US chicken brand founded by basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal targets UK expansion through franchising, with plans ‘far exceeding’ 100 sites: A US chicken brand founded by basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal has targeted UK expansion through franchising and told Propel is it has plans “far exceeding” 100 sites here. Founded by O’Neal in 2018, in partnership with JRS Hospitality and Authentic Brands Group, Big Chicken began franchising in 2021 and has since grown to circa 35 sites in the States. Big Chicken tested the water in the UK by opening a concession within Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena in May 2024, which only operates during events in the arena and has a limited menu. “The site in Manchester has been a fantastic success,” the brand’s franchise consultant, Whitney Myrus, told Propel. “We are in active discussions with prospective franchisees who are interested in securing area development rights across the UK. There are tremendous opportunities with non-traditional arena, stadium and similar types of venues, and we have a strong relationship with Oak View Group, the owner and operator of Co-op Live. However, Big Chicken is made for the high street. In non-traditional venues, we need to tailor the menu to support the surge of crowds, while on the high street, you are able to experience the entire menu and engage with the brand on a much more personal level. In terms of total operating locations in the UK, our plans far exceed 100 locations. At the moment, it is easy to call out the capital as an obvious target, but we are very interested in what every city across the country has to offer.” As well as an affordable menu using “bold flavours and premium ingredients”, Myrus said Big Chicken’s point of difference revolves around its celebrity founder. “Having an NBA legend as your founder gives the brand an immediate sense of excitement, credibility and a fun, approachable personality,” he said. “Shaq’s personal involvement in the brand brings an authentic and larger-than-life appeal. Big Chicken also embeds Shaq’s personality and story into the brand. Menu items are inspired by Shaq’s life, childhood and preferences, making the brand personal and relatable.” O’Neal added: “Growing up, my family didn’t have a lot of money, but we had something priceless: my momma’s love and her ability to turn simple ingredients into something magical. All my friends would come over to the house and gather around the kitchen table, crack jokes and tell stories, and then my mom would bring out her famous fried chicken. The room always went quiet, because everybody started digging in. Those were some of the best moments of my life, and I started Big Chicken in the hopes of bringing those same special moments to you and your family and friends.” Big Chicken will feature in the next UK Food & Beverage Franchisor Database, the latest edition of which was sent to Premium Club members in December, with 330 entries. 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.

 

More than 400 booked for first Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2025: More than 400 people have booked a place for the first Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2025. The all-day conference takes place on Thursday, 20 March, at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in London’s Kensington. Operators can book up to two free places per company while Premium subscribers who are operators can book up to four free places. To book, email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com. Propel managing director Paul Charity said: “The event just gets more and more popular, with huge demand from operators who want to hear from the brightest and best in the sector. As usual, delegates will be hearing from three of the most promising companies emerging in the sector, which on this occasion will be Atis, Beefy Boys and Treetop Golf, as well as sector leaders from companies such as Wagamama, Wingstop, Dishoom, Peach Pubs, Lane7, Clays and We Do Play.” For the full speaker schedule, click here.

 

Premium Club members to receive new searchable and segmented New Openings Database and videos from Restaurant Marketer & Innovator tomorrow: The next Propel New Openings Database will be sent to Premium Club members tomorrow (Friday, 7 February), at midday. The database will show the details of 268 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 15,168-word report on the 268 new additions to the database. The database is segmented into seven categories – cafe bakery, casual dining, experiential leisure, fine dining, hotels, pubs and bars, and quick service restaurants – making it even easier for users to search. The updated database includes new openings in the experiential leisure sector such as The Reserve, offering evening ranger tours at Chester Zoo, Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition, an immersive exhibition opening in London, and Activate, which is opening four more UK locations. Premium Club members are to be given access to the entire recording of the 2025 Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit Conference. Members will be sent 26 separate video presentations, featuring more than 60 speakers, tomorrow at 9am. Premium Club members also receive access to five other databases: the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, the Multi-Site 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 Excellence in Pub Retail (May 2025) and discounts on specialist sector reports such as the Propel 500. 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.

