Fulham Shore sees trading surpass 2019 levels

29-Sep-2021 - Last updated on 29-Sep-2021 at 09:32 GMT

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Franco Manca and The Real Greek operator Fulham Shore has seen total revenues reach more than £39m for the half year to 26 September 2021, compared to £36m achieved in the comparable period in 2019.

Executive chairman David Page, who is due to provide this update on trading performance at Fulham Shore’s Annual General Meeting this morning, said the growth had been driven by the eight new restaurants it had opened since September 2019, the continued increase in dine in customers since lockdown fully ended on 19 July 2021, and a strong performance across Franco Manca delivery.

“This performance was enhanced by strong suburban trading in addition to the typical summer season,” he said.

The period, which encompassed 10 weeks of full trading and 16 weeks of restricted trading, saw revenues from delivery remain at this higher level after restricted on dining in, implying that the group’s delivery customers have continued to choose its quality food and value pricing, said Page.

“The period post lockdown restrictions being lifted, on 19 July 2021, saw a number of the group’s restaurants around the UK breaking trading records on a regular basis,” he added. “Group revenues for the three full weeks to 26 September 2021 averaged 33% ahead of the same period in 2019, an improvement on the 27% reported in our previous trading statement achieved during the three weeks to 5 September 2021.

The Real Greek saw record trading over the summer, with particularly good performances across its site located outside London, which feature large covered terraces, with bookings continuing to be buoyant into the autumn.

Franco Manca saw usage of its loyalty app growth over the period, with it now downloaded and used by more than 255,000 customers.

Fulham Shore has opened two Franco Manca pizzerias since the beginning of the financial year, and a 20th The Real Greek, in Norwich, taking its total estate to 75 restaurants. Upcoming openings include Blackheath Village and Baker Street (Franco Manca), while contracts have been exchanged on a new site in Bluewater Shopping Centre, Kent for The Real Greek.

“Sixteen more potential sites are in solicitors’ hands for both Franco Manca and The Real Greek,” said Page.