Story of the Day - 21 March 2025
Caprinos targeting London for next phase of expansion, set to launch in the Middle East this year
Fast-growing pizza franchise Caprinos has told Propel it is targeting London for its next phase of expansion and is also set to launch in the Middle East this year. The business, which was founded in 2014 in Didcot, Oxfordshire, has now grown to 100 UK sites, plus three in Lahore, Pakistan, and one in Dublin. Earlier this week, Caprinos revealed plans to open 20 new stores in 2025, as part of plans to double in size to 200-plus locations by 2030. Expanding on those plans, co-founder Khalil Rehman told Propel: “We really want to get into London. During our expansion, we focused on smaller towns, which were more cost effective and offered less competition, and have since started moving to bigger cities, which gave us a bit of confidence. We already have branches in Croydon, Limehouse and Upminster, and we now have three new branches coming in London.”
ONE MOORGATE PLACE, LONDON EC2R 6EA
WEDNESDAY 14TH MAY 2025
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The conference takes place on Thursday, 14 May, at One Moorgate Place, London EC2R 6EA, and is open for bookings.
Tickets are £295+VAT for operators, £345+ VAT for suppliers.
20% discount for operators and suppliers who are Premium Club members.
Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to book places.
Propel Exclusive Report
Propel's guide to the UK’s 500 largest hospitality companies is available now
Propel’s Top 500 report showcases the UK’s leading hospitality operators ranked by turnover. Together, these companies generate more than £30bn in turnover across 51,000 sites, spanning seven key segments: pubs and bars, hotels, quick service restaurants (QSR), casual dining, cafe and bakery, experiential leisure and fine dining.
This comprehensive report provides more than 90,000 words of analysis, delving into company histories, leadership structures, site numbers, and financial performance, making it an essential resource for industry professionals. The guide is delivered in two parts: an introductory PDF, featuring deep dives into the top 25 companies and 6,500 words of insight from Propel’s expert writers, and a fully searchable Excel sheet, offering easy access to all the data.
Find out what companies are on the list.
Key highlights include Mark Wingett’s exploration of mergers and acquisitions shaping the Top 500’s future, Tim Street’s view of the UK’s franchise market, and Phil Pemberton’s insights into experiential leisure as a hospitality cornerstone. Katherine Doggrell examines developments in UK hotels, while Mark Bentley, business development director at HDI, identifies emerging growth sectors, and Maria Vanifatova, founder of Meaningful Vision, analyses trends in QSRs.
Propel 500 is available now for £595 plus VAT. Existing Premium Club members can purchase it for £395 plus VAT. Premium Club members will receive the report for free on Friday, 28 February at 9am. Order Propel 500 today by emailing: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com.
21 March 2025
Exclusive – Riding House Cafe group assessing strategic options
House Cafe Company, the Adam White-led, London-based business behind Riding House Cafe, has appointed advisors to assess its strategic options, including securing new investment, Propel has learned.
21 March 2025
JD Wetherspoon reports like-for-like sales up 5.0%% in past seven weeks as half-year revenue passes record £1bn
Chairman Sir Tim Martin said: “As previously indicated, increases in national insurance and labour rates will result in company cost increases of approximately £60m per annum, which amount to approximately £1,500 per pub, per week.”
21 March 2025
UKHospitality – ‘bare minimum the sector needs is cut in interest rates in order to grow’
UKHospitality has expressed its disappointment at the Bank of England’s decision to hold interest rates at 4.5%, saying the “bare minimum” the sector needs is cuts in the rate in order to grow.
21 March 2025
Headline market growth has softened slightly, delivery sales slowing markedly
The UK’s hospitality sales grew 1.9% year-on-year over the 12 weeks ending 11 March 2025, according to analysis from HDI, provider of card spending insight and pricing data to the sector.
21 March 2025
Danish espresso bar concept Hagen makes international debut with ‘multiple’ overseas openings planned for 2025
Hagen, the Danish espresso bar known for its Scandinavian-inspired coffee houses, has made its international debut, with “multiple” overseas openings planned for 2025.
