Story of the Day - 27 June 2025
Exclusive – first round bids in for Dishoom
Transatlantic investment funds and high-net-worth-individuals are believed to be among the parties that have submitted first round bids to invest in award-winning Indian restaurant group Dishoom, Propel understands. Bids for the business were understood to be due last week, with industry sources suggesting that the valuation for the business could be in excess of £350m.
Propel Exclusive Report
Propel's International Brands Report is available now
Propel’s highly anticipated International Brands report, featuring the 100 leading international brands in UK hospitality by site number, is available to order now. This comprehensive 30,000-word report covers company histories, leadership structures, site numbers and turnover figures – an essential resource for industry professionals.
The top 100 features fast-growing brands from major international markets, including the US, Canada, Europe, Australia and Asia.
The guide will be delivered in two formats: an introductory PDF featuring expert analysis on international brands and a fully searchable Excel sheet for quick access to key data. This data will be categorised into the key sectors of pubs and bars, hotels, quick-service restaurants (QSR), casual dining, cafés and bakeries, experiential leisure, and fine dining.
Industry experts sharing their insights in the report include Keith Bird, former CEO of Marugame Udon, on the challenges of introducing an international brand into the UK; Simon Chaplin, senior director of pubs, restaurants and franchise at Christie & Co, on why London remains a prime entry point for international brands; Matteo Frigeri, founder of Seeds Consulting, on the challenges of recruiting the right UK franchisee; Michael Ingemann, director of THINK Hospitality, on why European brands choose the UK for expansion; Meaningful Vision founder Maria Vanifatova on the UK market for quick-service restaurant operators; and AlixPartners highlights five key trends that make the UK attractive to international brands.
Get the report
Propel’s International Brands report is available now for £595 plus vat. Premium Club members receive the report for free.
Order The International Report today by emailing: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com
27 June 2025
Propel names Licensed Trade Charity as exclusive charity partner
Propel and the Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) have signed an exclusive agreement making the LTC the exclusive charity partner of Propel. The new partnership is set to significantly help the charity in growing its awareness, enabling it to reach even more people in the licensed hospitality community in need of support.
27 June 2025
Exclusive – The Coconut Tree placed on the market after CVA process fails
Sri Lankan street food operator The Coconut Tree has been placed on the market after the company voluntary arrangement (CVA) it was subject to recently failed, Propel has learned. It is understood that purchasers are sought for the seven-strong company, which was founded in 2016 by five Sri Lankan friends living in Cheltenham – Mithra Fernando, Rashinthe Rodrigo, Dhanushka Fernando, Praveen Thangiah and Shamil Fernando, with offers invited for the business and assets on an accelerated time frame.
27 June 2025
Various Eateries targeting 25 Noci sites in medium term, Rebecca Tooth stands down as Coppa Club MD
Various Eateries, the Hugh Osmond-backed business that operates the Coppa Club and Noci concepts, is looking to grow the latter pasta bar format to 25 sites in the medium term, and said it was “well positioned for selective expansion in London and beyond”. The business currently operates four sites under the Noci concept in London – in Richmond, Battersea, Islington and Shoreditch.
27 June 2025
Kerb CEO – we are excited to see how new smaller format connects with people in a different way
Simon Mitchell (pictured), chief executive of street food collective and hospitality group Kerb, has told Propel that the business is excited to see how its new smaller format “connects with people in a different way” but still delivers “everything we care about”. The business announced this week that it was to launch Kerb Social Club in Brushfield Street, on the edge of Spitalfields Market, in August.
27 June 2025
Birds looks to increase foothold in area of market between Greggs and Gail’s while modernising product range and building on sales growth
Jamie Bird, joint managing director of East Midlands bakery brand Birds, is planning to introduce a new range of products to widen its customer-base and increase sales. It comes as the 106-year-old business is expected to see turnover hit £35m in 2025, its highest for a number of years.
