Young’s in ‘excellent shape’ despite industry headwinds

Pub group Young’s has reported a strong set of financial results for the year ended 31 March 2025, with hikes in both revenue and profit.

Despite wider industry pressures, Young’s reported strong like-for-like revenue growth of 5.7% over the period, while total revenue was up 24.9% to £485.8m, and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation were up 23.2% to £113.6m.

The upbeat set of results reported adjusted operating profit up £14.1m to £71.4m despite National Living Wage increases of almost 10% alongside increased utility costs.

During the period, Young’s also completed its £162m acquisition of City Pub Group, which comprises 51 wet-led pubs across southern England and Wales – with single head office and IT systems now in place.

Chief executive Simon Dodd said “everything within our control is going to plan”.

The pub group now has 277 pubs, including 56 pubs with rooms, providing 1,063 bedrooms, which led to room revenue increasing 30% to £20.8m over the period.

Drinks sales were up 25.8% and 6.4% on a like-for-like basis – with Guinness continuing to remain popular with 34.3% like-for-like growth.

Total food sales continued to grow, up 5% on a like-for-like basis, with food now forming 30.1% of total sales.

Dodd added: “I am delighted to announce another excellent set of results, reflecting the strength of the Young’s strategy. During the year, customers flocked to our wonderful pubs to watch Euro24 and celebrate Christmas. Poor weather at the start of the year held back early trading, but unseasonable March sunshine delivered a welcome boost to sales. We have successfully completed the integration of the City Pub Group, realising all the promised synergies and we are well advanced in achieving further operational benefits.”

“A tough macroeconomic environment for the industry seems to have been par for the course since I became chief executive and government changes coming into effect in April make life no easier. However, we are in excellent shape, with our differentiated approach and premium business model positioning us well in difficult conditions. Young’s continues to be a leader for like-for-like sales in our sector and everything within our control is going to plan.”

“It’s been a fast start to the new financial year, with the great weather throughout April and May meaning our beautiful pub gardens and riverside locations have been packed full of customers. While we remain mindful of the headwinds facing consumers and the wider issues that our industry will encounter, we are confident our premium, well-invested, predominantly freehold pub estate will continue to deliver profitable growth.”

Photo: Julien Jean Zayatz/Shutterstock