Propel Premium Club
Premium Club with prices
PROPEL
PREMIUM CLUB

Operators: £495 + VAT per year
Suppliers: £595 + VAT per year
Unlimited: £995 + VAT per year

previous arrowprevious arrow
next arrownext arrow

Story of the Day - 24 April 2026

Restaurants return to growth in March but hospitality's cost fears mount

Britain’s restaurant groups finished a difficult first quarter with modest like-for-like growth in March, the new NIQ RSM Hospitality Business Tracker reveals. The Tracker – produced by NIQ, powered by CGA intelligence, in association with RSM – shows restaurants’ sales in the month were 2.5% ahead of March 2025.

Tickets are £345+VAT for operators, £395+VAT for suppliers. 20% discount for operators and suppliers who are Premium Club members.

Email: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to book.

Propel multi club conference videos from march 2026

 

Propel Multi Club - March 2026

All the videos from our latest Propel Multi Club Conference – New directions in a period of strong headwinds, available for subscribers to watch for £195+VAT.

Email: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com for access.

To access all the 100 plus videos from Propel conferences & webinars, email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to sign up for Premium.

A subscription to Premium costs £495 plus VAT for operators, £595 plus VAT for suppliers, £995 plus VAT for unlimited staff access, and £1,995 plus VAT for Premium Unlimited Plus, which includes: Unlimited staff access, four free places to Propel’s paid events and one free sponsored message, or situation vacant notice during the year on the newsletter.

Excellence in Pub & Bar Retailing Conference

9.00am – 10.00am: Registration and coffee

10.00am – 10.30am: Craig Rachel, director at leading advisory firm AlixPartners, examines how consumer and structural trends are influencing the outlook for pub and bar prospects and deals, and discusses transactions and asset values in the market.

10.30am – 11.00am: Mark Bentley, business development director at HDI/Reward, talks about the areas where the pub sector is and has been performing strongly and where the opportunities are for the sector to drive growth.

11.00am – 11.20am: Jamie Allsopp, the founder of Allsopp’s Taverns and former City fund manager, discusses why he opted for a career change during the pandemic, swapping hedge funds for reviving his family’s old beer brand, Allsopp’s Ale, and then launching a pub venture.

11.20am – 11.40am: Bex Wilkins, co-founder of Makers of Hospitality, talks about leaving her role as marketing director to start her own pub company with wife Sarah, launching an award-winning debut site, opening a second site, and looking at further growth opportunities.

11.40am – 12.00pm: Dominic Jacobs, founder and managing director of Ardent Pub Group, formerly JKS Pubs, discusses securing new investment, expanding in the capital, and how the new generation of pub operators coming through are standing out.

12.00pm – 1.00pm: Lunch

1.00pm – 1.25pm: David McDowall, chief executive of Stonegate Group, talks about the continued evolution of the UK’s largest pub company, as it looks to become a “partnership-led pub portfolio”.

1.25pm – 1.50pm Kevin Charity, founder of the Coaching Inn Group, talks to Propel’s Mark Wingett about his life in the sector, growing Coaching Inn Group into a 36-strong group with more than 1,000 rooms, to this year being named hotel group of the year, how the business balances F&B and accommodation, and his take on the wider industry.

1.50pm – 2.15pm: Anglian Country Inns managing director James Nye discusses how the award-winning operator rises to the challenge of being a seasonal business, and how it looks to diversify its model including the opening of its first bakery.

2.15pm – 2.45pm: Coffee Break

2.45pm – 3.05pm: Amber Taverns chairman James Baer talks about how the wet-led community pub group is bucking the market, providing value and entertainment as a low-price point and its progress on becoming a nationwide operator.

3.05pm – 3.25pm: Louise Maclean, business development director at Signature Pub Group, discusses the growth strategy for the 24-strong, Edinburgh-based business, as it looks to further expand in Scotland and further afield.

3.25pm – 3.45pm: Ian Dunstall, director at Upham Inns, talks about the southern England premium pubs operator’s evolution, the success of its Harpers Steakhouse concept in suburban locations, and the integration of the 14 ex-Oakman Group sites.

3.45pm – 4.15pm: Panel – prospering in the pub and bar trade – Oisin Rogers, co-founder of The Devonshire, Richard Colclough, co-founder of Parogon Group, Susan Chappell, divisional director at Mitchells & Butlers, and Ted Kennedy, chairman of Coral Pub Company, discuss building momentum and sales in a challenging market.

4.15pm – 4.45pm: Sir Tim Martin, founder of JD Wetherspoon, discusses the group’s move into franchising and handing his brand over to other operators, its international expansion plans and maintaining its value-led proposition in a hostile cost environment.

Excellence in Pub and Bar Conference Sponsors 26

Propel Exclusive Report

Propel's 500 Report is available now

500 Report +

Propel 500 is back for the second year. It brings together the top 500 players shaping the industry, offering not only comprehensive listings but also deep insights into the forces driving growth, innovation, and transformation across the sector.

