LONDON (Reuters) - British pubs and brewery group Marston's (L:MARS), known for its Pitcher & Piano bars and Pedigree ales, said sales had risen 2 percent at its own managed pub restaurants over the Christmas quarter.
The rise in the 16 weeks to Jan. 24 at the food-led outlets, the focus of Marston's growth plans, was helped by a 4.8 percent jump over the two-week holiday period. Its operating margin also rose.
Sales at its more drink-led managed pubs and franchised pubs also grew by 2 percent, while profits were up at its leased division and volumes rose 4 percent in its brewing arm.
The performance was better than flat sales at rivals Greene King (L:GNK) and compared to a 2.8 percent sales rise at JD Wetherspoon (L:JDW).
Marston's, which is selling off drink-led pubs in favour of building more family, food-focused ones, said it was confident of meeting full-year profit expectations.
Shares in the company closed at 146.7 pence on Monday, broadly flat on a year ago, valuing the business at around 836 million pounds.