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Sir Tim Martin tells Propel there is scope to eventually grow JD Wetherspoon to 1,200 sites with addition of franchising, 'still a place for small high street pubs'

Sim Trava, which operates circa 60 Costa Coffee sites across the north west, has acquired the 21-strong Costa estate of franchise operator QFM Group - in Propel

Lee Reed is to step down as managing director of Publican Partners – Stonegate Group's circa 3,100-strong tenanted and leased division – after 16 months in the role to "pursue other opportunities" - in Propel

The owner of Punch and café-bar operator Loungers is weighing a takeover of Malmaison and Hotel du Vin. Fortress Investment Group is among the parties considering offers for Malmaison and Hotel du Vin - in Propel

Doner Shack, the Berlin fast casual kebab brand, has signed a franchise agreement to launch in Tennessee, which it said marked the first step in its strategic southern US expansion - in Propel

Artisan dessert restaurant Heavenly Desserts has opened in Bedford and is lining up launches in London and Essex next - in Propel

Mission Mars, which is backed by the Business Growth Fund, will open a site for Rudy's Pizza Napoletana in Bristol on Monday (28 July) – marking the brand's debut in the south west - in Propel

New York-style pizza business Nell's is to open a fifth site in the north west, in MediaCity, Salford - in Propel

North west Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant and cocktail bar concept Maray is to open a fourth site, in Chester, this winter - in Propel

Individual Restaurants CEO – weekends have become more of a challenge, pizza concept to grow 'at speed and scale' with interest in taking it overseas - in Propel

Sector investors have expressed concern the hospitality industry could be left out of the new £6.6bn of investment committed by the British Business Bank (BBB) to boost growth and support smaller businesses across the UK - in Propel

Megan's reports record turnover of £33.4m boosted by new openings, close to signing for two flagship sites outside of London - in Propel

Scott Boatwright, chief executive of Chipotle, has said the company thinks it can have "hundreds of restaurants in the existing markets we're in today, potentially thousands in western Europe over time" - in Propel

Thai noodle bar brand Khao-Sō-i is to make its UK debut, on the former EL&N site in Market Place, in London's Fitzrovia - in Propel

The Salad Project, the all-day dining concept that launched in London in 2021, has told Propel it now expects to have 20 sites in the capital by the end of 2026 – a year ahead of planned – and trading in 2025 is "incredibly strong"

Bootlegger Bars – the prohibition era-themed pub concept from former New York bar owner Lee Miller – has hired Scott Matthews, the former CEO of Dirty Martini-owner CG Restaurants & Bars, as its new MD - in Propel

The Ned, the City of London venue and private members' club operated by Soho House, is exploring regional UK expansion and overseas growth - in Propel

Moto, the motorway services operator, has reported a £22m increase in non-fuel turnover for the year to 25 December 2024 after rolling out 16 new KFC, Greggs and Pret A Manger units across its network - in Propel

Find out the latest hospitality news first by signing up to the Propel email newsletter for free, here: tinyurl.com/3ejfkyz6