21 March 2025
Cairn Group reports half-year Ebitda of £21.4m following ‘relentless focus on improving all aspects of business’
It comes as the company, which operates circa 25 hotels and ten bars and restaurants, reported turnover fell 2.7% to £127,818,000 for the year ending 30 April 2024 compared with £131,328,000 the year before.
21 March 2025
Lola’s Cupcakes sales up 7.5% and planning five more sites in 2025 as it prepares to add to regional presence
Lola’s Cupcakes owner Asher Budwig has told Propel that sales were up 7.5% on last year until the end of February and that it is planning to open at least three to five more sites in the remainder of 2025.
21 March 2025
Former McDonald’s UK COO’s franchise operation returns to profit as sales hit record £142m
Fortress Operations, the franchise operation founded by former McDonald’s UK chief operating officer Richard Forte, returned to profit in the year to 31 March 2024 as sales hit a record £142m.
21 March 2025
Wingstop set to replace Franco Manco in Peterborough
Wingstop, UK, which is backed by US private equity firm Sixth Street, is set to replace Franco Manco in Peterborough. Fulham Shore, the Toridoll and Capdesia-backed group also behind The Real Greek, opened a Franco Manco restaurant in the city’s Cathedral Square in 2022.
20 March 2025
Shaftesbury sells 25% stake in Covent Garden estate for £570m
Central London landlord Shaftesbury has sold a 25% stake in its Covent Garden estate to Norwegian investment group Norges Bank for £570m. Shaftesbury will retain 75% ownership and management control over the estate, which was independently valued at £2.7bn in December 2024.
20 March 2025
Hospitality businesses say ‘nonsensical’ packaging rules will cost millions
Leading pub and hospitality businesses have joined with UKHospitality to write to Steve Reed (pictured), the Defra secretary of state, to call for packaging supplied to hospitality businesses to be exempt from the extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme.
20 March 2025
Caprinos signs deal to open 20 new stores in 2025 as part of plans double in size to 200-plus locations by 2030
The fast-growing pizza brand – which now has more than 100 locations globally – has opened 95 locations since 2020. Founded in Didcot in 2014 by Khalil Rehman and Gul Nawaz, the company started franchising in 2015.
March 2025 ~ Premium Club
Propel Premium Club members can access more than 100 videos from Propel’s market-leading conferences. These include the 2025 Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit Conference featuring speakers such as Shona Campbell, chief marketing and growth officer at Ottolenghi. Further examples include David Campbell, the former chief executive of PizzaExpress and Wagamama, and chair of Gaucho owner Rare Restaurants, and Ole & Steen, plus Des Gunewardena, founder of the D3 Collective and co-founder of D&D London speaking at Propel’s Multi-Club conference in October 2024. Premium members can also access presentations from Marcel Khan, chief executive of Fulham Shore, Nisha Katona, founder of Indian street food concept Mowgli and Sir Tim Martin, founder and chairman of JD Wetherspoon. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to gain essential knowledge and inspiration—join Propel’s Premium Club today.
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.
march 2025 ~ Premium Club
Propel will launch four ground-breaking reports in 2025 that will be available free to Premium subscribers. The Propel 500 report is an ambitious new project that will bring together the top 500 companies within the sector, offering not only comprehensive listings but also insights into the forces driving growth, innovation, and transformation across the industry. The report will be available at the end of February free for Premium subscribers. The International Report, released in spring, will examine the 100 biggest international brands expanding in the UK with analysis of turnover, market size, estate numbers and strategy. The Experiential Leisure Report will be the second edition of the report launched this year and will track the growth of the UK experiential market. The report will be available early summer. The Brands Report, launched in the autumn, will be a guide to the 500 largest foodservice brands in the UK listed by estate size.
