Honest Burgers co-founder – we believe Honest Smash + Grab can become a household name, seeking prime sites for next openings: Tom Barton, co-founder of Honest Burgers, has told Propel the business believes its fledgling quick service restaurant concept, Honest Smash + Grab, has the potential to become a household name, and that there is plenty of white space for both it and the group’s eponymous brand to still go into across the UK. Barton founded the Active-backed business in 2009 with Philip Eeles. The company currently operates 39 sites and launched its first Smash + Grab venue in December, after taking over the Honest Burgers restaurant in London’s Liverpool Street. Barton told Propel: “We’re very fortunate to have two concepts under our brand that are very complementary to each other. The same level of care and quality on the ingredient side goes into both. The launch of Smash + Grab has been an operational, and customer engagement test for the business, and as you can imagine, going into a new category presented some teething problems. It has been interesting to see how people have interacted with kiosks, for example. We have been really pleased with how the new concept has been received in what is a highly competitive market, where value and speed are key, but we want to add in the quality of product that Honest is known for. With Honest Burgers, our classic burger grilled takes seven and half minutes. With Smash + Grab, it is one minute 15 seconds, so we are able to do large numbers. We are really happy with how it has gone and are now looking at securing some prime, flagship sites in Central London to build on the start we have made. We hope to do two or three more this year, and they won’t be conversions. We believe the concept has the potential to become a household name, and there is plenty of white space across the UK for both concepts to work side by side – not physically, but in the same cities, in a complementary way.” Barton said 2025 is set to be a significant year for the business, off the back of the strong momentum it generated last year and hiring new chief executive Kevin Styles, who was formerly chief executive of Jamie Oliver Group. Barton said: “We are coming off the back of a record year, where we smashed budget. It is still very challenging, but we believe we are in a good place, especially with Kevin on board, to build on the momentum we have generated so far.” Honest Burgers features in the Propel 500 report, an unparalleled resource that profiles the UK’s leading hospitality operators ranked by turnover – which is available now. This comprehensive report provides 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. A list of the operators included can be discovered now by visiting the Propel 500 page on Propel’s website. The guide 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. Key highlights include 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 Mark Bentley, business development director at HDI, identifies emerging growth sectors, and Maria Vanifatova, founder of Meaningful Vision, analyses trends in QSRs. 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.

 

Treetop Golf founder Elizabeth Stanway to speak at first Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2025, open for bookings: Elizabeth Stanway, founder of Treetop Golf, will be among the speakers at the first Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2025, which is open for bookings. Stanway will discuss the rise of the immersive mini-golf concept that is proving a hit with families, and how it plans to continue to stand out in the increasingly crowded competitive socialising sector. The all-day conference takes place on Thursday, 20 March, at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in London’s Kensington. For the full speaker schedule, click here. 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.

 

Premium Club members to receive new searchable and segmented New Openings Database and videos from Restaurant Marketer & Innovator today: The next Propel New Openings Database will be sent to Premium Club members today (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 openings in the quick service restaurant sector such as German Doner Kebab launching its first train station location, Thai street food operator Kinn Kinn opening at Gloucester Food Dock, and SoBe Burger with six new 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, today 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.

 

