Barracuda sees strong sales in 2007
Smith & Jones operator Barracuda Group saw a 16% surge in sales last year.
In the 52 weeks ended 29 September 2007 Barracuda saw sales hit £148.7m thanks in part to 24 new openings taking its estate of managed pubs to 216.
Food sales at the group were 32.4% ahead of the year before at £25.2m.
Pre-tax profit rose 12% to £37m, although this was adjusted to take into account refurbishment and re-branding costs in preparation for the England smoking ban in July.
Mark McQuater, chief executive of Barracuda Group and a 2006 Catey winner, said: "The business continues to drive forward as customers appreciate the distinctive and quality brands we have developed. We believe this is one of the strongest set of managed pub brands in the UK."
He added that the company's expansion programme would continue (after it spent £20m on opening 24 new pubs last year) and he expected similar double digit growth in 2008.
Barracuda reports a rise in wine sales >>
Pubs face bleak period after beer sales slump >>
By Christopher Walton
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