 

New report reveals number of UK nightclubs falls to 851 with total economic contribution down 16% to £1,232m: The number of UK nightclubs fell from 875 to 851 in 2024 with their total economic contribution down 16% from £1,463m to £1,232m, according to new findings. The position was revealed by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) as part of its 2025 Electronic Music report, which showed electronic music contributes £2.4bn to the economy. The report, produced in collaboration with Audience Strategies and supported by Amazon Music, showed demand for electronic music at festivals continues to thrive. A total of 310 UK festivals in 2024 featured electronic music (up from 294 in 2023), drawing more than a million attendees – a 14% increase. This surge has pushed festival revenues up to £646.2m. Despite this growth, 72 independent festivals cancelled, postponed or closed in 2024. A key focus of the report is the importance of education in securing the industry's future. “Addressing gaps in the talent pipeline is essential for sustaining growth and fostering the next generation of artists, producers, and industry professionals,” it said. The NTIA is urging the Department for Culture “to embrace electronic music, provide it with the platform it deserves, and work collaboratively to unlock its full potential”.

Julia Wilkinson to step down as restaurant director at Shaftesbury Capital: Julia Wilkinson is to step down as restaurant director at central London landlord Shaftesbury after nearly 28 years in the role. Wilkinson said she will take a short break and spend some time with her family. She said: “My years at Shaftesbury and Shaftesbury Capital are packed with incredible memories of people and places. There are too many to list but some of my favourite milestones were: Curating Kingly Court, now one of London’s most popular independent dining destinations. All the ‘firsts’ and one-offs, born from the freedom to take calculated risks on emerging, founder-led concepts including Dishoom, Kiln, Polpo, Flat Iron, Le Bab, Island Poke, Kolamba, The Palomar, Darjeeling Express, Imad’s Syrian Kitchen, Kricket, Seven Dials Market, Bancone, Bar Kroketa, Pastaio, Opera Tavern, Xi Home Dumplings, Temper, Cahoots, Mamason’s, CVS, The Barbary, Goldies, Donia, Norma, Evelyn’s Table, Zahter, El Pollote, and Breadstall. The post-pandemic rejuvenation of Fitzrovia, one of London’s most historic restaurant locations, working with visionary operators including MJMK/Lisboeta, The Templetons/Carousel, Woodhouse Group/64 Goodge Street and Inception Group/Foggs House of Botanicals. Establishing alfresco dining in Gerrard Street, Chinatown, for the first time, welcoming more regional Chinese, Korean and Japanese operators and the creation of Dessert Bar Alley, inspired by Asian research trips. I have been fortunate to collaborate with an incredible array of colleagues, agents, consultants and operators over the years and hope to carry these connections with me into the next chapter, whatever shape that takes.”

Odeon MD joins WiHTL advisory board: Suzie Welch, managing director of Odeon Cinemas UK & Ireland, has joined the advisory board at WiHTL – a collaborative community dedicated to promoting women and ethnic diversity across hospitality, travel and leisure. WiHTL’s advisory boards are made up of business leaders from across the sector, serving as a strategic steering group to provide invaluable insights, perspectives and expertise. “I am thrilled to join the WiHTL advisory board and contribute to the fantastic work this organisation does in championing diversity and inclusion across hospitality, travel, leisure and retail,” Welch said. “Being part of the advisory board is a wonderful opportunity to work with leaders who share my passion for making our industry more inclusive. I look forward to collaborating with fellow leaders who share the vision of building a more equitable and inclusive industry for all.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a high-end hospitality operator that is looking to appoint a senior operations director. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The group is seeking someone who has excellent UK exposure in managing sites in the luxury market with the company having 40 sites nationwide and a further three opening soon internationally. With an annual net turnover exceeding £100m, this independent group is seeking an autonomous operations director with a creative vision and a genuine passion for building long-term opportunities and come on board to steer it through a time of expansion and growth, while not taking their eye off the existing, very strong operations. The ideal candidate will have strong commercial awareness and have been involved in openings and acquisitions and financial growth. This role will report directly with the founder and chief executive, financial director and HR director.” The salary is up to £200,000 and the position is based in London. For more information, email stuart@corecruitment.com.

