Story of the Day - 25 April 2025
Chocoberry aiming for 100 locations as it targets Turkey for next overseas market
Dessert brand Chocoberry has said it is aiming to grow to 100 locations, as its targets Turkey for its next overseas market. Founded in Leicester in 2018 after Kashif Razzaq was inspired by the baking of his wife, Humaira, Chocoberry has since grown to 15 UK locations.
ONE MOORGATE PLACE, LONDON EC2R 6EA
WEDNESDAY 14TH MAY 2025
Headline Sponsor
The conference takes place on Thursday, 14 May, at One Moorgate Place, London EC2R 6EA, and is open for bookings.
Tickets are £295+VAT for operators, £345+ VAT for suppliers.
20% discount for operators and suppliers who are Premium Club members.
Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to book places.
Propel Exclusive Report
Propel's International Brands Report is available now
Propel’s highly anticipated 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 guide will be delivered in two formats: an introductory PDF featuring expert analysis on international brands and a fully searchable Excel sheet for quick access to key data. This data will be categorised into the key sectors of pubs and bars, hotels, quick-service restaurants (QSR), casual dining, cafés and bakeries, experiential leisure, and fine dining.
Industry experts sharing their insights in the report include Keith Bird, former CEO of Marugame Udon, on the challenges of introducing an international brand into the UK; Simon Chaplin, senior director of pubs, restaurants and franchise at Christie & Co, on why London remains a prime entry point for international brands; Matteo Frigeri, founder of Seeds Consulting, on the challenges of recruiting the right UK franchisee; Michael Ingemann, director of THINK Hospitality, on why European brands choose the UK for expansion; Meaningful Vision founder Maria Vanifatova on the UK market for quick-service restaurant operators; and AlixPartners highlights five key trends that make the UK attractive to international brands.
Get the report
Propel’s International Brands report is available now for £595 plus vat. Existing Premium Club Members can receive it now for £395 plus vat. Premium Club members will receive the report for free on Friday, 9 May at 9am.
Order The International Report today by emailing: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com
25 April 2025
Former Whitbread MD who helped save Luminar Leisure passes away
Alexander Geffert, whose illustrious six-decade career in hospitality and leisure included spells as managing director of Whitbread and chairman of Luminar Leisure, has passed away, aged 84. Geffert helped save 3,000 jobs in 2011 when he orchestrated the £45m rescue of Luminar Leisure, the world’s largest nightclub group at the time.
25 April 2025
Diageo reports net sales down 2.5% and volume drops 3.6% in third quarter
Diageo has reported net sales were down 2.5% to $4,253m and volume fell by 3.6% year-on-year for its third quarter ending 31 March 2025. For the year to date, sales were down 1.2% to $15,215m and volume has fallen 4.7%. It comes as part of the company’s commitment to providing more frequent updates on its financial performance, including quarterly trading statements.
25 April 2025
JD Wetherspoon chairman Sir Tim Martin – our costs are going up £1.2m a week, not everyone in the sector will cope
JD Wetherspoon chairman Sir Tim Martin (pictured) has said his company’s costs are “going up by £1.2m a week” on the back of the increase in the national minimum wage and the change in the national insurance contributions threshold, and warned that not everyone in the sector will be able to cope. Speaking on ITV’s Peston programme, Sir Tim said: “Our costs are going up by £1.2m a week and it’s a hell of a lot.
25 April 2025
Family-run Devon bakery The Crusty Cob to sell assets to save shops from permanent closure
Family-run Devon bakery The Crusty Cob is looking to sell its assets out of liquidation in a bid to prevent the permanent closure of nine outlets across the county. The Crusty Cob was established in 1969 and employed more than 100 staff but has been impacted by “external cost pressures” in recent years including reduced consumer demand linked to the cost-of-living crisis.
25 April 2025
Black Sheep Coffee franchisees sign nine-site deal in London
Black Sheep Coffee franchisees Satar Wahid and Mgdad Alim have signed a nine-site deal to expand the brand further across London. The duo have been awarded the rights to open Black Sheep Coffee stores in five London boroughs – in the west, south and south west of the capital.
