Propel Info

Propel’s Multi-Club conference and summer party is the hospitality industry’s leading networking event. It takes place on Thursday, 5 September at the Oxford Belfry and operators can claim up to three free places, while operators who are members of Propel's Premium Club can claim up to four free places. Highlights from the speaker schedule can be found below and guests will also enjoy fantastic live entertainment throughout the evening. This includes the UK’s best tribute acts for Ed Sheeran, Robbie Williams and Gary Barlow. Free conference and party places plus rooms (which have a cost attached) can be booked by emailing: jo.charity@propelinfo.com Meghan Farren, managing director of KFC UK, discusses changing the perception of the fast-food operator – from becoming more transparent with its supply chain and more sustainable. Andy Waugh, co-founder of Sixes Social Cricket, discusses the creation of the competitive socialising concept, its growth in the UK and launching in the US. Steve Holmes, chief executive of the Azzurri Group, discusses the group’s evolution into a hospitality investment platform and the continued growth of its core brands ASK Italian and Zizzi. Simon Mitchell, chief executive of Kerb, discusses expanding both the food hall and catering parts of the business in the UK and internationally. Satnam Leihal, chief executive of Boparan Restaurant Group, talks to Propel’s Mark Wingett about the company’s portfolio of brands, including the continued growth of Slim Chickens.   Roxy Leisure’s co-founder Matthew Jones, and managing directors Ben Warren and Colin Sadler discusses how the business is standing out in the increasingly crowded competitive socialising market. Marcel Khan, chief executive of Fulham Shore, the Franco Manca and The Real Greek operator, talks about earning consumer loyalty and why expansion for the two brands will be a “marathon and not a sprint”. 👉 Find out the full speaker list and further details, here: https://lnkd.in/eTG_75s6

London urban dessert experience Love Churros London has made its Midlands debut. It has launched a kiosk within the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet West Midlands in Cannock. 👉 For the full version of this story and to read it first sign up to the Propel email newsletter for free: https://lnkd.in/eyy_THzR

Popeyes Louisiana Chicken UK, the US fried chicken quick service restaurant brand backed here by TDR Capital, has hired Gwion Iwan, formerly of Prezzo and Punch Pubs, as its new operations director. Iwan spent seven years at the Cain International-backed Prezzo, including the last three years as operations director. 👉 For the full version of this story and to read it first sign up to the Propel email newsletter for free: https://lnkd.in/eyy_THzR

Tortilla Mexican Grill plc, Europe’s largest fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand, has promoted Stephen Clark to chief operating officer. Clark, formerly of Young’s and Costa, joined Tortilla at the start of 2022 as its new operations director. 👉 For the full version of this story and to read it first sign up to the Propel email newsletter for free: https://lnkd.in/eyy_THzR

Dutch smash burger brand Fat Phill's will make its UK debut next month. Propel revealed in January that the business, which has 17 locations in the Netherlands, had signed a master franchisee deal for the UK with Freshley Baked, which also holds the UK master franchise for US pretzel brand Auntie Anne’s. Armin Vahabian, who founded Fat Phill’s in 2019, told Propel at the time of the signing that he plans 100 UK sites for the brand over the next decade, with the first to open in Clapham, south London. 👉 For the full version of this story and to read it first sign up to the Propel email newsletter for free: https://lnkd.in/eyy_THzR

Social Bite, which campaigns against homelessness while running a string of cafes across Scotland and London, is set to make its first move into the UK education sector in a new partnership with Matthew Algie. Launching for the 2024/25 academic year, the partnership will see new cafes open in universities and colleges across the UK, with around 10% of profits from coffee sold donated to support Social Bite’s work. 👉 For the full version of this story and to read it first sign up to the Propel email newsletter for free: https://lnkd.in/eyy_THzR

Cantonese roast meat concept Three Uncles plans to open two to three sites annually, as it lines up the opening of its largest site to date, in Ealing, this September. @The business, which was founded by childhood friends and chefs Cheong Yew, Pui Sing Tsang and Mo Kwok in 2019, launched its first permanent sit-down restaurant in Brixton Village. 👉 For the full version of this story and to read it first sign up to the Propel email newsletter for free: https://lnkd.in/eyy_THzR

 Investment firm BREAL Group has partnered with Stephen Finch, founder of Vagabond, to help manage its hospitality investments, Propel has learned. Finch founded Vagabond in 2009, building it into, at one time, a 13-strong business, with venues on the high street and at Heathrow and Gatwick airports, before stepping away from the company at the start of the year. 👉 For the full version of this story and to read it first sign up to the Propel email newsletter for free: https://lnkd.in/eyy_THzR

Anne Ackord, chief executive of The Brighton Pier Group PLC, has told Propel there has been “very limited push back” on its decision to introduce a £1 charge for non-city residents to the pier and expects to continue the fee into September. The company began charging admission in the last weekend of May. 👉 For the full version of this story and to read it first sign up to the Propel email newsletter for free: https://lnkd.in/eyy_THzR

Experiential leisure is a hugely influential sector that is expanding rapidly within the UK hospitality industry and worldwide. For the first time, Propel has produced a report on this exciting sector that explores the latest research, examines its market potential and includes a detailed analysis on more than 190 companies. 🎯 What does the report contain? 🎯 The report’s introduction sets out the history and current meaning of experiential leisure and examines the latest research – including key geographical areas for expansion in the UK. It also explores the current market and provides insight into future trends such as outlets that offer a combination of concepts. It provides a detailed list of UK Experiential Leisure companies including key staff, Companies House information and number of sites, it has more than: 🎯 190 companies 🎯 3,500 sites 🎯 35,000 word report Read the report The report will be released on Thursday, 1 August at 9am and is available for £595 plus vat. Existing Premium Club Members can receive it on Thursday, 1 August at 9am for £395 plus vat. Premium Club members will receive the report for free on Tuesday, 10 September at 9am. 👉 Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up. Find out more about Proper Premium Club membership: https://lnkd.in/dC94JciW