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Story of the Day - 3 March 2026

No offer made for BrewDog in its entirety, no return to any equity holders

AlixPartners, the advisory firm appointed joint administrators to BrewDog UK entities, has said no offer was made for the Scottish brewer and retailer in its entirety and confirmed there will be no return to any equity holders, including that granted under the Equity for Punks scheme. Yesterday (Monday, 2 March), Tilray Brands, which began life as a pureplay cannabis producer and is currently the fourth-largest craft beer brewer in the US, acquired BrewDog’s worldwide intellectual property, UK brewing operations and a portfolio of 11 “premier and profitable brewpubs” – Birmingham, Canary Wharf, Dogtap Ellon, Dublin, Edinburgh DogHouse, Lothian Road, Manchester, Paddington, Seven Dials, Tower Hill and Waterloo – for £33m.

Operators of multi-site hospitality companies can book up to three free places, or operators who are Premium subscribers can claim up to four free places by emailing: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com

Propel Exclusive Report

Propel's Experiential Leisure 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 is exhaustive a report on the fast-growing experiential leisure market. The report profiles the current shape of the experiential leisure market – including brands, estate size, trading type and geographical location and future trends.

3 March 2026

James Brown

Former BrewDog Bars CEO on BrewDog closures – ‘government policy made profitable bars marginal’

James Brown, chief executive of Brava Hospitality Group, and former chief executive of BrewDog Bars, has called the closure of 38 of the Scottish brewer and retailers bars a “very sad day that unfortunately many of us could see coming” as government policy on rates and employment taxes has turned profitable bars into marginal ones. Yesterday (Monday, 2 March), US firm 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.

3 March 2026

Greggs

Greggs starts 2026 strongly after reporting 6.8% rise in sales but fall in profitability in 2025, ‘clear opportunity for significantly more’ than 3,000 stores

Food-to-go retailer Greggs said it has started 2026 strongly, with a healthy pipeline of openings, after reporting a 6.8% rise in sales but a fall in profitability in 2025. In its preliminary results for the year to 27 December 2025, the company said total sales were up from £2,014,000,000 in 2024 to £2,151,000,000 in 2025, with like-for-like sales in company-managed shops up 2.4% year-on-year.

3 March 2026

Rocket Room

Exclusive – Elangeni Hospitality Group founder to launch new premium competitive socialising concept, pipeline of 15 sites

Michael Pearson, founder of Elangeni Hospitality Group – owner of Mexican concept Benito’s and pizza-by-the-slice format, Slice by Dice – is to launch Rocket Room, a new premium competitive socialising concept designed to integrate into established hospitality destinations rather than compete for large leisure units, Propel has learned. The first site under the new concept will open this April at Market Place Food Hall Leicester Square.

3 March 2026

Bonbird begins building UK pipeline

City Restaurants Group, operator of the Afrikana brand, has begun building its opening pipeline for BonBird, the fried chicken brand, Propel has learned. Last spring, the business signed a franchise agreement with Dubai multi-brand operator Yolk Brands to launch BonBird into the UK.

3 March 2026

Star Pubs

Star Pubs launches first Just Add Talent pub in Cornwall as it makes record start to a year for new managed operator site openings

Heineken-owned Star Pubs has launched its first Just Add Talent (JAT) pub in Cornwall as it makes a record start to a year for new managed operator site openings. The company has reopened The Market Inn in Truro, after a three-year closure, and the £450,000 spent on the project is one of its biggest JAT site investments this year.

3 March 2026

PizzaExpress

Lance Batchelor joins PizzaExpress as non-executive director as brand gears up to launch Mac & Wings concept today

Lance Batchelor, the former chief executive of Domino’s Pizza, has joined PizzaExpress as a non-executive director, Propel has learned. It comes after Propel revealed that Batchelor had recently stepped down as chair of the Bridgepoint-backed Burger King UK, after just over two years in the role.