 

Champneys losses widened in year before exploring £250m sale: Champneys, the spa resort business founded by Stephen Purdew and his late mother Dorothy, saw its losses widen in year before exploring a £250m sale. Champneys reportedly appointed Cavendish in December to advise it on potential deal opportunities, including the acquisition of a new site as well as a sale of the business. It is understood that potential bidders for Champneys, which currently operates four resort properties and two spa hotels, would be sounded out early this year. Accounts newly published by Companies House show that in the year to 30 April 2024, Champneys’ pre-tax loss widened from £5,045,406 in 2023 to £8,480,773. Administration expenses rose from £46,775,946 to £49,802,981, while the 2023 figure also included an £820,460 gain on revaluation of investment properties (2023: nil). Royalty income rose from £830,930 in 2023 to £911,771. The company, which employs around 1,100 staff, also saw wage costs rise by almost £1m to £22,231,156, and total finance costs rose from £7,446,583 in 2023 to £8,186,727. The company’s turnover increased from £56,546,569 to £58,245,971. Total guest numbers rose from 273,444 in 2023 to 277,602, while revenue per guest dropped from £204 to £202. No dividends were paid (2022: nil).

 

Greggs to launch new BBQ chicken range including first burger: Food-to-go retailer Greggs is to launch a new BBQ chicken range, including its first burger, across 150 of its circa 2,600 sites today (Thursday, 6 February). The business is adding a new chicken burger and wrap to its menus. The BBQ crispy chicken burger will cost £4, while the wrap has southern fried chicken goujons and costs £3.80. Both items are part of the company’s Hot Sandwich Deal, which includes any hot sandwich, wedges, or side salad and a drink for £4.95. Greggs has also announced all-new crispy chicken bites, which are tender chicken pieces coated in breadcrumbs and will be trialled in select shops. Greggs’ hot, made-to-order range is now available in more than150 shops, with plans to double its availability to 300 shops by spring. The BBQ crispy chicken burger features chicken breast coated in crispy crumbs and salad leaves, topped with BBQ sauce and mayonnaise and served in a corn top roll, while the crispy chicken bites come in a pack of four for £2 or £3.50 for a pack of nine.

 

Chopstix to make Leeds debut: Chopstix, the QSRP-backed business, is to open its first site in Leeds next week (Thursday, 13 February).  The company, which currently operates more than 150 sites, will open a 46-cover site in the White Rose Shopping Centre. Rob Burns, marketing director for Chopstix, said: “Leeds is one of the most exciting cities in the north and we’re so thrilled to be bringing some big, bold flavours for the thousands of eager flavour cravers. It’s a really exciting time for our business as a whole, and we’re excited to welcome our Leeds fans to the store.” Last December, Chopstix said its three-year strategy lays out a roadmap to reaching £200m in system sales, 300 sites and placing 100 neurodiverse young people into work across its estate by 2027.

 

