Story of the Day - 24 June 2025
Exclusive – RedCat returns to acquisition trail ahead of ‘exciting expansion plans’, trials new carvery concept
RedCat Hospitality, the recently rebranded operator of Coaching Inn Group and RedCat Independent Pubs, has returned to the expansion trail ahead of “exciting expansion plans”, Propel has learned. The Warwick Arms Hotel in Warwick is the group’s first acquisition since August 2022 and sees RedCat deliver against its strategy of expanding the Coaching Inn Group.
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
24 June 2025
Tortilla undergoes refinancing, CFO to step down
Tortilla, the UK’s largest fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand, has entered into a new, enlarged funding facility with its long-standing banking partner, Santander UK. Tortilla has also announced Maria Denny will step down as chief financial officer as it enters the next phase of its development.
24 June 2025
Tokyo Industries – ‘2025 has so far not been easy, expanding into new areas due to behavioural change of younger generation’
Chris Bateson, operations director for multi-venue operator Tokyo Industries, has told Propel that “2025 has so far not been easy” and the group is “expanding into new areas due to behavioural change of the younger generation”. The group, which has predominantly been a bar and nightclub operator since being founded in 1997 by Aaron Mellor, has diversified in recent years into hotels, corporate venues and even a shopping centre.
24 June 2025
200 Degrees reports 7.8% like-for-like sales growth as turnover reaches £20m
200 Degrees, the Nero Group-owned brand, has announced record sales for the financial year ending 31 May 2025, on the back of like-for-like sales growth of 7.8%. The 22-strong business said it saw “extremely strong sales” for the year, which reached £20m for the first time, representing total sales growth of 16% over the previous year.
24 June 2025
Heartwood Collection CEO – momentum from ‘momentous’ year has carried into current financial year, refinances debt facilities with extra £6m available
Heartwood Collection chief executive Richard Ferrier has said the momentum from a “momentous” year for the company has carried into its current financial year, and that it has refinanced its debt facilities with, making an extra £6m available. The company’s accounts for the year to 30 June 2024 show revenue grew by 12.6% from £60,291,000 in 2023 to £67,900,000.
24 June 2025
London sushi brand led by former large-scale Papa John’s franchisee aiming to grow to 30 stores by the end of 2025
London sushi brand The Sushi Co, which is led by former large-scale Papa John’s franchisee Raheel Choudhary, is aiming to grow to 30 stores by the end of 2025. Choudhary co-founded The Sushi Co in 2022 with Sama Varanand Reddy, a former Pizza Hut franchisee operations manager, after selling his own 61-strong Papa John’s franchise to Drake Food Service International the previous year.
24 June 2025
Vagabond aiming to double its estate over the next three years, confirms St Paul’s launch and reveals Liverpool Street location
Vagabond Wines, which was acquired out of administration by Majestic last year, has said it is aiming to double its estate over the next three years, as the company confirmed its St Paul’s launch and revealed a new Liverpool Street location. Propel revealed last month that the nine-strong Vagabond was looking to get back on the expansion trail and had been linked with an opening in London’s St Paul’s.
24 June 2025
Cornish Bakery set to open three new locations, including biggest yet, with five more in legals
Fast-growing independent brand Cornish Bakery is set to open three new locations, including its biggest yet, with five more in legals. Starting next month, the company will launch new locations in Hereford, Woodbridge and Portsmouth, while also more than doubling the size of its Coney Street shop in York.
24 June 2025
Safestay reports forward bookings at ‘satisfactory level’ as consumer confidence remains under pressure, full-year revenue hits record £23m
Hostel operator Safestay has reported forward bookings are at a “satisfactory level” as consumer confidence remains under pressure, “resulting in a continued competitive pricing environment”. The group said it is looking at “several” expansion opportunities and remains “highly confident” in delivering its medium-term ambitions of doubling the size of its 20-strong portfolio.
24 June 2025
Cake Box expects full-year revenue and Ebitda to be ‘slightly ahead of market expectations’ as it postpones results following acquisition
Cake Box, the specialist retailer of fresh cream cakes, has said it expects both revenue and Ebitda for the year ended 30 March 2025 to be “slightly ahead of expectations” as the business continues to trade “strongly”. It comes as Cake Box said it was postponing the release of its full-year results, which were due on Thursday (26 June), because of the acquisition of Ambala Foods, a manufacturer and retailer of Asian sweets, shortly before the year end.
24 June 2025
Wingers opens two new stores on the same day, set to launch eight more this year and a further ten in 2026
Buttermilk fried chicken restaurant concept Wingers has opened two new stores on the same day to take its portfolio to 16 sites. The business, founded during the pandemic by Amran, Dylan and Bill Sunner, has opened in Columbus Way in Andover in Hampshire and Olive Lane in Waverley, on the outskirts of Rotherham in South Yorkshire.
23 June 2025
Exclusive Collection hires new group director of people and culture
Exclusive Collection, which operates eight luxury hotels and spas across the UK, has hired Sarah Hewitt as group director of people and culture. Reporting to managing director, Danny Pecorelli, the company said Hewitt will play a pivotal role in shaping and enhancing its culture.
23 June 2025
Muffin Break and Jamaica Blue operator set to reach 100 UK stores by end of 2025
FoodCo, which operates the Muffin Break and Jamaica Blue brands in the UK, has said it is set to reach 100 UK stores by the end of 2025. The company has just launched its 71st Muffin Break location here, at Watford’s Atria Centre.
