Whitbread plans Costa and Premier Inn expansion as sales hit £2.9bn

By Sophie Witts

- Last updated on GMT

Whitbread plans Costa and Premier Inn expansion as sales hit £2.9bn

Related tags Premier inn Innovation Economic growth

Whitbread has outlined further expansion of its Costa and Premier Inn chains after recording a boost in profits in 2015. 

The company saw total sales rise 12 per cent year-on-year to £2.9bn for the year to 3 March.

Profits at Costa rose 15.8 per cent to £153.5m, while Whitbread’s Hotels and Restaurants division​ grew 11.3 per cent to £446.9m.

Premier Inn saw total sales growth of 12.9 per cent and like for like sales up 4.2 per cent.

Whitbread chief executive Alison Brittain said the group was aiming to expand its hotel portfolio to around 900 UK sites and 85,000 rooms by 2020.

Costa is also set for ongoing growth​ with sales expected to hit £2.5bn over the next four years, as the company continues to develop its ‘artisan’ Costa Fresco brand and hot food and dessert range.

Brittain said the company would continue to ‘grow and innovate’ in the UK while also focusing on international expansion.

“Both Premier Inn and Costa benefit from attractive market growth opportunities and we will continue to capitalise on these by developing our network and brand strength,” said Brittain.

“The world around us is shifting, with rising customer expectations, an evolving competitor landscape, rapid technological developments and changing cost structures.

“In responding to this change, I am especially keen to reinforce our relentless focus on our customers and on innovation to develop our brand propositions ensuring we stay ahead and become more productive.”

Related topics Business & Legislation Fine Dining

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