Chocoberry aiming for 100 locations as its targets Turkey for next overseas market: Dessert brand Chocoberry has said it is aiming to grow to 100 locations, as its targets Turkey for its next overseas market. Founded in Leicester in 2018 after Kashif Razzaq was inspired by the baking of his wife, Humaira, Chocoberry has since grown to 15 UK locations. It also has sites in Peterborough, Rotherham, Coventry and London’s Leytonstone and Whitechapel “opening soon”, alongside two more locations in Leicester, where it already has four sites. It also has two sites in the Middle East – in Dubai and Sharjah – with further expansion into the region planned, and its list of locations “coming soon” also includes Calgary in Canada and Istanbul in Turkey. The company exhibited at this month’s International Franchise Show at the ExCel in London, as it seeks partners with which to grow through franchising. Kashif said: “From our humble beginnings in Leicester in 2018, we have blossomed into stewards of 15 flourishing cafes adorning the landscape of the UK. This remarkable journey has been a testament to your unwavering support and our steadfast commitment to curating extraordinary culinary experiences. Today, it is with boundless excitement that we share our grand vision for global expansion. With aspirations for reaching the heavens, we aspire to cultivate a network of 100 establishments both domestically and across international frontiers. Our sacred mission to disseminate the joy of exceptional brunches, decadent desserts and sublime coffee knows no geographical bounds. As we embark on this new chapter of expansion, we eagerly anticipate the privilege of extending our warmest welcomes to our illustrious cafes, gracing the world’s most distinguished locales.” The growth push is being led by the brand’s franchise development manager, Ameer Nurmahomed, a former project manager at fellow franchise business, Oodles Wok. Nurmahomed is currently preparing to travel to Istanbul, to “dive into” the company’s next overseas project. A company spokesman said: “Chocoberry is coming to Istanbul. We’re excited to announce our official launch in Türkiye as part of Chocoberry’s global expansion journey. As we bring the best in brunch, coffee, and desserts to Istanbul, we’re actively seeking passionate and experienced professionals to join our network. We’re currently looking for franchise partners, distributors and real estate professionals.” Chocoberry features in the UK Food & Beverage Franchisor Database, the next edition of which will be sent to Premium subscribers on Wednesday, 14 May and feature a total of 350 companies. 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.

Premium Club subscribers to receive updated Multi-Site Database with 3,386 operators and 30 new companies today: Premium Club subscribers are to receive the updated Multi-Site Database today (Friday, 25 April), at noon. The next Propel Multi-Site Database provides details of 3,386 multi-site operators and is searchable in seven main segments. The database features 989 (29%) operators from the casual dining sector, 794 (23%) pub and bar operators, 576 (17%) cafe bakery operators, 472 (14%) quick service restaurant operators, 276 (8%) hotel operators, 214 (6%) experiential leisure operators and 54 (2%) fine dining operators. The database is updated each month, and this edition includes 30 new companies. The database includes new companies in the experiential leisure sector such as Padium, the high-end padel concept, interactive shooting simulation concept Point Blank Shooting, and UK gym operator NRG Gyms. Premium Club subscribers also receive access to five additional databases: the New Openings Database, the Turnover & Profits Blue Book, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database and the Who's Who of UK Hospitality. All Premium Club subscribers 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 International Brands report. Operators that are Premium Club subscribers are also able to send up to four members of staff to each of our four Multi-Club Conferences for free. Premium Club subscribers 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 subscribers 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 subscribers 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.

