Like-for-like sales at Britain’s leading managed groups were 2.7% above the levels of September 2025 according to the latest NIQ RSM Hospitality Business Tracker.
The figure marks an acceleration of growth from 0.8% in August, and a fifth straight positive month.
Managed restaurant groups recorded their best performance since November 2024, with year-on-year growth of 2.6%. Pub groups saw sales growth top inflation at 3.8%, marking their second-best month of the year behind July, when sales were boosted by the men’s football World Cup.
Sales continue to be inflated by new restaurant, pub and bar openings, the tracker shows. On a total sales basis, including from venues opened in the previous 12 months, September delivered year-on-year growth of 6.2%.
“September’s results demonstrate that the hospitality sector’s resilience is paying off,” says Saxon Moseley, head of leisure and hospitality at RSM UK.
“With both pubs and restaurants recording solid growth, there is real momentum building ahead of the festive season.”
The tracker, which is produced by NIQ and powered by CGA intelligence, in association with RSM, also shows that trading was slightly softer in London than elsewhere in Britain.
Like-for-like sales at groups rose by 2.3% within the M25, and by 2.8% further afield.
The figures raise hopes for a strong final quarter of 2026 for hospitality, but September’s like-for-like figure remains just below the UK’s rate of inflation. The sector has not achieved real-terms growth since spring 2025, it notes.
“September’s trading can be a springboard for a strong Christmas and New Year for hospitality, but only if the Budget stimulates the confidence of businesses and consumers,” says Karl Chessell, director - hospitality operators and food, EMEA at NIQ.