27 June 2025
SSP hires Scott Etherington as new CFO UK & Ireland
SSP, the UK operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations worldwide, has hired Scott Etherington – formerly of Debenhams, Co-op and Wasabi – as its new chief financial officer for the UK and Ireland. Etherington joins SSP after just under a year as group finance director at Debenhams.
27 June 2025
Costa’s third-largest UK franchisee keeps expansion plans on hold in short term as turnover passes £20m
Costa Coffee franchisee, Gerry’s Offshore, which operates 33 sites in the UK and is the brand’s third-largest franchisee here, has said growth plans remain on hold in the short term as it focuses on current operations. It comes as the group, which employs around 550 staff, reported turnover increased to £20,368,266 the year ending 30 June 2023 compared with £19,239,174 the previous year.
27 June 2025
Black Country pub group Bathams reports record £6.8m revenue as turnover exceeds pre-covid levels
Family brewer and pub operator Bathams, which has been in operation for nearly 150 years, has reported turnover increased to a record £6,794,149 for the year ending 30 June 2024 compared with £6,198,956 the previous year. Revenue also exceeded the £6,235,187 for the year ending 30 June 2019 – the last full year before the covid pandemic.
27 June 2025
Safestay hires new CFO
Hostel operator Safestay has hired Carlos Salas Dual as its new chief financial officer. Salas Dual will join the business on Monday (30 June) to replace Paul Hingston, who has decided to step down after three years in the role.
26 June 2025
Ivy Collection reports turnover increases to record £327m but profit falls amid sales talks
The Ivy Collection, the Richard Caring-backed restaurant brand, has reported turnover increased to a record £327,126,000 for the year ending 5 January 2025 compared with £314,744,000 the year before. This included £104,000 in franchise income compared with £143,000 the previous year.
26 June 2025
Exclusive – Oakman files notice of intention to appoint administrators as it looks to complete sale
Oakman Group has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, as it looks to complete a sale of the remainder of its business, Propel has learned. An Oakman Group spokesperson told Propel: “Oakman would like to stress that the company is not in administration, and this is a necessary procedural step which provides the business with temporary protection from creditor action.”
26 June 2025
Exclusive – Mowgli promotes Lucy Worth to CEO
Mowgli, the Nisha Katona-led, TriSpan-backed business, has promoted Lucy Worth, who has been the company’s chief operating officer for the past three and a half years, to chief executive, Propel has learned. Worth joined Mowgli in August 2019 as operations director before stepping up to chief operating officer in the summer of 2021.
June 2025 ~ Premium Club
Propel Premium Club members can access more than 100 videos from Propel’s market-leading conferences. These include the Excellence in Pub and Bar Retailing Conference, available to Premium Club members, featuring speakers such as Simon Emeny, chief executive of Fuller’s, talks to Mark Wingett. Simon Chaplin, senior director pubs, restaurants, franchise at Christie & Co. Mark Bentley, business development director at HDI. Harry Gurney, co-founder of the Cat & Wickets Pub Company. Public House Group founder Olivier van Themsche and finance director Tom McMahon, who operate the Pelican in Notting Hill, The Hero in Maida Vale and the Bull in Charlbury, the Cotswolds. Chickpea Group founder Ethan Davids on balancing growing a wet-led vehicle. Anna-Marie Mason, divisional director of Mitchells & Butlers Premium Division. Richard Colclough, co-founder of Parogon Group. Martin Wolstencroft, chief executive, and Laura Lewis, marketing director, of Arc Inspirations. Gavin George, founder and former chief executive of Laine Pub Company. Chris Hill, managing director of Urban Pubs & Bars, joins Mark Wingett. Sir Tim Martin, founder and chair of JD Wetherspoon, discusses how the company plans to double its sales to £4bn in the next ten years. Kate Oppenheim, editorial consultant at Propel, talks to Charlie McVeigh non-executive director at the Revel Collective, Oisin Rogers, co-founder of The Devonshire, Joycelyn Neve, founder and managing director Seafood Pub Company, and Dominic Jacobs, managing director of JKS Pubs,talk about the challenge the sector faces in attracting new customers, ways in which the sector can go about evolving to do just that, and whether loyalty schemes can play a part
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.