3 March 2026

Chick Fil a

Chick-fil-A to make London debut this week

US brand Chick-fil-A, which made its return to England last year with an opening in Leeds, is to make its debut in London on Thursday (5 March). Propel revealed in April 2024 that Chick-fil-A had secured a site in Kingston-upon-Thames, in south west London, as it started building its opening pipeline here, acquiring the freehold of the HSBC site in Eden Street/Clarence Street.

3 March 2026

Be Inclusive Hospitality opens applications for 2026 mentorship scheme

Be Inclusive Hospitality has opened applications for the 2026 Elevate Mentorship Scheme. Now in its sixth year, the six-month programme pairs independent black and ethnically diverse restaurant founders with senior leaders from some of the UK’s most established hospitality operators, providing tailored guidance.

3 March 2026

Des Gunewardena

Des Gunewardena’s new concepts to launch at Olympia over next few months

Des Gunewardena (pictured), founder of D3 Collective and co-founder and former chief executive of D&D London, will launch his new concepts at London Olympia over the next few months. Gunewardena first revealed in July 2024 that he was to invest £10m in a new restaurant, bar and events space at the venue’s Pillar Hall – which dates to 1886.

3 March 2026

Native Places

UK lifestyle aparthotel operator Native Places set to open four new sites in 2026

UK lifestyle aparthotel operator Native Places, which is owned by digital hospitality platform Numa Group, is set to open four new sites this year. The launches, across London and Edinburgh, will begin with Native Fulham Broadway this spring, featuring 41 studios, one-bed and two-bed apartments.

2 March 2026

BrewDog

Tilray Brands acquires bulk of BrewDog for £33m

Tilray Brands, which began life as a pureplay cannabis producer and is currently the fourth-largest craft beer brewer in the US, has acquired the bulk of BrewDog, for circa £33m. Tilray, which is seen as a leader in the cannabis, beverage and wellness sectors, has acquired the Scottish brewer and retailer’s brands, which includes Punk IPA, Hazy Jane and Lost Lager, its brewery in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, and 11 of its bars, which it said will create a $500m global craft beer and beverage platform.

2 March 2026

BrewDog future set to be resolved today with James Watt ‘out of the running’, closes all bars as it looks to complete sale

The future BrewDog is “set to be resolved today”, with co-founder and former chief executive James Watt “out of the running” for the business, reports Sky News. The Scottish brewer and retailer has also closed all of its bars for the day (Monday, 2 March), as it looks to complete the sale of its business.

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 ShoreRomy Miller, chief marketing officer at Knoops.
Pho: Libby Andrews, marketing director at Pho, talks to Charlotte Mair, founder and managing director at The Fitting RoomDishoom: In conversation with Fleet Street Communications chief executive Mark Stretton, co-founder Kavi Thakrar.
Alexis Melikov, chief executive of TigermilkJordan 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 WasabiHester 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 HospitalityKaty Moses, managing director at KAMHeleri 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 GroupOlivia 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 ItalianJames Metcalfe, sales and marketing director at Urban Pubs & Bars, and Ewa Turney, senior product lead at Mitchells & ButlersAaron 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 GroupJoel 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 CawsburgerDan Brookman, chief executive at Airship and ToggleMark 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, James Hacon, managing partner at Think Hospitality Consulting, explains why London remains one of the most powerful restaurant stages in the world. He argues that, despite cost pressures and labour shortages, London remains one of the world’s most desirable restaurant markets. Strong West End leasing data, minimal vacancies and rising rents signal sustained demand. International operators, particularly from the Middle East and US, view a London opening as a mark of credibility and global positioning. Like New York, London acts as a blank culinary canvas and global amplification engine. Though margins can be tighter than elsewhere, prime London’s experience density, capital confidence and cultural magnetism make it a powerful launchpad for ambitious brands. Meanwhile, Stuart Gillies, former chief executive of Gordon Ramsay Holdings, shares how lessons from large-group leadership can be applied to small, regional restaurants, with the help of technology and AI. After leading a global restaurant group, Gillies found running a small collection requires fewer meetings but a similar forward-planning strategy. Still viewing the business as a start-up, they review strategy frequently and prioritise team empowerment, useful AI-driven data and staff wellbeing. Staying close to operations enables faster development. Experiments like a robot waiter sparked debate, highlighting cautious openness to innovation. Lastly, Propel’s deputy editor Tim Street talks to Richard Zivkovic, who after almost three decades in the corporate world, has now opened a café-bakery in his home town. After nearly 30 years in senior roles at brands including Pret A Manger, Costa Coffee and Island Poke, Richard Zivkovic left corporate life to co-found Helg, a Scandinavian-inspired café-bakery in Stevenage, with his wife. Seeking family time and community connection, he embraces hands-on hospitality, rapid experimentation and local sourcing. Trading profitably in year one, the pair balance growth ambitions with sector-wide cost challenges.

