Story of the Day - 15 August 2025
Funstation – ‘there’s no reason why we can’t grow our new concept just as big’, ‘we’re really leaning into giving guests multiple things to do’
The team behind arcade games and VR experience concept Funstation, which has grown to ten locations over the past two decades, has told Propel there’s no reason why it can’t grow its new concept just as big. As well as ten Funstations, the group also operates three Volcano Falls adventure golf venues, three Laser Station laser tag experiences and a Breakout escape room.
Tickets are £295+ VAT for operators, £345+VAT for suppliers
Premium Club members get a 20% discount
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. Premium Club members receive the report for free.
Order The International Report today by emailing: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com
15 August 2025
Gusto made £1.8m loss in year leading up to administration, owed £11.9m before £2.53m sale
Premium Italian restaurant operator Gusto made a £1.8m loss in the year leading up to its administration and owed circa £11.9m before its £2.53m sale to Cherry Equity Partners, an administrators’ report has revealed. Propel revealed last month that seven of the 13-strong company’s sites had been acquired by Cherry Equity Partners – the investment vehicle led by Ed Standring and Jamie Barber and backed by an international family office – via a pre-pack administration process, saving 302 jobs.
15 August 2025
Fast-growing Indian quick service restaurant concept Shree Krishna Vada Pav opens ‘most iconic location yet’ and first since receiving investment
Shree Krishna Vada Pav (SKVP), the fast-growing Indian quick service restaurant concept, has opened what it has described as its “most iconic location yet”. SKVP has launched at 38 Eastcastle Street, near Oxford Circus, in Central London, just months after securing a landmark investment from Haldiram’s, India’s largest unlisted food brand, valued at £6.0bn.
15 August 2025
Lola’s Cupcakes in advanced £25m sale talks
Lola’s Cupcakes is in advanced talks about a sale valuing it at more than £25m. Sky News reports that Finsbury Food, the speciality bakery business which was listed on the London Stock Exchange until being taken over in 2023, is within days of signing a deal to buy Lola’s.
15 August 2025
Dubai hospitality group acquires two Scottish ‘heritage’ hotels for first UK expansion
Dubai hospitality group JA Resorts & Hotels has acquired two Scottish “heritage” hotels for its first expansion into the UK. Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort – a historic 240-acre estate outside Glasgow, and The Bruntsfield – a boutique hotel in the heart of Edinburgh – will join the group’s expanding collection of boutique resorts and lifestyle hotels in Dubai and the Maldives. JA Resorts & Hotels said the additions marks a “significant milestone” for itself and parent company Dutco Group, and that the venues were chosen for their “strong heritage and deep connection to their Scottish settings”.
15 August 2025
Carlsberg affirms commitment to long-term brand investment despite ‘difficult half year’
Carlsberg has affirmed its commitment to long-term brand investment despite a “difficult half year”. The company reported “solid development in a challenging environment” during the six months ending 30 June 2025.
15 August 2025
Hotel management group reports increase in turnover and drop in profit, assessing new opportunities around the UK and overseas
RBH Hotels UK – part of RBH Hotel Group – reported an increase in turnover and drop in profit for the year to 31 August 2024 and said it is assessing new opportunities around the UK and overseas. The company – which operates hotels across the UK for brands including Accor, Hilton and Marriott – saw pre-tax profit drop from £2,609,000 in 2023 to £2,440,000 as administrative expenses rose by almost £3m.
15 August 2025
Provenance Inns and Hotels turnover dips, closes hotel for renovation
Yorkshire operator Provenance Inns and Hotels saw turnover dip slightly in the year to 25 August 2024 and has closed a hotel for renovation. The group – which operates five premium country inns, one town centre pub and two luxury boutique hotels – reported a pre-tax loss of £2,744,713 for the year compared with a loss of £2,753,926 the previous year.
