The trading update for the 53 weeks ended 1 June 2025 also reported underlying operating profit from operations up 19% at £45.6m for the period.
The Proprium Capital Partners-owned firm also invested £31.5m across both leased & tenanted and operator managed estates including refurbishments and pub garden improvements.
Group turnover was at £210.4m (up from £194.5m in the 2024 period) while gross profit was £122m (up from £111.8m).
Moreover, underlying earnings before interest, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) was £68.9m (an increase from £60.8m) and underlying profit after tax was £2m compared to a loss of £4.7m previously.
Surpassing expectations
Elsewhere, the business reported the growth of its community wet-led division Proper Pubs with 25 conversions taking place during the period, meaning the division stands at 222 pubs.
Net sales for the arm surpassed £75m in its 2025 financial year and raised more than £80,000 for charity Claire’s Hospice last year.
Overall, Admiral’s pubs are trading through to January 2026 ahead of management expectations with strong seasonal trading while it continues to invest in energy-saving projects across the estate, the group reported.
Admiral Taverns CEO Chris Jowsey said: “I’m pleased with the strong progress we have made against our growth strategy, reinforcing Admiral’s position as the champion for community pubs across the UK.
“Despite challenging wider, macro-economic circumstances, we were pleased to deliver the first two acquisitions since our Hawthorn acquisition in 2021, with a further 55 sites added to our portfolio.”
Business success
He added: “Both have been excellent additions to our core estate, strengthening our high-quality portfolio and enabling us to work with entrepreneurial licensees to maximise their retail opportunity and embrace their local community.
“The results from the industry’s independent annual tenant survey importantly showed eight out of 10 of our licensees would recommend Admiral to other publicans.
“Our licensee-centric model is vital to the success of the business and we were delighted to receive this recognition from our licensees.
“As we look to the future, we remain focused on growing our estate of successful, individual wet-led pubs at the heart of their communities.
“Post year end, we were delighted to announce the acquisition of 21 pubs from RedCat Hospitality as we continue to expand our core business and we look forward to working with our new licensees, investing in both our pubs and our people.”
