Coppa Collective returns to like-for-like growth as EBITDA doubles to £2.8m

Coppa Collective, which runs Coppa Club and Noci, expects adjusted EBITDA to double to a record £2.8m for the year to 27 September, Restaurant Online reports. Revenue rose 8% to £56.4m.

The trading picture - Group like-for-like sales up 2.2% in the fourth quarter, with Coppa Club up 2.6%. - Across the full year, group like-for-likes were broadly flat and Coppa Club grew 0.3%. - Noci's sales were below last year, but site-level EBITDA improved 12% through tighter operations and cost control.

Deals and estate - Bought The Linwood Collection, four mostly freehold premium pubs with rooms, for £11.25m, around seven times historical site-level EBITDA. - Its planned purchase of The Queen's Head will not go ahead after the Asset of Community Value process. - Converted Tavolino and 31 Below into Coppa Clubs, and is negotiating a significant new London site. - London Bridge closed for almost two months during landlord works and its conversion, reopening in July.

What it means for operators: profit doubled on flat annual sales. Buying established, freehold-backed sites at a sensible multiple and squeezing costs at weaker brands did more than chasing top-line growth. The company says the stronger fourth quarter has carried into the new year.