Mitchells and Butlers Q1 sales rise 4.5% amid strong Xmas trading

Mitchells and Butlers has reported that like-for-like sales rose 4.5% for the 15 weeks to 10 January 2026, as total sales rose by 3.5% over the period due to a strong festive trading period across its pub and restaurant brands. 

According to the group, its performance for the first quarter was ahead of the wider market. Trading accelerated over Christmas, with like-for-like sales up 7.7% during the core three-week festive period. Growth was also stronger on the five key festive days, when like-for-like sales increased by 10.5%.

Mitchells and Butlers revealed that volume growth supported the performance, with sales strengthening across its brand portfolio during the quarter.

During the period, Mitchells and Butlers also made investments in its estate, completing 51 conversions and remodels in the year to date. The group noted that returns from those investments remained encouraging. 

Looking ahead, the group said it expected to face around £130m of year-on-year cost headwinds in the current financial year, driven mainly by higher labour costs and food price inflation. However, it remains confident in its ability to manage those pressures.

Phil Urban, chief executive of Mitchells and Butlers, said: “Sales growth on key festive dates was particularly strong, with Christmas Day setting a new all-time record for the highest sales day, surpassing last year’s benchmark.

“Our focus remains on tackling the significant cost headwinds faced by the industry this financial year through the effective execution of our Ignite programme and our capital investment programme, driving both cost efficiencies and increased sales.”