Story of the Day - 20 November 2024
Sector sales flatten in October as cost pressures mount
Britain’s top managed hospitality groups achieved year-on-year sales growth of 0.6% in October 2024, the latest edition of the CGA RSM Hospitality Business Tracker shows. It marks the fourth month of below-inflation like-for-like growth in a row, and means the tracker is now at its lowest point since April. The flattening of sales reflects fragile consumer confidence amid ongoing cost increases, as well as poor weather for much of October. Weak growth raises concerns for trading over the crucial Christmas period and adds to new pressures on hospitality’s tax burden set out in the government’s recent Budget, it said.
Bangkok is a culinary hot bed of talent and has no less than 34 Michelin starred restaurants including a street vendor who has one star, it is a truly world class ‘Foodie Destination’.
The vibrant capital city of Thailand offers a wide array of delicious offerings that run the gamut from casual street food to fine-dining creations by renowned local and international celebrity chefs.
The city also boasts some of the highest rooftop bars and restaurants in the world and is a hospitality bucket list in Asia.
To book your place please contact:
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20 November 2024
Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit returns for 2025, open for bookings
Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit is returning for its seventh edition, and tickets are now on sale for the two-day conference as the centrepiece of the January event series. Taking place on 21 and 22 January at One Moorgate Place in London, the event is a partnership between Propel and Think Hospitality, aiming to build a community, promote the sharing of ideas, recognise talent and define the future of eating out.
20 November 2024
Tesco Hospitality MD – in terms of cafes versus concessions, whoever is chucking out the best numbers wins
Tesco Hospitality managing director Adam Martin has said the business is looking to open more cafes, but in terms of cafes versus concessions, “whoever is chucking out the best numbers wins”. Tesco currently has circa 500 hospitality business, with 322 being its own cafes and the rest with retail partners.
20 November 2024
Vapiano hires Lloyd Bloom as new UK MD
The McWin-backed Vapiano brand, which currently operates circa 155 sites across 32 countries, including five in the UK, has hired Lloyd Bloom, formerly of The Big Table Group, as its new UK managing director, Propel has learned. Bloom spent more than four years at The Big Table Group, including two and a half years as chief operating officer of its Bella Italia brand.
20 November 2024
Burger & Beyond launches international franchise programme, plans up to five UK openings next year
Burger & Beyond, the London concept founded by Tom Stock and Craig Povoas in 2015, has launched its first international franchise development programme after receiving interest from potential partners in Europe and the Middle East, Propel has learned.
20 November 2024
Sandwich Sandwich – we have already received substantial interest around funding
Bristol operator Sandwich Sandwich has said it has already received substantial interest in terms of funding its expansion plans and has multiple franchise requests, both at here and internationally. The business, which made its debut in London earlier this year in Gresham Street, has secured a site in Mark Lane – linking Great Tower Street and Fenchurch Street.
20 November 2024
Merlin to launch Minecraft themed attractions in UK and US
Merlin Entertainments is to launch Minecraft themed attractions in the UK and US. The company has entered into a global strategic partnership with Mojang Studios, the creator of Minecraft, to bring the adventures to life through immersive and interactive entertainment attractions in fixed locations around the globe. Merlin will be investing in excess of £85m in the first two attractions.
20 November 2024
Turtle Bay – four-day working week scheme leading to higher team engagement and increased stability
Turtle Bay, the Caribbean restaurant brand backed by Piper, has said that its four-day working week scheme has led to its team engagement scores reaching an “all-time high” and increased management stability. The circa 50-strong business created its “4 Days at the Bay” working model in 2020.
20 November 2024
One in three customers with allergens ‘have been put at risk’
One in three customers have been given incorrect information regarding allergens or served food that contained items they are allergic to when dining out, according to new research Managing Food Allergens and Intolerances in Hospitality – from insight consultancy KAM and hospitality software provider Polaris Elements.
November 2024 ~ Premium Club
Each year, Premium Club members receive videos from Propel conferences, totalling around 100. The latest videos are from Propel’s Multi Club Conference – New ideas, new directions, and will be available to Premium Club members on Friday, 22 November, at 9am. This collection features Des Gunewardena, founder of the D3 Collective and co-founder of D&D London, talking about his return to the hospitality sector, his three new projects with a focus on ‘landmark sites’ and his take on the London market. Plus, Michael Clarke, managing director of Wendy’s UK and Europe, discusses the return of the third-largest quick service restaurant brand in the US to these shores. These videos are an excellent resource to keep your team updated on the latest trends, innovations, and strategies shaping the hospitality sector.