25 April 2025
Jersey Mike’s hires ex-Wingstop CEO to aid plans to go global
Jersey Mike’s Subs, the second-largest sub-sandwich brand in the US behind Subway, which is planning to launch in the UK as part of its international expansion plans, has hired Charlie Morrison, formerly of Wingstop, to aid its growth ambitions. Morrison brings more than three decades of industry experience to lead Jersey Mike’s continued growth.
25 April 2025
Market Taverns promotes Adrian Laws to COO
Market Taverns, the privately-owned pub company operating sites across London, has promoted Adrian Laws to chief operating officer. Laws joined the 15-strong Market Taverns last June as operations director having previously held senior operations positions at Youngs, Hippo Inns and Oakman Inns.
25 April 2025
Morley’s wins appeal against ‘copycat’ competitor following successful trademark infringement claim
Fried chicken brand Morley’s has won its appeal against a “copycat” competitor following last year’s successful trademark infringement claim. In June 2024, Morley’s, which has more than 100 UK locations, won a High Court case against Metro’s Kunalingham Kunatheeswaran.
25 April 2025
Esquires opens record-breaking three stores in as many weeks
Esquires, owned by Cooks Coffee Company, has opened a company record of three new stores in as many weeks. First up was a site at 15 Mitre Court in Railway Street, Hertford, Hertfordshire, at the start of April.
24 April 2025
Domino’s reports positive sales growth in first quarter with delivery up but collection down, most of targeted 50 new stores for 2025 to open in second half
Domino’s has reported positive sales growth in the first quarter of 2025, with delivery up but collection down, and said most of its of targeted 50 new stores for this year will open in second half. The company said total system sales were up 2.1% in the period, with like-for-like sales up 0.5% and total orders up 0.5% compared to the first quarter of 2024.
24 April 2025
Immersive entertainment concept The Lost Estate looking to expand on global scale over next ten years
Immersive entertainment concept The Lost Estate, which combines high-end hospitality with live performance and theatrical storytelling, has told Propel it is aiming to expand on a global scale in the next ten years. Since launching in 2017, The Lost Estate has welcomed more than 200,000 guests to productions at its London venues in Peckham and West Kensington.
24 April 2025
Haven Holidays CEO – we’re keen to go a little faster on JD Wetherspoon partnership
Simon Palethorpe, chief executive of Haven Holidays, has set his sights on opening more on-site JD Wetherspoon pubs and rival takeovers. The holiday park company’s tie-up with Wetherspoon has now seen five of its pubs at Haven sites.
April 2025 ~ Premium Club
Propel Premium Club members can access more than 100 videos from Propel’s market-leading conferences. These include the Multi Club Conference – Prospering in the new reality, available to Premium Club members, featuring speakers such as Mark Stretton, chief executive of Fleet Street Communications, Maria Vanifatova, founder of Meaningful Vison, Graeme Smith, managing director of AlixPartners, and Phil Honer and Eleanor Warder, co-founders of Atis. Further examples include Anthony Murphy, co-founder of Beefy Boys, Elizabeth Stanway, co-founder of Treetop Golf, Dan Brookman, founder of Airship Toggle, and Chris Stagg, the former Brunning & Price director and current managing director at Peach Pubs. Also, Francesco Arcadio, managing director of dessert Brand Kaspa’s, Wingstop UK chief executive Chris Sherriff, Thomas Heier, chief executive of Wagamama, Kate Wilton, managing director of Banana Tree, and Shamil Thakrar, co-founder of Dishoom. Also, Tim Wilks, founder of Lane7, Tom Snellock, founder of Clays, Richard Beese, co-founder of We Do Play, Lisa Boden Shah, partner at Edition Capital and Juliette Keyte, marketing director at Red Engine in a panel discussion about competitive socialising.
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.
