British pub and restaurant operator Mitchells & Butlers has today reported a 4.5% rise in like-for-like first-quarter sales, helped by strong demand for its pub grub and drinks during the Christmas period.
Pub chains and operators in the UK have been tightening their cost bases to cushion margins amid high inflation. Investments have also been poured into remodeling venues to draw in more customers since the pandemic.
Mitchells & Butlers, which has more than 1,700 pubs and restaurants across the UK, said sales during the key festive dates were particularly strong, with Christmas Day setting a new record for the highest sales day.
Peer Fuller, Smith & Turner also echoed the sentiment, saying the five-week Christmas and New Year period delivered robust sales growth of 8.2%.