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.
march 2025 ~ Premium Club
Premium Club Opinion provides weekly insights from industry leaders. In this current edition, Luke Johnson explores the vital role of human connection in hospitality. He reflects on how brief social interactions – from a chat with staff to shared moments with strangers – are fundamental to happiness and customer loyalty. Yet, rising labour costs and automation threaten these connections, particularly in quick-service settings. Johnson argues that true hospitality is about creating meaningful, real-life experiences that technology can’t replicate. Meanwhile, Mark Wingett examines Domino’s strategic move to acquire a second brand capable of scaling to 1,000 locations. With contenders like Popeyes, German Doner Kebab, Chopstix, and Chaiiwala in the running, Domino’s seeks a brand that complements its franchise model and growth ambitions. The article dissects market dynamics, potential investments, and the brands leading the pack in the evolving quick-service 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.
march 2025 ~ Premium Club
Mark Wingett’s Premium Club Diary delivers insider sector gossip every week to Premium Club members. In this current edition, Roy Ellis, CEO of Mission Mars, hinted at a new, smaller “beer hall” concept to complement Albert’s Schloss, with whispers of the name Schiller’s Hall emerging. Fuller’s has secured a £185m bank facility to fuel future growth and acquisitions, while Richard Caring’s portfolio, including The Ivy Collection and Caprice Holdings, has welcomed finance expert Nick Fletcher. In France, efforts are underway to revive rural bistros, just as Cherry Equity Partners steps in to rescue ten Bistrot Pierre sites. Gaucho is testing its new Gaucho Go street food concept at Boxhall and major events, while Wagamama partners with FoodCycle, donating 15,000 meals to tackle food insecurity. Lastly, congratulations to Punch Pubs’ Jon Dale, recognised in PRWeek’s UK Power Book for his communications leadership.
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 March 2025
Burger King UK in refinancing talks
The owner of Burger King’s main UK operation is opening talks with lenders about a refinancing nearly eight years after acquiring the business. Sky News reports that Burger King UK is seeking an additional £40m of borrowing capacity to help finance the delivery of its business plan.
19 March 2025
Shepherd Neame CEO – ‘there’s a renewed air of caution coming out the sector after the flickers of optimism from last year’
Jonathan Neame (pictured), chief executive of south east brewer and retailer Shepherd Neame, has told Propel the market seems “very quiet”, with companies working out what to do as they grapple with costs.
19 March 2025
St Austell planning up to 40 jobs cuts after Budget adds £3m a year to personnel costs
St Austell is planning up to 40 jobs cuts after the Budget added £3m a year to its personnel costs. The company said it is consulting on possible redundancies and preparing to review its operational structures after the government’s new employment costs placed “significant additional financial strain” on the business.
19 March 2025
Ten Entertainment Group hires new CFO, plans six new sites in 2025
Ten Entertainment Group, which is backed by US private equity firm Trive Capital, has hired Mark Willis as its new chief financial officer to support its next stage of growth, Propel has learned. It marks a return to Ten Entertainment Group for Willis, having previously held the role between 2017 and 2019.
19 March 2025
Local investor consortium acquires Randalls Group of Guernsey
A new consortium of local investors brought together by Ravenscroft Capital has acquired Randalls Group of Guernsey, which owns and manages more than 20 pubs, restaurants, hotels and shops across the Channel Islands, for an undisclosed sum. The group has been sold to new entity CI Hospitality
19 March 2025
Barry O’Sullivan named new MD of Diageo GB
Barry O’Sullivan will become managing director of Diageo GB, effective 1 July. Nuno Teles, the current managing director of Diageo GB, will move to managing director of Diageo Mexico. O’Sullivan has spent the past four years as managing director of Diageo Ireland.
20 March 2025
Shepherd Neame – increase in NLW and national insurance will add £2.6m to costs annually from April
South east brewer and retailer Shepherd Neame has said the impact of the increase in national living wage and national insurance from April will add £2.6m to its costs annually as it reported a “strong” first half performance in a challenging market.
19 March 2025
Fired Up Collective founder – we’re trying to lean into the sector challenges, being offered a lot of pub opportunities
Andy Lennox, founder of the Fired Up Collective, the Nusara and West Wessex Pub Company operator, has said the business is “trying to lean into” the current sector challenges to create value, but while turnover is up on a like-for-like basis, “conversion is incredibly hard”.
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
Promotional Content
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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Conferences, study trips, and propel multi club
Upcoming Events
MAY 14TH 2025
Excellence in Pub and Bar Retailing Conference
The conference takes place on Thursday, 14 May, at Wednesday 14th May 2025 – One Moorgate Place, London EC2R 6EA, and is open for bookings. Tickets are £295+VAT for operators and £345+VAT for suppliers. 20% discount for operators and suppliers who are Premium Club members.
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.