April 2025 ~ Premium Club
Propel’s International Brands report, featuring the 100 leading international brands in UK hospitality by site number, is now available. Priced at £395 plus VAT for Premium Club members to purchase now, it will for be delivered to Premium Club members for free on Friday, 9 May. The 30,000-word report includes company histories, leadership structures, site numbers and turnover figures. It showcases fast-growing brands from across the US, Canada, Europe, Australia and Asia. The report comes in two formats: a PDF with expert analysis and a searchable Excel sheet for easy access to key data. Contributors include Keith Bird, former CEO of Marugame Udon, on launching international brands in the UK; Simon Chaplin of Christie & Co on why London is the gateway market; Matteo Frigeri of Seeds Consulting on finding the right UK franchisee; Michael Ingemann of THINK Hospitality on why Europe targets the UK; and Maria Vanifatova of Meaningful Vision on the UK’s QSR landscape; AlixPartners’ highlights five key trends that make the UK attractive to international brands.
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.
April 2025 ~ Premium Club
Premium Club Opinion provides weekly insights from industry leaders. In this current edition, Katherine Doggrell discusses how JD Wetherspoon sees opportunity in hotels by leveraging its strong F&B brand to fill service gaps. Alastair Scott shares his views on kitchen efficiency and how multiskilled managers improve oversight and ensure smoother operations. Glynn Davies discusses how pubs with rooms are booming, offering profitable, boutique-style stays that boost food and drink sales. Also, Steven Swift discusses how regulation 46 aims to help pub tenants find better insurance deals, but vague standards and insurer disincentives make alternatives unviable. Without clearer criteria, most tenant quotes remain non-runners in practice. Meanwhile, Mark Wingett takes a look at the return of Piper to the sector’s investment market with its backing of Yard Sale Pizza, what it sees in the company, who also cast an eye over the business, and where it goes from here. Katy Moses, founder and managing director of sector insight consultancy KAM, looks at the value of being a limited edition when it comes to consumer loyalty, and when in a world where sameness is everywhere, operators need to dare to be different.
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.
April 2025 ~ Premium Club
Mark Wingett’s Premium Club Diary delivers insider sector gossip every week to Premium Club members. In this current edition, Propel revealed Lisa Buckley had stepped down as BrewDog’s chief retail officer. The role won’t be replaced; BrewDog is shifting to a co-leadership model for bars, splitting responsibilities between Chris Webb and Martin Keith. Additionally, Stonegate Group is evolving its managed estate, planning to rebrand its Proper Pubs format as The People’s Pub, emphasising local identity, community needs, and the vital role of general managers. Also, The Revel Collective will focus post-restructure growth on Peach Pubs and Founders & Co. A Revolution rebrand, new digital platform Vodka FM, and event activations aim to revive momentum. Meanwhile, Mitchells & Butlers trademarked Leaky Finders, sparking speculation, but it’s actually an internal initiative aimed at reducing water consumption across its pub estate. Davy’s Wine Merchants’ boutique bowling alley in Greenwich, combining premium bowling with top-tier food and drink, has been named the world’s best, praised for its stunning interior and design excellence. Lastly, LoveBite has launched the world’s first AI “video waiter” in UK restaurants, combining dish videos and interactive chat. Customised to each venue, it’s expanding to major UK and US brands soon.
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.
24 April 2025
Burger King UK hires Craig Smith as head of acquisitions
Burger King UK has hired Craig Smith as its new head of acquisitions. Smith joins Burger King UK, which operates circa 560 restaurants, 285 of which are directly owned, after two and a half years as an acquisitions manager at Asda.
24 April 2025
SA Brain sees turnover halve after continuing property disposal strategy but substantially reduces losses
Welsh brewer and retailer SA Brain saw its turnover halve in the year to 31 March 2024 after continuing its property disposal strategy but substantially reduced its losses. At the end of 2023, the then chief executive, Jon Bridge, said the business had been brought back from the brink of collapse following three years of repaying loans and attempting to turn it around.
