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Story of the Day - 9 December 2025

Wenzel’s – we have the capacity to double in size over the next few years, exploring new formats including kiosks

Family-owned bakery brand Wenzel’s has told Propel it has the capacity to double in size over the next few years, and that it is exploring new formats, including kiosks. Wenzel’s, which operates more than 100 bakery stores in southern England and the Midlands, made its first move into franchising earlier this year after 50 years of operating.

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Propel Exclusive Report

Propel's Experiential Leisure Report is available now

Experiential Leisure 2025
The 2025 Experiential Leisure Report, the second year of Propel’s exhaustive report on the fast-growing experiential leisure market, is now available. 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 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.
 

Get the report

Propel’s Experiential Leisure report is available now for £595 plus vat. Premium Club members receive the report for free.

Order The Experiential Leisure Report today by emailing: 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 Top 500 Report ranks the UK’s largest operators by turnover – totalling £30bn across 51,000 sites. It features company histories, leadership structures, financial performance, and sector segmentation. It is delivered as an in-depth PDF and searchable Excel file. These reports offer more than 125,000 words of analysis – providing operators, investors and suppliers with comprehensive insight into the structure and direction of the market.

9 December 2025

TGI Fridays

TGI Fridays UK parent company files notice to appoint administrators

The company behind TGI Fridays in the UK has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators – but says all its restaurants will stay open over Christmas as bosses bid to protect the brand. Liberty Bar and Restaurant Group has filed the notice of intention to appoint administrators, a move which will pause any action by creditors and give directors time to consider their options.

9 December 2025

Papa Johns

Papa Johns signs deal to expand in Northern Ireland

Papa Johns has signed a new franchise agreement with Rana Group which will see 20 new sites open across Northern Ireland over the next decade. The first store under the new partnership opened its doors last week, at 82 Broughshane Street in Ballymena, with a second store to be announced by March 2026.

9 December 2025

Training

UKHospitality secures sector access to foundation apprenticeship expansion

UKHospitality has welcomed the sector’s inclusion in the expansion of foundation apprenticeships. Previously, hospitality had been left out of the proposals, but the trade body has worked with the government to make the case for its inclusion.

9 December 2025

Soul Mama

Soul Mama founder – already in conversations nationwide, strong international interest

YolanDa Brown, the award-winning saxophonist and broadcaster, has told Propel she is already in conversations about taking her live music venue and dining concept, Soul Mama, nationwide – and that the business has already received international interest. Brown opened the first Soul Mama in Stratford, east London, last year. The 100-cover site serves African, Caribbean and South American fusion dishes while doubling as a live jazz, R&B and reggae venue.

9 December 2025

Brewdog

Martin Keith to step down as joint MD of BrewDog’s bar division

Martin Keith is to step down as joint managing director of Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog’s bar division, Propel has learned. Propel revealed earlier this year that BrewDog had created a new co-leadership structure for its bars business, which has seen the appointment of joint managing directors.

9 December 2025

XP Factory

XP Factory half-year Ebitda up 15%, secures new £20m bank facility

XP Factory, which operates the Escape Hunt and Boom Battle Bar brands, has reported a 15% increase in adjusted Ebitda for the 26 weeks to 28 September 2025 to £1.7m, with group revenue up 13.1% to £28.2m. It said that the Escape Hunt owner operated site revenue increased 12.7% to £7.3m, while Boom Battle Bar owner operated revenue increased 16.0% to £20.4m during the period.

9 December 2025

Hotel pic

Hotel operator Axcel Group reports profit and turnover in line with previous year, set to open new hotel in York

Hotel operator Axcel Group, which operates 13 sites, has reported profit and turnover for the year to 31 December 2024 in line with the previous year. The company’s pre-tax profit dropped slightly from £11,755,025 in 2023 to £11,272,267 while its turnover was up slightly from £42,043,887 to £42,802,118.

9 December 2025

Aladdin’s Pizza

Midlands pizza business to finish 2025 with 15 stores with four launches in a fortnight

Midlands pizza business Aladdin’s Pizza is set to finish 2025 with 15 stores with four launches in just over a fortnight. The fast-growing company, which was founded in 2012 but started 2025 with just four locations, opened store number 12 at the end of November, at 11 Bloomfield Road in Tipton.