15 August 2025
Pachamama Group reveals details of new concept for restaurant in London’s Shoreditch
Restaurant operator Pachamama Group has revealed details of the new concept that will take the place of its Pachamama East site in London’s Shoreditch. Pachamama East is following the path taken by the group’s other restaurants – Zephyr, Bottarga and Nina – in focusing on Mediterranean food.
15 August 2025
New hospitality graduate apprenticeship programme set to launch
A new hospitality graduate apprenticeship programme is set to launch. The sector-wide initiative from UKHospitality and HIT Training will begin in September. The five-year, work-based programme is designed to create a pipeline of future hospitality leaders, offering an alternative to the traditional graduate route.
15 August 2025
Noble Hospitality Group to open third site for pizza concept today
Noble Hospitality Group – the group behind Japanese brand Chotto Matte, Angus Steakhouse and Steak and Company – will open a third site for its pizza concept today (Friday, 15 August). Propel revealed earlier this year that Noble Hospitality Group was eyeing up an opening on the former Verderame site in Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill, for Alley Cats.
14 August 2025
Busaba was acquired out of administration for £75,000, increased cost pressures had ‘significant Impact on the company’s financial position’
Busaba Eathai, the Thai business founded by Alan Yau, was acquired out of administration for £75,000 after increased cost pressures had a “significant Impact on the company’s financial position”, an administrators report from Leonard Curtis has revealed. Busaba was last month acquired out of administration via a pre-pack sale to a new unrelated company called Seaco Investments.
14 August 2025
Blacklock – first regional location trading beyond expectations showcases scalability of the brand beyond London, refinances to support growth plans after returning to profit
Chophouse group Blacklock has said its first regional location trading beyond expectations “showcases the scalability of the brand beyond the capital” and has refinanced in order to support its growth plans. Blacklock opened at Manchester’s Freetrade Exchange Building in October, before the following month selling a minority stake in its business to the Business Growth Fund (BGF).
August 2025 ~ Premium Club
Propel Premium Club members can access more than 100 videos from Propel’s market-leading conferences. These include Propel’s Multi Club Conference – Female leaders and entrepreneurs, available now, featuring speakers such as Carol Campbell, managing director of Stonegate Group, Panel – managing directors: Christobell Giles, managing director of Vagabond Wines, Joycelyn Neve, managing director of Seafood Pub Company, Marta Pogroszewska, managing director of Gail’s Bakery, and Suzie Welch, managing director of Odeon, Kate Eastwood, managing director of Lounges, and Lucy Knowles, managing director of Cosy Club, Panel – EDI: Amanda Hamilton, chief information officer at Pret A Manger, Lorraine Copes, founder and chief executive of Be Inclusive Hospitality, and Susan Martindale, group HR director of Mitchells & Butlers discuss the future of EDI in hospitality. Ellen Chew, the celebrated UK-based Singaporean restaurateur, Zoe Bowley, managing director of Greene King Pubs, Panel – founders: Bex Wilkins, co-founder of Makers of Hospitality, Eccie Newton, founder of Karma Kitchen, Laura Filer, co-founder of Family Adventures Group, and Prue Freeman, director of Daisy Green. Thomasina Miers, cook, food writer, entrepreneur and co-founder of Wahaca. Kerb membership manager Jess Warden talks to Banzai Kitchen founder Ocean Lawrence, Mezzo founder Alice Di Chiara, and Little Pudding owner Lucie Lockhart. Panel – mentoring: Claire Morris, chief executive of Sodexo Live! UK & Ireland, Dawn Browne, people and talent director at Fuller’s, and Sarah Hills, managing director of Rosa’s Thai, discuss how to be a great mentor – and mentee. In 2002, Vanessa Branson talks about how El Fenn – a trademark blend of cool and a distinct feeling of home-away-from-home. Also available is the Excellence in Pub and Bar Retailing Conference, available to Premium Club members,
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.