Propel 500 provides critical insights into the companies leading the charge in hospitality, including turnover, number of sites, key staff, and more.

The 45,000-word report also includes exclusive analysis providing a full understanding of the market’s dynamics, as the top companies in the sector shift position after a challenging year. Mark Wingett reviews the mergers and acquisitions changing the shape of the Top 500 as size increasingly matters. Katherine Doggrell examines the key developments in UK hotels and looks into one of the sector’s brightest lights; experiential leisure. Tim Street dissects the UK’s rapidly developing franchise market. Data expert Mark Bentley, business development director at HDI, looks at emerging growth sectors, and Meaningful Vision founder Maria Vanifatova analyses the latest trends in the quick service restaurant market.

Get the report

Propel’s 500 Report is available to Premium Club members for free.

To sign up to Premium Club email: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com

In-depth insight into the UK hospitality market: two essential reports from Propel
Further reports available from Propel include: The 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 Experiential Leisure Report – A report on the fast-growing experiential leisure sector. The report profiles the shape of the experiential leisure market – including brands, estate size, trading type and geographical location and future trends. It provides a detailed list of UK experiential leisure companies including key staff and Companies House information. It includes more than 190 companies, 3,500 sites and a 35,000-word report. 
 
 

24 April 2026

Simon Dodd, Young’s chief executive

Young’s CEO – ‘not seen any trading down on food or drink’, expects a few more single site acquisitions within London this year

24 April 2026

Cattle & Co

Exclusive – Redefining Dining Co ‘entering structured rollout phase’ for Cattle & Co concept

24 April 2026

Ardent Pub Group MD – ‘year-on-year growth has given us the confidence to plan for up to seven more pubs, with three close to being signed off’

24 April 2026

Rita’s Beer Hall and Ballroom, Stonegate

Stonegate Pub Partners completes 160 development schemes in first half of financial year

24 April 2026

Wren Pubs hires Rupert Clevely as non-executive chairman

24 April 2026

Dominoes

Almost a third of Domino’s shareholders oppose new remuneration policy

24 April 2026

Individual Restaurants unveils new design for Piccolino as it marks 25th anniversary

24 April 2026

Padel operator targets £5m revenue and 20 sites by year end

24 April 2026

Hotel group reports ‘remarkable year of progress’ with record turnover of £27.2m

24 April 2026

Upmarket hotel operator narrows losses as turnover grows to record £17.7m

24 April 2026

Hotel operator Kabannas places two sites on market

24 April 2026

Northern Ireland bubble tea brand looking to expand to rest of UK through franchising

24 April 2026

Suffolk boutique hotel Caistor Hall acquired by technology training business, Michelin-starred restaurant to remain open

24 April 2026

Nandos

Nando’s to open 500th site in UK and Ireland next week

24 April 2026

Chickpea Group

Chickpea Group to open tenth site, and first in Hampshire, next month

24 April 2026

Team behind Maray to open new bar concept in Chester

24 April 2026

London artisan ice cream business to open second parlour

22 April 2026

Young's Bunch of Grapes

Young’s reports 4.7% like-for-like sales increase

22 April 2026

You Want Beef?

Better burger business aiming for 30 UK sites by end of 2026, licensing underway in three international markets

22 April 2026

Shiko Group

North of England operator Shiko Group gearing up for national expansion, London a priority target

22 April 2026

Spaghetti House

Parent company of Spaghetti House set for restructure

22 April 2026

Coppa Collective adds site in London’s Marylebone to estate, Nick Francis steps down as commercial director

22 April 2026

Allpress

Allpress UK MD – café sites ‘trading well’, ‘wholesale business seeing exciting growth in Scotland and south west of England’

22 April 2026

Sides

Sides closes two sites after strategic review, four openings lined up

22 April 2026

Dominos

Domino’s reports encouraging start to the year

22 April 2026

Hotel pic

London-based international hotel and spa operator falls to loss

22 April 2026

Elevate

London smoothie bar concept secures Selfridges concession for second site

22 April 2026

Ottolenghi

Ottolenghi to make Scottish debut with Edinburgh opening

April 2026 ~ Premium Club

Premium Club readers have received all the videos from Restaurant Marketer and Innovator.
Propel Premium Club members have access to the entire recording of the 2026 Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Conference.
Members are now able to access all the videos of the event.
Premium Club subscribers also receive videos from all of our conferencess, including the paid for events:

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.

April 2026 ~ Premium Club

Propel 500 is back for the second year. It brings together the top 500 players shaping the industry, offering not only comprehensive listings but also deep insights into the forces driving growth, innovation, and transformation across the sector. Propel 500 provides critical insights into the companies leading the charge in hospitality, including turnover, number of sites, key staff, and more. The 45,000-word report also includes exclusive analysis to provide a full understanding of the market’s dynamics, as the top companies in the sector shift position after a challenging year. 

Mark Wingett reviews the mergers and acquisitions changing the shape of the Top 500 as size increasingly matters. 

Katherine Doggrell examines the key developments in UK hotels and look into one of the sector’s brightest lights; experiential leisure. 

