JD Wetherspoon has released a customary concise trading update reporting like-for-like sales growth of 5.1% for the 12 weeks to 20 July 2025, maintaining the same growth rate year-to-date.
The group is benefitting from strong sales of wine, and Guinness is driving draught sales higher. Food sales have also picked up with Chicken-based meals proving popular.
The pub chain currently operates 794 outlets after opening three new pubs but selling nine others during the year. Additionally, five new franchised locations have launched, bringing the total number of franchised Wetherspoon pubs to eight.
The company has also acquired eight freehold reversions for £19 million, purchasing properties where it was previously a tenant.
The firm expects year-end net debt of approximately £720 million, with £220 million of headroom under existing facilities. This gives the pub chain plenty of breathing room and marks an improvement in its financial health compared to recent periods.
Full preliminary results are scheduled for release on 3 October 2025.
“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,” said chairman of JD Wetherspoon, Tim Martin.
“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.”
“Sales volumes, which were very slow post-pandemic, have recently overtaken pre-pandemic levels. Wine, for example, has shown strong growth, with Villa Maria from New Zealand and Prosecco from Italy both shooting the lights out. Spirits have improved in recent months and whisky volumes are significantly above pre-pandemic levels.
“Draught volumes are performing strongly with Guinness being the standout performer. 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.”
JD Wetherspoon shares were flat at the time of writing and are 28% higher year-to-date.