August 2025 ~ Premium Club
The 2025 Experiential Leisure Report, the second year of Propel’s exhaustive report on the fast-growing experiential leisure market, will be published on Friday, 1 August at 9am. The report profiles the current shape of the experiential leisure market – including brands, estate size, trading type and geographical location and future trends. It includes opinion from leading players Juliette Keyte, marketing director at Red Engine, Richard Beese, co-founder of We Do Play, and investor Lisa Boden, partner at investor Edition Capital, and provides a detailed list of UK experiential leisure companies including key staff and Companies House information. The report includes 197 companies, marking a 10% growth in the sector since last year’s study, with 3,700 sites. Katherine Doggrell, Propel’s editorial advisor and the report’s author, said: “The experiential leisure sector is a major growth driver of the hospitality sector, with the market maturing into overseas expansion and franchising as it continues to build and inspire the rest of the market. With trends such as padel keeping the segment fresh, this report hears from operators and investors as they try to anticipate the next innovations. This report delivers an exhaustive overview to all those interested in this influential sector.” The report will be released on Friday, 1 August at 9am and is available for £595 plus VAT to pre-order now. Existing Premium Club subscribers can receive it on Friday, 1 August for £395 plus VAT. The report will be made available for free to existing Premium subscribers on Wednesday, 10 September at 9am.
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.
August 2025 ~ Premium Club
Premium Club Opinion provides weekly insights from industry leaders. In this current edition, Propel group editor Mark Wingett explores what’s next for Pizza Pilgrims following its acquisition by L’Osteria. Pizza Pilgrims, founded in 2011 by brothers Thom and James Elliot, has grown from a street food tuk-tuk to a 26-site UK pizza chain with £40m revenue. Their brand, known for quality ingredients, people culture, and innovation, attracted investment from McWin-backed L’Osteria to support European expansion. With a strong leadership team, minimal debt, and high returns, the business balances growth with reinvestment in original sites. The Elliot brothers remain involved as the company enters a new phase of strategic development. Meanwhile, KAM managing director Katy Moses looks at how the sector can take advantage of the shot in the arm the Oasis tour is providing. Oasis’s 2025 reunion tour has sparked a UK-wide boom in hospitality, with fans spending over £1bn on tickets, travel, and food. Venues near concerts saw huge spikes in trade—Heaton Park alone drove a 242% surge in spend. Pubs, bars, and restaurants nationwide have benefited from themed nights, extended hours, and concert-driven tourism. Even venues far from gigs can cash in with watch parties and promotions. The tour has reignited the UK’s night-time economy, blending nostalgia with economic impact across the hospitality sector.
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.
August 2025 ~ Premium Club
Mark Wingett’s Premium Club Diary delivers insider sector gossip every week to Premium Club members. In this current edition, award-winning Indian restaurant group Dishoom is set to open a new 7,000 sq ft restaurant in Glasgow on 29 August, with another site planned in Leeds. The company is also seeking investment for a potential US expansion, attracting interest from major firms like L Catterton and TSG Consumer Partners. Meanwhile, Individual Restaurants, operator of Piccolino and Restaurant Bar & Grill, reported a 4% increase in full-year turnover and plans to expand both in the UK and overseas. CEO Andrew Garton identified the Middle East as a key target market, with Europe also under consideration. The group’s recent collaboration with Hilton Hotels—beginning with a Piccolino at Hilton London Tower Bridge—may support further growth. In Covent Garden, food hall operator Arcade is advancing plans to redevelop a former TGI Fridays site into its third London location. Planning applications have been submitted, with a unique food hall experience promised. Meanwhile, property agent CBRE reported that several former TGI sites have been re-let or sold, including sites in Cheltenham and Croydon. Finally, Stonegate Group raised £70,000 for the MND Association at a charity golf event, bringing its total contribution to over £700,000. Highlights included a hole-in-one winner who donated a £2,000 prize to the cause.
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.
14 August 2025
Plan Burrito adds more sites to openings pipeline as it spreads further across the UK
Burrito franchise Plan Burrito has added more sites to its openings pipeline as it spreads further across the UK. The brand, founded by Stephen Hopper in 2015, opens its 15th location tomorrow (Friday, 15 August), at 1 Queen’s Road in Nuneaton.