 

Former Roadchef CEO – ‘the future for motorway service areas is an exciting one’: Mark Fox, who stepped down as chief executive of Roadchef earlier this year after seven years in the role, has said that the future for motorway service areas (MSAs) “is an exciting one”, with more brands set to head roadside. Writing in today’s (Friday, 25 April) Premium Opinion, which will be available to Propel Premium subscribers at 5pm, about the evolution of MSAs, Fox, who was also previously chief executive of Bill’s Restaurants, said: “Contrary to popular opinion, the average visit time will not increase significantly when charging an electric vehicle as it’s already about the same as the average charging time. However, it is the case that, for the medium term, battery electric vehicles will need to charge up more frequently that petrol or diesel vehicles need to fuel, so this will provide some additional footfall, which will be attractive for all kinds of brands, and I have a suspicion that smaller brands will seek the exposure and begin to feature more in the line-ups. We must always remember that one of the most popular MSA groups in the UK, Westmorland, has no major brands, and its MSAs at Tebay and Gloucester garner rave reviews.” This week’s Premium Opinion also features Propel group editor Mark Wingett’s take on the current casual dining market and a thank you to pub operators.  A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

 

JD Wetherspoon chairman Sir Tim Martin – our costs are going up £1.2m a week, not everyone in the sector will cope: JD Wetherspoon chairman Sir Tim Martin has said his company’s costs are “going up by £1.2m a week” on the back of the increase in the national minimum wage and the change in the national insurance contributions threshold, and warned that not everyone in the sector will be able to cope. Speaking on ITV’s Peston programme, Sir Tim said: “Our costs are going up by £1.2m a week and it’s a hell of a lot. It’s approximately equivalent to our after-tax profits before they went down during the pandemic. We’re coping, but not everyone will cope. Our prices are low. We’ve got some advantages. We’ve got mostly freehold pubs, our debts are not too high. I think a lot of other people haven’t got all those things going for them and may struggle more.” On the possibility that the chancellor may have to raise taxes further rather than break her fiscal rules, Sir Tim said: “I’d be pretty anxious. I mean, business has borne a lot of the burden, and I think the cries for help from business are not artificial, so it will be difficult to whack them up again.” Last month, Sir Tim told Propel the company has no plans to slow down recruitment or cut jobs despite the annual £60m increase in labour costs. Wetherspoon said the increases in national insurance and labour rates amount to approximately £1,500 per pub, per week. Speaking following the company’s interim results, where sales increased to a record £1,030m, Sir Tim said: “We are hoping that trading stays robust.” Sir Tim will be among the speakers at the Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference. The all-day conference takes place on Wednesday, 14 May at One Moorgate Place in London and is open for bookings. Sir Tim will discuss how the company plans to double its sales to £4bn in the next ten years after passing the £2bn mark last year and why his business is a true melting pot of consumers. For the full speaker schedule, click here. Tickets are £295 plus VAT for operators and £345 plus VAT for suppliers. There is a 20% discount for operators and suppliers who are Premium Club subscribers. Email: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to book places.

 

Lunch leads the way as dinner and large group bookings ditched for Easter: Diners ditched dinner and large group bookings this Easter weekend, new insights from hospitality technology provider Zonal shows. The data revealed nearly half (44%) of all bookings made during lunchtime hours over the long weekend happened on Easter Sunday, with lunch making up 60% of total reservations on that day. Across the four-day weekend, lunch remained the most popular time to dine on Sunday and Monday, comprising 56% of all bookings compared with just 28% for dinner. In contrast, dinner proved to be more popular on Good Friday and Easter Saturday, making up 44% of bookings made on those days, compared with only 34% for lunch. The data also revealed smaller groups were favoured over larger gatherings, with bookings for two people making up 33% of all reservations across the Easter weekend. Tim Chapman, chief commercial officer at Zonal, said: “Unlike other celebratory events that are often associated with evening socialising and late-night gatherings, Easter typically emphasises daytime activities, such as family lunches, egg hunts, and community events. As a result, many chose to dine out earlier in the day, reinforcing lunch as the dominant mealtime.” 

