Mission Mars reports ‘record’ LFL sales during festive season

Mission Mars has reported “record” sales of £10.0m, up 38% during the festive period (27 November to 31 December 2023).

Its group like-for-like (LFL) sales also increased by 18% versus the same five-week period in the prior year (2022).

Mission Mars, which owns both the Rudy’s Pizza Napoletana and Albert’s Schloss brands, saw overall Rudy’s revenues grow by 72% to £4.0m, driven by organic growth and new venues performing well.

The 13 LFL pizzerias delivered 23% revenue growth with particularly strong performances in London.

Additionally, its three Albert’s Schloss venues, based in Manchester, Liverpool, and Birmingham, saw revenue climb to £5.3m for the five-week festive period, an increase of 24% on prior year.

Roy Ellis, chief executive, said: “I am delighted with the quarter’s trade. The strengths of both brands, coupled with the hard work of our teams, has helped deliver a record-breaking quarter, including an exceptional Christmas period.

“Over the festive period, pre-booked covers were up 22% on 2023 which helped our team members provide an industry leading Guest Experience score of 81% for the quarter, an increase of 7% versus the same period in the prior year.”

He added: “Albert’s Schloss Liverpool has shown strong growth over its first year of trade. This, coupled with the continued growth of the more mature venues, offers significant encouragement ahead of the launch of Albert’s Schloss London in June 2024.

“December was a busy period for Rudy’s openings with four new pizzerias all opening and trading strongly from day one and helps reinforce our belief that both brands will trade strongly across the whole of the UK, and beyond. We continue to search for the best locations and have one Albert’s Schloss and twelve Rudy’s in legal, with all Rudy’s pizzerias targeted to open over the next twelve months.”