Debt provider acquires Immersive Gaming business out of administration: Harlan Capital Partners, the debt provider to the parent company of Immersive Gamebox, which operates the Electric Gamebox concept, has acquired the business out of administration. Launched in 2019, Immersive Gamebox was co-founded by Will Dean, its chief executive, and David Spindler, who serves as the company’s chief financial officer. Dean was the founder and former chief executive of endurance event Tough Mudder. The gaming platform expanded to 32 locations across Europe and the US, including London, New York and Berlin. The company operates eight sites in the UK – four with Gravity Max, plus stand-alone sites in Lakeside in Essex, the Arndale Centre in Manchester, and in London’s Southbank and Shoreditch. The business fell into administration last December, with Julie Palmer and Andrew Hook, of Begbies Traynor, appointed as joint administrators. The administrators report stated: “Since 2018, the company raised successive funding rounds totalling $59.9m (£47.8m) that it used to open 23 owner-operated venues across the UK and USA. In addition, there were nine franchise and concession venues at September 2024. Of the $59.9m of funding, $20.0m was debt provided by Harlan Capital Partners around November 2022 and April 2023. The joint administrators understand Immersive Gamebox was loss making since its inception, having spent investment funds approximately 40:60 between capitalised development costs and funding operating losses. The company's intention was to expand its number of stores to reach the necessary scale to achieve profitability. We understand Harlan Capital Partners had some concerns about some aspects of management decision making, the continued operating losses of the business, and the challenges in raising additional capital. It instructed BTG Advisory to provide an option review on 3 July 2024. Following that, on 20 August 2024 Harlan Capital Partners instructed BTG Advisory to conduct an independent business review in relation to the company and to explore options to exit its investment. During the period between August and December 2024, discussions with management and shareholders continued to explore whether mutually acceptable terms could be agreed for the provision of additional capital and changes to the management structure of the business. Unfortunately, it was not possible to agree terms, and on 10 December 2024, Harlan Capital Partners demanded repayment of its outstanding balances and appointed Julie Palmer and Andrew Hook, of Begbies Traynor, as joint administrators with a view to protecting its investment.” The business was acquired by new vehicle Immersive Gamebox, which is backed by Harlan Capital Partners, for a total consideration of £21,102,414, comprising secured payment obligations to Harlan Capital Partners of £20,649,414 and a cash consideration of £453,000. 

Wendy’s build Scottish pipeline: Wendy’s, the second-largest quick service restaurant brand in the US, has begun building its opening pipeline in Scotland. Propel revealed last October that the brand had submitted plans to open at 139 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, which has formerly served as a Co-op and, most recently, a bargain store. The business has now submitted plans to open sites in Aberdeen and Dundee. In the former, it plans to invest £450,000 on converting the JD Sports shop in Union Street. It has also submitted a planning application to convert the ex-Fridays and Go site in Dundee’s Reform Street, which closed last October. Last September, the brand’s franchisee Square Burgers signed a development agreement to open restaurants under the US brand in Scotland. Since relaunching here three years ago, Wendy’s has grown to circa 50 sites, the majority of these are split between five franchisees, with a company footprint of 13 locations.

Ole & Steen hires Rohit Bahel as new sales director: Danish bakery brand Ole & Steen has hired Rohit Bahel, formerly of LT Foods Europe and Krispy Kreme, as its new sales director. Bahel joins the brand, which operates 26 sites in the UK, after just over two years as sales director at LT Foods Europe. Previous to that, he spent 15 months as sales director at Believe in Science and three years at Krispy Kreme UK & Ireland, including two years as its head of grocery. In December, the business signed up to offer delivery via Uber Eats, while last October, Ole & Steen chair David Campbell said the company was getting more out of its existing UK estate, which led to it experiencing its “best five weeks ever” of trading.

Noble Hospitality Group returns to profit as it targets national and international expansion: Noble Hospitality Group – the group behind Japanese concept Chotto Matte, Steak and Company and Angus Steakhouse – returned to profit in the 18 months to 30 April 2024 as it targets both national and international expansion. The company reported a pre-tax profit of £1,231,000 for the period, having changed its reporting date. The company’s previous accounts showed a pre-tax loss of £358,000 for the 12 months to 31 October 2022. Turnover rose from £32,366,000 in the previous period to £54,215,000. Government grants of £27,000 were received (2022: £60,000), while the company also benefited from a £206,000 lease surrender premium (2022: nil). Net assets at year-end were £3,089,000 (2022: £2,294,000). No dividends were paid (2022: nil). In his statement accompanying the accounts, director Phillip Blain said: “The company continues to strengthen its position in the restaurant sector, navigating an increasingly competitive and evolving market. While the business has largely recovered from the impact of the covid-19 pandemic, consumer behaviour has shifted, requiring adaptability in our operations, offerings, and service model. Looking ahead, the company is executing a strategy of both national and international expansion, targeting key growth markets while enhancing the efficiency of existing operations. The directors are confident in the company's ability to sustain growth and improve profitability in 2025 and beyond.” Since the year-end, the group, which operates “more than 20 high-volume sites” in London, has opened a second site for Alley Cats Pizza and said it is exploring international opportunities for the concept. The group is also planning to expand Chotte Matte to Georgia and said it is returning Angus Steakhouse to the expansion trail.