 

Just Eat sales flatline after weaker-than-expected UK orders, takeover expected to complete this year: Just Eat has revealed flat growth after weaker-than-expected order numbers in the UK, ahead of the firm’s planned takeover. Earlier this year, Just Eat said it would become private again after agreeing to a €4.1bn (£3.4bn) takeover by South African-owned firm Prosus, which is an investor in German rival Delivery Hero. Just Eat has now updated shareholders and said the deal, which is subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to complete by the end of the year. The firm also reported that its gross transaction value (GTV) was flat at €4.7bn (£4bn) for the first three months of 2025. Just Eat said GTV rose by 3% year-on-year in the UK and Ireland, despite a 5% drop in the total number of orders in the region to 57.1 million. Analysts at Panmure Liberum said transactions and orders were “weak” in every market, with UK order numbers “5% behind” a consensus from industry analysts. Just Eat chief executive Jitse Groen said: “Our vision is to empower everyday convenience for our consumers, partners and couriers. We are delighted to make continued progress in adding huge variety of new partners to offer the widest possible selection for consumers anytime and anywhere. As announced at the full-year 2024 results in February, Just Eat will invest an additional €150m to accelerate growth in 2025.”

 

Diageo reports net sales down 2.5% and volume drops 3.6% in third quarter: Diageo has reported net sales were down 2.5% to $4,253m and volume fell by 3.6% year-on-year for its third quarter ending 31 March 2025. For the year to date, sales were down 1.2% to $15,215m and volume has fallen 4.7%. It comes as part of the company’s commitment to providing more frequent updates on its financial performance, including quarterly trading statements. Diageo said the updates “aim to enhance transparency and provide stakeholders with timely insights into the company’s performance, which is crucial given the current market dynamics”. Last month, Diageo announced Barry O’Sullivan will become managing director of Diageo GB, effective 1 July. Nuno Teles, the current managing director of Diageo GB, will move to managing director of Diageo Mexico. O’Sullivan has spent the past four years as managing director of Diageo Ireland, delivering “consistent, sustainable growth” in the Irish market for the business.

 

London business leaders – end the tourist tax now to avoid a summer washout: London business leaders have renewed their pleas to the government to axe the so-called “tourist tax” ahead of a feared “summer of discontent” caused by higher taxes and lower numbers of US shoppers. The Standard reports that London’s retail and hospitality sectors are increasingly concerned about a painful jobs shake out if ministers continue to refuse to allow foreign visitors to reclaim the 20% VAT on their purchases. Travel bosses said there are increasing indications that the high spending Americans that London relies on to keep its shops, restaurants, hotels and cabs full over the summer months are booking fewer trips to London. There is some anecdotal evidence that Americans fear a less friendly welcome in Europe this year because of the blizzard of tariffs and the outspoken criticism that the Trump administration has directed to its “allies” across the Atlantic. Hotelier Sir Rocco Forte, chairman of Rocco Forte Hotels, whose portfolio includes Brown’s in London, said: “According to the latest figures, UK tourist attractions are lagging well behind pre-covid visitor numbers. They suggest around one in 11 tourists is staying away. Spending by tourists has also declined significantly. The self-defeating removal of tax-free shopping for tourists by the last government is one of the main factors behind this. In my hotel group, we see tourists spending less time in the UK and more in the EU, where they can still shop tax free.”

 

Former Whitbread MD who helped save Luminar Leisure passes away: Alexander Geffert, whose illustrious six-decade career in hospitality and leisure included spells as managing director of Whitbread and chairman of Luminar Leisure, has passed away, aged 84. Geffert helped save 3,000 jobs in 2011 when he orchestrated the £45m rescue of Luminar Leisure, the world’s largest nightclub group at the time. He stepped in as executive chairman, helping stabilise and run the business ahead of its eventual rebrand to Deltic Group and later Rekom UK (now Neos Hospitality). He was also executive chairman of Planet Ice, Europe’s largest ice rink company, and established Whitbread’s golf and country club division, most notably purchasing the now championship golf course on the Goodwood Estate. Mentoring the likes of Loch Fyne co-founders Mark Derry and Ian Glyn and long-time business partner Joe Heanen, Geffert continued working into his 80s, most recently exploring the revival of the Berni Inn brand, for which he owned the rights. Geffert began his career at just 20 years old, as an area sales representative with Watney Mann, and upon Watney’s acquisition by Grand Metropolitan, was appointed general sales manager of Coca-Cola Southern Bottlers. He then became general manager of St George’s Taverns, overseeing 130 large managed pubs across London, and later joined Whitbread, where he was responsible for more than 5,000 pubs across the south and south west. During a subsequent restructure, Geffert was appointed managing director of its newly created hotel and leisure division and invited to join the retail board, where he helped drive the growth of Whitbread’s Costa Coffee and Premier Inn brands. Geffert is survived by his wife Margaret, five children and nine grandchildren. Daughter Anna Geffert said: “Alex will be remembered not only as a titan of the hospitality world, but also as a generous, pioneering and passionate publican – a true legend of the British leisure industry. His dedication to the industry was lifelong and unwavering.”

