JD Wetherspoon PLC (LSE:JDW) said it was on course for record sales this year as customers continue to flock back to pubs following the pandemic.
As a result, the company expects profit in the current financial year to be towards the top of market expectations, it said in a statement.
The pub chain, run by flamboyant businessman Tim Martin, reported like-for-like sales increased by 9.1% in its third quarter, covering the 13 weeks to 30 April 2023, compared to pre-Covid 2019, leaving year-to-date sales 6.4% higher compared to the same year.
Sales in the Easter week were the highest ever for the company and sales in the current financial year are likely to be a record, JD Wetherspoon said.
Compared to financial year 2022, like-for-like sales increased by 12.2% in the third quarter and by 12.7% year to date.
The company said the May bank holiday was "exceptionally strong, including our busiest-ever Saturday", with the Coronation "slightly less strong, with a noticeably quiet Saturday".
Martin said: "Sales in the last quarter have continued their positive momentum, although inflation, especially in labour, energy and food costs, remains a more intractable issue.
"In order to bear down on inflation, political parties should encourage free enterprise, rather than a reliance on additional regulations.
"A lack of understanding, among some senior politicians, about the need to encourage a successful free market economy, presents a real threat to the future prosperity of the country," he added.