Kuits NRB Top Fifty Power List 2025 Revealed

Three Special Achievement Awards Presented To Archies, The Inn Collection Group and Daniel & Joe Schofield and James Brandwood

Returning for its twelfth edition, the Kuits NRB Top Fifty Hospitality Power List 2025 has been unveiled today at the opening of the annual Northern Restaurant and Bar (NRB) trade show in Manchester.

The esteemed list celebrates the top-performing and most influential hospitality operators across the North who have achieved exceptional commercial success and critical acclaim over the past year. Its release coincides with new data from CGA, highlighting that the North of England showed greater resilience and growth in the hospitality sector in 2024, surpassing the South in both site expansion and customer feedback.

Three Special Achievement Awards were presented to Archie’s, The Inn Collection Group, and Joe Schofield, Daniel Schofield & James Brandwood in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the hospitality industry.

Archie’s, known for its unique experiential leisure concept, continues to thrive with the opening of Archies Atomic in 2024 and plans to expand internationally, including to the Middle East. Upon receiving a special achievement award Imran Rafiq, Director at Archie’s commented: “We’re very honored to receive this special achievement award. Archie’s has always been about delivering a fun, immersive experience, and to see our brand growing from our roots as a homegrown Northern brand to now exploring new international opportunities is something we’re really proud of. We’re excited for what’s to come and grateful to NRB and Kuits for this recognition!”

The Inn Collection Group, recognized for its multiple awards and commitment to people, communities, and surroundings, continues to grow across the North, including being named one of Leisure & Hospitality’s Top 25 best companies to work for. Sean Donkin, Managing Director at The Inn Collection Group, commented: “This award is a testament to our team’s passion and dedication. We remain committed to delivering outstanding hospitality while investing in our people and communities across the North. Being recognised by NRB in such a competitive industry is a fantastic achievement, and we’re excited to continue growing and doing what we do best.”

The award-winning trio that is Joe & Daniel Schofield and James Brandwood, have had a huge impact on Manchester’s bar scene, helping to make the city a premier destination for drinking and dining. Joe Schofield, Co-Founder of Schofield’s Bar, Atomeca & Sterling commented: “Manchester’s hospitality scene is thriving, and we’re incredibly proud to be part of it. This recognition from NRB is a huge honour, not just for us but for our whole team, who work tirelessly to create exceptional experiences for guests. We’re excited to keep pushing boundaries, innovating and contributing to the region’s thriving drink scene.”

New entries in the Kuits NRB Top Fifty Power List for 2025 include Apartment Group, Grantley Hall, Mother Mercy, Seafood Pub Company, Southern Wind Group, and Tomahawk Steakhouse. Additionally, several industry-leading operators, including Seven Bro7hers, Mission Mars and Umbel Restaurant Group, return for another year.

Siobhan Thompson, Event Manager for NRB25 said: “We are incredibly proud to unveil this year’s Kuits NRB Top 50 Power List, celebrating the very best in northern hospitality. The 2025 edition highlights operators who have not only demonstrated resilience and creativity but have also driven innovation and excellence within the sector.

From trailblazing independents to industry giants, each business on this list plays a vital role in shaping the North’s thriving hospitality scene. We look forward to seeing how they continue to evolve and inspire over the coming year.”

Felicity Tulloch, Head of Leisure and Licensing, commented: “We’re excited to once again support NRB, a key event for professionals in the northern hospitality sector. As dedicated legal advisors to the leisure and hospitality industries, we are proud to sponsor and judge the Kuits NRB Top Fifty awards which highlight some of the most innovative and influential operators in the region.

The North’s hospitality sector has demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurship, and Northern Restaurant & Bar provides the perfect platform to showcase its dynamic food and drink scene. We’re proud to be part of this celebration.”

The top fifty names are selected by an expert judging panel following a rigorous research and selection processes to ensure the finalists represent the very best operators in the competitive northern hospitality scene.

Headline sponsors for the awards are Kuits Solicitors, with, CGA by NielsenIQ, Uber Eats, JW Lees and Natwest Commercial & Private Banking also named as Associate Sponsors for the prestige list.

The full list in alphabetical order is as follows:

Apartment Group (New Entry)
Arc Inspirations
Archies (Special Achievement Winner)
Bowland Inns & Hotels
Bundobust
Camerons Brewery
Cheshire Cat Pubs & Bars
Common & Co
Daniel Thwaites
Elite Bistros
Fat Hippo
Frederic Robinson
Gilpin Hotel & Lakehouse
Grantley Hall (New Entry)
GSG Hospitality
House of Tides/Solstice
JW Lees
Madre, Belzan, Medlock Canteen, Salon Madre
Mission Mars
Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms
Mother Mercy (New Entry)
Mowgli Street Food
New World Trading Company
North Bar
Northcote
NQ64
Orenda Hospitality
Ossett Brewery Pub Company
Pivovar
Professionals At Play & Concept Taverns
QVO Hospitality
Rockingham Group, Kelham Island Brewery & Leah’s Yard
San Carlo Group
Daniel Schofield, Joe Schofield & James Brandwood (Special Achievement Winner)
Seafood Pub Company (New Entry)
Seven Bro7hers
Southern Wind Group (New Entry)
Super Friendz
The Alchemist
The Inn Collection Group (Special Achievement Winner)
The Old Stamp House & The Schelly
The Revel Collective
The Star Inn at Harome, The Star Inn The City, York Minster Refectory
The Tommy Banks Group
Tokyo Industries
Tomahawk Steakhouse (New Entry)
Trof Group
Umbel Restaurant Group
Vaulkhard Group
Zanna Group