JD Wetherspoon has reported a five per cent increase in sales over the previous quarter as it continues its strategy of selling more pub locations.
Despite opening just two new locations since the year began, the company has disposed of seven pubs, according to today's trading update, as reported by .
The firm expects to inaugurate four or five new pubs for the remainder of this financial year and is looking at approximately ten openings next year.
After reporting a drop from 879 pubs in 2019 to 800 in its October full-year results, Wetherspoons now numbers its outlets at 795.
Additionally, there are now seven Wetherspoon venues operating under franchise agreements, with Haven Holiday Parks managing four that were launched in the recent quarter.
In terms of infrastructure investments, Wetherspoons chairman Tim Martin stated, "The company has invested in new staff facilities in 520 pubs (49 in the current year), including staff rooms and changing rooms, with approximately 270 planned for the future," with each establishment receiving about £100,000.
Martin also highlighted that since the start of 2025, the chain has acquired seven freehold reversions for £17m, where it was previously leasing the property.
Factoring in the sold sites, the chain enjoyed a 5.6 per cent boost in like-for-like sales over the three-month period.
Total sales have climbed by 4.2 per cent since early 2025, with like-for-like increases reported at 5.1 per cent.
JD Wetherspoon has been actively pursuing its share buyback programme, having repurchased over £41m of its own shares this year.
The company is projecting its net debt to land somewhere between £720m and £740m by the end of the fiscal year, with an estimated £200m headroom under existing facilities.
Martin added: "As regards the menu, new initiatives include a gourmet burger offer, which has proved extremely popular in the pubs in which it has been trialled."
"Taking into account that recent trading has been buoyed by favourable weather, the company anticipates a reasonable outcome for the financial year, despite previously reported wage and tax increases of approximately £1.2m per week."
In a recent VAT dispute with HMRC, Wetherspoons failed in its attempt to argue that cider does not fall within the definition of 'alcoholic beverages,' losing out on a potential £4.9m tax refund.
