JD Wetherspoon customers are finally drinking and eating more at its pubs than before the pandemic after the summer heatwaves brought out the punters in droves.
The company, which operates almost 800 pubs, said in a pre-close trading update that “sales volumes, which were very slow post-pandemic, have recently overtaken pre-pandemic levels.”
Star performers helping the chain hit the landmark include prosecco and New Zealand wine brand Villa Maria which were “both shooting the lights out,” according to chairman Tim Martin.
Other categories to have done well include spirits with whisky volumes “significantly above pre-pandemic levels” and draught beer “with Guinness being the standout performer. “
Martin added: “On the food front, breakfasts, terribly slow post-pandemic, have recovered their lustre and are now well ahead. Chicken, also, has put in a clucking good performance and volumes in recent weeks are up by about 50% compared to pre-pandemic levels."
The company revealed that like for like sales in the 12 weeks to July 20 were up 5.1%, as were year to date sales.
Martin said: "The company has benefitted from favourable weather in the fourth quarter, so that profits are anticipated to be in line with market expectations, notwithstanding the high tax and labour increases for the hospitality industry, which have been widely reported.
"In the next financial year, as well as investing in areas such as staff rooms, glass racks for "branded" glasses, and gardens, the company plans to open approximately 15 new managed pubs and about the same number of franchised pubs."