Tim Street dissects the UK’s rapidly developing franchise market. 

Data expert Mark Bentley, business development director at HDI, looks at emerging growth sectors, and Meaningful Vision founder Maria Vantifatova will analyse the latest trends in the quick service restaurant market.

Premium Club members receive the report for free.

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.

April 2026 ~ Premium Club

Premium Club Opinion provides weekly insights from industry leaders. In this current edition, Market Halls chief executive Dan Hills explains why food halls are shaping the future of social-led dining. He explains how food has shifted from sustenance to social experience as time-pressed consumers seek meaningful, shared moments. Social-led dining, especially in flexible food halls, fosters connection, variety and entertainment, building loyalty through atmosphere, adaptability and community, redefining hospitality as a space for gathering. Also, Geof Collyer, founder of Lavender Bank Partners, looks at the growth in QSR. Eight UK QSR groups achieved strong post-pandemic sales growth but saw EBITDA decline due to rising labour and costs. They outperformed pub groups in growth and efficiency, though margins weakened, with IFRS 16 accounting significantly influencing reported financial performance. Also, Night Time Industries Association chief executive Michael Kill ponders the future of hospitality in a possible post-Sir Keir Starmer world. UK hospitality faces mounting strain from taxes, rising costs and overlapping regulations, eroding trust in Keir Starmer. The sector seeks collaborative policymaking, questioning whether potential successors like Angela Rayner or Andy Burnham would deliver meaningful change. Meanwhile, The Beautiful Pubs Collective founder Sam Hagger reveals to Propel chief operating officer – editorial, Mark Wingett, his strategy to ride out the latest storm. Beautiful Pubs Collective is investing to enhance experience and resilience despite rising costs and uneven trading. Founder Sam Hagger prioritises quality, community and staff retention, pursuing selective growth while advocating VAT cuts to support a pressured yet meaningful pub sector. Lastly, Propel managing editor Paul Bishop talks to Andy Oliver, co-founder of Thai restaurant Kolae, about building back after its fire closure. After a major fire, Som Saa closed for six months, costing hundreds of thousands. Founders rebuilt, refined the menu and reopened with loyal support, using the setback to evolve while focusing on strengthening their two restaurant sites.

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.

April 2026 ~ Premium Club

READ PREMIUM CLUB'S DIARY FOR INSIDER SECTOR GOSSIP

Mark Wingett’s Premium Club Diary delivers insider sector gossip every week to Premium Club members. In this week’s edition, recent hospitality developments highlight shifting investment, market pressures and evolving strategies across the sector.

London-based investment firm Fitzwalter has increased its stake in Young’s to around 18.5%, shortly after abandoning a prolonged takeover attempt of Auction Technology Group, prompting speculation about its intentions.

Debate continues over the viability of market town dining. David Page argues that declining footfall and oversupply have undermined restaurant performance in such areas, though some operators report strong profitability, suggesting success depends on execution rather than location alone.

Industry veteran Rupert Clevely has re-entered the sector as chairman of Wren Pubs, expressing confidence that well-invested, quality-led pubs can still thrive despite rising costs and reduced consumer spending. His track record includes founding Geronimo Inns and Hippo Inns, both successfully scaled and sold.

Meanwhile, Laura Montana is launching Zadie’s, a high-end pan-Asian concept in Manchester, reflecting continued appetite for experiential dining in high-growth cities.

At the same time, Attendant Coffee Roasters has closed its Shoreditch site after 12 years, citing post-pandemic demographic shifts, high costs and reduced demand. Founders emphasised the importance of recognising when closures are necessary to sustain overall business health.

 

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.

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

McCain Streets Ahead Impact Report Heading

22 April 2025

Unlock the Power of Change: Download McCain's Impact Report Today!

McCain’s Streets Ahead Programme, powered by KERB, is transforming the UK street food scene by empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs, particularly those facing barriers to entering the hospitality industry.

Maral Serving Food

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.

Eman - Bisan Bites

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.

Kerb at Cowcross yards Samarkand Palav

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.

Never Miss a Story

Subscription Plans

Standard

Free / Forever

Premium Club

Operator: £495 + VAT / per year
Supplier: £595 + VAT / per year

Premium Club Unlimited

£995 + VAT / per year

Premium Club
Unlimited Plus

£1995 + VAT / per year

Conferences, study trips, and propel multi club

Upcoming Events

May 19th 2026

Excellence in Pub and Bar Retailing Conference

One Moorgate Place, London EC2R 6EA

Tickets are £345+VAT for operators, £395+VAT for suppliers. 20% discount for operators and suppliers who are Premium Club members.

To book places email: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com

June 4th 2026

Propel Multi Club – Female leaders and entrepreneurs

Park Plaza, Victoria, London SW1V 1EQ

Operators of multi-site hospitality companies can book three free places each, or operators who are Premium subscribers can claim up to four free places.

To book places email: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com

Hear what people are saying about us

Testimonials

Subscribe to our Mailing List