Pubs fuel resilient trade at The Restaurant Group

The Restaurant Group, which runs the 44-strong Brunning and Price and Bluebeckers pub estates, has reported a "resilient" first six months of trade to 28 June.

TRG, which also owns Frankie & Benny's, Garfunkel's and Chiquito, reported a 3% increase in adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amoritisation to £36.3m. Like-for-like sales fell 3.5% and adjusted profits also rose 3% t0 £21.7m.

The Brunning and Price pub estate delivered an "exceptionally strong performance with very significant increases in sales and profits" while its Bluebeckers pubs traded "solidly". The Bluebeckers pubs have begun a transition to a more Brunning & Price style of operation. Early results of the transition have been "outstanding" and further growth is expected.

"These are good results, with sales, profits and earnings per share all increasing. Our strategic market positioning combined with a clear focus on value, margins, service and hospitality has enabled the Group to make further profitable progress during 2009, despite the severe economic downturn," said chief executive Andrew Page.

"In addition to delivering these strong results, our team has also successfully opened twelve new restaurants so far this year and they are all performing well. Although conditions remain tough, going forward we will be looking to maintain our profitable progress."