Valiant co-founder – the condition of pubs in this country ‘is probably at its lowest level for a long time’: Mark McGinty, co-founder of Valiant Pub Company, the circa 80-strong, Njord Partners-backed group, has told Propel the condition of pubs in this country “is probably at its lowest level for a long time”. He said this is because post-covid, operators have been unable to afford to invest in their sites, which has provided opportunity for his own business. McGinty, who founded Valiant at the start of 2021 with Gerry Carroll, told Propel: “That is a long time to not have done any investment. The condition of the pubs out there over the last three years that we’ve been buying has got materially worse.” Carroll said: “We have found pubs that have been closed for two to three years before we bought them, and we reposition them, reopen them and put them back on the map. Some of the pubs that we’re buying, if we don’t buy them, they probably would close and be gone forever. We can buy a pub for £500,000 and invest £500,000. A £25,000 sparkle doesn't do it anymore. So, you have to invest serious money, and most people can’t do that. That’s an advantage for us.” In this week’s Propel Premium Opinion, which will be sent to Premium Club members today (Friday, 7 February) at 5pm, Carroll and McGinty talk to Propel group editor Mark Wingett about the evolution of Valiant Pub Company, finding value in the market, bringing pubs back to life and how the business can eventually get to “200 to 300 pubs”. There is also an interview with Simon Thompson, the new chief executive of Burhill Group, owner and operator of historical golf club sites, adventure golf brands Mulligans and Bunkers!, plus Ninja Warrior UK outlets. Mark Wingett also examines the changes at the top at Honest Burgers, Comptoir Group and Turtle Bay, while Jemima Bird, founder of Hello Finch, a strategic brand and marketing agency for entrepreneurial businesses, takes a look at the impact Donald Trump is having on marketing. 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.

 

UKHospitality – interest rates cut will give sector businesses some much needed relief, but delaying employers’ NIC changes would be better: UKHospitality has said while the cut in interest rates will give sector businesses some much needed relief, delaying the changes to employers’ national insurance contributions would be even better. Interest rates have been cut to 4.5% by the Bank of England but further cost pressures will arrive in April when the rise in employers’ national insurance contributions take effect. “Cutting interest rates was the correct move from the Bank of England and I’m pleased it’s done the right thing to incentivise growth,” said UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls. “Driving growth has to be the priority, and lower interest rates will play a part in achieving that goal. Practically for hospitality businesses, it will provide some much-needed relief for those still paying back covid loans, but we urge the government to allow more flexibility over the repayment periods for those loans to further ease the pressure on venues. If the government really wants hospitality businesses to help deliver its growth agenda, it should delay the changes to employers’ national insurance contributions. After the sector was the biggest contributor to economic growth in November, these tax changes will slam the brake on the sector’s growth potential and instead force businesses to cut investment, cut jobs and increase prices.”

 

Northern hospitality outperformed the south in site growth and customer experience in 2024: The north of England demonstrated stronger resilience and growth in Britain’s licensed hospitality sector compared with the south in 2024, according to new data from Northern Restaurant & Bar (NRB) and CGA by NielsenIQ. The study shows major northern cities have outperformed their southern counterparts in both site growth and feedback from customers. A total of 99,120 outlets operating across the UK in December 2024, compared with 99,113 in December 2023, which represents a year of stability following industry declines in both 2022 (4.5%) and 2023 (2.9%). But while the market as a whole remains stable, the north recorded a modest site growth of 0.1% in 2024, while the south experienced a slight decrease of 0.2%. Liverpool, Chester, and Sheffield emerged as the strongest performers in the north, each recording a 2.4% increase in site numbers, significantly outperforming both the national average (0.0%) and London (1.6%). Leeds (1.5%) and Manchester (0.1%) also showed incremental growth, while Birmingham (0.7%) and Bristol (0.1%) experienced a slight decline. Pubs and bars are among the strongest performers in the north, with visits increasing 4% in 2024, while the south experienced a decline of 1%. The data also shows a shift in consumer habits, with nightclub visits down 5% in the north and 2% in the south. Hospitality spending in the north saw a 6.2% increase compared with 2023, with the average monthly spend surpassing £100 for the first time, and while southerners still lead in spending, with an average of £108 per month and a more modest increase of 4.8%, the gap is closing year-on-year. Northerners also reported 10% fewer concerns about rising costs when eating or drinking out compared with the south. Beyond this, consumers in the north report superior food quality (up 1.0% on 2023) and drink quality (up 4.0%), alongside more impressive service (up 3.0%) and shorter wait times (up 2.0%). Furthermore, the north provides better value for money (up 2.0%) and a stronger overall sense of satisfaction with the visit (up 2.0%). Siobhan Thompson, event manager for NRB, said: “With a steady stream of new openings, evolving consumer trends and continued enthusiasm from operators, northern hospitality remains a vital and thriving part of the UK’s food and drink landscape.”