Danish espresso bar concept Hagen adds two new sites: Hagen, the Danish espresso bar known for its Scandinavian-inspired coffee houses, has added two new sites to its growing London estate. The business, which was founded by Danish entrepreneur Tim Schroeder, has taken its estate to 17 sites with openings in St John’s Wood and in Canary Wharf. On the latter, the business has taken a 1,141 square-foot site, secured on a ten-year lease at the YY London development. The site will operate alongside an upcoming opening from Brother Marcus, the Eastern Mediterranean restaurant group founded by Tas Gaitanos and Alex Large, which will launch at YY London this summer. Additionally, a “major restaurant chain” has signed on a 9,500 square-foot site at YY London, which is understood to be the Big Mamma Group. George Collison, of Savills, acts for Hagen.

Cokey Sulkin steps down as COO of Arcade Food Hall: Cokey Sulkin has stepped down as chief operating officer of food-hall operator and brand incubator, Propel understands. Sulkin leaves Arcade, which is led by entrepreneur Dipak Panchal, after two years as its chief operating officer. Sulkin was previously chief executive of US comfort food and cocktails brand Dirty Bones, which he co-founded with Panchal. Hero Brands, which is behind German Doner Kebab, Choppaluna and Island Poké, invested in Dirty Bones in July 2022, with Sulkin leaving the business at the end of that same year. Last month, Propel reported that Arcade has been linked with opening a site in London’s Covent Garden. The business, which operates the Arcade Food Hall sites in the Battersea Power Station development and Centre Point in Tottenham Court Road, is understood to be in line to take the circa 12,000 square-foot site at 6 Bedford Street which was formerly home to a TGI Fridays.

Ceru to open two new sites as it looks to expand Central London footprint before looking further afield: Eastern Mediterranean fusion restaurant Ceru is set to open two new sites as it looks to expand its Central London footprint before looking further afield. Founded by husband-and-wife team Barry and Patricia Hilton in 2014, the duo opened their first permanent Ceru site in South Kensington in December 2016 after a series of pop-ups across the capital. They opened a second site in the capital in D’Arblay Street, Soho, in 2018, but swapped that for a new outlet in Queensway three years later. Now, Ceru is set to open a third site, in Cowcross Street, Farringdon, in April, and also has an agreement in principle for a fourth site, in Bermondsey, later in the year. The Farringdon site will have seating for 57 diners and a standing bar. Barry Hilton told Propel: “Farringdon is a great opportunity for Ceru and one that we have been working on for some time. This is not the start of a hundreds of Ceru restaurants, but we certainly plan to increase our footprint in Central London before exploring opportunities further afield.” He said trading in January “had been mixed”. He added: “Midweek trade has been slower than normal but weekends are generally good. Spend per head is under pressure during midweek – Dry January did not seem to be as popular this year as last year. There also seems to also be less tourists around at the moment.” Restaurant Property acted for Ceru on the Farringdon deal.

Wingstop set for Liverpool debut: Wingstop UK, which is backed by US private equity firm Sixth Street, is set to open its first restaurant in Liverpool. It will this spring open a 3000 square-foot, 50-cover unit on Lord Street, in the city’s Liverpool ONE destination. Chris Sherriff, chief at Wingstop UK, said: “Wingstop UK has expanded significantly over the last year, and our new Liverpool ONE restaurant will be a crucial continuation of that growth. We’re excited to bring our iconic wing flavours to a new city, and with its leading mix of F&B operators, Liverpool ONE is the perfect home.” Wingstop currently operates 57 sites across the UK, with more than 20 new locations expected by the end of the year.