9 December 2025

Booking Restaurant

More than half of pub-goers favouring pre-booking and ordering digitally

New research reveals that pub goers prefer a new style of service – with more than half (55%) leaning towards pre-booking, ordering digitally and forming a line away from the counter as opposed to spreading out across the bar. The new GO Technology report, from hospitality tech provider Zonal, in partnership with CGA by NIQ, shows Generation Z are three times more likely to prefer tech-based ordering and also tend to stay out later, going out from 10pm onwards.

8 December 2025

Japes

Japes exploring QSR format with latest opening, four more sites in the pipeline with ‘massive opportunity’ outside London

Deep dish pizza concept Japes has told Propel it is exploring a quick service restaurant (QSR) format with its latest opening, and that it has four more sites in the pipeline as it explores “massive opportunities” outside of London. The business, founded by Aleksandar and Jovana Aleksic, opened in St Albans last month for its second regional site.

8 December 2025

Real Eating Company

Real Eating Company undergoes further restructure

Real Eating Company, the Helena Hudson-led independent cafe and coffee concept, has undergone a further restructure, leaving it with sites in Canterbury and Chichester. In 2023, Real Eating Company underwent a pre-pack administration which left the business in “a much more robust position” and “looking ahead with confidence”.

8 December 2025

L’Eto Caffe

L’Eto Caffe founder – ‘we’re planning a small number of openings in both London and the UAE in 2026 following a strong 2025’

Artem Login, founder of L’Eto Caffe, the upscale international restaurant and cafe brand, has told Propel the business is planning a “small number” of openings in both London and the UAE in 2026 following a “strong” 2025. Last month, the company reopened its former My & Sanne restaurant in London’s Brompton Road as L’Eto Caffe for its ninth site in the capital.

December 2025 ~ Premium Club

Available now –  videos from the Propel Multi Club Conference – Growth in an era of big challenges. Premium readers receive the videos from Propel conferences each year – around 100 in total. A great way to keep your team abreast of what’s happening in the sector. Andrew Ball, senior hospitality partner at haysmacintyre, talks to Harry Goss, partner at McWinLuke Johnson, co-founder and partner of Risk Capital PartnersYasha Estraikh, associate partner at Piper Private EquityLizzie Ryan, managing partner at Imbiba, and David Roberts, partner at CMS, about the current investment market, where the buyer activity is centred and what is the current investment criteria in a volatile market. Jesse Jenkins, founder of plant-based cookie concept The After School Cookie Club, in which John Vincent, co-founder and former chief executive of Leon is an investor, discusses expanding across London, its strong community focus, and the role of social media in its success. Bubala founder Marc Summers talks about the creation of the Middle Eastern vegetarian concept, its launch into the competitive London market, the future for the business and the vegetarian restaurant category. Jonny and Charlotte Heyes, founders of Nell’s, the north west New York-style pizza business, discuss the concept’s three-year growth strategies, including becoming a regional standout performer and now looking to spread its wings in new territories. Alex Reilley, chairman of Loungers, talks to Mark Wingett about the company’s return to the private world, maintaining consistency of offer, what the expansion runway looks like for the business, and saving the high street. Industry veteran David Page, the former chairman of Franco Manca, owner of Fulham Shore, ex-chief executive of PizzaExpress, and who is set to become chair of Wildwood operator Tasty, talks to Propel’s Mark Wingett about his return to the sector, why now and what does he make of the current landscape and opportunities for growth. Michelle Hazlewood, partner at leading sector licensing firm John Gaunt, will examine all the key legal developments that have impacted multi-site operators in 2025, set out the latest legislation affecting the industry, and analyse the immediate and long-term legislative commitments the government must consider if it is to aid the sector’s return to growth. Aaron Mellor, founder and chief executive of Tokyo Industries, the UK’s largest private operator of bar and nightclubs, alongside multiple international operations in Los Angeles, Palm Springs, New York, Palma, and Ibiza, talks about the late night market, developing a new West End theatre, operating mid-century hotels in California, trading in Palma and Ibiza, operating multiple festivals, building skyscrapers in Manchester and buying a shopping centre in Hull. Matt Snell, chief executive of Boxpark, talks about moving from casual dining into operating an all-day, multi-brand, multi-purpose operator, the evolution of the business and how it chooses who to work with. Mike Spencer, McDonald’s UK & Ireland vice-president of development, discusses the brand’s large-scale reimagining programme across its estate with a target of 200-plus stores refreshed a year as it looks to unlock capacity to drive future growth, how it is looking to open 40 new sites a year, and its approach to the customer journey. Tom Molnar, co-founder of the fast-growing Gail’s, talks to Propel’s Mark Wingett about the hard-won lessons from scaling a craft bakery into a nationwide success without sacrificing quality or creativity, and the mindset shifts, growth strategies, and leadership principles that have helped the business thrive as it celebrates its 20th year.