 

Job of the day: Brewer and pub operator Hall & Woodhouse is seeking an exceptional regional manager. A spokesperson said: “With a fantastic programme of acquisitions, refurbishments and new-builds under way, applications are invited from established regional managers or multi-unit operations professionals, with at least three years of recent experience in the role within the managed pub sector. They will be ready to take on full accountability for operations and delivering day-making hospitality through brand standards and building great teams in ten-plus premium businesses across Hampshire, Dorset, Sussex and Surrey, in a variety of food-led concepts. A Sunday Times best places to work, Hall & Woodhouse offer great rewards. Regional managers can expect flexible working patterns fitting around life, a salary up to £75,000 plus car allowance and bonus, a comprehensive package of lifestyle benefits covering health, pension and well-being, and long term job security in a strong progressive and inclusive business that values every individual and recognises commitment and talent.” For full details and to apply in confidence, click here.

 

Yum! Brands reports KFC UK sales up 5% in fourth quarter and down 1% in full year: Yum! Brands has reported KFC’s system sales in the UK rose 5% for the fourth quarter ended 31 December 2024, compared with the previous year. For the full year, system sales in the UK, which accounts for 6% of KFC’s global system sales, were down 1% on the year before. Globally, KFC like-for-like sales were flat in the quarter and down 2% in the year. System sales were up 6% in the quarter and 2% in the year. US like-for-like sales were down 5% in the quarter and also 5% in the year. KFC opened 1,100 gross new restaurants in the quarter and 2,892 restaurants in 97 countries in the year. Operating margin was down 4.3% for the quarter and 2.1% for the year. Operating profit was up 14% in the quarter, to $377m, and 4% for the year, at $1.37bn. Meanwhile, Pizza Hut system sales in Europe, including the UK, were down 7% in the fourth quarter and 6% in the year – the continent accounts for 11% of Pizza Hut’s system sales globally. Pizza Hut system sales increased 2% globally in the fourth quarter and were down 2% for the year. US like-for-like sales, which account for 42% of global sales, were up 3% in the quarter and flat in the year. Pizza Hut opened 512 gross new restaurants during the quarter and 1,280 gross new restaurants in 62 countries during the year. For the fourth quarter, operating margin fell 2.6% and was down 1.3% for the year. Operating profit fell 4% in the quarter, to $95m, and was down 5% for the year, at $373m. Taco Bell like-for-like sales increased 5% in the fourth quarter and 4% for the year. System sales were up 14% in the quarter and 8% in the year. Taco Bell opened 186 gross new restaurants in the quarter and 347 gross new sites in 25 countries during 2024. Operating margin rose 1.6% for the quarter and 0.9% for the year. Operating profit increased 19% in the quarter, to $340m, and was up 11% for the year, at $1.05bn. Yum! Brands’ total revenue in the quarter increased 16% to $2.36bn and was up 7% for the year, at $7.56bn.

Fairgame – several cities under consideration in the US, excellent Christmas trading, hires FD: Fairgame, the competitive socialising concept from Gymbox founder Richard Hilton and sector investor Paul Campbell, is understood have several cities and properties under consideration in the US for its debut Stateside, which will come off the back of “excellent” Christmas trading and the completion of a multi-million-pound growth capital raise. Propel revealed last September that the business, which is backed by Business Growth Fund (BGF), was commencing a fundraise with the help of Tamweel Capital, following the “phenomenal success” of its maiden site in London’s Canary Wharf. Opened in October 2022, Fairgame operates a 15,500 square-foot venue, located opposite a 25-foot giant hook-a-duck, moored on the Wharf. The company is expected to begin onsite on the flagship site in One New Change, in the City of London, next month, with an opening slated for later this autumn. Propel understands that the business experienced an “excellent” Christmas and was in good like-for-like growth versus a “huge” festive trading period last year. At the same time, Propel understands that the company has hired Joe Beckett as its new finance director. Beckett was previously chief financial officer of Harley Academy and head of EMEA region finance and group strategy at GHD. The new funding, with financing provided by HSBC, will be used to launch the One New Change site, as well as push ahead with US expansion, with talks also underway for international franchising. On the new funding, Hilton said: “We have ambitious growth plans and this raise marks a key step in realising those plans.” The launch of the business was backed with £5m of growth capital from a combination of BGF and a consortium of private investors. Since then, the business said it has generated an “exceptionally strong financial performance”. 