 

Prezzo hires Chad Crooks as new food director: Prezzo, the Cain International-backed Italian dining group, has hired Chad Crooks as its new food director. Crooks joins the 96-strong business after five and a half years at BrewDog, including nearly four years at the Scottish brewer and retailer’s director of food. He spent two and half years at Red Dog Restaurants, the Red Dog Saloon operator, including 14 months as its operations director. He was also previously an area operations chef at Scotsman Hospitality (formerly G1 Group). Prezzo has been building its management team under new chief executive James Brown, who joined the business from BrewDog, where he was most recently chief executive of its bars division. Last month, Propel revealed that Prezzo had hired Adam Lindop, formerly of ASK Italian and Caffe Nero, as its new operations director, while last November, Prezzo hired Mark McCulloch, formerly of Pret A Manger and YO!, as its new chief marketing officer on a fractional basis, to “lead brand growth”. 

 

Din Thai Fung to open fourth London site this month: Taiwanese dim sum brand Din Tai Fung, which operates more than 170 restaurants worldwide, will open its fourth site in London this month. Opening on Wednesday, 26 February at Crossrail Place in Canary Wharf, it will be the brand’s first venture into east London. The Canary Wharf site will offer 112 seats and a private dining room for 16 as well as an immersive show kitchen, where guests can watch its signature Xiao Long Bao handcrafted with 18 folds and pass through six stations manned by different teams of chefs. The menu will also offer dishes such as house made noodles, pork chop and egg fried rice and salted egg yolk custard lava buns. The first UK Din Tai Fung opened in Covent Garden in 2018, followed by Selfridges and Centre Point locations in 2022. The UK sites are operated by Singapore-based BreadTalk Group, which also owns brands such as Toast Box, Food Republic, Food Junction, Sō Ramen and Thye Moh Chan, and partner brands including Song Fa Bak Kut Teh and Wu Pao Chun Bakery.

 

Boparan Restaurant Group set to open Slim Chickens in London’s Edgware Road: Boparan Restaurant Group, the owner of the Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Carluccio’s and Giraffe brands, is set to open a new Slim Chickens, in London’s Edgware Road. The 90-cover restaurant will open in the former Lloyds Bank branch at 167-169 Edgware Road on Thursday, 13 March. The site will be a 66th location here for the brand since it was first introduced into the UK in 2018, with an opening in nearby Marylebone.

 

Passyunk Avenue lines up site in London’s Kensington: Passyunk Avenue, the Philadelphia-style bar and restaurant concept, is to open a further site in London later this year, in Kensington, Propel has learned. Passyunk is set to launch at the former My Old Dutch site in Kensington Church Street. Passyunk, which is led by founder JP Teti, launched its debut site in Cleveland Street, Fitzrovia, in 2018, which was followed by a quick-serve version of the concept, in Westfield Stratford City, in January 2019. Passyunk also operated the Home Run House at Westfield Stratford. The company continues to operate its original Fitzrovia site, plus Leake Street Arches and Passyunk Play in Waterloo, and a site in Nine Elms, Battersea. Pancake house concept My Old Dutch continues to operate sites in Chelsea and Holborn.

 

Cumbrian entrepreneurs acquire Jennings Brewery: A pair of Cumbrian entrepreneurs have acquired the Jennings Brewery in Cockermouth, with aim of resuming the brewing of its beer. The brewery dates to 1828 but was closed by owner Carlsberg Marston (now Carlsberg Britvic) in 2022, with the production of Jennings’ cask ale and bottled beer brands transferred to Marston’s Brewery in Burton. The Cockermouth brewery has now been purchased by local couple and business owners Kurt and Rebecca Canfield, chief executive of specialist engineering business Delkia, and owner of wine and spirits company Wine and the Wood respectively. The deal also involves the transfer of rights to the Jennings brand, including all trademarks, intellectual property and recipes. Bottled beer under the Jennings brand will continue to be sold by Carlsberg Britvic until March, following which beer production will transfer to the new Jennings Brewery company. Rebecca said: “Preserving the heritage of the brewery and the Maltings building, which are integral to our community, is of utmost importance to us. We are delighted to bring Jennings back to the local area and to have it once again run by a family-owned business.” Kurt added: “The Maltings building is an historic landmark, and we have extensive plans to enhance the site while respecting its heritage. However, critical repairs are necessary and will take time before we can get back to brewing the great beer that Jennings in known for.” Chris France, founder of speciality beer retailer Beer Hawk, has joined the new business as managing director. He said: “Jennings was hugely influential as I developed my love for this industry, and the idea of bringing a great beer back to the heart of this town is an exciting prospect.”