By joining Propel Premium Club members get access to essential insight through Propel Opinion pieces from leading industry commentators, plus our industry-leading databases, receive hospitality’s foremost newsletter first, watch vital video content and get event discounts.
November 2024 ~ Premium Club
Premium Club members will receive the next Who’s Who of UK Hospitality will be released to Premium Club members on Friday, 22 November, at midday. Another 11 companies have been added to the database, which now features 874 companies. This month’s edition will also include 61 updated entries. The companies, listed in alphabetical order, will have their most recent results reported as well as broader information around Ebitda, plans and trading style available. The database merges Companies House information, interviews and other public information to provide an easy to reference and exhaustive guide to the sector. Premium Club members also receive access to five other databases: the Multi-Site Database, the New Openings Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisor Database, the UK Food and Beverage Franchisee Database, Who’s Who of UK Hospitality and the Turnover & Profits Blue Book.
By joining Propel Premium Club members get access to essential insight through Propel Opinion pieces from leading industry commentators, plus our industry-leading databases, receive hospitality’s foremost newsletter first, watch vital video content and get event discounts.
November 2024 ~ Premium Club
Premium Club Opinion provides weekly insights from industry leaders. In this current edition, Graeme Smith, managing director at AlixPartners, models the Budget’s impact on the sector and what factors businesses need to be wary of to understand which sites have the headroom to absorb higher costs. Meanwhile, Elliott Goldstein, managing partner of The MBS Group, examines the progress of equity, diversity and inclusion within the hospitality, travel and leisure industries, and the areas that need improvement, and Meaningful Vision chief executive Maria Vanifatova looks at what to expect with pricing next year following the Budget.
By joining Propel Premium Club members get access to essential insight through Propel Opinion pieces from leading industry commentators, plus our industry-leading databases, receive hospitality’s foremost newsletter first, watch vital video content and get event discounts.
November 2024 ~ Premium Club
Mark Wingett’s Premium Club Diary delivers insider sector gossip every week to Premium Club members. In this current edition, Simon Dodd, chief executive of Young’s, shares why Christmas in London is bringing him some holiday cheer. Discover the name of Honest Burgers’ new QSR-style smashed burger concept and the location of Burger King’s new flagship site in the heart of the capital—believed to be its first prime central London opening in years. Meanwhile, a leading Premier League football club has signed Rick Gray, former operations director of Loungers’ Cosy Club and JD Wetherspoon, known for its no-background-music policy, might just be ready to hit play on a new era.
By joining Propel Premium Club members get access to essential insight through Propel Opinion pieces from leading industry commentators, plus our industry-leading databases, receive hospitality’s foremost newsletter first, watch vital video content and get event discounts.
20 November 2024
YouMeSushi seeking new franchisees as it reiterates doubling its network within three years
YouMeSushi, the restaurant and takeaway business, has said it is seeking new franchisees as it reiterates plans double its network within three years. The brand, founded in 2008, currently has 26 restaurants and has hired Krishma Vaghela as franchise consultant.
20 November 2024
Dakota lines up York hotel
Boutique hotel brand Dakota is lining up a site in York. A planning application has been submitted for a new hotel at the Northern House site that will form part of the ongoing regeneration of Rougier Street in the city centre.
19 November 2024
Oakman ends sale process, set to pay down debt and reinvest in estate
Oakman Group has sold two freehold pubs to brewer and retailer McMullen’s with the proceeds set to allow the repayment of debt maturing in January 2025 together with providing the business additional capital to invest in its existing estate. The sale of the two pubs – The Rose in Wokingham, Berkshire, and The Polecat in Prestwood, Buckinghamshire – follows a review of strategic options available.
19 November 2024
Insomnia Cookies UK MD – we’re a late-night brand, I’m just not convinced London is a late-night city anymore
Ben Lacey, managing director of Insomnia Cookies UK, the late-night bakery business, has said that to realise the potential of the brand in the UK, the business will look to eventually launch in the capital, but he is not convinced London is a late-night city anymore. The brand, which made its debut here last year, currently operates four UK sites, three in and around Manchester plus a recent opening in Sheffield.
19 November 2024
Electric Shuffle to open in London’s King’s Cross and Chicago
Red Engine, the Flight Club operator, has secured sites in London’s King’s Cross and Chicago for Electric Shuffle, its cocktail bar and shuffleboard concept. The business will open an Electric Shuffle near the Coal Drops Yard area in 2025. The new 9,400 square-foot, 400-capacity venue will be the concept’s third London location, joining existing venues in Canary Wharf and London Bridge.