Burger & Lobster co-founders to launch new Japanese venture in London’s Mayfair: George Bukhov-Weinstein and Ilya Demichev, the co-founders of surf and turf restaurant group Burger & Lobster and Mediterranean restaurant Wild Tavern, are to launch a new Japanese concept in London’s Mayfair. The duo will open Haki at 30 Old Burlington Street, with the new restaurant’s team set to include an “ex-Nobu chef with extensive experience of Tokyo-style cuisine”. Last December, the duo opened Greek restaurant Krokodilos with friend and business partner Elmira Amdiy in Kensington Church Street. That opening came just days after the trio opened Sardinian-focused restaurant Pinna in Curzon Street, in Mayfair. Last October, Propel revealed Bukhov-Weinstein and Demichev are set to open a new site in the City. Propel understands that the pair have secured a new lease on space at Frederick’s Place in Old Jewry, between Gresham Street and Cheapside. Bukhov-Weinstein and Demichev, who are also behind steak brand Goodmans, opened the first Wild Tavern in Chelsea’s Elystan Street in December 2019. They followed that up with the opening of Wild in Notting Hill, at 202 Westbourne Grove, last year. The pair also teamed up with London chef Chris Denney to open neighbourhood restaurant Fantômas at 300 King’s Road, in Chelsea, last year. Seb Howard Property, and Cecily Snell at Colliers, acted on the Old Burlington Street deal.

Boparan Restaurant Group confirms Leicester Square flagship site opening for Slim Chickens: Boparan Restaurant Group (BRG), the owner of the Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Carluccio’s and Giraffe brands, has confirmed it will open an international flagship site for its Slim Chickens brand, in London’s Leicester Square. Propel revealed last October that the business, which first introduced the US brand Slim Chickens into the UK in 2018 with an opening in St James Street, Marylebone, had secured the former Maison Du Mezze site in Leicester Square for a flagship opening. It will open a 125-cover site at 14 Leicester Square in four weeks’ time, with a 90-cover site on Edgware Road set to launch around the same time. The two openings will bring Slim Chickens’s UK estate to 66 sites. Ben Blore, head of operations at Slim Chickens, said: “We’re thrilled to bring Slim Chickens to Leicester Square and Edgware Road in just four weeks. Our team has been dedicated to making sure every guest experiences our fresh, cooked-to-order chicken and authentic Southern hospitality at its finest.”

US halal food business hits 40 UK locations, 15 more in build or legals: US halal food business Shah’s Halal has hit 40 UK locations, with 15 more in build or legals. Shah’s Halal has opened in the former Noodle City restaurant at 235 Station Road in Harrow, north west London, offering platters, salads, gyros, sauces, sides and drinks. Founded in New York, Shah’s Halal opened its first mobile food card in 2005 and has grown to 40-plus locations in the US and a handful in Canada. In 2020, the brand launched in the UK with a food truck in Colindale, north London, and now operates from 40 locations here across vans, units, kiosks, pop-ups and stores.

 

YouMeSushi to open franchise site in London’s Brixton, five more expected in coming months: YouMeSushi, the restaurant and takeaway business, is to open a new franchised store in London’s Brixton. Run by first-time franchisee George Sousa, the Brixton Road venue will start welcoming customers later this month and marks the sixth YouMeSushi location to open in the past year, with five more expected to launch in the coming months. Tim Circus, head of franchise at YouMeSushi, said: “We have developed and honed a robust and proven business model over the years, and we welcome applications from quick service restaurant operators, business professionals and those with hospitality experience who are looking for an exciting opportunity to invest in our increasingly popular franchise.” YouMeSushi was founded in 2008 and has grown to 27 outlets across the UK since the company started franchising in 2021. In December, Circus told Propel that YouMeSushi is aiming to reach the 35-site mark in 2025, with Birmingham and Manchester “key focus areas”. The franchise brand has previously said it aims to double its estate over the next three years.

