Story of the Day - 21 January 2025
Exclusive – Atis secures £8m of new funding, 2025 set to be ‘transformational year’
Atis, the London salad concept co-founded by former Noble Rot sommelier Eleanor Warder and Philip Honer, has told Propel that 2025 is set to be a “transformational year” for the business as it embarks on its next stage of growth, after it secured £8m of new funding. Atis, which was founded in Shoreditch in October 2019, currently operates eight stores across Central London, with a target of reaching 20 sites by September, including delivery kitchens and a possible launch outside the capital.
January 21-22
Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit is returning for its seventh edition, and tickets are now on sale for the two-day conference as the centrepiece of the January event series. The event is a partnership between Propel and Think Hospitality, aiming to build a community, promote the sharing of ideas, recognise talent and define the future of eating out.
Prices are: a one-day ticket for operators is £320 plus VAT while a two-day ticket is £575 plus VAT. Supplier tickets are £420 plus VAT for one day and £725 plus VAT for two. Propel Premium Club members receive a 20% discount.
To book, email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com
Propel Exclusive Report
Propel's guide to the UK’s 500 largest hospitality companies is avialble 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 January 2025
Industry's top young marketers and innovators unveiled
Propel and Think Hospitality have unveiled the Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Rising Stars finalists for 2025. The Rising Stars programme recognises talented future leaders under 30 in marketing, innovation and strategy roles and is hosted at the European Summit, which also incorporates a two-day conference and awards event.
21 January 2025
774,000 hospitality workers to be dragged into new NICs threshold, costing sector £1bn
Hundreds of thousands of hospitality workers are set to be dragged into the new national insurance contributions (NIC) threshold, costing the sector £1bn, UKHospitality has said.
21 January 2025
Big Fang Collective building franchise model amid plans to take business global
Big Fang Collective, the Imbiba-backed entertainment venue operator that owns the Ghetto Golf and Golf Fang brands, is building its franchise model amid plans to take the business global.
21 January 2025
Marston’s reports record Christmas Day as ‘very strong’ festive trading sees lfl sales up 11%
Marston’s, the Justin Platt-led business, has reported a record Christmas Day, with “very strong” festive trading seeing a 11% like-for-like sales uplift over the two weeks around Christmas and the New Year.
21 January 2025
Costa franchisee Goldex Investments targets up to 15 new openings in 2025 to close in on 100 store-mark
Costa franchisee Goldex Investments has targeted up to 15 new openings in 2025, which would see it close in on the 100 store-mark. The company operates a portfolio of circa 50 Costa stores.
21 January 2025
Greene King acquires Alnwick pub in seven-figure deal
Brewer and retailer Greene King has completed a seven-figure acquisition of The Dirty Bottles pub in Alnwick, Northumberland, from local entrepreneur Mark Jones, Propel has learned.
21 January 2025
Esquires owner reports UK sales up 34%, expects to hit 100-store mark by end of 2025
Cooks Coffee Company, owner of the Esquires brand, has reported UK sales rose 34% in the nine months to 31 December 2024 and said it expects to hit the 100-store mark by end of 2025.
21 January 2025
Starbucks to cut corporate positions as part of turnaround
Starbucks plans to reduce its global corporate headcount as part of new chief executive Brian Niccol’s drive to boost efficiency and speed up decision making.
21 January 2025
Pan Pacific’s London hotel increases turnover and narrows losses in its second year of operation
Global hotel group Pan Pacific’s London hotel increased its turnover and narrowed its losses in its second year of operation. The hotel, at 80 Houndsditch in Bishopsgate, opened in September 2021.
20 January 2025
Nick Ayerst to join Gail’s as its new MD
Nick Ayerst, who will step down as chief executive of Comptoir Group next month, is to join fast-growing bakery brand Gail’s as its new managing director. Ayerst, who will report into Marta Pogroszewska, who heads up parent company Bread Holdings, will join the circa 155-strong business at the end of March. He spent two and a half years leading Comptoir Group.
20 January 2025
Freehold pub prices drop 6% in 2024, increased market activity expected later in 2025
Average trading freehold pub prices dropped 6% in 2024, according to Fleurets’ 2024 survey of pub prices, with increased market activity expected to be seen later in 2025.
20 January 2025
Christmas celebrations getting earlier, speed of service biggest cause of compliant over festive season but getting basics right affects NPS more
Christmas celebrations are increasingly moving back to earlier dayparts, according to guest experience platform Feed It Back. Its Christmas Unwrapped 2024 report, found that only 10% of festive celebrations were from 8pm.
20 January 2025
Chaiiwala gears up for US expansion
Indian street food franchise Chaiiwala is gearing up for its planned expansion into the US. Co-founder Sohail Ali told the Lunch! show 2024 last September that the business was planning a Stateside launch, where he believes it can open up to 900 sites within the next five years.
20 January 2025
Caffe Nero reports record Christmas trading, registering its highest ever single day of sales at £1.5m
Caffè Nero has reported record sales for the five-week Christmas trading period in the UK, recording two record sales weeks and its highest ever single day of trading on Saturday, 30 November.