 

Boss Pizza set to make Essex debut: Franchise pizza concept Boss Pizza, founded during the pandemic by Ajmal Mushtaq, is set to make its Essex debut. The concept is gearing up to launch at 132 High Street in Colchester. It comes after Propel revealed last month that Boss Pizza is also lining up its Midlands debut, at 500 Pleck Road in Walsall. Mushtaq previously operated acclaimed Indian restaurant Mushtaqs in Hamilton and currently has two Boss Pizza stores in Scotland – in Hamilton and Larkhall. Boss Pizza made its English debut last year with a launch in Acton, west London, and has a pipeline that includes sites in Aberdeen, Coatbridge, Cumbernauld and Glasgow in Scotland, as well as Hemel Hempstead, Huddersfield, London (Shepherd’s Bush), Luton, Oldham and Wolverhampton in England.

 

Premium sports and entertainment gastropub concept backed by Tiger Woods and Justin Timberlake adds to debut UK site: T-Squared Social, the premium sports and entertainment gastropub concept backed by golfer Tiger Woods and singer Justin Timberlake, has acquired a restaurant next to what will become its UK debut site. In October 2023, the concept acquired the New Picture House Cinema in North Street, St Andrews, Scotland, close to the famous Old Course. The business has now acquired the lease of Lupo’s restaurant, which occupied a prime site next to what will be the European debut for T-Squared Social, when it launches this spring. T-Squared Social “redefines the multi-dimensional dining experience”, merging “elevated” cuisine and craft cocktails with state-of-the-art full swing simulators for golf and other interactive gameplay, duckpin bowling, darts, and premium sports-watching with large format televisions. T-Squared Social, which is owned by Nexus Luxury Collection, recently opened its first venue in New York City. Cornerstone Business Agents acted on the Lupo’s deal.

Freehold investment of Bournemouth’s Royal Arcade and O2 Academy hits the market for first time in over 80 years off £4.3m guide price: The freehold investment of the Royal Arcade and O2 Academy in Bournemouth has hit the market for first time in more than 80 years, with a guide price of £4.3m (8.67% net initial yield). Agent Fleurets is marketing the properties, located in Christchurch Road, which have been under the same ownership since the 1940s and comprise a Victorian arcade and former theatre operating as an O2 Academy live music venue. The 0.49-hectare (1.20 acre) town centre site is available as a single or two lots. The Royal Arcade, a grade II-listed Victorian building constructed in 1892, features approximately 27 individual retail and leisure units at ground floor, with further space at first and second floors. Recent planning approval has been granted for the change of use of the upper floors to provide a mix of office space and business start-up units, as well as ground floor retail including a new food hall. Academy Music Group, owned by Live Nation, has traded from the O2 Academy since 2009. The building, originally built in 1895 as The Grand Pavilion Theatre, comprises a 2,000-capacity live music and events venue. Fleurets director Kevin Conibear said: “With a current total rental income of £397,346 per annum, 47% of the income is secured against Academy Music Group, the UK’s leading venue operator.”

