UK's Restaurant Group Sees Results In-Line Despite Dent From Snow

By Dave Simpson
UK's Restaurant Group Sees Results In-Line Despite Dent From Snow

Britain's Restaurant Group, the owner of the Frankie & Benny's chain, has said it expects to meet annual results estimates despite a hit on its latest comparable sales from adverse weather.

Comparable sales for the 20 weeks to May 20 were down 4.3% as snow kept customers away.

A Siberian weather system that forecasters dubbed the "Beast From the East" brought snow, strong winds and the coldest temperatures in years to many regions in the two months through March.

However, like-for-like sales for were still down 3.1% excluding the impact of snow -- an outcome the company blamed on a challenging market.

Rising competition from food-focused pubs and a drop in visitors to retail shopping malls, where many of its outlets are located, have hit Restaurant Group's brands in recent years.

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Nonetheless, Restaurant Group, which operates more than 500 restaurants and pubs in the UK, said it expected full-year results in line with current market expectations.

News by Reuters, edited by Hospitality Ireland. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.