Story of the Day - 12 March 2026
Stonegate Group CEO – ‘having diverse leadership talent is more than just the right thing to do, it's the right commercial thing to do as well’
David McDowall (pictured), chief executive of Stonegate Group, the UK’s largest pub company, has told Propel that the best chance of success for a business is incorporating diverse thinking – and having diverse leadership talent is “not just the right thing to do, it’s the right commercial thing to do as well”. Speaking on Propel’s In Conversation podcast to mark International Women’s Day, McDowall – who is a mentor with Boardwalk, the mentoring programme dedicated to accelerating senior women in the hospitality industry into board-level positions – said the sector has come long way in terms of diversity of leadership but still has a long way to go.
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Propel Exclusive Report
Propel's Experiential Leisure Report is available now
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.
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12 March 2026
The Coaching Inn Group turnover approaching £100m
RedCat Hospitality, founded and chaired by Rooney Anand, has said turnover at The Coaching Inn Group, its award-winning pubs-with-rooms business which is adding seven sites to its portfolio, is approaching almost £100m. Founded in 1996, The Coaching Inn Group was acquired by RedCat in 2021, with 18 venues.
12 March 2026
Gerry’s Hot Subs raises £350,000 towards expansion, franchise opportunities lining up
Gerry’s Hot Subs, the fledgling concept from André Blais, founder of American barbecue diner-deli brand Bodean’s, has raised £350,000 towards its expansion and told Propel that franchise opportunities for the business are “already lining up”. Blais opened the first stand-alone site for the concept last spring, at 50 Exmouth Market, in London’s Clerkenwell.
12 March 2026
The Wolseley’s branching out with New York hotel
A pillar of London’s restaurant scene hopes to break America after its parent company unveiled plans for a first Wolseley-branded hotel in New York. The Times reports that owner Minor Hotels will open a 76-bedroom site – including an all-day brasserie – near Times Square next year.
12 March 2026
92 Degrees targeting 100 locations across UK
Independent coffee roaster 92 Degrees, which opened its first franchise site last month, is targeting having 100 locations across the UK in the next four to five years. The business, which was launched in 2015 in Liverpool, currently operates 22 sites.
12 March 2026
Chef Simon Shaw – ‘potential to roll out Black Cat Club concept across the north’
Chef Simon Shaw has told Propel he sees the potential to roll out his Black Cat Club concept across the north. Shaw’s Mill Hill Developments business launched the concept in Manchester in 2024 and last year converted its El Gato Negro site in Liverpool’s Exchange Flags to a Black Cat.
12 March 2026
Gym Group to open 20 new sites in 2026 including new formats, reports strong start to year after profits soared in 2025
Gym Group has said it will open 20 new sites this year – including new formats – as part of previously announced plans to add 75 new locations over the next three years. Having opened 16 new gyms in 2025 to end the year with 260, the company said it is “accelerating” its openings programme “to take full advantage of the available white space and market growth opportunity”.
12 March 2026
Senza Fondo founder – ‘our ambition is to grow carefully and sustainably’, ‘new format gives us the opportunity to operate in different types of locations’
Joe Worthington, who is behind all-you-can-eat lasagna restaurant Senza Fondo in London’s Shoreditch, has told Propel the company’s ambition is to “grow carefully and sustainably”, and the upcoming launch of a new all-day restaurant deli format gives it the opportunity to “operate in different types of locations and trading patterns”. Former Hawksmoor and Drake & Morgan employee Worthington, who launched Italian-American concept Senza Fondo last February, will open his first regional site next month – the 90-cover Senza Fondeli in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
12 March 2026
Sarah Sergeant to step down as Young’s non-exec
Young’s has announced that Sarah Sergeant, who was appointed to its board as an independent non-executive director in 2023, has decided to step down with effect from 31 March 2026, to allow more time to focus on her other commitments. The company said it had initiated a search process for an additional independent non-executive director and will provide an update in due course.