 

Black and White Hospitality reports best ever January: Black and White (B&W) Hospitality, which owns and manages the franchise rights to eight Marco Pierre White branded restaurant concepts, has reported its best ever January. Sales across the franchise group, which operates Pierre White branded concepts including Steakhouse, New York Italian and Chophouse, were up 20% in comparison with January 2024. B&W chairman and chief executive Nick Taplin said: “This is great news for all our franchise partners, who have seen an increase in January covers. Our primary objective is to make our partners’ restaurants the most attractive in their respective geographic area. A clear strategy, a fresh focus on guest experience and leaning in to dining trends helps our venues stand out. We’ll now look to maintain this positive start to the new year with the launch of the new spring menu and promotional collaborations with our suppliers.” In all, B&W operates 29 restaurants and last year launched its latest concept, Marco Pierre White Ale House, with the opening of The Queen’s Head in Felixstowe, Suffolk. The group currently has six further sites in legals and anticipates two of these opening in the first quarter.

 

Bootlegger Bars confirms March opening for seventh site, seeking venues across the UK: Bootlegger Bars – the prohibition era-themed pub concept from former New York bar owner Lee Miller – has confirmed its seventh site will open next month. Propel revealed in January that the business, which is led by Karen Bosher, had secured a site in Bath’s George Street. It will now open in the former Circo Bar – “a well-established site that perfectly aligns with Bootlegger’s distinctive atmosphere and concept” – on Saturday, 1 March. Bosher said: “We are delighted to have found the perfect location for Bootlegger in Bath after an extensive search. The former Circo Bar, known for its great reputation, fits seamlessly with our brand. We look forward to welcoming both new and returning guests to experience our signature New York-style ‘dirty pour’ cocktails, generous grazing boards and an upbeat soundtrack spanning the 1920s to the 1960s.” As part of its ongoing expansion, Bootlegger Bars said it is actively seeking unique bar venues in cities across the UK, including Manchester, Liverpool, and Nottingham, and is “interested in speaking with bar owners considering an exit in 2025”.

 

Scottish family entertainment group Wonderworld to make English debut: Scottish family entertainment group Wonderworld is to open its debut site in England. WonderWorld Soft Play in Southampton, which will be located in Antelope Park in Thornhill, is due to open in May. The site will feature volcano slides, interactive football pitches, role play and a toddler sensory area, as well as an on-site café. Narinder Baryah, WonderWorld managing director, said: “We are excited to expand WonderWorld Soft Play to the Southampton area. We are a family-owned organisation that strives to provide a fun and enjoyable setting to the local community and beyond.” WonderWorld’s current sites are in East Kilbride, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Glasgow, Kirkcaldy and Perth.

 

Bubala to open third site in April: Middle Eastern vegetarian concept Bubala, which opened its debut site in London’s Spitalfields in 2019 following a string of pop ups and supper clubs, is set to open its third site in April. Founder Marc Summers, who added a second Bubala site in 2022, in Soho, will next take the concept to King’s Cross, where it will launch at Unit 1 in Cadence Court, at 4 Tapper Walk. The two-floor venue, complete with an expansive outdoor terrace, will offer a menu of Bubala signatures and new dishes. The oyster mushroom skewer with tamari and coriander seeds and confit latkes with garlic toum and Aleppo chili will return, alongside new dishes like charred cucumber tzatziki and vava bean with Vadouvan braised broad beans. The restaurant will feature a 65-cover ground floor dining room, an additional 25 covers upstairs and 30 alfresco seats on the terrace. The drinks offering will include wine on tap, as well as a selection of bottled natural wines, UK beers and Gazoz house sodas – a homemade sparkling drink combined with ferments, locally sourced fruits, spices, herbs and syrups. Summers said: “We’re thrilled to bring Bubala to King’s Cross and to continue expanding our vision of accessible and exciting vegetarian Middle Eastern inspired cuisine. This new location is a perfect blend of the vibrant energy of the area, and the welcoming atmosphere we’ve cultivated at our other restaurants.” Adam Bowers, of onepoint2, acted on the King's Cross deal. 