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.

December 2025 ~ Premium Club

500 Report

Propel 500 is back for the second year. It will bring 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 will provide critical insights into the companies leading the charge in hospitality, including turnover, number of sites, key staff, and more. The 45,000-word report will also include 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 will review the mergers and acquisitions changing the shape of the Top 500 as size increasingly matters. Katherine Doggrell will examine 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, will look at emerging growth sectors, and Meaningful Vision founder Maria Vantifatova will analyse the latest trends in the quick service restaurant market.

Propel 500 will be released on Friday, 9 January at 9am and is
£595 plus vat.

Existing Premium Club Members can receive it on Friday, 9 January at 9am for
£395 plus vat.

Premium Club members will receive the report for free on Friday, 27 February at 9am.

Pre-order Propel 500 today by emailing: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com

 

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.

December 2025 ~ Premium Club

Premium Club Opinion provides weekly insights from industry leaders. In this current edition, George Davidson, previously head of insight and analytics at Greene King, who stood in the 2010 general election for the Labour Party, explains why he believes the government did not intend to land an entire industry with this mess of hugely increasing rateable values. The government’s business-rates error is likely unintended, offering a diplomatic route to fix it. The industry should help ministers save face, lobby MPs locally, and present hospitality’s economic and social value. A united, respectful approach can secure change while positioning Labour as a pro-business partner. Also, Michael Penfold, director of AG&G, argues why planning protection for pubs has become little more than a performative act of political theatre. Governments champion planning protections for pubs while imposing rising costs that force closures. With wages, rates and duties surging, thousands more pubs risk becoming unviable. These contradictory policies leave buildings protected but businesses collapsing, prompting calls for either real financial support or more flexible planning to prevent widespread vacancy. Meanwhile, David Singleton, founder of Dubai-based strategic advisory practice Oraculi, looks at the reasons to launch in the UAE.UK operators eye Dubai for lower taxes and growth, but the UAE demands far higher capital, intense competition and scarce prime sites. Though offering stability and expansion, it is no easy escape. Success requires strong funding, distinct concepts and deep market understanding, not desperation-driven relocation. Lastly, Propel group editor Mark Wingett examines the evolution of RedCat Hospitality.RedCat Hospitality has rapidly evolved from acquiring 42 pubs in 2021 to a focused pubs-with-rooms operator. After aggressive expansion, restructuring and leadership changes, it stabilised performance, exited non-core leased sites, refinanced, and renewed acquisitions. Backed by Oaktree, it now targets coaching inns and premium room-led assets as sector consolidation opportunities grow.

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.

