Butcombe reports ‘record’ revenues of £149m in FY25

Butcombe, the privately owned premium pub operator and brewing group, has reported “record’ revenues of £149m for the year ended January 2025 versus £144.4m in the previous year. 

Its managed pubs “strongly outperformed” the sector with like-for-like revenue of +7.8% compared with LFL growth of +6% in the preceding year. 

The group’s food, drink, and accommodation segments all delivered strong performances, with food sales rising by 12.1%, drink by 4.7%, and accommodation by 3.8%.

Additionally, during the period, Butcombe continued investment in its estate with 10 pub investments during the year. 

Meanwhile, it also invested in menu development with all day brunch, small plates, sandwiches and classics, and improved all day offerings with breakfast the fastest growing mealtime. 

Lastly, the pub group rolled out Butcombe Boutique Inns, its premium room offering, to 10 sites during the year, and one since period end, driving encouraging results  

According to its current trading update for the period ending 26 April 2025, managed pub LFL of +11.1%, with growth in all three categories of food (+10.3%), drink  (+13.3%) and accommodation (+5.3%) 

Its loyalty programme is also giving the group a significant advantage in the market with loyalty sales  continuing to grow and now making up 22% of its total sales.

The quarter has also seen the group deliver its highest ever single day in managed pubs on Mother’s Day, breaking the previous record set on Christmas Day 2024. Good spring weather has also provided an early benefit for its external spaces, with around 40% of its covers now outside.

Butcombe currently employs 1,855 people, more than double the number of people it employed in 2019. 

Jonathan Lawson, CEO of Butcombe Group, said:  “We are delighted to report another strong year across all divisions of Butcombe Group. We have  delivered record revenues and sector-leading like-for-like growth of 7.8% in our managed pubs, a  clear indication of our continued operational strength and effective strategic investments. This  result is especially pleasing considering the strong comparatives we faced against last year. 

“We have made substantial progress in harnessing our data and loyalty capabilities, which have  significantly enhanced our customer understanding and engagement. With loyalty transactions  across our managed pubs now representing 22% of total sales and a greater percentage of our  like-for-like growth.”  

Lawson added: “The Brewing and Drinks division was broadly flat versus last year in Q1, once again the UK Free Trade performance led the way growing by 8% vs LY, with online ordering now adding a further  service provision to our customers and driving basket spend. The success of Goram IPA Zero, our  award-winning low alcohol IPA has encouraged us to develop Tall Tales Pale Ale Zero, a refreshing  Pale Ale that will be perfect for the summertime.  

“While we remain mindful of the ongoing inflationary pressures and changes to National Insurance  contributions that impact the broader hospitality sector, we are confident in our strategy. Our  continued focus on premium segments, operational efficiencies, and customer-centric  innovation positions us strongly for sustained EBITDA growth and margin enhancement through  the rest of the year.”