Latest / Hospitality News Briefing / Wednesday 30 September: Popeyes UK hits £178m turnover as Tilray plots BrewDog recovery
Transcript
- Good morning. This is the Hospitality News Briefing, from Ops Club. Episode nine, Wednesday the thirtieth of September. Here is what the UK trade press reported this morning, collated for operators. Popeyes UK has recorded fifty per cent revenue growth as its turnover hits one hundred and seventy eight million pounds, while the new owners of BrewDog focus on fixing site profitability and Molson Coors confirms it will shut Sharp's Brewery. Starting with the latest trading numbers, Propel Hospitality Info reports that Popeyes UK saw revenue jump fifty per cent to a record one hundred and seventy eight million pounds. Adjusted ee bit dah nearly doubled to seventeen million pounds in twenty twenty five as the estate reached one hundred and eight sites. While pre-tax losses widened slightly to six million pounds due to massive investment, the brand is now targeting one hundred and fifty sites by the end of next year, including a push into Ireland. Elsewhere, BrewDog owner Tilray is prioritising site profits over rapid growth. As reported by Propel, CEO Irwin Simon says the firm needs to fix the horrible inherited numbers and brand perception. The focus is now on ensuring every brewpub can stand on its own financially, signaling an end to expansion at any cost. Also in Propel, Market Halls has reported a sixteen per cent rise in bar sales, driven by corporate bookings and competitive socialising over the summer. Meanwhile, Omniplex Cinema Group grew UK turnover to eighteen point eight million pounds with profits reaching six million pounds, despite warning that shorter theatrical windows and streaming are squeezing the value of the box office. On to who is buying what, and two quick ones from Propel. NRG Gyms has secured eighteen point seven million pounds from H S B C to expand its footprint from thirteen to twenty locations. And Freight Island has landed three million pounds to grow in Leeds and Newcastle, including a new sixty three thousand square foot venue. Turning to new openings and closures, Molson Coors is set to shut Sharp's Brewery by the end of the year, according to Propel. In more positive news for the sector, the Boparan-run Slim Chickens will debut its first UK drive-thru in North Wales next month as a blueprint for a national rollout. Propel also reports that the Chinese noodle brand Cai Lin Ji, which has two hundred sites in China, has picked New Oxford Street for its UK debut. Finally, The Caterer reports that Malaysian street food concept Gopal's Corner is set to launch its first regional outpost outside of London. A few moves to note next. Stephanie Sulston has joined Jersey Mike's UK as H R director as the brand prepares to open four hundred sites, as reported by Propel. And The Caterer notes that Forrest Hotels has hired the former boss of Cameron House to oversee a fifteen million pound redevelopment in Glasgow. Looking at the broader market data, Greene King is betting big on stay-to-play gaming. Propel reports the operator is ramping up investment in digital darts and shuffleboard, noting that pool tables alone now generate over two million pounds in annual revenue. Managed sites will double their digital darts lanes following a strong performance in twenty twenty five. On a more serious note, Propel reports that stressed hospitality staff are seeking more help, with the Licensed Trade Charity seeing a fifty five per cent surge in helpline calls regarding work-related pressure. In other industry news, Soho House is investigating claims of food mislabelling. As Propel reports, an internal probe was launched after allegations that staff were pressured to change date labels on expired food. While the company says it was an isolated incident, Hackney Council is reviewing a complaint. Also in Propel, Starboard Hotels chairman Paul Callingham warned that a tourist levy could cost the UK economy two point two billion pounds, as hotels are forced to absorb costs they cannot pass on. Before you go, what is in the diary from Langton Capital. Greggs issues a trading update on the thirtieth of September, followed by JD Wetherspoon full-year results on the second of October. On the twenty third of October, we will see the consumer confidence reading which indicates how willing customers are to spend before Christmas. And on the twenty eighth of October, Chancellor John Healey will deliver the Maiden Budget, a key indicator for future business rates and tax policy. Three things to think about before you get on with the day. Greene King is making two million pounds a year just from people playing pool - are your leave-alone assets like dartboards and tables actually being tracked for their own R O I, or just seen as furniture? With Popeyes and Slim Chickens both moving into drive-thru and travel hubs, is your current model too reliant on the traditional high street to capture the on-the-move spend? The Soho House mislabelling row shows how one disgruntled employee with a phone can trigger a council investigation - when was the last time you did a surprise spot-check on your kitchen's labelling culture? The full rundown is at ops dash club dot com, where every story links back to the publication that reported it. Today's pulled from Propel Hospitality Info, The Caterer and Langton Capital - a signpost to their reporting, not a replacement for it. Scripted and read by AI and published without a human check, so check the original before you act on anything. For longer conversations with the people running the sector, find the Hospitality Ops Club podcast. That is your briefing. Have a great day.