JD Wetherspoons has reported like-for-like sales were up 3.4 percent year-on-year for the last quarter, following on from record sales of £1.087bn achieved during the half year to 25 January, as the pub giant continues to perform ahead of the hospitality market. But beware, the tentacles of the Treasury are twisting the testicles.
JD Wetherspoon has reported that like-for-like sales during the last quarter were up 3.4 percent on the prior year, with year-to-date like-for-like sales increasing by 4.3 percent as the pub giant continues to invest in new openings.
Total sales for the 13 weeks to 26 April were up 4.1 percent, and up 4.9 percent for the year to date, during which time the company has opened eight new venues as well as 13 franchise sites.
“Sales growth was ahead of the NIQ RSM Hospitality Business Tracker for the 43rd month in a row in March 2026, although Wetherspoon’s growth for the third quarter was slightly below the year-to-date” said chair Tim Martin.
“The company has a strong pipeline of new pubs and planned openings include Manchester airport, Heathrow airport, Paddington station, Charing Cross station and Shaftesbury Avenue in central London.”
Shares in the operator fell 11 percent last month following the publication of an interim financial update, which revealed that despite sales for the half year to 25 January reaching a record £1.087bn, rising costs saw pretax profit decline 32 percent to £22.4m.
Wages for the period were up by £28m, repairs up by £10m, and business rates up by £9m, hitting operating profit to the tune of £12m.
“The company said it continues to anticipate year-end net debt of between £740m and £760m, and interest costs for the financial year will be approximately £47m, in line with the 2025 financial year.”
…but rising costs push profits “below market expectations”
Despite the promising sales figures for the last quarter, JD Wetherspoon chair Tim Martin has warned rising costs may result in profits “slightly below market expectations.”
The company, which manages 794 pubs across the UK, alongside a further 21 franchisees, warned economic headwinds are continuing to batter the hospitality sector.
“As many hospitality operators, including Wetherspoon, have reported, there have been substantial increases in costs, which may result in profits slightly below market expectations,” Martin said in his latest statement.
Earlier this year, Wetherspoon confirmed that rises to the minimum wage and Employer NICs would cost Wetherspoon £60m per year, with Martin noting “these cost increases will undoubtedly add to underlying inflation in the UK economy.”
Originally published on Coinslot on May 11, 2026. Republished with permission.