SOHO Coffee CO. currently operates across the UK, Spain, Portugal and Qatar | Photo credit: BTC Hospitality

BTC Hospitality, which operates the UK-based coffee chain SOHO Coffee Co. and five-strong bakery café Euphorium Bakery, has appointed Sam Shutt as its new Group CEO. 
 

Shutt, who previously served as CEO of fast-food chain Extrawurst UK, has been tasked with overseeing SOHO Coffee Co.’s ‘next stage of development, strategic leadership and growth’. 

In January 2023, SOHO Coffee Co. Managing Director Penny Manuel announced she would be stepping down from the role.  

Manuel, who led SOHO Coffee Co. since acquiring the business in August 2006, grew the company from four UK stores to 40 outlets globally, including sites in Spain, Portugal and Qatar. 

“We have some great brands, great products and great people in our business. While we all have challenges ahead in hospitality, I remain excited and confident about our growth plan for the UK and our international franchise markets,” Shutt said. 

Prior to launching Extrawurst in the UK, Shutt worked for high street department store Debenhams as Head of Retail Hospitality Operations, Partnerships and Business Development, as well as Managing Director of Philpotts and Senior Operations Manager for Airports at SSP.  

Founded in 2015, BTC Hospitality is a UK-based subsidiary of Qatari investment company Business Trading Company.  

Alongside SOHO Coffee Co. and Euphorium Bakery, BTC Hospitality also acquired boutique London-based coffee shop Apostrophe in 2016 — although it has since ceased operations.  
 

BTC Hospitality also entered the real estate market with the acquisition of Bow Street Magistrates Court in the same year, which it said it would convert into a ‘luxury boutique hotel’.