 

Job of the day: COREcruitment is working with a high-end venue in Leicestershire that delivers weddings and events that is seeking a head of sales and events to lead the team. A COREcruitment spokesperson said: “The role will have a focus on increasing revenue by identifying new opportunities, nurturing leads, all while using data and insights to shape strategy. Building strong connections with event planners, corporate clients, and agencies will be a key part of the role, ensuring long-term partnerships and boosting the venue’s reputation in the industry.” The salary is up to £55,000 per year. For more information, email marlene@corecruitment.com.

 

Exclusive – Ludo Sports Bar & Kitchen secures ‘most ambitious site to date’: Ludo Sports Bar & Kitchen, the joint venture between St Austell Brewery and the directors of ETM Group, is to open its “most ambitious site to date” this August after securing a location in Cardiff, Propel has learned. The first Ludo opened in Bath in May 2023, followed by Exeter in 2024, with Cardiff marking the concept’s largest site to date. Located in St Mary Street, the venue will occupy the current The Alchemist site and its neighbouring unit, creating a 740-capacity flagship venue just metres from the city’s Principality Stadium. The space will feature a 165-inch LED video wall, the largest outdoor screen in Wales, positioned in a landscaped courtyard complete with a retractable roof, pergola and outdoor bar. Inside, wall-to-wall live sport will be shown across 25 85-inch UHD screens, with the addition of interactive darts and a basketball court. There will also be live music outside. The companies said Ludo Cardiff aims to provide the “most immersive fan zone experience in central Cardiff, setting a new benchmark for sport-led hospitality in the city”. Ed Martin, chief executive of Ludo Sports bars and ETM Group, said: “Cardiff is a city with sport at its heart and an unmatched atmosphere on game days. We have long seen the opportunity to bring the Ludo concept to the Welsh capital, and this flagship site reflects our commitment to doing it properly.” Last November, the joint venture secured £6m of funding from HSBC UK to grow its Ludo portfolio by five additional sites, with the first of these – a 400-capacity site – opening in the Guildhall shopping centre in Exeter. On exiting its Cardiff site, Simon Potts, chief executive of The Alchemist, told Propel: “Following the approach and offer on the lease in Cardiff, we’ll be closing St Mary’s Street next month. We wish Ed and the team well for their new venture, as we focus our operational energies on London, where we’re refurbishing our Covent Garden and Canary Wharf venues this summer, and our strategic expansion further afield through our franchise plan.”

 

Filled croissant franchise concept targeting 30-strong estate in next three years as it prepares to open seventh outlet: Filled croissant franchise concept Le Croissant, part of Cawa Coffee group, is aiming to grow to 30 sites in the next three years as it prepares to open its seventh outlet, in Leeds. The company is currently fitting out the site at Leeds bus station. The opening will build on the business’ other locations across Sheffield, Chesterfield and Nottingham. Business development director Deon Jacobs told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “We are looking at growing the franchise business to ten venues over the next 12 months and to 30 in the next 24 to 36 months. We bake fresh at our bakery in Sheffield and deliver to our shops daily. We also roast our own coffee.” Le Croissant’s menu includes the fish finger croissant and wagyu beef burger croissant alongside a selection of sweet croissants.

