Story of the Day - 15 October 2024
Galito’s planning UK entry, sees potential for it being brand’s biggest overseas market
South African peri peri chicken franchise Galito’s has told Propel it is planning to enter the UK and sees the potential for it being the brand’s biggest overseas market. Founded in 1996 by former Nando’s franchisee Louis Germishuys, Galito’s now operates in 19 countries – with its landmark 300th location set to open early next year.
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
15 October 2024
Starbucks acquires largest UK franchisee 23.5 Degrees
Starbucks has acquired its largest franchise in the UK, 23.5 Degrees, which operates 113 sites, for an undisclosed sum. The global coffee brand said the deal would further expand its portfolio of company-operated stores and enhance “the coffeehouse experience for customers”. The deal increases Starbucks’ total number of company-operated locations to almost 500 in the UK.
15 October 2024
Sector warns Labour that raising employer national insurance contributions will be ‘tax on jobs’
Chancellor Rachel Reeves (pictured) has warned businesses that taxes will have to rise as she faced accusations of breaking a manifesto pledge on national insurance. Reeves argued that political and economic stability was more important to business investment than tax levels as she insisted Labour had never promised not to raise employer national insurance contributions.
15 October 2024
Lane7 founder – competitive socialising in the new anchor for landlords
Tim Wilks, founder of boutique bowling company Lane7, has argued that competitive socialising concepts, like his own, are becoming the new anchor tenants for shopping developments across Europe. It comes as the business recently made its international debut, with an opening in Berlin’s Potsdamer Platz.
15 October 2024
Donald Trump’s Turnberry golf course sees profit soar after benefiting from foreign currency exchange rates
Donald Trump’s luxury Scottish golf resort, Turnberry, saw its profit soar in the year to 31 December 2023 after benefiting from foreign currency exchange rates. The venue, which features three golf courses and a century-old hotel, last year made its first profit since being bought by the Trumps for a reported $60m in 2014.
15 October 2024
Bella Italia to open fourth Bristol restaurant as it returns to expansion trail
Bella Italia, the Big Table Group-owned brand, is opening its fourth restaurant in Bristol as it returns to the expansion trail. The site will open on Thursday (17 October) at Aspects Leisure Park.
15 October 2024
UK Hospitality growth slowing, delivery and coffee and sandwich operators continue to outperform market
Hospitality sales grew 1.6% year-on-year in the 12 weeks ending 1 October 2024, with growth softening to just 0.4% in the latest four weeks, according to analysis from HDI, provider of card spending insight and pricing data to the UK sector. Independents and smaller players are now the best performing sector, with these operators, which represent just over a fifth of the market, bucking the general trend of softening sales performance.
15 October 2024
Colicci reports profit and turnover boost in ‘strong year’ for business
Colicci, which operates cafes, restaurants and kiosks across 13 London parks and a kiosk at Westfield Stratford, has reported increased profit and turnover in what it said was a “strong year for the business”. The company reported a pre-tax profit of £1,716,706 for the year to 31 December 2023, up from £1,6868,319 in 2022.
15 October 2024
Bristol and south Gloucestershire McDonald’s franchisee returns to profit, reports sales boost due to growth in delivery and price rises
McDonald’s franchisee Caspian Networks, which operates 13 restaurants in Bristol and south Gloucestershire, returned to profit in the year to 31 December 2023 and reported a sales boost due to a growth in delivery and incremental price rises.
15 October 2024
Imbiba adds three new operating partners to its senior team
Serial sector investor Imbiba, which backs the likes of Pizza Pilgrims, Clays and Big Fang Collective, has added to its senior team with the appointment of three new operating partners, Samir Shah, Andrew Maxwell and Heidi Duckworth.
15 October 2024
Chopstix expands south of England footprint with new Portsmouth site
Chopstix, the QSRP-backed business, has strengthened its relationship with experienced foodservice operators Darren and Naomi Godfrey, with the franchisees opening their second site under the fast-growing, quick service brand, in Portsmouth. Chopstix said the new site in the city’s Commercial Road follows a highly successful site opening earlier this year.