19 November 2024
North Brewing Co MD and co-founder step down to focus on North Bar brand
North Brewing Co managing director John Gyngell and co-founder Christian Townsley have stepped down from their roles with the Leeds brewer and retailer to instead focus on the company’s North Bar brand. Gyngell, who has been managing director of North Brewing Co since 2015, has also been managing director of the nine-strong North Bars business since 1997.
19 November 2024
Cake Box to make international debut
Cake Box, the specialist retailer of fresh cream cakes, is to open its international debut with its first store in Paris as it seeks to expand into continental Europe. The company is due to open an outlet in the Gare du Nord in the first half of the next financial year. The group has grown to span a network of 232 stores across the UK.
19 November 2024
Lancashire family bakery business Oddie’s seeks buyer as it faces closure
Lancashire family bakery business Oddie’s is seeking a buyer with the group at risk of closure. Oddie’s, a fourth-generation family business that was started in 1905 by William Henry Oddie and operates 13 sites across the county, is being advised by Azets and Brabners Solicitors.
19 November 2024
Northern Ireland McDonald’s franchisee sees profit more than quadruple to £2.1m
McDonald’s franchisee JMC Restaurants, which operates seven sites in Northern Ireland, has reported turnover increased 15% to a record £42,031,665 for the year ending 31 December 2023 compared with £36,611,550 the year before. Pre-tax profit rose to £2,142,838 from £496,189 the previous year. Gross profit margin was 65.05% compared with 64.21% the previous year.
19 November 2024
JD Wetherspoon set to open new £2.8m hotel in Newcastle
JD Wetherspoon is set to open a new £2.8m hotel in Newcastle. The Mile Castle hotel will open on Tuesday, 26 November, in the grade-II listed building adjoining the existing Mile Castle pub in Westgate Road and Grainger Street. The hotel will have 26 bedrooms, of which 19 can accommodate twin occupancy.
19 November 2024
Gordon Ramsay Restaurants to open new Bishopsgate site in February, creating 250 jobs
Gordon Ramsay Restaurants has said its new site in London’s Bishopsgate will open in February and create 250 jobs. The business is launching its biggest ever recruitment drive to fill the roles at 22 Bishopsgate, which will feature three new restaurants, a rooftop terrace and a culinary academy.
19 November 2024
Michelin-starred chef Glynn Purnell’s closed Birmingham restaurant owes customers £40,000
Glynn Purnell’s restaurant in Birmingham, which closed down earlier this month, has been left owing customers nearly £40,000 in outstanding vouchers. Michelin-starred chef Purnell took the decision to close his restaurant after 17 years due to the knock-on effect of the covid pandemic and increased costs and wages.
Watch highlights from this year’s Propel summer conference and party.
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7 October 2024
Meet Maral, the visionary behind Ayal: Sharing Turkmenistan’s Flavours with London’s Streets
With the help of the McCain Streets Ahead programme, Maral turned her dream into a thriving business. Through Ayal, she offers Londoners a taste of Turkmen cuisine, from Manti dumplings to traditional palav, highlighting the rich heritage of her culture.
9 September 2024
Meet Eman and Bisan Bites: Bringing Palestinian Flavours to London's Streets
In 2022, Eman embarked on a journey to bring the authentic taste of Palestinian cuisine to the street food scene of London. Seeking guidance from the Streets Ahead programme, she transformed her passion into a reality, creating Bisan Bites a business that celebrates her heritage.
17 July 2024
Taste Uzbekistan: The Street Food Duo sharing the traditions and flavours of Central Asia
In 2022, Akbar and Sanobar joined the Streets Ahead program with a clear vision: to become the ultimate destination for food enthusiasts seeking an authentic and immersive experience.
20 June 2024
UTOPIA: The Syrian Street Food Concept making London taste better
Hind Danoun is one of the many successful refugee entrepreneurs to come out of the McCain Streets Ahead Programme. From joining the programme in 2022 to turning over £21,000 in revenue since launching late 2023.
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Upcoming Events
November 13th 2025
The Propel Bangkok
Study Tour
Bangkok is a culinary hot bed of talent and has no less than 34 Michelin starred restaurants including a street vendor who has one star, it is a truly world class ‘Foodie Destination’. The city also boasts some of the highest rooftop bars and restaurants in the world and is a hospitality bucket list in Asia.