 

Family-run Devon bakery The Crusty Cob to sell assets to save shops from permanent closure: Family-run Devon bakery The Crusty Cob is looking to sell its assets out of liquidation in a bid to prevent the permanent closure of nine outlets across the county. The Crusty Cob was established in 1969 and employed more than 100 staff but has been impacted by “external cost pressures” in recent years including reduced consumer demand linked to the cost-of-living crisis. A statement of affairs shows The Crusty Cob owes £93,015 to employees, £11,134 to HM Revenue & Customs and £103,000 to secured creditor Lloyds Bank. Advisory firm Azets is supporting The Crusty Cob. Duncan Swift, restructuring partner at Azets, said: “This is a textbook example of the residual cost-of-living and new cost-of-doing-business crises affecting many small and medium-sized enterprises across the UK. The Crusty Cob was hit by a toxic mix of economic headwinds that, taken together, pushed a viable, long-standing business into financial distress.” The Crusty Cob has three outlets in Exmouth and one in each of Ottery St Mary, Honiton, Budleigh Salterton, Exeter, Burnham On Sea and Tiverton.

 

Black Sheep Coffee franchisees sign nine-site deal in London: Black Sheep Coffee franchisees Satar Wahid and Mgdad Alim have signed a nine-site deal to expand the brand further across London. The duo have been awarded the rights to open Black Sheep Coffee stores in five London boroughs – in the west, south and south west of the capital. Black Sheep Coffee managing director Isobel Childs said: “We’re expanding in London. One of our existing Black Sheep Coffee franchise partners has entered into an exclusive partnership for a total store commitment of nine sites across five boroughs: Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Wandsworth and Kingston-upon-Thames. We’re just getting started on our further expansion across London.” Wahid and Alim will open the new stores through a new company, Panahi & Company, which was incorporated last month. Wahid is also a director of several other food and beverage businesses, including Seven Degrees Retail, Panahi Retail and Elani Retail – all incorporated within the past year.

 

Public House Group confirms Marylebone site plans: Public House Group, the umbrella company from the team behind The Pelican in London’s Notting Hill and the Hero in Maida Vale, has confirmed it has secured a site in Marylebone. Propel revealed in January that the business was set to take on the former Flowerhouse pub in Blandford Street, which sits next door to luxury hotel and restaurant Chiltern Firehouse in Chiltern Street. The company told Propel that there will be a pub on the ground floor serving pub classics, with a restaurant on the second floor and an intimate dining space on the top floor. It is thought the pub site will reopen under the name The Hart. Public House Group, which is led by Phil Winser, James Gummer and Olivier van Themsche, most recently opened the Fat Badger pub above Canteen, the company’s Italian restaurant at 310 Portobello Road in Notting Hill. It is also set to reopen The Coach in London’s Clerkenwell and also operates The Bull in Charlbury, Oxfordshire. Savills acted on the Blandford Street site deal. Public House Group founder Olivier van Themsche will be among the speakers at the Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference. The all-day conference takes place on Wednesday, 14 May at One Moorgate Place in London and is open for bookings. Van Themsche will discuss the evolution of the business, the strategy behind its growth, how two endangered British industries – pubs and farming – can survive by helping each other. For the full speaker schedule, click here. Tickets are £295 plus VAT for operators and £345 plus VAT for suppliers. There is a 20% discount for operators and suppliers who are Premium Club subscribers. Email: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to book places.