14 October 2024
Papa John’s UK’s FY loss widen to £19.3m, lfl sales down 5.7%
Papa John’s UK saw its pre-tax loss for the year to 31 December 2023 widen to £19,289,000 (2022: £3,846,000), which was affected by the closure of 43 sites post year end that impacted its onerous lease and loan receivable provisions. The company, which had 524 sites in the UK at the year end – 408 of which operate under franchise, said that its profitability was also impacted by the costs of franchise portfolio restructure and general store sales performance when compared to 2022.
14 October 2024
Lola’s Cupcakes looking to expand north and add ‘three or four’ sites each year
Lola’s Cupcakes managing director Asher Budwig has told Propel it is looking to expand north and add “three or four” sites each year. Founded in 2006, the business was acquired in 2011 by Asher and his father, Mario, who 25 years earlier had founded Millie’s Cookies.
October 2024 ~ Premium Club
Each year, Premium Club members receive videos from Propel conferences, totalling around 100. The latest videos are from the Propel Talent & Training conference. This collection features Kathryn York, chief people officer at KFC UK and Ireland, who talks through the success of the brands “The Hatch” youth employment programme, which looks to help young people into their first job, and its “The Kentucky Club”, which hosts jobs-based pop-up events around the country for young people. Propel’s conference videos are an excellent way to keep your team informed about the latest developments in the 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.
October 2024 ~ Premium Club
Premium Club members will receive the next Turnover & Profits Blue Book on Friday 18 October, at noon. The database will feature 60 updated accounts and 16 new companies, taking the total to 994. A total of 624 companies are making a profit while 370 are making a loss. The Blue Book is updated each month and ranks companies by turnover, profit and profit conversion, listing directors’ earnings for the past five years. 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 and the Who’s Who of UK Hospitality.
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.
October 2024 ~ Premium Club
Premium Club Opinion provides weekly insights from industry leaders. In the current edition, Propel group editor Mark Wingett explores the recent deal for Amber Taverns while Propel’s editorial advisor Katherine Doggrell looks at our recent Talent & Training Conference and asks when it comes to a company’s culture, what happens when great minds don’t all think alike? Simon Anderson, food hall consultant at Ideas Food Consultancy, explains why the segment is in an exciting stage of expansion, and Ben Dixon, co-founder of Sona, looks at how AI can help bridge the gap between a challenging market and a need for growth.
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.
October 2024 ~ Premium Club
Mark Wingett’s Premium Club Diary delivers insider sector gossip every week to Premium Club members. The current edition includes what the financial analysts thought of Marston’s 4.8% rise in sales, Stonegate mixing up the worlds of Karaoke and bingo, why Jerry Brunning closed the The Henry Potts in Chester, plus, a Costa Coffee that is taking a unique approach to training. News from across the pond reveals what brand Ben Fordham, founder of Benito’s Hat, is expanding in Texas.
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.
14 October 2024
Sixes confirms launch of second franchise site, group transitioning into positive cashflow position
Sixes, the cricket-based competitive socialising brand, has confirmed it will make its debut in the south west this week with an opening in Bristol. As revealed earlier this year by Propel, the company will open a site on the first floor of the Bordeaux Quay building on the city’s quayside.
14 October 2024
Charlie McVeigh and Gavin George join Revel Collective board
The Revel Collective, formerly Revolution Bars Group, the operator of the Revolution, Revolucion de Cuba and Peach Pubs brands, has appointed Gavin George and Charlie McVeigh (pictured) as non-executive directors. George co-founded The Laine Pub Company in 1997 and served as its chief executive until last month.
14 October 2024
Vita Group submits plans for Goods Station in Birmingham
Urban regeneration specialist Vita Group has announced it has submitted its Goods Station development proposals to Birmingham City Council. The masterplan will include three residential buildings comprising 990 new homes, a 221-room serviced apartment building and purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) delivered under Vita Group’s House of Social brand. It also includes a 17,000 square-foot public food hall that will celebrate the city’s emerging food scene, featuring independent kitchens.
