Story of the Day - 9 March 2026
US bakery brand believes ‘time is right’ for UK entry’, aiming for ‘measured, city-led expansion strategy’ here
US bakery brand Magnolia Bakery has told Propel it believes the “time is right” for entry into the UK market and that it is aiming for a “measured, city-led expansion strategy” here. Propel revealed last month that the brand, which was founded in 1996 by Jennifer Appel and Allysa Torey, was seeking potential partners here.
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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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9 March 2026
BrewDog’s new owner plans to reopen pubs and distillery
The chief executive of BrewDog’s new owner is looking into reopening more UK pubs and reviving the brand’s recently closed distillery. Irwin Simon, the chief executive of US-based Tilray Brands, is also keen to hear from potential franchisees who could run one of the 38 bars shuttered by administrators earlier this week.
9 March 2026
Caffe Nero founder – ‘we don’t want to take over the world, we need to move to our own rhythm’
Gerry Ford, the founder and chief executive of Caffe Nero, has said the company will pause acquisitions after its takeover of 15 Compass Coffee stores in US, and that it “never wanted to suffer the consequence of trying to be everywhere for everybody”. The business is aiming to open as many as 30 UK stores and between 50 and 70 more this year across the ten other countries it operates in.
9 March 2026
Coppa Collective CEO – ‘we’re not looking to become the next pubco, expansion focus is on Coppa Club’
Mark Loughborough, chief executive of Coppa Collective (formerly Various Eateries), which last week acquired a packaged of sites from Grosvenor Pubs, has told Propel it’s “not looking to become the next pubco”, and that its expansion focus is on its Coppa Club concept. Last week, the Coppa Club and Noci operator acquired four sites from Grosvenor Pubs, with an agreement in place to potentially acquire a fifth.
9 March 2026
Heston Blumenthal – In these times most restaurants are suffering in one way or another
Chef Heston Blumenthal (pictured), who will close his two-Michelin-starred Dinner by Heston restaurant in the Mandarin Oriental Knightsbridge next January, has said that in “these times most restaurants are suffering in one way or another”. After a celebratory eight-course tasting menu that spans five centuries of historic British food, and exactly 16 years after the restaurant opened its doors in 2011, The Times reports that Dinner by Heston will shut – permanently at the end of next January.
9 March 2026
Former Loungers CFO joins Tortilla board
Gregor Grant, former chief financial officer at café bar operator Loungers, has joined the board of Tortilla, as a non-executive director and chair of its audit committee, with immediate effect. The business said that Grant’s appointment completes its board’s transition process.
9 March 2026
Brava Hospitality Group CEO – ‘naysayers but also plenty of positivity about relaunching Jamie’s Italian here’
James Brown (pictured), chief executive of Brava Hospitality Group, the Prezzo Italian operator, has told Propel that while there has “definitely been some naysayers” on the return of the concept to the UK, but also “a lot of positivity”. Last year, Brava signed a partnership agreement to bring Jamie’s Italian back to the UK high street, with the first new Jamie’s Italian under the partnership opening in Irving Street, near London’s Leicester Square, later this week (Wednesday, 11 March) – seven years after it initially closed here.
9 March 2026
Yolk launches £1m fundraise for next two sites, SSP an investor
“Good bites only” business Yolk has launched a new £1m fundraise to fund its next two sites, and revealed that SSP Group, the UK operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations worldwide, is an investor in the company. Last October, Propel revealed that the business had undergone a company voluntary arrangement (CVA), leading to the closure of three of its sites in London, leaving it with seven sites in the capital.
9 March 2026
C&C Group acquires Innis & Gunn brand out of administration for £4.5m, taprooms close
C&C Group has acquired the brand and associated global intellectual property of Scottish brewer and retailer Innis & Gunn out of administration for £4.5m. C&C has been a small minority shareholder and a brewing partner for Innis & Gunn for a number of years.
9 March 2026
Rob Wirszycz steps down as chair of Six By Nico
Rob Wirszycz has stepped down as chairman of SixCo, the company behind the Six by Nico restaurant business, Propel has learned. Wirszycz, who is currently a chairman of Irish pub concept Nancy Spains, stepped down from SixCo after five and a half years as its chairman.
6 March 2026
The Breakfast Group founder hoping to open ‘many, many’ Laki Kane bars despite ‘enormous’ headwinds impacting late-night sector
Eric Yu, founder of restaurant bar group The Breakfast Group, has told Propel he hopes to open “many, many” Laki Kane bars following its joint venture with the immersive tropical cocktail and rum experience despite the “enormous” headwinds impacting the late-night sector. The move will see The Breakfast Group relaunch Burlock Bar in London’s Oxford Street – one of ten sites it operates across the capital and Birmingham – as Laki Kane.