 

Market Place exploring international opportunities, to open site in London next month: Food hall concept Market Place has said it has begun exploring international opportunities as it gears up to open a new flagship site in London’s St Paul’s. Launched in 2020, Market Place currently operates sites in Peckham, Harrow and Vauxhall. The group said it is exploring the Middle East alongside other international opportunities. The business has engaged Dubai-based strategic advisor David Singleton to support its global growth strategy. Singleton was previously vice-president of hospitality for Dubai-based Al Tayer Group and area vice-president, franchise operations and development EMEA/south Asia, Hard Rock International. Market Place’s new 6,834 square-foot venue will open in Cheapside next month. Spread across two floors, the venue will feature two bars and nine traders. Propel understands Market Place is also lining up an opening in Baker Street, and a regional launch in Manchester, which is scheduled for 2027. Blake Henderson, managing director of Market Place, said: “St Paul's is the prime location to tap into the growing trend of casual, relaxed food hall dining. The City is renowned for its fast pace; the new opening offers an escape from the hustle and bustle, offering flexibility to consumers. By bringing together a diverse mix of cuisines under one roof, every preference can be met. We're thrilled to be opening in May and working with some incredible food operators to give the Square Mile a vibrant new destination for amazing food, great drinks and incredible entertainment.” 

 

Jersey Mike’s hires ex-Wingstop CEO to aid plans to go global: Jersey Mike’s Subs, the second-largest sub-sandwich brand in the US behind Subway, which is planning to launch in the UK as part of its international expansion plans, has hired Charlie Morrison, formerly of Wingstop, to aid its growth ambitions. Morrison brings more than three decades of industry experience to lead Jersey Mike's continued growth. From 2012 to 2022, he served as chairman and chief executive of Wingstop and grew the business from fewer than 500 stores to in excess of 2,000 locations in more than ten countries. He succeeds Peter Cancro, who is stepping down from the chief executive role 50 years after acquiring the company's first location in 1975. Jersey Mike’s Subs, which operates circa 3,000 sites in the US, was acquired by private equity firm Blackstone last November in a deal that reportedly valued the sandwich brand at approximately $8bn, including debt. To capitalise on the brand’s popularity, rapid growth and longevity of America’s love of sandwiches, Morrison plans to expand throughout the US and beyond. “The amount of white space available to Jersey Mike’s to grow, not only in the US but around the world, is enormous,” Morrison said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. “Together, we’ll focus on continuing to accelerate growth across new and existing markets and identifying opportunities to invest in additional technological advancements and innovation, while remaining true to the exceptional quality, service and community values that make Jersey Mike’s so beloved nationwide.” Earlier this month, Cancro said Jersey Mike’s Subs has eyes on the UK in particular after a relatively strong performance so far in Canada. The company said it is still looking for the right group to open with in the UK. 

 

Punch adds Market Drayton site to leased and tenanted estate: Punch Pubs & Co, the Fortress-backed group, has added The Crown in Market Drayton, Shropshire, to its leased and tenanted estate. The town centre pub, located in Queen Street, will be managed by experienced, multi-site operators, Ami Sanobar and Darren Paul. Punch Pubs & Co head of acquisitions, Andrew Cannons, said: “We’re delighted to have expanded our portfolio with The Crown. This is a fantastic pub that is highly valued in the local community.” Punch reiterated it is continually on the lookout for “more quality acquisitions, including packages and single-site opportunities that fit well with our modern and progressive vision and growth plans”. Earlier this week, the company acquired four pubs from Leicestershire brewer and retailer Everards. The pubs – The Old Kings Head in Long Buckby, The Paget in Loughborough, The Cricketers in Leicester and the Dog & Gun in Whetstone – have been placed into Punch’s leased and tenanted estate.

 