24 April 2025
Chipotle CEO – we continue to see great progress in restaurant-level margins across our European sites
Scott Boatwright, chief executive of Chipotle, has said that across its sites in Western Europe, including the UK, the brand continues to see “great progress in restaurant-level margins” and is achieving some of the highest margins “we’ve seen in that market”. Earlier this month, the US brand made its Essex debut, with an opening at the Lakeside shopping centre, in West Thurrock – its 20th UK location.
24 April 2025
Wingers invests in new production unit as it looks to support up to 75-strong restaurant portfolio
Buttermilk fried chicken restaurant concept Wingers has invested £200,000 in equipment and a new production unit to support its continued franchised expansion. The additional premises and new transport are in addition to a further £150,000 investment in new refrigeration and state-of-the-art equipment over the next three years, to provide the infrastructure to support up to 75 Wingers restaurants across the UK.
24 April 2025
Manchester hotel operator sees losses increase as revenue remains below pre-covid levels
Manchester hotel operator Peel Media Hotels has reported turnover fell slightly to £5,752,493 for the year ending 31 March 2024 compared with £5,768,223 the previous year. Revenue remained below the £6,114,403 for the year ending 31 March 2019 – the last full year before the covid pandemic.
24 April 2025
We Do Play lining up Newcastle and Leicester launches for Activate before returning to London
We Do Play – the multi-concept experiential leisure operator – is lining up Newcastle and Leicester launches for its Activate concept before returning to London to open on Oxford Street. The company, which also operates Flip Out and Putt Putt Social here and founded Boom Battle Bar before selling the brand, first brought Canadian immersive game concept Activate to the UK last year, launching at The O2 in London.
23 April 2025
Hollywood Bowl reports record group first half revenue and strong customer demand, ‘well positioned to mitigate higher employment costs’
Hollywood Bowl has reported record group first half revenue alongside “strong customer demand” and said it is well positioned to mitigate higher employment costs. In a trading update for the six months ended 31 March 2025, the company said its first half group revenue of was a new high of £129.2m, up 8.4% from £119.2m in the first half of FY2024.
23 April 2025
Exclusive – former Uber operations manager raises €800,000 for his hospitality manual stocktaking business
Former Uber operations manager Harpreet Singh (pictured) has raised €800,000 to help grow his hospitality manual stocktaking business, Propel has learned. Singh, who spent almost seven years with Uber in several operational roles – most recently senior central operations manager EMEA – founded Peckish in May 2023 with Sebastian Prader, a former Uber colleague who worked in data.
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.
Never Miss a Story
Subscription Plans
Standard
- Receive the Morning Briefing newsletter
- Receive Breaking News
- Exclusive access to 100 videos from Propel conferences & webinars
- In Conversation podcast series with industry leaders
- Receive the 500 Report
- Receive the Experiential Leisure report
- 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
Premium Club
Supplier: £595 + VAT / per year
- Receive the Morning Briefing newsletter 11 hours early at 7pm each evening
- Receive Breaking News
- Exclusive access to 100 videos from Propel conferences & webinars
- In Conversation podcast series with industry leaders
- Receive the 500 Report
- Receive the Experiential Leisure report
- 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
Premium Club Unlimited
- Unlimited access for your company
- Receive the Morning Briefing newsletter 11 hours early at 7pm each evening
- Receive Breaking News
- Exclusive access to 100 videos from Propel conferences & webinars
- In Conversation podcast series with industry leaders
- Receive the 500 Report
- Receive the Experiential Leisure report
- 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
MAY 14TH 2025
Excellence in Pub and Bar Retailing Conference
The conference takes place on Thursday, 14 May, at Wednesday 14th May 2025 – One Moorgate Place, London EC2R 6EA, and is open for bookings. Tickets are £295+VAT for operators and £345+VAT for suppliers. 20% discount for operators and suppliers who are Premium Club members.
June 25TH 2025
Propel Multi Club - Female Leaders and Entrepeneurs
The conference takes place on Wednesday, 25 June, at Millennium Gloucester Hotel, London Kensington, and is open for bookings. 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
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.