Mitchells & Butlers PLC (LON:MAB) said it was confident of delivering full-year results in line with expectations after strong recent trade followed a summer boosted by the World Cup and hot weather.
The restaurant and pub operator said like-for-like sales had grown 2.2% in the eight weeks to September 22. The company said that it had also seen a more normalised split between drink and food sales during the period following strong drink growth over the summer months.
READ: World Cup a double-edged sword for Mitchells & Butlers as drinks sales rise but food sales drop
The owner of the Harvester, All Bar One and Ember Inn’s brands said total sales had increased by 0.5% in the year to date, which was impacted by disposals made in the prior year. Cost headwinds, however, were expected to lead to lower year-on-year margins, the group added.
"We are building momentum as a result of our focus on our strategic priorities and are seeing encouraging results from the second wave of transformation activity. Work continues to mitigate the cost headwinds impacting the industry and we remain confident of delivering full year results in line with the Board's expectations," CEO Phil Urban said in a statement.
Shares in the company were 2.4% up at 263.20p in mid-morning trade.