Esquires opens record-breaking three stores in as many weeks: Esquires, owned by Cooks Coffee Company, has opened a company record of three new stores in as many weeks. First up was a site at 15 Mitre Court in Railway Street, Hertford, Hertfordshire, at the start of April. This was followed a week later by a store at Unit 1 Clifton Triangle in Green Lane, Clifton, Nottingham. Another week on saw the opening of the latest Esquires, at 70-72 High Street in Maidenhead, Berkshire – bringing the company’s total UK footprint to 72 stores, plus 17 in Ireland. The Maidenhead store is independently owned by franchise partners Abhiraj Rajendrasinh, Virendra Manajibhai, Darshit Dineshkumar and Jagdishkumar Mansukhbha. Charlie Webb, head of business development at Esquires, said: “Our team set a new record in Esquires Coffee history – three stores within three weeks. Plenty more to come this year, and some are just around the corner.” On Esquires’ list of locations “coming soon” are Buxton, Camberley, Congleton, Crowthorne, Gerrards Cross, Leighton Buzzard, Eastcote, Walthamstow, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Saffron Walden and Solihull. Esquires owner Cooks Coffee Company earlier this month reported “strong trading momentum”, with sales in its fourth quarter up 35% to £9.5m (2024: £7.1m). Group store sales for the year ending 31 March 2025 were up 26.4% to £35.1m.

 

Market Taverns promotes Adrian Laws to COO: Market Taverns, the privately-owned pub company operating sites across London, has promoted Adrian Laws to chief operating officer. Laws joined the 15-strong Market Taverns last June as operations director having previously held senior operations positions at Youngs, Hippo Inns and Oakman Inns. In his new role, Market Taverns said Laws will take on some wider responsibilities and work closely with the board to develop the future strategy for the business. The group said he will also be appointed as a director and take on the statutory duties and responsibilities of that role, as well as focusing on boosting sales and enhancing the customer journey. Rolf Munding, owner of Market Taverns, said: “The board have been delighted with Adrian’s contribution to the business since he joined. He has given focus to the way we operate, resolved some key issues, improved standards and brought enthusiasm for retail excellence into our pubs.” 

 

Kerb to open Berlin site next month: Street food collective and hospitality group Kerb will open a site in Berlin next month, featuring “12 of the city’s most exciting food businesses”. The new site will open inside the former IMAX cinema at Potsdamer Platz, in the German capital. The company said: “Following the success of Seven Dials Market, this marks the next step in our mission: to become the most impactful hospitality business in the world. What does that mean? Backing independent food talent, creating platforms for growth and building places where great food and great ideas come together. Kerb Berlin will showcase 12 of the city’s most exciting food businesses under one iconic roof. From Butter Bronson’s buttermilk fried chicken to Fräulein Kimchi’s beignets and bao buns, plus Berlin-based legends like El Amigo Taqueria, Jian Bing Town, and Grindhouse Burgers. We’re also bringing a taste of London with us: Pick & Cheese is launching its infamous cheese conveyor belt at Kerb Berlin – featuring German cheese, pickles, and bread, all served with signature flair.” Earlier this month, Kerb launched Corner Corner in London’s Canada Water, a 55,000 square-foot space that brings together food, live music and an indoor vertical farm, as part of a joint venture with Broadwick. Kerb is also opening a new central London venue this summer.

 

Morley’s wins appeal against ‘copycat’ competitor following successful trademark infringement claim: Fried chicken brand Morley’s has won its appeal against a “copycat” competitor following last year’s successful trademark infringement claim. In June 2024, Morley’s, which has more than 100 UK locations, won a High Court case against Metro’s Kunalingham Kunatheeswaran. Morlery’s claimed the competitor had wrongly used signage too similar to its distinctive red and white, as well as its ‘triple M’ trademark. The defendants appealed the ruling, but the appeal has now been dismissed in its entirety. Sam Walker, a solicitor at Ward Hadaway, who acted for Morley’s, said: “It is always unfortunate when unsuccessful defendants continue to prolong litigation, and prevent the pragmatic resolution of disputes for our clients, but it has been a pleasure to assist Morley’s with this matter and achieve successful outcomes in both the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Our client can now benefit from the remedies that it has obtained from the courts, prevent the defendants from infringing its valuable trademarks, and ultimately protect its iconic brand.” Morley’s chief executive Shan Selvendran, son of founder Kannalingham Selvendran, who launched the chain in 1985, added: “IP cases, and any litigation process where it goes to court, is painful in every sense, but when you have a legal team who were passionate about the case, it adds a layer of confidence that’s needed when you are fighting to maintain your IP rights. Protection of our IP to date has been movie-worthy at times; no doubt I will be sending a script to Black Mirror for another episode!”

