British pub operator Mitchells & Butlers has delivered slightly better-than-expected full-year profits as strong sales for both food and drinks offset rising costs, sending the restaurant and pub operator's shares to multi-year highs.
The results come as the company said it has stocked up on non-perishable items and found alternatives for ingredients used in salads and garnishes to protect against any delay in supplies of fresh foods due to Brexit at its 1,700 UK restaurants and pubs.
A report on the worst-case scenario post Brexit released by the British government pointed to potential problems snarling up cross-Channel trade routes and disrupting fresh food imports.
Countries in the European Union provide 86% of lettuces and 70% of tomatoes, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
"I think the one area for food that no one's got an answer for are perishables. So salads items, if there's a delay at borders, there's nothing you can do about that," chief executive Phil Urban told Reuters.
The comments came after the pub group reported adjusted operating profit of £317 million for the year that ended on September 28, compared to 303 million pounds last year.
Barclays analysts said the numbers beat consensus expectations.
The owner of the All Bar One, Toby Carvery, Harvester and Browns brands relied on beer for the bulk of its sales in the 1980s, but now approximately half of its total sales come from food.
Higher Costs
Like other British pub operators, Mitchells & Butlers has had to cope with higher costs, most notably from increased wage and property costs, following Britain's vote to leave the European Union. Across its business, 13% of its staff are non-British EU nationals.
"Ultimately, if costs increase you would see prices rise...You'll now see price increases pretty consistently," Urban said, adding the wage rises will not lead to any job cuts.
General Election Timing
He said that he does not expect the timing of next month's general election to interfere with Christmas parties and sales.
"The election drags people out of their houses. The chances are they might hop in for a drink or a meal, so it's probably good news," he said.
News by Reuters, edited by Hospitality Ireland. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
