Marston's PLC reported like-for-like sales for the 16 weeks to 21 January 2023 grew 12.9% compared to last year, which was hit by the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
The pub operator said momentum improved throughout the period with sales up 6.8% in the first eight weeks followed by a 19.2% increase in the following eight weeks.
For the five key festive days, like-for-like sales were up 26% on last year and 12.9% compared to pre-pandemic 2019/20.
Total retail sales in the group's managed and franchised pubs were up 14.0% on last year with drink sales continuing to outperform food sales.
Electricity costs are now hedged for the entirety of the fiscal year until the end of September 2023, with no change to earnings guidance, the company said.
Andrew Andrea, CEO, commented: “Our primary focus remains to meet our strategic goals of achieving £1bn sales and reducing our debt to below £1bn with all the subsequent benefits that both of those milestones will bring to our shareholders."