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, discusses how Richard Caring’s failed “Little Bill’s” concept and a controversial supplier discount letter spotlight challenges in hospitality leadership, ethics, and reputation. In 2017, Bill’s explored a new grab-and-go concept called Vitesse, but it was scrapped after £1m in development, with backer Richard Caring claiming he never approved it. Years later, Caring has faced backlash after his restaurant group sent suppliers a letter enforcing a 2.5% discount—again, he claimed he hadn’t approved it and apologized. This controversy emerged as Caring tries to sell a major stake in his £1bn hospitality empire. Despite ongoing expansion and investment, the letter’s optics and timing raised questions about ethics, trust, and reputation management during tough trading conditions. Meanwhile, Juniper Strategy founder Flo Graham-Dixon examines Dubai’s culinary revolution. Dubai’s food scene has evolved beyond glossy franchises and luxury hotspots, with a new wave of dry, founder-led restaurants like Manao, Itadaku, and Kokoro offering innovative, alcohol-free dining. Lower rents and creative freedom fuel this shift. Café culture is booming, but gaps remain in premium casual and suburban diversity—ripe opportunities for bold, independent operators.
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, Oakman Group sold ten freehold pubs to The Restaurant Group for £50m–£55m, helping clear £40m in debt. It’s now marketing 17–18 leasehold sites, valued at £15m–£20m, under “Project Zeus.” Meanwhile, WatchHouse has opened its second U.S. site in New York’s Chrysler Building, marking a key step in its international growth. Two more New York locations are planned, alongside upcoming launches in Abu Dhabi. Also, following Homeslice’s liquidation, founders Alan and Mark Wogan are determined to save its remaining three sites. Their James Street location, now on the market, has attracted interest—Italian brand Berberè is reportedly leading the race to acquire it. Additionally, Hall & Woodhouse’s Shaston Arms in Soho will close after 25 years, with the landlord opting for a food-led concept instead. Rumours suggest Patty & Bun founder Joe Grossmann may take over the site. Lastly, Loungers closed all its Lounges, Cosy Clubs, and Brightsides for its annual staff festival, Loungefest, held at Ragley Hall. Over 9,000 team members enjoyed a day of music, food, games, and celebration.
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.
23 June 2025
London Lebanese bakery concept co-founder – we’re targeting a ten to 12-strong estate in the capital
Nermin Khamosia, co-founder of London Lebanese bakery concept Ta’mini Lebanese Bakery, has told Propel the business is targeting a total of ten to 12 sites in the capital and that trading has been “good” so far in 2025. Ta’mini Lebanese Bakery will open its third site – and largest to date – in Kensington.
23 June 2025
Lancashire operator Bowland Inns forecasts return to profit in 2026 after making a loss, margins affected by heavy reliance on agency staff
Lancashire hotel, pub and restaurant operator Bowland Inns & Hotels has said it is forecasting a return to profit in 2026 after making a loss in the year to 31 May 2024. The group saw a pre-tax profit of £547,832 in 2023 turn into a loss of £1,000,125, after paying out £528,290 in refinancing and administration costs (2023: £191,538) and £458,493 in pre-opening costs (2023: nil).
23 June 2025
Kent Domino’s franchisee reports increase in turnover but drop in profit, expands further into Germany
Kent Domino’s franchise ZaanGroup has reported an increase in turnover but a drop in profit in the year to 30 April 2023. The company’s turnover rose from £21,721,211 in 2023 to £22,529,081.
23 June 2025
Wye Valley acquires Hereford pub and reports record year of trading
Herefordshire brewer and retailer Wye Valley Brewery acquired a pub in Hereford after reporting a record year of trading. The brewery has acquired The Barrels pub in St Owen Street, Hereford, where it was previously a tenant.
23 June 2025
London hotel group reports record turnover of £141m as tourism recovers strongly
Hotel group Imperial London has reported turnover increased to a record £140,950,937 for the year ending 30 April 2024 compared with 119,906,173 the previous year as turnover recovered strongly in the capital. Of the 2024 figure, £128,284,674 came from hotel operations (2023: £105,255,508), £9,568,169 from property trading and investments (2023: £12,771,330) and £3,098,094 from other income (2023: £1,879,000).
23 June 2025
Mowchi set to launch in London’s Camden as it explores overseas play
Bubble tea franchise Mowchi is set to launch in Camden, north London, as it also explores expanding overseas. Mowchi, founded in 2022 by Afrikana brand and marketing director Syeda Kayanath, first launched in Birmingham’s Ladypool Road, in a site which has now closed.
20 June 2025
Debut charity cycle challenge under Hospitality Rides raises more than £400,000
The fundraising total for the first cycle challenge under the Hospitality Rides initiative has exceeded £400,000. The 400km sponsored cycle saw 29 industry professionals ride across Taiwan – covering Hsinchu, Taipei, Keelung and Jiaoxi – and has raised £403,000 for the Licensed Trade Charity (LTC) and Only A Pavement Away.
20 June 2025
Urban Pubs & Bars hires new sales and marketing director
Urban Pubs & Bars, the London pub operator founded by Malc Heap and Nick Pring and backed by Davidson Kempner and Global Mutual, has hired James Metcalfe as its new sales and marketing director, Propel has learned. Metcalfe, who replaces Andre Johnstone, will join Urban Pubs & Bars next month from Stonegate Group, where he has been marketing director since October 2003.
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
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22 April 2025
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17 July 2024
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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.