Atis to open in London’s Mayfair next month for 11th site: Atis, the London salad concept co-founded by former Noble Rot sommelier Eleanor Warder and Philip Honer, will open its new site in Mayfair next month. The company will launch the venue in Grosvenor Street on Monday, 12 May for its 11th outlet. The opening will be Atis’ second of 2025 following a launch at 90 Long Acre last month. Atis also has a second Mayfair opening lined up, in North Audley Street. Warder said: “We’re excited to bring Atis to Mayfair – it’s a huge moment for the business. We’ve had so many customers ask when we’re coming to the area, and we’re thrilled to finally be opening.” In January, the business told Propel that 2025 was set to be a “transformational year” as it embarks on its next stage of growth, after securing £8m of new funding. Atis, which was founded in Shoreditch in October 2019, has a target of reaching 20 sites by September, including delivery kitchens and a possible launch outside the capital. Atis is backed by property developer Graham Hedger, who has funded the business from the start. Honer was among the speakers at last month’s Propel Multi-Club Conference. His video and the 13 others from the conference are available to Premium Club subscribers. 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.

 

Bibi’s to open City of London site next month: Bibi’s, the London café concept founded by Turkish-born chef Bilur Yapici – nicknamed Bibi – will open its new site in the City of London next month. It will open at 16 Cullum Street in Fenchurch on Thursday, 1 May, for its seventh site in the capital. It will offer Bibi’s Signature Salad, which includes a variety of six different Mediterranean salads served with additional toppings and dressings. It will also serve homemade hot food such as roasted chicken with honey and cajun, roasted salmon with honey and garlic, creamy coconut curry chicken and spicy meatballs with tomato sauce. The restaurant will also offer catering services to the surrounding area, prepared fresh on the day and delivered straight to the door – both as individual lunch boxes and buffet-style spreads. The business was founded in 2019 by Yapici and her partner, Tansel Turna, three years after they moved to the UK from Istanbul. In January, Turna told Propel Bibi’s is gearing up for its next big growth phase and is seeking investors both in the UK and abroad.

 

Amsterdam restaurant set to open London outpost: Nela, the Amsterdam restaurant founded by chefs Hari Shetty and Ori Geller and British entrepreneur Gilad Hayeem, is set to launch its London outpost this autumn. Occupying a near 10,000 square-foot space at The Whiteley in Bayswater, Nela London will celebrate live-fire cooking with high-quality, hand-picked ingredients. Accessed via its own street entrance, the restaurant will feature an open kitchen, a 360° centrepiece bar, a private dining room and an outdoor terrace. Shetty and Gellar met while working together at Michelin-starred The Duchess, in Amsterdam. Shetty honed his skills at Nobu before going on to open restaurants including Momo and Izakaya, while Geller was instrumental in the opening of Mr Porter in Amsterdam. “Following the success of our launch in Amsterdam, we’re very excited to share the Nela experience with London,” they said. “The Whiteley is a unique place and, together with our incredible team, we can’t wait to create a destination within a destination for all lovers of great hospitality.” 

Food Roots to open third Via Emilia site: London-based Food Roots is set to open a third site in the capital under its Via Emilia restaurant concept. Via Emilia, which takes its name from the Roman road that runs through Emilia Romagna, the Italian region that is the birthplace of homemade egg pasta, will open at 12 All Saints Road, in Notting Hill. It will join existing sites in Fitzrovia and Shoreditch. Via Emilia offers diners eight signature pasta dishes from each Emilian city the road connects. All are authentically named in the local dialect and hand-made from traditional family recipes. A small selection of shared-plate starters mainly consist of charcuterie and cheese platters, sliced fresh to order. A succinct wine list exclusively from the region complements the food. The company is led by Christian Pero, who launched the concept in Hoxton Square, having acquired the site from Red Dog Saloon in 2017.