmed by head chef Maxime Martin, who trained in London with the company’s executive chef, Neil John Campbell. Last month, Ottolenghi reported like-for-like sales increased 7% for the year ending 31 March 2024 as turnover rose to a record £30,881,763 compared with £27,793,486 the previous year. The group, which operates seven sites under its eponymous brand and the Nopi and Rovi restaurants in London, posted a pre-tax loss of £941,725 compared with a profit of £769,671 the year before. The company will open a new UK site, in London’s Richmond, this spring and said it continues to explore expansion in the capital. 

 

Chickpea Group confirms February opening for seventh pub with rooms: Chickpea Group, the hospitality business founded by siblings Ethan and Jordan Davids along with Tommy Tullis, has confirmed its seventh pub with rooms – and tenth site overall – will open next month. The group acquired the Manor House Inn, located in the village of Ditcheat in Somerset, last spring. Following a “lengthy and sensitive renovation of a historic pub dating to the 1600s”, it will open on Saturday, 1 February. The team has redesigned the upstairs to add four bedrooms above the pub and a further five in the courtyard outbuilding to the rear. The inside will have around 80 covers for drinks and dining, with a further 100 outside in the garden. The old skittle alley has been opened up to hold more covers, a dedicated “Nole” pizza kitchen has been added and bifold doors will lead on to a new outside terrace. The kitchen will be led by head chef Jamie McDougall, who joined the group in 2022 and has since held the same role at the award-winning Bell & Crown in Zeals. He will lead a menu of dishes including English rose veal liver with mash, onions, greens and gravy; Chicksgrove beef and stout pie with mash and gravy; and whole Cornish seabass with agretti, tardive and caper butter. “We are excited to head west and get stuck into the Somerset food and drink scene,” said Ethan Davids. “The Manor House Inn is a truly beautiful pub with cosy nooks and plenty of outside space and offers everything we look for in a Chickpea country pub.”

  

UK arm of Motel One turns first profit since covid, turnover up by more than a third: The UK arm of Motel One, the Munich-headquartered business that operates five hotels across London, Manchester and Newcastle, turned its first profit since covid in the year to 31 December 2023 and saw its turnover increase by more than a third. A pre-tax loss of £2,467,646 in 2022 turned into a profit of £4,204,733 – the company’s first profit since 2019. Turnover was up 36.8% from £23,575,353 to £32,255,148. Ebitda increased from £310,360 to £5,410,614, although the company said the 2022 figure was “adjusted by low value assets directly expensed”. Occupancy rate was up from 59.4% to 68.0% and yield per room rose from £87.20 to £97.99. No dividend was paid (2022: nil), resulting in a credit to reserves of £2,980,886 (2022: debit to reserves of £1,991,536). Post year-end, an inter-group business transfer saw the employees, assets, liabilities, licences and contracts for the Motel One hotel Royal Exchange Manchester switch from M1 RE Manchester to Motel One (UK), for the company’s fifth operating site. Directors Armin Rodel and Stefan Lenze said: “In 2023, the company exceeded pre-covid performance levels. Both higher average room rates and higher occupancy levels led to an increase in turnover of 36.8% compared with the prior year. With fairly stable costs, the increase in turnover dropped through to the Ebitda. After the business transfer from beginning of 2024 onwards, the company operates five hotels with 1,473 rooms. The expected ongoing positive development of the hotel business with slightly higher occupancy and pricing will also lead to higher Ebitda levels. For Motel One London Tower Hill, a major redesign of the hotel is ongoing, which will temporarily reduce the availability of rooms. Overall, all five hotels will significantly contribute to the Ebitda of the company.”

 

De Nadas set to open fourth London site with new central kitchen, open to franchising opportunities: De Nadas – the pastry-based Argentinian concept from chef Nico Buyo, former Kerrang! magazine editor Ñako Martinez and hospitality consultant Annabel Fox – is set to open a fourth London location. De Nadas will later this month open a 2,000 square-foot commercial kitchen at 272 Posyer Street in Bethnal Green. The outlet will join the business’ locations in Notting Hill’s Golborne Road, Shoreditch’s Rivington Street and Stoke Newington’s Church Street, and will see De Nadas move its central kitchen from its Golborne Road shop to enable it to increase production. As well as distributing higher volumes of empanadas to its existing shops, the new kitchen will allow De Nadas to roll-out further permanent sites across London, develop its catering offering and opening the door to franchising opportunities. With its empenadas all shaped-by-hand, De Nadas offers more than 15 varieties with meat, sweet, vegetarian and plant-based fillings, all made with 100% Argentinian dough. Martinez said: “We’re excited to start the year off with a shiny new kitchen and serve hungry east Londoners through a multi-purpose site. Not only is this our fourth shop in just over two years, but it also marks the start of the next stage in our evolution.”

