The pub operator has already opened six managed sites in the 14 weeks to 1 November 2026, including venues at Manchester Airport Terminal 2 and Heathrow Airport Terminal 2.
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Other openings include Crewe in Cheshire, Ferndown in Dorset, Dibden Purlieu in Hampshire and Kempston in Bedfordshire.
The company also sold one pub during the period, bringing its managed estate to 797 trading sites.
Further expansion
Alongside its managed estate, JDW is targeting a further 10 to 15 franchised openings during the current financial year.
The business currently operates 25 franchised pubs, including two opened since the start of the financial year.
Like-for-like sales increased 8.2% during the 14-week period, with bar sales up 9.4%, food sales rising 6.8% and machine sales increasing 7.1%. Hotel room sales declined 1.4%.
Total sales rose 9.1%, while like-for-like growth moderated to 7.5% over the most recent five weeks, compared with 8.6% during the first nine weeks.
Th group also reported outperforming the NIQ RSM Hospitality Business Tracker for 49 consecutive months, with September like-for-like sales growth of 9.9% compared with the industry’s 2.7%.
Net debt at the end of the first quarter stood at £736m, down from £756m in the equivalent period last year.
Positive outlook
Chairman Tim Martin said: “The company has had a good start to the financial year. There are still three quarters to go and profit forecasts are very dependent on the level of sales growth.
“We are comfortable with current market expectations, once adjusted for the 53-week period. We will provide further updates as the financial year progresses.”
Martin also reiterated concerns over rising employment costs and the VAT disparity between pubs and supermarkets, arguing that higher labour costs were widening the price gap between drinks consumed in pubs and those purchased in retail.
