Story of the Day - 11 July 2025
Lucky B’s aiming to grow to ten stores this year as it works towards long term goal of 100-plus locations nationwide, finalising international partnerships
Glasgow hot chicken concept Lucky B’s has said it is aiming to grow to ten stores this year as it works towards a long term goal of 100-plus locations nationwide, and is putting the finishing touches to some international partnerships. Lucky B’s, which currently has two stores in Glasgow, was founded in 2022 by Giancarlo Celino and Tony Dobrenko.
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
11 July 2025
UKHospitality launches #TaxedOut campaign with three key asks of government ahead of next Budget
UKHospitality has launched a #TaxedOut campaign, with three key asks of the government ahead of its next Budget. Firstly, the trade body is asking Downing Street to revive the UK’s high streets by implementing the maximum discount for hospitality businesses with a rateable value under £500,000 and exempting larger properties from the planned surcharge.
11 July 2025
The Wolseley Hospitality Group owner reveals four new hotel brands including The Wolseley Hotels
Minor Hotels, the owner of The Wolseley Hospitality Group, has announced the strategic expansion of its brand portfolio with the addition of four new hotel brands, including the group’s first soft brands. The global hotel owner and operator, with more than 560 properties across 57 countries, said the new brands will support the company’s continued growth by enabling it to expand into new markets and provide “distinctive hospitality offerings across the luxury, premium and select segments”.
11 July 2025
Grosvenor Casinos owner reports strong growth with underlying operating profit ahead of expectations
Rank Group, which owns Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casinos, has reported strong growth as it said underlying operating profit is ahead of expectations. The group saw net gaming revenue grow 11% to £795m for the year ending 30 June 2025 and expects underlying operating profit of at least £63m.
11 July 2025
Vue – 2025 has started ‘very strongly’ and similar start to 2026 expected as effects of Hollywood strikes wind down, reports rise in revenue and profit
Cinema group Vue has said its 2025 financial year has started “very strongly” and that a similar start to 2026 is expected, as the effects of the 2023 Hollywood strikes wind down. Director Narinder Shergill, writing in the company’s accounts for the year to 30 November 2024, said: “FY25 has started very strongly, with key titles including Wicked, Moana 2, Mufasa: The Lion King, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy all driving significant admissions.
11 July 2025
Chestnut Group creates two new leadership roles to support its ‘ambitious’ expansion plans
East Anglian pub company Chestnut Group has created two new leadership roles, which it said will be pivotal in driving forward its ambitious three-year expansion plan. The group, which owns and manages 22 pubs with rooms and hotels across the east of England, has promoted Henry Fairbanks to director of acquisitions and wholesale, and hired Ollie Trezise to lead its operations.
11 July 2025
Badiani launches crowdfunding campaign to support future expansion
Italian gelato brand Badiani – which has 14 UK sites as well as six in Spain, four in Italy and one in France – has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help support its future expansion. The campaign, on Crowdcube, has so far raised circa £38,000.
11 July 2025
Middle Eastern-inspired ice cream parlour concept launches franchise programme
Middle Eastern-inspired ice cream parlour concept Darlish has launched a franchise programme. Laura Dawson, who is half-Iranian and half-Indian, founded Darlish in 2018 as she couldn’t find anywhere serving the flavours she craved, such as saffron, rose and pistachio.
11 July 2025
Sqew co-founder – we hope to have two more sites by the end of next year
Craig Bell, the co-founder of kebab concept, Sqew, has told Propel that the business hopes to have two more sites secured by the end of next year as it looks to up its expansion plans. Bell, who is Vaulkhard Group’s financial director, founded Sqew in 2019 with Mitch Renshaw.
11 July 2025
Restaurant Associates secures new ten-year contract with Bristol City Council
Restaurant Associates, part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, has secured a new ten-year contract with Bristol City Council to oversee its catering and hospitality operations. The deal will see Restaurant Associates Venues retain its existing presence at M Shed and Bristol Museum & Art Gallery while expanding into new locations, including City Hall, Central Library, Create Centre and a collection of eight park café outlets across the city.
10 July 2025
Market Halls reports record venue sales and Ebitda, ‘actively pursuing expansion opportunities via new builds and purchasing existing food halls’
Market Halls, the London food market hall operator, has reported record venue sales and Ebitda for the year to 30 June 2024 and said it is “actively pursuing expansion opportunities via new builds and purchasing existing food halls”. The company reported revenue of £14,262,555 for the year, up from £11,908,292 in 2023.