12 March 2026
Azvalor Asset Management doubles stake in Fuller’s
Spanish investment firm Azvalor Asset Management has this morning increased its stake in Fuller’s from 5.12% to just over 10%. The Madrid-based asset manager now holds 3,192,842 direct voting rights in the London-listed pub and hotel operator.
11 March 2026
Exclusive – MCC ends four-year beer partnership with BrewDog after 14 months
Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has ended its beer partnership with Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog 14 months into the four-year deal, Propel has learned. The agreement, which began in January 2025, was BrewDog’s first entry into sports arenas, and saw Lord’s become the first sports venue in the UK to hand over its taps to a craft beer brand, as well as being the only to pour 100% British beer.
11 March 2026
Gong Cha owner weighing up possible sale
TA Associates, the private equity backer of Gong Cha, is weighing up a sale of the UK-headquartered, fast-growing bubble tea brand. Bloomberg reports that TA Associates, which acquired a majority stake in Gong Cha seven years ago, is working with advisors at JPMorgan Chase & Co on a deal that could value the brand at around $2bn.
11 March 2026
Deliveroo closes sole standalone restaurant Pizza Paradiso
Delivery firm Deliveroo has closed Pizza Paradiso, its first and still only high street restaurant, which it opened in London, in the spring of 2022, Propel has learned. At the end of 2021, Propel revealed that Deliveroo was to launch its first high street restaurant, which it stated would be used to train staff and help it “find better ways to serve our partners”.
March 2026 ~ Premium Club
Premium Club readers to receive all the videos from Restaurant Marketer and Innovator. Propel Premium Club members are to be given access to the entire recording of the 2026 Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Conference. Members are now able to access all the videos of the event.
James Hacon, managing partner at Think Hospitality.
Maria Vanifatova, chief executive and founder of Meaningful Vision.
Mark Bentley, business development director at HDI.
Sara McKennedy, managing director at Coco di Mama, Éadaoin McDonagh, chief operating officer at White Rabbit Projects, Laura Irving, managing director at JKS Restaurants, and Marcel Khan, chief executive at Fulham Shore. Romy Miller, chief marketing officer at Knoops.
Pho: Libby Andrews, marketing director at Pho, talks to Charlotte Mair, founder and managing director at The Fitting Room. Dishoom: In conversation with Fleet Street Communications chief executive Mark Stretton, co-founder Kavi Thakrar.
Alexis Melikov, chief executive of Tigermilk. Jordan Graham, founder of Sugar Snap, in conversation with Paul Catterson, director at Orto Pizza, Sam Shephard, founder at Juice Jar, andPeter Coleman, co-founder of Seed
Aqua at 25: stories beyond the view: Marie Guenot, marketing director at Aqua Restaurant Group. Michael Radley, co-founder at Joli, is joined by Hilary Ansell, marketing consultant and interim marketing director at Wasabi, Hester Mitchell, digital marketing manager at Bleecker Burger, and Tom Patrick, marketing director for Banana Tree and Las Iguanas at Big Table Group.
Evie Horsell, head of communications UK & Ireland at Big Mamma Group
Russell Danks, managing director at Laine Pub Co,
Kiran Quinn, group marketing director at RedCat Hospitality
Laura Lewis, marketing director at Arc Inspirations.
David Tester, head of marketing at Franco Manca, is joined by George Lamb, co-founder of Wildfarmed
Five concepts, one vision — Incipio at Olympia: Rory Graham, marketing and brand director at Incipio Group.
Jayson Perfect, chief operating officer at Butcombe.
What’s Next in Hospitality? The 2026 Playbook: James Hacon, Managing Partner at Think Hospitality. Katy Moses, managing director at KAM. Heleri Rande, partner at Think Hospitality, in conversation with Chris Miller, founder at White Rabbit Projects, Loui Blake, co-founder at Long Lane, and Nicci Clarke, marketing and culinary director UK at Sodexo Live! Anthony Knight speaks to Tom Kidd, founder of SetList.
When hospitality meets entertainment. Thinking out of the box: Michelle Farrell, chief growth officer at Boxpark.
