The group that operates brands All Bar One, Nicholson’s, Sizzling Pubs and Toby Carvery, reported like-for-like sales growth of 4.3% during the 28 weeks ended 12 April 2025.
The company said trading was ahead of the market, supported by “broadly flat volumes”. It added this combined with disciplined cost control and further Ignite (its business programme) efficiencies delivered over 10% growth in operating profit to £181m (HY:2024 £164m) – a rise of 10.4%.
During the most recent 10 weeks, including Easter and Mother’s Day in each year, like-for-like sales have grown by 6.0% and it expects the market to remain robust and added it is well placed to continue to outperform.
Other highlights in in results include operating margin increased to 12.4% (HY: 2024 11.7%), total revenue of £1.45bn (HY:2024 £1.40bn) and profit before tax of £134m (HY: 2024 £108m).
CEO Urban said: “The strength of our first half performance is driven by continued focus on maximising the guest appeal of our diverse portfolio of brands to drive sales, supported by efficiency initiatives delivered through our Ignite programme of work.
Compelling customer offers
“We are delighted with the like-for-like sales performance, which continues to outperform against the market.
“As we enter the second half of the year, with increased employer national insurance contributions, we remain focused on the effective delivery of our Ignite programme of initiatives and our capital investment programme, driving further cost efficiencies and increased sales.
“Notwithstanding a likely increase in cost headwinds next year, we have confidence that relentless focus on delivery of our strategic priorities will generate further value from our well invested and strategically located estate portfolio and compelling customer offers.”
On its latest results, M&B – which also operates Premium Country Pubs, Vintage Inns, O’Neill’s and Ember Inns – said total sales across the period were £1.45bn, reflecting 4.2% growth on HY: 2024.
The group said: “We made a good start to the year with like-for-like sales growth of 4.0% over the first seven weeks. Performance over the important three-week festive period was particularly strong with like-for-like sales growth of 10.4%.
“Across the first quarter as a whole, like-for-like sales remained well ahead of the market, growing by 3.9% despite the notable adverse, albeit temporary, impact of very cold and stormy weather over the last couple of weeks of the quarter.
Warm weather
“Sales remained resilient through the second quarter aided by good weather in late March, and with a particularly strong performance on Mother’s Day. Across the quarter, we recorded like-for-like sales growth of 4.7%, comprising drink sales growth of 5.1% and food sales growth of 3.6%.
“We have continued to consistently outperform the market, as represented by the CGA Business tracker, by over 3% over the first half.
“Pubs and pub-restaurants have seen the highest sales growth over the first half, benefiting from the warm weather in March and April.
“The restaurant segment of the market has delivered broadly flat sales across the period, which we have consistently outperformed. Bars across the market have reported sales decline over the first half, with the late-night market being particularly challenged.
“This is the segment that we have least exposure to, but again we have outperformed significantly, with our offers appealing across a range of occasions with less exposure to late-night trade.”