10 July 2025
Founders of Neapolitan pizza concept Santa Maria planning to launch new experience-led venture
Pasquale Chionchio and Angelo Ambrosio, founders of Neapolitan pizza concept Santa Maria, are planning to launch a new experience-led concept, Propel has learned. The duo told Propel: “For 2025, our plan is to refurbish our branch in Ealing, west London, throughout August, and focus on our next project, which is to launch a new concept, which will be not solely food based”.
10 July 2025
JD Wetherspoon puts six pubs on market
JD Wetherspoon has put six of its pubs on the market. The properties comprise a mix of three freeholds/virtual freeholds and three leasehold units.
July 2025 ~ Premium Club
Propel Premium Club members can access more than 100 videos from Propel’s market-leading conferences. These include Propel’s Multi Club Conference – Female leaders and entrepreneurs, available now, featuring speakers such as Carol Campbell, managing director of Stonegate Group, Panel – managing directors: Christobell Giles, managing director of Vagabond Wines, Joycelyn Neve, managing director of Seafood Pub Company, Marta Pogroszewska, managing director of Gail’s Bakery, and Suzie Welch, managing director of Odeon, Kate Eastwood, managing director of Lounges, and Lucy Knowles, managing director of Cosy Club, Panel – EDI: Amanda Hamilton, chief information officer at Pret A Manger, Lorraine Copes, founder and chief executive of Be Inclusive Hospitality, and Susan Martindale, group HR director of Mitchells & Butlers discuss the future of EDI in hospitality. Ellen Chew, the celebrated UK-based Singaporean restaurateur, Zoe Bowley, managing director of Greene King Pubs, Panel – founders: Bex Wilkins, co-founder of Makers of Hospitality, Eccie Newton, founder of Karma Kitchen, Laura Filer, co-founder of Family Adventures Group, and Prue Freeman, director of Daisy Green. Thomasina Miers, cook, food writer, entrepreneur and co-founder of Wahaca. Kerb membership manager Jess Warden talks to Banzai Kitchen founder Ocean Lawrence, Mezzo founder Alice Di Chiara, and Little Pudding owner Lucie Lockhart. Panel – mentoring: Claire Morris, chief executive of Sodexo Live! UK & Ireland, Dawn Browne, people and talent director at Fuller’s, and Sarah Hills, managing director of Rosa’s Thai, discuss how to be a great mentor – and mentee. In 2002, Vanessa Branson talks about how El Fenn – a trademark blend of cool and a distinct feeling of home-away-from-home, stretching across 13 interconnected riads, 41 rooms and suites, and a 1,300 square-metre rooftop. Also available is the Excellence in Pub and Bar Retailing Conference, available to Premium Club members,
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.
July 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.
July 2025 ~ Premium Club
Premium Club Opinion provides weekly insights from industry leaders. In this current edition, Mark Wingett, Propel’s group editor, talks to TGI Fridays chief executive Julie McEwan about the brand’s relaunch. She explains how TGI Fridays UK is undergoing a major relaunch after administration, with new ownership, a refreshed menu, and enhanced guest experiences. CEO Julie McEwan leads a passionate turnaround, focusing on value, team culture, and innovation. The brand aims to reconnect with families and Gen Z through hospitality, generosity, and bold transformation. Also, Kerb chief executive Simon Mitchell discusses the collective’s social impact. He discusses how hospitality faces mounting challenges, especially for independents, with talent often blocked by lack of access. Kerb’s new Central London hub aims to change that—offering kitchens, training, and support to empower underrepresented voices. It’s a call to action to back social impact with real spaces, opportunities, and belief in transformation. Lastly, Propel editorial advisor and founder of NewDog PR, Katherine Doggrell, looks at what we can learn from loyalty in hotels. She discusses how pub groups like Greene King and Fuller’s are exploring loyalty schemes, inspired by hotels’ more advanced models. While hotels focus on emotional loyalty and direct bookings, pubs risk settling for basic reward systems. True loyalty isn’t built on discounts, but on emotional connection—something pubs may already offer without realising it.
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.