The neighbourhood effect: Marshall Dallas, Partner at Think Hospitality, speaks with Ankur Wishart, co-founder at Boxcar, and India Filippidis, head of marketing at Boxcar & The Italian Greyhound. Madeleine Phillips, marketing director at Various Eateries.
Deborah Jones, senior client success manager at Proinsight, speaks to Michael Farquhar, chief operating officer at ETM Group.
Krishnan Doyle, founder at COREcruitment.
The multi-concept challenge: Markus Thesleff, founder of Thesleff Group.
Dave’s Hot Chicken’s digital activation: Peter Critchley, UK chief executive at Trison, is joined by Keyana Mohammadi, head of marketing at Dave’s Hot Chicken. Tessa Graham, group brand director at Tashas Group. Olivia Fitzgerald, managing director at 125 Data & Insights, speaks with Tom James, managing director at Bill’s. Dan Brookman, chief executive and co-founder of Airship & Toggle. Daniel Bennett, global head of behavioural science at Ogilvy Consulting: Originality in the age of AI. Heleri Rande, partner at Think Hospitality, in conversation with Afroditi Krassa, founding director of Afroditi, and Bob Conwell, managing director at Mr Lyan Studio. Digital marketing for growth. Carey Benn, chief executive at Guestwise, in conversation with Naddy Onions, marketing director at Prezzo Italian, James Metcalfe, sales and marketing director at Urban Pubs & Bars, and Ewa Turney, senior product lead at Mitchells & Butlers. Aaron Morgan, head of marketing and Paul Jones, head of IT at The Alchemist. Dojo: Jon Knott, head of data projects at Dojo. Laura Vana, associate partner at Think Hospitality, in conversation with Kat Schofield, sales and marketing director at Permanently Unique Group, Holly Hilton, marketing director at Market Place Food Halls, and Ria Pattni, director of marketing at JKS Restaurants. Laura Vana, associate partner at Think Hospitality, in conversation with Tasos Gaitanos, co-founder at Brother Marcus, Alex Large, co-founder at Brother Marcus, Tommy Giraux, head of restaurant systems at Honest Burgers. Joe Comiskey, digital director at Stonegate Group. Joel Robinson, chief executive at Openr, in conversation with Toby Herbert, head of IT at Hall & Woodhouse, Sara McKennedy, managing director at Coco di Mama, and Mark Bentley, business development director at HDI. Sophie Clarke, UK team lead at Popmenu, in conversation with Charlie Wood-Jones, Co-founder at Cawsburger. Dan Brookman, chief executive at Airship and Toggle. Mark Warburton, founder of Cow & Sow and Alan Armstrong, fractional marketing director.
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 2026 ~ Premium Club
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.
March 2026 ~ Premium Club
Premium Club Opinion provides weekly insights from industry leaders. In this current edition, former Hawksmoor chief growth and culture officer Ceri Gott looks at the extraordinary amount ordinary women are giving and the simple steps to help them. She argues that ordinary women already give enormous unpaid contributions through caregiving, domestic work and volunteering while also facing safety risks, harassment and domestic abuse. In hospitality, employers can help by improving night safety, supporting victims of abuse, offering financial support and ensuring fair career opportunities. Creating women-friendly workplaces recognises women’s contributions and builds safer, more supportive environments for everyone. Meanwhile, Lucky Saint managing director Emma Heal explores confidence building. She says that confidence isn’t blind positivity but a skill built through practice. She argues it grows by collecting evidence of achievements, questioning the source of self-doubt, preparing thoroughly and acknowledging gaps, using body language to project authority and speaking clearly. Small daily habits and supportive networks also matter. Real confidence develops through consistent action, not simply telling yourself to believe. Lastly, WatchHouse managing director Caroline Ottoy reflects on four decades in hospitality leadership. Reflecting on International Women’s Day, she argues hospitality leadership ultimately depends on mindset, trust and consistency rather than titles. Over a long career, she learned that preparation, operational discipline and clear decision-making build credibility. Progression requires asking for opportunities and embracing stretch roles. Senior leaders also have a responsibility to widen access and create environments where others can 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.