14 August 2025
South east England Domino’s franchisee reports record turnover and returns to profit
South east England Domino’s franchisee Monte Laguna has reported record turnover for the year to 31 August 2024 and returned to profit. The company’s turnover was up from £14,851,514 in 2023 to £15,572,514. A pre-tax loss of £172,116 in 2023 turned into a profit of £261,801.
14 August 2025
Pizza Pilgrims to open in Manchester next week for first launch since L’Osteria takeover
Pizza Pilgrims, the pizzeria brand acquired this week by McWin-backed German pizza and pasta restaurant business L’Osteria, will open in Manchester next week. The flagship venue will open on Monday (18 August) in the former La Vine site at 105-107 Deansgate.
14 August 2025
North east McDonald’s franchisee ceases trading
North east McDonald’s franchisee A Khan Restaurants, which operated three restaurants in and around Newcastle, has ceased trading. The company was founded in 2012 by Ahmed Khan, who had been working for the company since 1986.
14 August 2025
Cameron Ventures Group – expecting economic downturn to impact turnover in the short term
Cameron Ventures Group, which owns and operates hotels in East Anglia, has said it is expecting the economic downturn to impact turnover in the short term. The company, which now operates four hotels, saw its turnover drop from £7,669,182 in 2023 to £5,638,061 in the year to 31 August 2024 after selling the Best Western Brome Grange Hotel, near Eye, to Instol Group in December 2022.
14 August 2025
Grosvenor Casinos owner reports good start to new financial year, full year profit up 248% to £53.9m, group at ‘exciting inflection point’
Rank Group, which owns Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casinos,has reported a good start to its net financial year, with non-gaming revenue up 9% in first six weeks. It comes after the group reported a pre-tax profit of £53.9m for the year to 30 June 2025, compared to £15.5m the year before, an increase of 248%. The group saw net gaming revenue grow 11% to £795.4m for the year ending 30 June 2025, up 8% from £734.7m in the previous year.
13 August 2025
Exclusive – Oakman Group posts £18.1m loss ahead of administration process
Oakman Group has reported pre-tax losses increased to £18,133,469 for the year ending 30 June 2024 compared with £6,174,006 the previous year. Ebitda stood at a loss of £8,155,501 compared with a profit of £1,816,744 the year before.
13 August 2025
Dishoom seeing sustained volume growth in 2025 as it reports record turnover of £137.1m
Dishoom, the award-winning Indian restaurant group, has said it is seeing sustained volume growth in 2025 as it reported revenue increased 17% to a record £137,073,000 for the year ending 31 December 2024 compared with £116,830,000 the previous year. The 14-strong group, which this week received outside investment for the first time following a deal with L Catterton – the global investment firm that is 40% owned by LVMH, the French multinational holding company and conglomerate that specialises in luxury goods – saw Ebitda grow to £18,627,000 from £13,348,000 the year before.
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
22 April 2025
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7 October 2024
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9 September 2024
Meet Eman and Bisan Bites: Bringing Palestinian Flavours to London's Streets
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17 July 2024
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- 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
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Conferences, study trips, and propel multi club
Upcoming Events
September 4th 2025
Propel Multi Club - Moving ahead with evolved thinking
Operators can claim up to two free places for The Propel Multi Club summer conference and party that takes place on Thursday 4 September, Oxford Belfry. Operators whom are Premium subscribers can claim up to four free places. This year sees the usual fantastic conference with the addition of great entertainment throughout the evening. The conference and party places are free (bedrooms have a cost attached). Book by emailing: kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com
October 9th 2025
Culture, Talent & Training Conference
This all-day conference at One Moorgate Place in London and is open for bookings. The conference will showcase examples of outstanding people culture among companies within the sector and how the industry is attracting talent. Attendees will hear how businesses are developing their teams, dealing with talent shortages and keeping their staff energised.
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.