6 March 2026
Various Eateries acquires premium pubs with rooms portfolio for £11.25m to create third brand, proposed name change to Coppa Collective
Various Eateries, the Hugh Osmond-backed business that operates the Coppa Club and Noci concepts, has acquired a premium pubs with rooms portfolio for £11.25m to create third brand and proposed a name change to Coppa Collective. It has exchanged on asset purchase agreements to acquire the portfolio from Grosvenor Pubs and expects to complete the acquisition of four sites on or around 23 March 2026, with a further agreement in place to potentially acquire a fifth site.
6 March 2026
Lunar Pub Company hires advisors to review options
Lunar, the London pub company from Hubert Beatson-Hird and Oliver Marlowe, has appointed advisors to review its funding options, Propel has learned. The three-strong Lunar is understood to be working with FRP Advisory, with offers for the business believed to be sought by next Friday (13 March).
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.
6 March 2026
Starbucks franchisee Magic Bean Company re-hires Rob Todorov as head of group operations as it gears up for growth
Starbucks franchisee Magic Bean Company has re-hired Rob Todorov as its head of group operations as it gears up for growth. Todorov previously worked for the group as head of operations – Starbucks, between 2022 and 2025, before leaving for a short spell as senior manager – buffet restaurants at Butlin’s.
6 March 2026
Pod and Three Joes founder seeking investment for neighbourhood wine-led concept
Tim Hall, the founder and former chief executive of healthy fast food brand Pod, is seeking investment for The Wine Yard – a new experiential neighbourhood concept. Hall was co-founder of Sourdough South, operator of the Three Joes concept and The Stable brand.
6 March 2026
BoxKitchen brings in former Just Eat UK & Ireland chief executive Graham Corfield as non-executive director
BoxKitchen, the new venture from BoxPark founder Roger Wade, has brought in former Just Eat UK & Ireland chief executive Graham Corfield as a non-executive director. The company said Corfield brings “significant executive and board-level experience within high-growth, consumer-facing businesses”.
6 March 2026
Seacare boosts turnover after acquiring two new hotels but profit drops as costs soar
Hotel group Seacare Hospitality boosted its turnover in the year to 31 March 2025 after acquiring two new hotels but saw its profit drop after costs soared. The company – which owns hotels in Cheltenham, Eastbourne, Manchester, Inverness, Leeds, Scarborough, Dundee, Dumfries, Carmarthen, Knowsley, Perth, Aberdeen, Ilfracombe and Portpatrick – acquired two further hotels during the year, in Liverpool and the Isle of Wight.
6 March 2026
Searles reports dip in turnover due to lower demand but income from short stays and amenities increases
Norfolk holiday park operator Searles reported a dip in turnover in the year to 31 March 2025 due to lower demand but said income from short stays and amenities increased. The company – which operates Searles Leisure Resort in Hunstanton, Searles Sea Tours and Heacham Manor Hotel – saw revenue fall from £17,7312,731 in 2024 to £17,449,599.
6 March 2026
UK jobs market hit by longest run of staff cuts since pandemic
Businesses have embarked on the longest stretch of job cuts since the pandemic, according to Bank of England data, reinforcing concerns that the labour market is under strain from payroll tax increases and steep rises in the minimum wage. On a three-month average basis, businesses have reported to the Bank of England that they laid off staff in each period stretching back to July last year, the longest run of redundancies since the late stages of the pandemic in 2021, reports The Times.
5 March 2026
Chris Burford returns to Leon as CFO
Chris Burford (pictured) has returned to healthy food brand Leon as its chief financial officer, in a move the company said, “reunited founder John Vincent with one of the key figures behind the brand’s growth” and is a “step toward building the leadership team”. Burford first joined Leon in 2014 as director of finance, following a spell leading the finance function at Wagamama, and over the next seven years, became a central part of Leon’s leadership team.
5 March 2026
BrewDog CEO – BrewDog’s story is far from finished, Tilray exploring opportunities for experienced managers to franchise certain locations
James Taylor (pictured), chief executive of Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog, which earlier this week was acquired out of administration by US firm Tilray Brands, has said company’s story “is far from finished” and that it now has a “home that understands what is required, understands the culture and can take this business forward to a bigger and better future”. Tilray acquired BrewDog’s worldwide intellectual property, UK brewing operations and a portfolio of 11 “premier and profitable brewpubs”, but 38 UK bars closed with immediate effect, with the loss of 484 jobs.
Watch highlights from this year’s Propel summer conference and party.
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March 25th 2026
Propel Multi Club — New directions in a period of strong headwinds
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