June 2025 ~ Premium Club
The 2025 Experiential Leisure Report, the second year of Propel’s exhaustive report on the fast-growing experiential leisure market, will be published on Friday, 1 August at 9am. The report profiles the current shape of the experiential leisure market – including brands, estate size, trading type and geographical location and future trends. It includes opinion from leading players Juliette Keyte, marketing director at Red Engine, Richard Beese, co-founder of We Do Play, and investor Lisa Boden, partner at investor Edition Capital, and provides a detailed list of UK experiential leisure companies including key staff and Companies House information. The report includes 197 companies, marking a 10% growth in the sector since last year’s study, with 3,700 sites. Katherine Doggrell, Propel’s editorial advisor and the report’s author, said: “The experiential leisure sector is a major growth driver of the hospitality sector, with the market maturing into overseas expansion and franchising as it continues to build and inspire the rest of the market. With trends such as padel keeping the segment fresh, this report hears from operators and investors as they try to anticipate the next innovations. This report delivers an exhaustive overview to all those interested in this influential sector.” The report will be released on Friday, 1 August at 9am and is available for £595 plus VAT to pre-order now. Existing Premium Club subscribers can receive it on Friday, 1 August for £395 plus VAT. The report will be made available for free to existing Premium subscribers on Wednesday, 10 September at 9am.
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.
June 2025 ~ Premium Club
Premium Club Opinion provides weekly insights from industry leaders. In this current edition, Mark Wingett, Propel’s group editor, looks at Pret A Manger’s new format move. Pret A Manger is trialling new café-style formats in Maidenhead and Dundee as it shifts from fast-paced, grab-and-go to more locally tailored, dine-in experiences. With comfortable seating, made-to-order menus, kids’ zones, and expanded bakery counters, the brand is aiming to become a destination for customers seeking quality food in a relaxed setting. This change reflects Pret’s need to adapt post-pandemic, especially as hybrid working and regional competition reshape consumer habits. Over 80% of new sites since 2023 are outside London, and the company is now focused on growth in residential and regional areas. Analysts note that Pret must compete not only on quality but also on value, as alternatives like Gail’s and Cornish Bakery gain traction. International expansion is also a key growth driver, with sales rising to £1.1bn in 2023. Though costly, the new format could redefine Pret’s relevance beyond city centres. With a potential 1,000-store target and rumours of a stock market listing, Pret is positioning itself for long-term transformation into a more diverse, experience-driven national and global brand.
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.
June 2025 ~ Premium Club
Mark Wingett’s Premium Club Diary delivers insider sector gossip every week to Premium Club members. In this current edition, Wahaca launched “Wahaca the Weather,” offering free margaritas if temperatures exceed 28°C or 50% off sunshine bowls when it rains, aiming to celebrate Britain’s unpredictable summer and boost customer engagement. Also, State of Play Hospitality CEO Toby Harris says US trading is strong, but the UK remains challenging. The group prioritizes US growth while selectively exploring UK opportunities, especially for its Hijingo bingo concept. Also in this week’s Diary,After East London Pub Company entered administration in 2023, its four pubs were sold off. Founder Patrick Frawley is set to return with a new venture, West London Pub Company, launching in Marylebone. Meanwhile,Saiphin Moore’s Slurp Noodles, launched in 2019, expanded to three London sites but now faces setbacks, with closures in Soho and temporary shutdown in Wapping. Vegan group Mildreds may take over the Frith Street site. Lastly, Buffalo Wild Wings and In-N-Out Burger have trademarked their names in the UK, sparking speculation. However, neither is expected to launch imminently, with the move seen as brand protection for now.
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.
26 June 2025
Black Sheep Coffee agrees nine-store development deal for Tyne & Wear
Speciality coffee operator Black Sheep Coffee has agreed a nine-store development deal for Tyne & Wear, marking a significant milestone in its northern expansion. The stores have been secured under an exclusive franchise agreement with Mindy Kaur and Bal Singh, operating through their entity Dhesi Food & Beverages.