July 2025 ~ Premium Club
Mark Wingett’s Premium Club Diary delivers insider sector gossip every week to Premium Club members. In this current edition, Raising Cane’s, the U.S. chicken brand now ranked third by sales, is preparing to launch in the UK. It’s in talks for flagship sites in London’s West End, including Coventry Street and The Strand, with co-founder Todd Graves overseeing the rollout and significant investment allocated for prime locations. Also, Jerry Marks, managing director of Davy’s Wine Merchants and a hospitality veteran since 1986, has retired. Marks led brands like Wagamama and Giraffe before joining Davy’s in 2015. Mark Carrick, CFO since 2020 and formerly of Comptoir and Ten Entertainment, has been promoted to chief financial and operations officer. Meanwhile,Pret A Manger and Costa Coffee are testing new store formats focused on comfort and longer stays. Pret’s pilot shops in Broughty Ferry and Maidenhead reduce grab-and-go options, while Costa’s revamped Great Portland Street site features modern design, varied seating, and digital kiosks—part of broader Central London investment plans. Lastly, Farmer J, the all-day market concept founded in 2016, is set to launch its first U.S. site in New York later this year, marking its international debut. The expansion follows a £5.5m funding round, though people and culture director Lucy Craig has departed, returning to Bill’s.
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.
10 July 2025
London-based South American street food concept set to open five more sites this year
London-based South American street food concept Assenheims56 is set to open five more sites this year. The company, which was originally founded in 1989 and is now owned by Matthew Ashley, secured a “prime central location” in May for what will be its tenth site.
10 July 2025
BBPA – more than one pub set to close every single day in 2025
More than one pub is set to close every single day in 2025 across Britain, resulting in excess of 5,600 direct job losses, according to latest figures from the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA). The industry body estimated that 378 pubs will close this year across England, Wales, and Scotland this year – up on the 350 in 2024.
10 July 2025
Company behind The Cube secures third UK site and debut overseas location
The Mellors Group, which created The Cube experience in partnership with Objective Media Group, has secured a third UK site for the competitive socialising concept along with its debut overseas location. The Mellors Group, which also operates Fantasy Island in Skegness and Skegness Pier, opened the original site for The Cube, which also features mini golf experience Putters, in Manchester ‘s Arndale centre in 2022.
10 July 2025
Oxfordshire social enterprise, craft brewery and bakery with former Punch Taverns CEO as investor launches crowdfunding campaign
Oxfordshire social enterprise, craft brewery and bakery Tap Social, which has former Punch Taverns chief executive Giles Thorley as an investor, has launched a crowdfunding campaign. The company, which looks to providing meaningful employment for prison-leavers to reduce reoffending rates, aims to use the funds to roll out new venues, grow its staff, scale its brewery, upgrade its bakery and support national supermarket expansion.
10 July 2025
Center Parcs eyeing further English locations with focus on the south east, aiming to open first Scottish site in 2029
Center Parcs chief executive William McKinlay has said the group is eyeing further English locations, with a focus on the south east, and is aiming to open its first Scottish site in 2029. Center Parcs currently has six villages across the UK and Ireland – Whinefell Forst in Cumbria, Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, Longleat Forest in Wiltshire, Elvedon Forest in Suffolk, Woburn Forest in Bedfordshire and Longford Forest in Ireland – and earlier this year unveiled plans for a first Scottish site, near Hawick.
10 July 2025
Hospitality hit by 8.7% decline in wet-led venue sales
Overall hospitality sales were down 2.6% in June compared to the same period last year, the latest data from labour management company S4labour has revealed. There was a significant 8.7% drop in sales for wet-led sites, although last year’s figures included the Euro 2024 football tournament, while food-led venues edged up by 0.2% year-on-year.
9 July 2025
Young’s reports strong first quarter trading momentum driven by warm weather
Young’s has reported strong trading momentum in the first quarter of its new financial year, driven by the warm weather in the last few months. In a trading update for the 14 weeks from 1 April 2025 to 8 July 2025, in advance of its AGM today, the company said the strong trading momentum announced in its full year results in June “has continued”.
9 July 2025
The Gym Group closing in on a million members as good trading momentum driven by ‘excellent’ performances at new sites
The Gym Group has said it is closing in on a million members, with good trading momentum driven by “excellent” performances at its new sites. In a trading update for the first half of its 2025 financial year, the group said like-for-like revenue grew 3% year on year.
Watch highlights from this year’s Propel summer conference and party.
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22 April 2025
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7 October 2024
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17 July 2024
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Conferences, study trips, and propel multi club
Upcoming Events
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.