December 2025 ~ 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 current edition, Jamie Oliver will relaunch Jamie’s Italian in the UK in 2025 through a partnership with Brava Hospitality Group, starting with a flagship site on Irving Street, Leicester Square – a unit with a turbulent history. Oliver says the mid-market needs renewed excitement and that he will personally oversee menu, sourcing and training. Meanwhile, JKS Pubs has been acquired through a management buyout backed by a US West Coast tech investor. The three-strong group – The Cadogan Arms, The George and The Hound – will rebrand as Ardent Pub Group and plans up to eight new openings over the next three to five years. The valuation is rumoured at £8m-£12m, with The Cadogan alone turning over around £4m annually. Also, TGI Fridays UK faces renewed uncertainty as Interpath explores strategic options for the 49-site business after a notice of intention to appoint administrators was filed. The brand may look to Australia for inspiration, where franchisee Signature Hospitality Group has launched “Shufflr”, a modern competitive socialising concept featuring digital shuffleboards. Lastly, Hawksmoor has launched its first London Underground advertising campaign to support its new St Pancras opening. The “Sear It. Stir It. Sorted.” campaign aims to capture the attention of the millions passing through King’s Cross and St Pancras each week.

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.

8 December 2025

Butlins

Butlin’s returns to profit

Butlin’s has reported a return to profit for the year ending 31 December 2024 as the company’s bottom line received a significant boost from a substantial revaluation of its resort properties and a surge in operating profit. The holiday resort operator, which has sites in Bognor Regis in West Sussex, Minehead in Somerset and Skegness in Lincolnshire, recorded a pre-tax profit of £28,430,000 compared with a loss of £74,200,000 the year before, a rise of 138%.

8 December 2025

Fish & Chips

Chesterford Group exits Pret partnership with Exultant deal

The Chesterford Group (TCG) – which owns and operates a fast-growing chain of multi-branded fish and chip takeaways, restaurants and virtual kitchen brands throughout the south, south east and south west of the UK – has exited its partnership with Pret A Manger. Propel revealed in 2021 that TCG had signed up as Pret’s first franchisee, as the brand looked to expand into the regions.

8 December 2025

Wimpy

Wimpy hires former Chopstix Group franchise manager as its new UK business development manager

Wimpy has hired former Chopstix Group franchise business manager Ken Gillatt as its new business development manager for the UK. Gillatt joins Wimpy after two and a half years with Chopstix, in which he oversaw the conversion of legacy Chozen/Chow sites into Chopstix ones following the latter’s acquisition of Chozen Noodle in 2023.

8 December 2025

Rachel Reeves

We’ve been misled by Reeves, say pub chiefs

Pub bosses have told the chancellor she has “deeply misled” the industry over business rates reform as they claimed the sector faces an additional £160m annual tax burden, despite promises of relief. In a letter to Rachel Reeves, over 80 chief executives said she had “blindsided” the industry and they predicted pub closures would further accelerate from the current rate of one a day.

8 December 2025

London generic image

Pubs to raise pint prices to combat ‘tsunami’ of budget costs

Drinkers hoping to drown their sorrows after the budget are in for a shock: the price of a pint is going up again. Phil Thorley, who runs Thorley Taverns in Kent, told The Telegraph he was considering putting pint prices up by 5% to offset a £62,000 increase in business rates because of Rachel Reeves’s Budget.

8 December 2025

Generic cafe

Young unemployed to be offered work in hospitality

Young unemployed people will be offered training or job opportunities in construction, care and hospitality as part of a UK government scheme and could have their benefits cut if they do not take up offers. Pat McFadden, the work and pensions secretary, announced that 350,000 new training or workplace opportunities would be offered to young people on universal credit, but added there would be “sanctions” for claimants who did not engage.

5 December 2025

Money

Foodservice price inflation eases for first time in six months as seasonal supply improves

Food and drink prices in hospitality fell 0.3% in October 2025, the latest Foodservice Price Index from CGA by NIQ and Prestige Purchasing reveals. The downward movement marks an important break in the year’s trends after six consecutive months of rising costs, bringing respite to the UK’s hospitality and foodservice sectors ahead of the festive trading period.

5 December 2025

Middletons Steakhouse

Middletons Steakhouse & Grill acquired out of administration for £170,000

Gastro Pubs, the parent company of the Middletons Steakhouse & Grill, was acquired out of administration by a new group controlled by its existing shareholders for a total consideration of £170,000, Propel has learned. Tim Bateson and James Clark, of Interpath, were appointed joint administrators to Gastro Pubs on 14 November.

Watch highlights from this year’s Propel summer conference and party.

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