Voted for by the Peach 20/20 ‘Academy’ of 150 invited industry leaders, the awards shine a spotlight on the very best operators, brands and individuals who are trading successfully in a highly competitive and challenging market.

This year’s finalists represent the most dynamic, forward-thinking businesses in the sector – the true “best in class”. Categories range from Newcomer and Breakout Brand, recognising future stars and fast-scaling innovators, through to Pub Business, Restaurant Brand, Bar Brand and the coveted Industry Leader of the Year.

Among the standout achievements, several businesses and leaders have been recognised multiple times across categories, underlining their influence and breadth of excellence.

JKS Restaurants is shortlisted for both Restaurant Brand/Business, the MUMBO Award, Best New Opening and represented by Jyo Sethi in Industry Leader of the Year.

White Rabbit is nominated for Restaurant Brand/Business (Lina Stores), MUMBO (Multi-Unit Multi-Brand Operator) and Investor of the Year, with additional recognition for COO and MD Eadaoin McDonagh under Industry Leader of the Year. 

Incipio stands out in Bar Brand/Business and the MUMBO Award, with CEO Ed Devenport also listed under Industry Leader of the Year. Red Engine is recognised both in Bar Brand/Business and in the International Award (alongside State of Play).

Meanwhile, Blacklock appears in Best New Opening and Restaurant Brand/Business, Lina Stores in Restaurant Brand/Business and Industry Leader of the Year, Pizza Pilgrims in Restaurant Brand/Business and Industry Leader of the Year, and Loungers in the MUMBO Award as well as Industry Leader of the Year. Knoops is shortlisted in both Breakout Brand and Coffee/QSR/Bakery Business, while WatchHouse appears in Coffee/QSR/Bakery Business, the International Award and again in Industry Leader of the Year for managing director Caroline Ottoy.

These repeat nominations underscore the impact of operators who are innovating, scaling and redefining hospitality in the face of challenges.

The Peach 20/20 Hero Awards categories and nominees this year are:
 

Newcomer

Bubala | Chuku’s | Dave’s Hot Chicken | Makers of Hospitality | Oma/Agora | Tigermilk

Breakout Brand

Breadstall | El Pastor | Knoops | Nell’s Pizza | Padella | Pasta Evangelists

Evolutionary Brand/Business

Beautiful Pubs | Bella Italia | Bill’s | Craft Union (Stonegate) | Prezzo Italian | Vagabond

Best New Opening

Ambassador's Clubhouse (London) | Blacklock (Manchester) | Brother Marcus (Canary Wharf) | Farmer's Dog (Burford) | Rita’s Beer Hall (Leeds) | Rockfish (Salcombe)

Pub Business

Anglian Country Inns | Brunning & Price | Butcombe | Heartwood Inns | Urban Pubs & Bars | Young's

Bar Brand/Business

Alberts Schloss | Arc Inspiration | Drake & Morgan | Inception/Mr Foggs | Incipio/Pergola | Red Engine (Flight Club/Electric Shuffle)

Restaurant Brand/Business

Big Mamma | Blacklock | Dishoom | Flat Iron | Hickory’s | JKS Restaurants | Lina Stores | Pizza Pilgrims

Coffee/QSR/Bakery Business

Blank Street | Gail’s | Knoops | Ole & Steen | Popeyes | WatchHouse

MUMBO (Multi-Unit Multi-Brand Operator)

Azzurri Group | Incipio | JKS Restaurants | Loungers | Permanently Unique | White Rabbit

International Award

Caffè Nero | F1 Arcade | Hawksmoor | Kerb | Red Engine/State of Play (Flight Club/Shuffle) | WatchHouse

Industry Leader of the Year

Brian Trollip (Dishoom) | Caroline Ottoy (WatchHouse) | Eadaoin McDonagh (White Rabbit Projects/Lina Stores) | Ed Devenport (Incipio) | Gavin Smith (Pizza Pilgrims) | Jyo Sethi (JKS Restaurants) | Laura Harper-Hinton (Caravan) | Nick Collins (Loungers)

Investor of the Year

Fortress | L Catterton | McWin | TDR | Trispan | White Rabbit

The shortlists for four additional categories will be announced shortly.

All the winners will be revealed at the legendary Peach 20/20 gala dinner on 13 November at Convene Sancroft, London.

“Hospitality has shown remarkable resilience, creativity and leadership in recent years, and the Peach 20/20 Hero Awards are about celebrating those who continue to inspire the industry. This year’s nominees embody the spirit of innovation and excellence that drives our sector forward,” said Peter Martin, Co-Founder, Peach 20/20.

Congratulations to all the shortlisted businesses and brands.

The Awards dinner takes place directly after the Peach 20/20 Leaders Summit on 13 November 2025 at Convene Sancroft, London. Attendance at the Awards dinner is by invitation only. Please check your email to make sure you have your ticket or email karen.smith@peach2020.com to apply for a place.