Orchid Group, the managed operator, saw sales grow 9.8% over the Christmas and New Year period, with food sales up 11% in that period, the company has said.
Christmas booking were up 6%.
Simon Dodd, commercial & people director, said: “Across the company we had a record breaking Christmas with very strong sales.
“For us, it was all about getting in early. Festive planning started in earnest in July with dedicated manager road-shows, training sessions and sales ambassadors’ workshops. We offered customers early booking incentives and as a result they were up by 10%. To excite managers, we ran a Christmas sales incentive offering the best performing 20 a trip to Miami.”
Sales at its 25 Pizza Kitchen Bars grew 21%. Dodd said: “PKB is our genre busting concept. It’s informal, friendly and great for all ages so perfect for Christmas celebrations - whether work dos or family parties.”
Across the festive period, Orchid’s 47 Carveries saw a +15% increase in festive sales from last year. 350,000 diners were served during December with a staggering 3,600 turkeys consumed. One Carvery, the Moby Dick in Romford, took £50,100 in the week to 14 December, the company’s highest ever week of sales at a site.
Orchid’s Do Drop Inns sites saw sales growth of +7%, Independent Locals were up by 7%, Free House Dining +3% and Dragons +5.5%.
Sales growth at its recently refurbished pubs were up 30.5% in week 52. Overall, Orchid’s invested estate is up by over 38%.