14 October 2024
Treetop Golf set to open Bristol site in December, parent company reports drop in footfall as losses widen
Discovery Adventure Golf, a partnership between former Goldman Sachs entrepreneur Elizabeth Stanway and experienced leisure operator Chris Richards, will open its new Treetop Golf site in Bristol before Christmas. In its accounts for the year to 31 December 2023, the business said the 17,000 square-foot space at the city’s Cabot Circus scheme, which will be its sixth site, is due to start trading in December.
14 October 2024
The Ned – trading levels comparable to pre-pandemic
The Ned, the City of London mega-venue and private members’ club operated by Soho House, has reported turnover of £76,120,000 for the year ending 31 December 2023 (2022: £69,738,000), as it said that trading levels were comparable to pre-pandemic levels. The venue – which offers 250 bedrooms, ten restaurants, 17 bars, a spa and meetings and events space – posted a pre-tax profit of £3,621,000 compared to £2,026,000 the year before.
14 October 2024
BrewDog forced to pour away millions of pounds of ‘infected’ beer at flagship brewery
Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog has been hit by a costly blunder that led to millions of pounds worth of its Punk IPA being discarded due to contamination. The company suffered a “major quality incident” at its Ellon brewery in Aberdeenshire.
14 October 2024
Australian doughnut brand to open first three UK locations
Australian doughnut brand Lens Lu Donuts is set to open its first three UK locations. The brand, which originates in Australia and has a single store in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will open its first UK location today (Monday, 14 October) within the Primark store in Lakeside shopping centre.
11 October 2024
Valiant Pub Co secures new £12m bank facility to aid growth
Valiant Pub Company, which was founded by Hawthorn Leisure co-founders Gerry Carroll and Mark McGinty at the start of 2021, has secured a new £12m bank facility to aid its further growth, Propel has learned. The circa 60-strong business, which is backed by investment firm Njord Partners, has secured the new loan facility with Metro Bank.
Watch highlights from this year’s Propel summer conference and party.
Video presentations of all the speakers are available to Premium Club members, join to unlock exclusive access to 100 insightful videos each year.
To view pictures from the event click here
Propel Exclusive Report
Experiential Leisure report – free for Premium Club members
Experiential leisure’s rapid growth is demonstrated by a 40% uptick in UK competitive socialising venues since 2018. Our 35,000 word report on this fast-growing sector is now free for Premium Cub members and it explores the latest research, examines its market potential and includes a detailed analysis on more than 180 companies operating in excess of 3,000 sites.
The report sets out the history and current meaning of experiential leisure and examines the latest research – including key geographical areas for expansion in the UK. It also explores the current market and provides insight into future trends such as outlets that offer a combination of concepts. It provides a detailed list of UK Experiential Leisure companies including key staff, Companies House information and number of sites.
By joining Propel Premium Club members get access to our industry-leading databases, receive hospitality’s foremost newsletter first and vital video content. Get event discounts and essential insight through Propel Opinion pieces from leading industry commentators, plus much more.
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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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- Operators can send up to four members of staff to each of our four Multi-Club Conferences for free
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Conferences, study trips, and propel multi club
Upcoming Events
November 9th 2024
The Propel Naples
Study Tour
The world’s best cities for food in 2024 have been named by Time Out and it’s Naples – the birthplace of Pizza that takes the crown. You can’t talk about food in Italy without considering Naples and you can’t talk about food in Naples without talking Pizza and that is the reason we are inspired to visit the best of what Naples has to offer.
October 30th 2024
Propel Multi Club:
New Ideas,
New Directions
The final Propel Multi-Club Conference of 2024 has opened for bookings. The full-day conference – titled “new directions, new ideas” – takes place on Wednesday, 30 October at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in London Kensington. Among the speakers will be Ben Fogle, the TV personality who has summited Everest, raced to the South Pole and rowed the Atlantic.