


PREMIUM CLUB
Operators: £495 + VAT per year
Suppliers: £595 + VAT per year
Unlimited: £995 + VAT per year
Story of the Day - 19 December 2025
Exclusive – FB Taverns acquires 26-strong package from Iona Pub Partnership
Britain’s leading managed hospitality groups enter the crucial Christmas period on the back of flat like-for-like sales in November as higher prices and new openings fuelled total growth, the latest NIQ RSM Hospitality Business Tracker reveals. Like-for-like trading was just 0.3% ahead of the same month in 2024, following increases of just 0.1% in October and 0.2% in September.
Propel Exclusive Report
Propel's Experiential Leisure Report is available now
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
19 December 2025
Exclusive – Adam Fowle becomes new chair of Portobello Pubs & Bars
Adam Fowle, the former chief executive of Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) and Tesco Family Dining, has become the new chairman of Portobello Pubs & Bars, which is backed by private equity firm Zetland Capital, Propel has learned.
19 December 2025
The Revel Collective in talks with ‘a significant number of potential acquirers’, rules out equity fundraising
The Revel Collective – the operator of 65 venues trading predominantly under the Revolution, Revolución de Cuba and Peach Pubs brands – has said it is in talks with “a significant number of potential acquirers” but has ruled out an equity fundraising.
19 December 2025
Drake & Morgan reports like-for-like sales ahead of last year as it prepares to deliver a third consecutive record Christmas
Drake & Morgan, the London bar and restaurant group backed by Bowmark Capital, has reported like-for-like sales are ahead of last year as it prepares to deliver a third consecutive record Christmas.
19 December 2025
Hermanos Colombian Coffee Roasters targets 60-90 franchise sites in next five to seven years, with first opening in second quarter of 2026
Hermanos Colombian Coffee Roasters, the London cafe concept, has told Propel it is targeting 60-90 franchise sites in the next five to seven years, with the first opening in the second quarter of 2026.
19 December 2025
Ottolenghi ‘lays the foundation for sustainable long-term growth’ as turnover increases to record £36.6m
London restaurant and deli operator Ottolenghi has said it has “laid the foundation for sustainable long-term growth” as it reported turnover increased 19% to a record £36,618,790 for the year ending 31 March 2025 compared with £30,881,763 the previous year.
19 December 2025
Rockfish founder – ‘2026 will be about deepening our guest experience, Budget response will involve efficiencies across the business’
Mitch Tonks (pictured), founder of seafood restaurant group Rockfish, has told Propel that next year will be “about deepening our guest experience” and “bedding in” the three sites it has opened over the past 12 months alongside the rest of its mature estate.
19 December 2025
Stonegate Group hires Elena Venkova as transformation director
Stonegate Group, the UK’s largest pub company, has hired Elena Venkova as its new transformation director.
19 December 2025
Time Out Group completes £8m fundraise
Time Out Group has completed an £8m fundraise – launched to fund working capital, expand into new markets and invest in technology.
19 December 2025
US activist investor urges Whitbread review after Budget tax changes
Premier Inn owner Whitbread is facing calls from an American activist investor to rethink its business strategy, just weeks after warning the Budget would cost it up to £50m next year.
18 December 2025
Exclusive – Gravity undergoes CVA to secure long-term future
Experiential leisure operator Gravity has undergone a company voluntary arrangement (CVA), which it said provides a “stable platform for the long-term future of the business”, Propel has learned. Gravity Fitness, which operates 20 sites, including 14 trampoline parks and four sites under its entertainment brand Gravity Max, secured approval from 86% of its creditors for the CVA.
18 December 2025
Longer visits fail to offset softer spend as real-term pressure persists
UK pubs and bars saw customers staying longer and venues filling more consistently in November, but softer consumption and rising costs mean real-term trading performance remains under pressure, according to the latest Market Watch Snapshot from The Oxford Partnership. The real-time market intelligence business said the UK on-trade continued to contract, with the number of operating venues edging down to 99,350, reinforcing a trend seen throughout 2025.
18 December 2025
Little Dessert Shop seeking to grow both its dark kitchen and physical store network in 2026
Dessert franchise Little Dessert Shop has told Propel it is seeking to grow both its dark kitchen and physical store network in 2026. The company, which has grown to more than 50 locations since being founded in 2014 by Mu’azzam Ali, opened its first dark kitchen site in May, in Preston – and said it will look at how that location performed before deciding whether to extend the model further.
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 McWin, Luke Johnson, co-founder and partner of Risk Capital Partners, Yasha Estraikh, associate partner at Piper Private Equity, Lizzie 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
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, Think Hospitality’s James Hacon explores the opportunities for operators in Dubai. Economic pressures are driving strong cross-border restaurant expansion. North American QSR brands are flooding into the UK, attracted by favourable labour laws, cultural alignment and high demand for fast casual dining, with successes like Wingstop and Popeyes proving the model—though some brands still struggle. At the same time, British operators are expanding abroad, targeting the US for its scale and capital access, and the UAE for its expat base and appetite for global concepts. Both markets offer opportunity but require careful localisation and strategy. For adaptable British brands, international growth potential remains significant. Meanwhile, Propel editorial advisor Katherine Doggrell looks at the effect of the Budget on the hotel sector, critiquing political “storytelling” around the UK Budget, arguing that mixed economic messages leave the hospitality sector facing harsh realities. New wage rises, employment reforms, business rates and visitor levies are putting severe pressure on operators, with even budget hotel groups warning of major impacts. Hotels are turning to automation to cut costs, while wider hospitality has fewer such options. With consumer spending tightening, the sector risks further margin erosion. She argues hospitality must better communicate its social value to gain government support and avoid being sidelined in national policy narratives.