 

Oxfordshire baked potato concept opens debut site, three more to follow this year: Oxfordshire baked potato concept SpudSpot has opened its debut site, with three more to follow this year. SpudStop, which also sells hot dogs and burgers, has opened in Sheep Street in Bicester. Owner Guy Daniel, a former optical business owner in London, said: “I got a bit of burn out in the city and wanted to focus on something I wanted to do. I love food and I love serving the public. I started in catering 25 years ago and missed it since. SpudSpot has three other stores opening this year across Oxfordshire and Berkshire.” Daniel added his aim is to have a store “at every opportunity, from Bicester to Windsor” by 2026.

 

Michelin-starred chef Victor Garvey to open restaurant at London’s Midland Grand hotel: Michelin-starred chef Victor Garvey is to open a new restaurant at London’s Midland Grand hotel. Victor Garvey at The Midland Grand will launch later this month at The Midland Grand Dining Room at the hotel, in St Pancras, following Patrick Powell’s departure from the restaurant last year. Garvey is partnering with Harry Handelsman, who is behind both The Midland Grand and Chiltern Firehouse, for the new opening, which will “honour the foundations of classical French cuisine while embracing modernity”. Much like at Garvey’s Michelin-starred SOLA in Soho, there will be some “tableside theatre”, alongside an à la carte and set menu. There will also be a seven-course tasting menu and a 14-course degustation menu, reports Hot Dinners. Handelsman said: “This is one of the most important buildings in the country and one of the most spectacular dining rooms in London, and it demands an experience that lives up to that.”

 

Keystone adds North Brewing Co to its growing portfolio: Keystone Brewing Group, the brewing operation backed by investment firm Breal Group, has acquired Yorkshire’s North Brewing Co, with plans to expand its brands’ distribution nationally and internationally. Founded in 2015, North Brewing Co was last year sold in a pre-pack administration deal to fellow Leeds brewer Kirkstall Brewery, trading under the name of Vertical Drinks. Kirkstall director Steve Holt will stay on as a special advisor to the group, and there will be no job losses at the Springwell brewery, which remains under the stewardship of Kirkstall. Keystone chief executive Mark Williams said: “North Brewing is a true icon, with a compelling reputation for innovation and high-quality beer, and we see enormous potential to build on its success to date, growing it nationally while preserving its original Yorkshire identity. These are exciting times for Keystone, and we’re not finished yet.” Holt added: “Keystone has the sales and marketing resources to expand distribution and accelerate the brand’s growth. I am also delighted that Springwell will continue to brew and package North Brewing Co beer.” The acquisition marks another milestone in Keystone’s plans to develop a £100m drinks portfolio. Last month, it acquired the Magic Rock and Fourpure brewing businesses out of administration. Keystone’s portfolio also includes Black Sheep, Purity, Brick, Brew by Numbers, Big Drop, Wolf Pack and Maison SASSY Cider.

 

Cardiff duo close their independent bar due to cost pressures: Cardiff operators Ben Browne and Tom Morgan have taken the decision to close their independent bar in the city due to cost pressures. The pair have owned Pitch in the Welsh capital’s Mill Lane since 2014 but have now shut it due to a combination of “challenging costs”, not being able to secure a new lease and the Welsh government deciding not to pass on the full 75% business rates relief. With its close vicinity to the Principality Stadium, Pitch has been a staple for Welsh rugby fans, and the owners said they are “particularly sad about not being able to serve breakfast on a home match day” as the Six Nations gets into full swing. They added that supporting independent venues is more important than ever, and many people “don’t understand how brutal the rise in energy costs and trade goods are for small venues”. A statement from the duo added: “Pitch Cardiff has blown the final whistle. As one of Cardiff’s longer standing venues for innovative food and cocktails, it’s has been a pleasure to be part of the city’s food and drink scene. Like many others in the industry, rising national insurance and other business costs, combined with being unable to secure a new lease, have made it a difficult environment to operate in. We’d like to thank all of our customers and friends we’ve met along the way.”