 

Entrepreneurs behind organisations aimed at supporting young people and adults with complex needs move into hospitality market with plans to expand across UK: Two entrepreneurs behind organisations aimed at supporting young people and adults with complex needs are moving into the hospitality market, with plans to expand across the UK. Daniel and Tyrone Thompson-Dixon have launched Luxello Hospitality and plan to open their first site in Nottingham as part of a £4m investment. The restaurant, which is believed to be in the former Curious Manor and Glass House unit in Trinity Square, will offer a “pan-Asian dining experience”. The venue will have 100 covers, reports The Business Desk. An advert offering a general manager role at the restaurant, paying between £50,000-£60,000, reads: “Are you ready to take the reins of Nottingham’s most anticipated luxury restaurant opening in 2025? We’re investing £4m into an extraordinary food-led dining experience that blends opulent design, modern Japanese and Chinese-inspired cuisine, and a vibrant, high-energy atmosphere.” Daniel and Tyrone Thompson-Dixon own Bright Futures Care Solutions and Bright Futures Housing, which offer care, education and accommodation to young people and adults with complex needs.

Immersive Minecraft experience to open in London: An immersive Minecraft experience is to open in London. Experience MOD and Mojang Studios have partnered to launch Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue, which will open at Corner Corner – the new multi-use venue in Canada Water – on Friday, 4 April. The action-packed 45-minute experience will see visitors enter seven Minecraft rooms and help rescue the village under siege from a zombie attack. Taking on the role of heroes, they must work to rescue the villagers and gather the essential ingredients to cure them before time runs out. Minecraft is the best-selling game of all time,with more than 300 million copies sold. “After a successful debut in Dallas, Texas, this past autumn, we’re excited to bring our first immersive touring Minecraft Experience to its next stop in London,” said Kayleen Walters, head of franchise development at Mojang Studios. “We are thrilled to offer players and fans new ways to engage with the Minecraft brand.”

Student housing developer Vita Group to open new Manchester food hall: Student housing developer Vita Group is to open a new food hall in Manchester. House of Social, a collection of independent kitchens, will open in Coleman Street this summer. Showcasing a range of operators, the venue will span 12,000 square feet of dining and drinking space over two design-led levels. Developed by Jake Atkinson, former operations manager of Mackie Mayor, The Picturedrome and Altrincham Market, House of Social will host five kitchens and will be situated below new student accommodation. The five independent kitchens at House of Social will be revealed in the upcoming months. Atkinson said: “It’s such an untapped location. We’ve got some big names and some big personalities coming along. They’re creating menus that work in a food hall setting, but with so much more attention to detail than anything I’ve seen before in this space.” Founded in 2012, Vita Group began with a mission to reinvent student accommodation. Since then, it has expanded in the UK and Spain and evolved to deliver four unique formats – Vita Student, Uhaus, Union and House of Social. The four formats span 28 locations in 13 cities.

London Japanese restaurant Yoshino to relocate: London Japanese restaurant Yoshino has found a new home in the capital, Propel has learned. The restaurant had been operating just off Piccadilly Circus for almost 40 years. Now, Yoshino is heading to 4-5 Duke of York Street in St James’s, in place of Italian restaurant Al Duca, which is also relocating. The 1,600 square-foot space is set to be refurbished. Meanwhile, Al Duca is set to relocate to 35 Willow Place in Victoria, which was occupied by Gustoso Ristorante. Restaurant Property represented the landlord and Stephen Kane & Co acted for Yoshino on the Duke of York Street deal. David Rawlinson, founding director of Restaurant Property, said: “We are very proud to have let the former Al Duca space to one of London’s longest standing traditional Japanese operators, with the help of Stephen Kane & Co.”

Liverpool operator opens new Mediterranean restaurant-bar in former pub: Liverpool operator Natasha Moran has opened a new Mediterranean restaurant-bar in a former pub for her debut site. Moran has opened Kyma in the former The Raven pub at 32 South Road in Crosby following a £1.2m refurbishment. The 60-cover restaurant, which also has a 30-person outdoor terrace, offers sharing platters, small plates and cocktails. These include spicy pulled beef bon bon with rosemary mash and veal jus, salt and pepper chicken wings with ginger and spring onion, and pork belly with ponzu and Asian ‘slaw. Moran said: “I wanted to create a different offering in the area and bring together what I love about hospitality; great food and drinks, beautiful decor and unmatched ambiance to create what is Kyma; a Mediterranean escape in the heart of Crosby.”