march 2026 ~ Premium Club
Mark Wingett’s Premium Club Diary delivers insider sector gossip every week to Premium Club members. In this week’s edition, competitive socialising continues to gather pace. In 2022, Mitchells & Butlers launched interactive darts concept Arrowsmiths in Solihull, rolling it out to 14 sites, mainly under O’Neill’s. The group is now quietly trialling a golf-themed format, Puttside, signalling further diversification. Meanwhile, Swingers co-founder Matt Grech-Smith is departing following the brand’s US expansion to Boston, marking six global venues. Elsewhere, Young’s plans to shift to the London Stock Exchange’s main market while targeting further London growth, considering both freeholds and premium leases, and hinting at selective acquisitions. Expansion momentum continues as Sandwich Sandwich prepares a grab-and-go launch at Paddington station, eyeing transport hubs as catalysts for wider growth. In tech, Burger King owner Restaurant Brands International is piloting AI-powered headsets in 500 US restaurants. The “Patty” system provides operational alerts, recipe guidance and customer service coaching, positioning AI as a real-time management and hospitality enhancement tool.
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.
11 March 2026
China’s second-largest coffee chain builds UK pipeline
Cotti Coffee, China’s second-largest coffee chain, which made its UK debut last month with a double opening in London, has begun building its opening pipeline here – with three further sites already secured in the capital, Propel has learned. The business has lined up openings in the City at 99 Gresham Street and 72 Cheapside.
11 March 2026
Admiral Taverns makes largest capex investment to date
Admiral Taverns, which runs 1,350 community pubs across the UK, has re-opened a site in Nottingham after what the company said is its largest capex investment to date. The Fairham, located on Farnborough Road in Clifton, reopened following an investment of £572,832.
11 March 2026
Pizza Pilgrims hires Adrian Vickery as property director
Pizza Pilgrims, the pizzeria brand backed by McWin-backed German pizza and pasta restaurant business L’Osteria, has hired Adrian Vickery, formerly of Azzurri Group and Novus Leisure, as its new property director. Vickery joins the Gavin Smith-led business after stepping down from the ASK Italian and Zizzi-operator Azzurri in November, after 11 years with the company.
11 March 2026
Thornbridge JV to open new London pub this month, group returns to profit
Thornbridge & Co – the joint venture between Derbyshire’s Thornbridge Brewery and specialist beer importer Pivovar – will open a new London pub this month. The Wild Swan will launch at 99 Fetter Lane, in the City, to replace the nearby White Swan, which is making way for new office buildings.
11 March 2026
Rileys hires Tony Gorbert as new operations director
Rileys, the American and UK sports bar brand backed by Weight Partners Capital, has hired Tony Gorbert, formerly of Rekom and Deltic Group, as its new operations director. Gorbert spent more than 25 years at Deltic Group (formerly Luminar), most of the time as a regional director.
11 March 2026
Two potential buyers for Blackpool’s LGBTQIA+ cabaret bar Funny Girls following administration
Two potential buyers are looking to acquire Blackpool’s LGBTQIA+ cabaret bar Funny Girls out of administration, with the venue seeing record trading. A report from administrators FRP, who were appointed in January, showed three parties expressed an interest in acquiring the business and assets and the freehold of the theatre.
11 March 2026
Business behind food treasure hunt experiences eyes global expansion with crowdfunding campaign
A company that creates food treasure hunt experiences and is aiming to become a “global leader in gamified food tourism” is crowdfunding to support its growth. Gourmaze is raising the funds via the Republic Europe platform and has so far secured more than £435,000 of its £470,000 target.
10 March 2026
Exclusive – German bakery brand to expand to the UK, with first of two London locations opening in second quarter of 2026
German bakery brand Cinnamood is to expand to the UK, with the first of two London locations opening in the second quarter of 2026, Propel has learned. The concept, founded in Cologne is 2022 by Anna Schlecht and Luca Breuer, has opened 56 stores in less than four years and is now trading across 12 countries.
Watch highlights from this year’s Propel summer conference and party.
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