 

Tahola acquired by Ometis: Tahola, a data consultancy firm specialising in the hospitality sector, has been acquired by Ometis, a provider of data integration, governance and analytics solutions. Over two decades, Tahola has worked with many of the UK's most recognised hospitality brands, helping enhance customer experience and drive growth. “This marks an exciting new chapter for both companies,” said Ross Greig, chairman of Ometis. “The hospitality sector is evolving rapidly, and businesses need robust data solutions more than ever.” Tahola co-founder Simon Blackbourne added: “Having founded Tahola over 20 years ago, I've seen firsthand how critical data has become to hospitality businesses. Joining forces with Ometis means we can offer businesses even more comprehensive solutions while maintaining the personal service we both value.”

 

Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant launched in partnership with MJMK makes first international play: Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant Kol, launched last summer in partnership with London bar and restaurant operator MJMK, is making its first international play. The restaurant, which is the brainchild of chef Santiago Lastra, will launch a 14-day residency at the Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in St Moritz next month. “I’m looking forward to cooking in such a historic and quality-conscious hotel and bringing Mexican soul to the Swiss Alps,” said Santiago, who launched Kol in London’s Marylebone in October 2022. “I believe there’s a great brand synergy between Badrutt’s Palace and our ethos at Kol and I’m excited to cook in one of my favourite landscapes – the snowy mountains.” Last summer, Santiago partnered with MJMK for a second time to launch Fonda in London’s Mayfair.

 

The Padel Club set to expand with Knutsford site: The Padel Club is set to open a site in Knutsford, Cheshire. The company, which was founded by Kris Ball in 2020, operates sites in nearby Wilmslow and in Gloucester and is also opening a venue in TraffordCity in Manchester. The Padel Club is now planning to add to its portfolio with a club at Booths Park in Knutsford. The company has partnered with property owner Bruntwood to create four new covered courts. Booths Park already has an integrated fitness and well-being offering, including Peloton bike studio. A planning application will be submitted shortly. Ball said: “Cheshire has been the first home of The Padel Club, and the recent expansion to TraffordCity and, more recently, Gloucester underscores our serious desire to be the leader in padel – not only in Cheshire – but across the country.” Among the company’s backers is former Everton and Manchester City player Joleon Lescott.

 

Doncaster bakery concept set for growth under new ownership: Doncaster bakery concept Rhodes of Thorne is set for growth under new ownership, backed by a £250,000 loan from Finance for Enterprise. Rhodes of Thorne, which has two retail locations in the South Yorkshire city, has been taken over by former teacher Zobeena Amin, who succeeds previous owners Gail and Steven Jackson, who are retiring having run the business for 18 years. Amin aims to grow the wholesale side of the bakery, improve supply chain efficiencies and introduce a new range of occasion cakes. She is also exploring additional store locations. She said: “I am excited about the prospect of owning my own business. There are many opportunities for Rhodes of Thorne to increase its brand awareness and customer base.”

 

Dough Hands secures second permanent kitchen residency: Dough Hands, the neo-Neapolitan pizza concept from Hannah Drye, has secured a second permanent kitchen residency. Dough Hands has taken over the kitchen at The Old Nun’s Head in Nunhead, south London, except on Sundays, when the pub serves its traditional roasts. The pub has space for 321 people across two floors. Drye’s concise menu of 12-inch pizzas include the Jode (Nduja and hot honey with stracciatella and basil), Shroomy (soy roasted mushrooms with taleggio cheese, tarragon and garlic) and OG (pepperonis and jalapeños with parmesan). “We’ve got an incredible team who loves making pizza, and I want that to shine through in everything we do,” Drye said. “Our menu and our messaging is all about good vibes and creativity.” Founded in 2020, Dough Hands also has a residency at The Spurstowe Arms in Hackney.

New all-day pan-Asian restaurant to replace Sole Club in Glasgow: Extra_Ordinary, a new all-day pan-Asian restaurant from chef Tobias Fiegel, is set to open in Glasgow, on a former Six by Nico site. Extra_Ordinary, which will serve a mix of Japanese, Korean and Chinese cuisines, will open in the former Sole Club site at 1,132 Argyle Street, Finnieston, on Friday, 31 January. Australian chef Fiegel has worked in some of Sydney’s most recognised spots, including Sean’s Panorama, Black Star Pastry and Edition Coffee Roasters. He also worked in Scandinavia – at Restaurant Geist, Geranium in Copenhagen and Restaurant Ask in Finland – before moving to Scotland to work for Stuart Ralston at Aizle and Nico Simeone at Six by Nico. He said: “Opening Extra_Ordinary is an exciting opportunity offered to me by Nico Simeone that enables me to combine my passion for various Asian cuisines and share them with the people of Glasgow.” Sole Club opened in February 2024 on the site of the original Six by Nico.

Award-winning Bristol fried chicken concept secures first restaurant site: Gurt Wings, the award-winning Bristol fried chicken concept, has secured its first restaurant site in the city. The concept, which was founded by James (Gurty) Mitchell, will open the site next month at Wapping Wharf. Mitchell said: “Gurt Wings will be open slinging chicken seven days a week. We have a confirmed delivery service, shelves full of Gurt sauces and merchandise, and indoor and outdoor seating. We're hoping to be up, running and providing you with the freshest quality fried chicken around by February.”