 

Hospitality marketing business secures long-term partnership with Mitchells & Butlers: Hospitality marketing business Guestwise has secured a long-term partnership with Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), saying it has generated an additional £10m revenue annually for the group based on its 2024 performance. Guestwise was launched in early 2022 by Carey Benn and Aden Fraser to enhance the reach, effectiveness and impact of sector brands’ social, web and email campaigns. M&B was an early adopter of Guestwise’s technology, and following successful trial results, M&B has now awarded the company a five-year contract. Richard Whitehouse, director of digital transformation at M&B, said: “Using Guestwise technology, we have been able to enhance the guest experience across M&B’s portfolio of brands, delivering notable improvements in conversion and increases in guest engagement. Our plans for the future include the further deployment of Guestwise tooling to bolster our digital marketing activities.” Benn added: “This contract is amazing validation for the work we have done over the last two years, and the platform we have built. I am very grateful to M&B for the willingness to embrace our vision for the future of hospitality marketing – it shows that using data, executing across channels and personalising guest marketing really does work.” Benn is a former chief executive of Just Eat Takeaway’s Flyt software division, while Fraser is a former head of engineering at Just Eat Takeaway.

 

East Anglia Brazilian-inspired steak restaurant opens third site: East Anglia Brazilian-inspired steak restaurant Cheers has opened its third site. Cheers has moved into the former Surrey Bar and Kitchen in Surrey Street, Norwich, joining the business’ other sites in Thetford and Bury St Edmunds. Andrea Marinho, who owns the business with her husband, Jose, said: “It’s great seeing the family business grow after so much hard work. We love Norwich, and many of our customers travel to one of our other sites from the city, so it made sense to open a branch here.” When the couple first opened their Thetford branch in 2008, their son, Filipe, was three years old. Now, at 19, he will be managing the Norwich restaurant after several years of experience at the Bury St Edmunds site. Cheers offers a dining experience where customers can cook their own steak on a hot stone at the table. “I’m from Brazil, and it is a popular style of dining there,” Andrea said. “We haven’t seen anything like this around here. It has been really popular at our other restaurants, and we are looking forward to bringing it to Norwich.”

Manchester chef Shaun Moffat to open debut restaurant: Manchester chef Shaun Moffat is to open his debut restaurant. Moffat will take the lead as chef patron of Winsome this spring. Housed in Princess Street, adjoining the Whitworth Locke Hotel, Winsome will offer “thoughtful British cooking” through a regularly changing menu. Moffat cut his teeth at London restaurants including Italian concept Manteca and Jackson Boxer, and Andrew Clarke’s now closed St Leonards, and was named Manchester Chef of the Year in 2023. The Winsome team will also take over Whitworth Locke’s Atrium hotel bar, providing bar food paired with cocktails. Moffat said: “Opening the doors will be a big moment in my career, I am excited to share Winsome with the people of Manchester.” 

Nottinghamshire pub operator who was once UK’s youngest landlady acquires café for second site: Nottinghamshire pub operators Beccy Webster and Cassian Prime have acquired a café for their second site. The couple, who run the Gedling Inn in Gedling, have added Heidi’s Café in the village to their portfolio. The café in Westdale Lane has been renamed R&R Café – after the couple’s children – Roman, ten, and six-month-old Remie. Webster was the UK’s youngest landlady when she took over the Elwes Arms in Carlton aged 18. She left there five years ago to focus on the Gedling Inn. Now aged 37, Webster told Nottinghamshire Live: “We’ve just signed for another five years’ tenancy at the pub. The cafe is a bit different from the pub – it’s early mornings rather than late nights. Now we’ve got a family, it’s easier to do.” Prime added: “It was a spontaneous thing. I’ve always wanted to do something different, so when it popped up for sale, we said let’s do it.” The café’s products are made fresh on the premises and there are plans to offer delivery.