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
Mark Wingett’s Premium Club Diary delivers insider sector gossip every week to Premium Club members. In this current edition, JKS Restaurants has launched its Michelin-starred Indian brand Gymkhana in Las Vegas, marking the first Indian restaurant on the Strip and signalling wider US ambitions. A second US opening, the Ambassadors Clubhouse in Manhattan, is set for early next year, alongside continued global expansion in Riyadh and soon Dubai. CEO Pavan Pardasani highlights a rising appreciation for Indian cuisine and a desire to place it alongside America’s great ethnic food cultures. Meanwhile, Richard Caring’s Ivy Collection continues to grow despite long-running speculation over a potential sale, adding new Ivy and Ivy Asia sites across the UK and Ireland, with Glasgow next. French-Latin American brand Tigermilk is preparing its second UK restaurant in Spitalfields following its London debut. Also Investor Luke Johnson remains active despite Lussmanns entering pre-pack administration, leading an £85m acquisition of glasses maker Inspecs; hospitality leader Lee Reed has also moved into the eyewear sector as director of stores at Specsavers. Also, Charity Only A Pavement Away has launched its festive “Only A Movement Away” fundraising challenge to support people rebuilding their lives through hospitality. In London, Vinoteca co-founder Charlie Young has opened Charlie’s Drinks Store, a new wine-led venture on a historic former merchant site. Lastly,Vinoteca co-founder Charlie Young has launched Charlie’s Drinks Store in Stoke Newington, offering wines, spirits, low-and-no options, snacks and tastings. The new shop occupies a site with a 90-year history as a beer and wine merchants, marking his return with a fresh venture.
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.
18 December 2025
Greggs to increase prices again by end of month
Greggs has said consumers can expect to see “small price changes” by the end of the month, marking the fourth price increase this year from the food-to-go operator. It is not clear what menu items will be impacted.
18 December 2025
The Sushi Co hoping to open more sites under sister concept Smashio and use it as ‘gateway brand’
Sushi brand The Sushi Co, which is led by former large-scale Papa John’s franchisee Raheel Choudhary, has told Propel it is hoping to open more sites under sister smash burger concept Smashio and use it as a “gateway brand”. Having grown The Sushi Co to circa 30 UK locations, the company last month launched the first dual The Sushi Co and Smashio location, in Basildon, Essex.
18 December 2025
Patisserie Valerie makes a loss but reports year of ‘stabilisation and move towards growth’ as it sells first three franchises
Patisserie Valerie, which is backed by Irish private equity firm Causeway Capital, made a loss in the nine months to 31 December 2024 but reported a period of “stabilisation and move towards growth”. The company, having adjusted its reporting period, saw a pre-tax profit of £3,696,099 in the year to 31 March 2024 turn into a loss of £1,409,251 in the nine months to 31 December 2024.
18 December 2025
Rockfish delivers growth in sales and profits ahead of further expansion
Rockfish, the Mitch Tonks-led, seafood restaurant group, has reported turnover increased 6.5% to £15m for the year ending 30 April 2025 compared with £14.1m the previous year. Group Ebitda rose 10.4% to £1.27m while restaurant-level Ebitda grew 7.8% to £3.19m, “reflecting continued momentum across the group and strong operational discipline”.
18 December 2025
Wimpy owner Famous Brands undergoes £75m refinancing
Wimpy owner Famous Brands has refinanced its debt facilities. It comes as the group, whose brands also include Mugg & Bean, Steers and Debonairs Pizza, continues to “clean up the balance sheet” and reduce legacy debt.
18 December 2025
Diageo to sell shareholding in East African Breweries to Asahi
Diageo has agreed to sell its 100% shareholding in Diageo Kenya, which holds 65% of the shares in East Africa Breweries (EAB) to Asahi, including its shareholding in Kenyan spirits business, UDVK. EAB is the largest beer business in east Africa with a heritage that dates more than a century and has delivered a strong growth track record in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
17 December 2025
Propel announces double promotion
Propel has announced promotions for two key members of staff. Jill Harrington becomes chief operating officer (sales) whilst Mark Wingett (pictured) becomes chief operating officer (editorial) – both promotions take effect on 1 January 2026. Propel managing director Paul Charity said: “We have big plans for 2026 with key events such as Propel Multi Club evolving with a new venue and format. Both Jill and Mark are making very large contributions to their respective parts of Propel – and the promotions reflect the roles they will play as Propel takes further steps to provide unique value and insights to the multi-site market.”
17 December 2025
Panmure Gordon analyst – ‘Greggs sits at a crossroads ahead of pivotal January trading update’
Panmure Gordon research analyst Ben Hunt has argued food-to-go operator Greggs “sits at a crossroads” ahead of a “pivotal” January trading update. Issuing a “Hold” note on the shares with a target price of 1,560p, Hunt said: “Bulls are beginning to reengage, arguing the brand remains intact and that margin recovery is achievable through cost rationalisation.”

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
22 April 2025
Unlock the Power of Change: Download McCain's Impact Report Today!
McCain’s Streets Ahead Programme, powered by KERB, is transforming the UK street food scene by empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs, particularly those facing barriers to entering the hospitality industry.
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.
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 International Brands Report
- 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 International Brands Report
- 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 International Brands Report
- 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
January 20th 2026
Restaurant Marketer & Innovator European Summit
The European Summit will focus on marcomms strategies, proposition and concept development, the latest market insights, technology and digital developments, diversification of revenue streams and how brands are adapting to the new normal.