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

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, 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.

2 March 2026

Padel

Exclusive – Insomnia Cookies UK MD steps down to take helm at Padel Project

Ben Lacey has stepped down as UK managing director of late-night bakery brand Insomnia Cookies, to become chief executive of Padel Project, Propel has learned. Lacey steps down after three years at Insomnia Cookies, which he joined following more than four years at Deliveroo, during which the brand grew from scale-up to a public company.

2 March 2026

Black Sheep Coffee to open first UK drive-thrus this year, plans 60 new sites in the capital as it signs Central London development deal

Speciality coffee operator Black Sheep Coffee has said it will open its first UK drive-thrus this year. It comes as the company has signed a Central London development deal for a minimum of ten stores.

2 March 2026

Traders ramp up bets against Greggs as weight-loss jabs eat away profits

The number of traders betting against Greggs has surged on doubts that it can fatten sales while uptake of weight-loss drugs booms. Short positions taken out on the food-to-go brand, which make holders money if the stock falls, topped 13.2% of its shares last Wednesday (25 February), according to Castellain Capital – making it the most-shorted stock in London.

2 March 2026

Safestay reports ‘challenging year’, with group revenue declining by £3m and adjusted Ebitda down £2.5m, due to pricing pressures and increased staff costs

Safestay, one of Europe’s largest hostel groups, has reported a “challenging year”, with group revenue declining by £3m and adjusted Ebitda down £2.5m, due to pricing pressures and increased staff costs. In the year to 31 December 2025, the company said it was experiencing significant pricing pressures across its European markets which were impacting revenue. These pressures continued to the end of FY25 and, as a result, group revenue for the period declined to approximately £20.6m (2024: £23m).

2 March 2026

Phil Urban

M&B trialling golf-based competitive socialising concept

Mitchells & Butlers (M&B), the All Bar One and Harvester owner, has begun trialling a new competitive socialising concept based around golf called Puttside, Propel has learned. The Phil Urban-led (pictured) business is understood to be working on a “low-key trial” of Puttside, which will be housed within its sites.

2 March 2026

Mercato Metropolitano

London community food market Mercato Metropolitano restructuring head office operations to ‘strengthen operational resilience’

London community food market Mercato Metropolitano is restructuring its head office operations as it looks to restore margin and “strengthen operational resilience”. The group currently operates sites in London’s Elephant & Castle, Mayfair and Wood Wharf while its Ilford venue, which opened in July 2024, is temporarily closed while a new strategy is put in place.

2 March 2026

Labour’s war on pubs ‘has made the £10 pint a reality’

Most Londoners have grown used to paying around £7 for a pint, but the average price of a beer is on course to hit £10 within a decade, Telegraph analysis has revealed. To survive, pubs will need to increase prices, which, on current trends, will spiral beyond £10 in the capital for an average pint by 2036.

27 February 2026

Mitch Tonks

Rockfish founder – ‘I'm more cautious about growth than I've ever been’, ‘you have to keep upping your game’

Mitch Tonks, founder of seafood restaurant group Rockfish, has told Propel that in this political and economic cycle, “I’m more cautious about growth than I’ve ever been”, and while trading has been good this year, “the marketplace is smaller”. The award-winning business will open its latest site on Tuesday, 17 March in Sidmouth, Devon, marking the business’ 11th restaurant along the south west coast of England.

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

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