26 June 2025
London Italian café concept closes crowdfunding campaign after raising almost £835,000 to support expansion
London Italian café concept Amaro Dolce has closed its crowdfunding campaign after raising almost £835,000 to support its expansion plans. Amaro Dolce was founded in 2023 by home baking enthusiast Yuliya Bliss – starting out by supplying other cafes before launching its first own café, in York Road, Battersea, in January 2024.
26 June 2025
Marston’s hires new CFO
Marston’s has hired Stephen Hopson as its new chief financial officer. Hopson joins from Topps Tiles where he has served as chief financial officer since November 2020.
26 June 2025
Brewhouse & Kitchen CEO – like-for-like sales up 2.9% and improving, we have investment capital ready for deployment
Kris Gumbrell, chief executive of Brewhouse & Kitchen, the UK’s largest brewpub group, has told Propel that like-for-like sales are up 2.9% in its current financial year “and improving” while the business has investment capital ready for deployment. He said: “Overall, this year has been positive – we had a strong Christmas, January and February were challenging but it’s been very strong since.”
26 June 2025
Burger & Lobster co-founders’ restaurant in London’s Mayfair among 12 new additions to Michelin Guide
Sardinian-focused restaurant Pinna in London’s Mayfair, which is the brainchild of George Bukhov-Weinstein and Ilya Demichev, the co-founders of surf and turf restaurant group Burger & Lobster and Mediterranean restaurant Wild Tavern, is among the new additions to the Michelin Guide. There are 12 new additions this month, including two more in London – Goodbye Horses in Islington and Japanese restaurant concept Himi in Mayfair.
26 June 2025
Evolv Collection partners with pan-Asian concept Freak Scene for pop-up as it looks to appeal to wider audience
Evolv Collection, formerly D&D London, is joining forces with pan-Asian concept Freak Scene to launch an exclusive pop-up residency at its 100 Wardour Street venue in London. The pop-up with Freak Scene, created by former Nobu head chef Scott Hallsworth, will run at the Soho venue from Tuesday, 22 July until the end of November.
25 June 2025
Greggs launches first eco drive-thru
Food-to-go operator Greggs has launched its first eco drive-thru, fitted with a range of new sustainability initiatives. The site, located in Easton Lane in Winchester in Hampshire, will test new eco-features – including materials used for elements of the build and in-shop operational initiatives – to then be rolled out across other Gregg.
25 June 2025
McDonald's and Krispy Kreme end partnership
McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme have announced that they will end their partnership, effective 2 July, due to cost challenges. The partnership between McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme began with a small-scale test in October 2022.
Watch highlights from this year’s Propel summer conference and party.
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Promotional Content
22 April 2025
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7 October 2024
Meet Maral, the visionary behind Ayal: Sharing Turkmenistan’s Flavours with London’s Streets
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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
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Conferences, study trips, and propel multi club
Upcoming Events
June 25TH 2025
Propel Multi Club - Female Leaders and Entrepeneurs
The conference takes place on Wednesday, 25 June, at Millennium Gloucester Hotel, London Kensington, and is open for bookings. Operators of multi-site hospitality companies can book up to three free places, or operators who are Premium subscribers can claim up to four free places, by emailing: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com
July 9th 2025
Operational Excellence Conference
The conference takes place on Wednesday, 9 July, at One Moorgate Place, London Kensington, and is open for bookings.An event for operations directors, managers, area managers, site managers and chief executives who wants to maximise performance. To book places email: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com
September 4th 2025
Propel Multi Club - Moving ahead with evolved thinking
Operators can claim up to two free places for The Propel Multi Club summer conference and party that takes place on Thursday 4 September, Oxford Belfry. Operators whom are Premium subscribers can claim up to four free places. This year sees the usual fantastic conference with the addition of great entertainment throughout the evening. The conference and party places are free (bedrooms have a cost attached). Book by emailing: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com
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.