20 January 2025
Whitbread CEO – running restaurants, bars and cafes has got more expensive than it was 12 months ago
Dominic Paul (pictured), chief executive of Whitbread, has said that running restaurants and bars and cafes has got more expensive than it was 12 months ago, but that he is encouraged by the new food and beverage spaces the company has already opened.
20 January 2025
Itsu sites franchised to HWS temporarily closed
A trio of Itsu sites operated by franchisee Heart With Smart (HWS) have temporarily closed. The sites have shut in the wake of HWS, which oversees the operations of the UK Pizza Hut dine-in restaurant business, being acquired by US private equity firm Directional Capital.
20 January 2025
Gym group secures £4m investment, hires former JD Sports CFO
Gym group NRG Gyms, which has six locations across the UK, has secured a £4m investment. The company, founded in 2013 by Shafiq Ahmed, has received the cash injection from Puma Growth Partners.
20 January 2025
Chef Phil Howard plans opening in London’s Marylebone for Notto concept
Michelin-starred London chef Phil Howard is set to open a further site under his pasta bar concept Notto, in London’s Marylebone, Propel understands. Howard launched Notto in London’s Piccadilly in November 2022.
20 January 2025
Little Door & Co festive revenue tops £2.6m, considering regional opportunities for first time
House-party inspired late-night bar and restaurant concept, Little Door & Co, has reported a record-breaking Christmas, and told Propel that it is considering opportunities for openings outside London for the first time.
17 January 2025
US fast-casual seafood brand set for UK debut after signing 20-store multi-unit franchise agreement
US fast-casual seafood brand Captain D’s is set to make its UK debut after signing a 20-store multi-unit franchise agreement. Propel revealed last year that the brand was eyeing a UK launch as part of its global expansion plans, and exhibited at last April’s International Franchise Show at ExCel London.
January 2025 ~ Premium Club
Unlock exclusive insights into the hospitality sector with Propel’s Premium Club, offering access to 100 must-watch videos each year from our industry-leading conferences. Hear directly from some of the most influential leaders as they share the latest trends, their journeys to success, and predictions shaping the future of the industry. With 100 insightful videos ready to watch, Premium Club members can start exploring this invaluable content immediately. Featured speakers include Andy Hornby, chief executive of The Restaurant Group; Sir Tim Martin, founder and chairman of JD Wetherspoon; Marcel Khan, chief executive of Fulham Shore; Clair Preston-Beer, managing director of Greene King; Des Gunewardena, founder of the D3 Collective and co-founder of D&D London; and Michael Clarke, managing director of Wendy’s UK and Europe. 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.
January 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.
January 2025 ~ Premium Club
Premium Club Opinion provides weekly insights from industry leaders. In this current edition, Future Foodservice founder Simon Stenning previews its latest report, forecasting 2.4% growth in the hospitality market by 2025, with the total valuation reaching £105.3bn. Despite challenges such as rising costs and closures of independent operators, growth is expected in sectors such as fast food and contract catering. Propel editor Mark Wingett examines Shake Shack’s ambitious plan to expand to 1,500 sites, exploring the balance between scalability and quality. Meanwhile, Fortress’s increased bid for Loungers highlights shareholder tensions, with management emphasising its importance for the brand’s future. Chozen Noodle founder Matt Kirby reflects on lessons from the US market, advocating for a regional approach to scaling hospitality businesses.
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.
January 2025 ~ Premium Club
Mark Wingett’s Premium Club Diary delivers insider sector gossip every week to Premium Club members. In this current edition, festive trading delivered strong results for many companies, reflecting a positive close to 2024, although operators may be choosing the most advantageous period to report. Whitbread shares its ambitious strategic plans, balancing the challenges of cost pressures with significant investment in guest experience and property optimisation by “removing the drag of less profitable restaurants, replacing with profitable hotel rooms.” Meanwhile, bar operator Simmons is accelerating its regional expansion across the north and underscoring the importance of tapping into new markets. It is also seeking a chief financial officer to run the rule over new site numbers.
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
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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- Receive the Propel database of new openings, updated every month
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- Receive Breaking News
- Exclusive access to 100 videos from Propel conferences & webinars
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- 20% discount on tickets to five Propel paid-for events
- Operators can send up to four members of staff to each of our four Multi-Club Conferences for free
- Receive the Propel database of multi-site companies, updated every month
- Receive the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book, updated every month
- Receive the Propel database of new openings, updated every month
- Receive the Propel UK Food and Beverage Franchisor database
- Receive the Propel UK Food and Beverage Franchisee database
- Receive the Who’s Who of UK Food and Beverage database
- Read Propel insight editor Mark Wingett’s weekly analysis and City Diary
- Plus insight from leading commentators
Conferences, study trips, and propel multi club
Upcoming Events
January 21-22 2025
Restaurant Marketer
& Innovator European Summit
Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit is returning for its seventh edition, and tickets are now on sale for the two-day conference as the centrepiece of the January event series. The event is a partnership between Propel and Think Hospitality, aiming to build a community, promote the sharing of ideas, recognise talent and define the future of eating out.
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.