Hollywood Bowl, the UK and Canada's largest ten-pin bowling operator, says it expects to deliver full-year adjusted profit growth in line with expectations after posting record group revenues.
It generated sales of £261.6 million for the year to 30 September, up 4.3% on the prior year and said its cash-generative model and pipeline of new centre openings leave it well placed to deliver growth into the new financial year.
The company expects to open eight new sites in the UK and Canada and has targeted 130 centres by 2033.
Hollywood Bowl ended the year with net cash of £13.5 million after completing a £2.9 million share buyback programme in the second half.
The headline revenue growth masked a tougher second half in the UK, where like-for-like (LFL) sales fell 5.6% as the hottest spring and summer on record kept customers away from indoor leisure venues.
UK total revenue still edged up 3.5% to £219.9 million for the full year, but UK LFL performance for the 12 months came in at minus 1.4%.
Canada provided a meaningful offset, with total revenue rising 9% to £41.7 million driven by new centre openings, and LFL growth accelerating to 2.7% in the second half.
Chief executive Stephen Burns said the results demonstrated the resilience of the underlying model.
"Demand remained resilient during the extended period of record hot weather in the UK, supported by our disciplined cost and pricing model, and our operational initiatives to drive footfall," he said.
Burns added that the Canadian business had made "a material step forward" in its pipeline for new centres.
Full-year results are scheduled for December, with the date to be confirmed.
