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Britain’s managed hospitality groups have recorded a modest like-for-like growth of 0.9% in March, according to the latest hospitality business tracker from NIQ and RSM.
It comes as like-for-like sales at managed restaurant groups rose 2.5% in March, while managed bars saw trading fall 2.6% year-on-year.
According to the tracker, restaurants outperformed the wider sector during the month. This growth was attributed to key trading dates such as Mother’s Day (15 March).
Pub groups have recorded a like-for-like sales increase of 0.2%, despite a boost from St Patrick’s Day (17 March) celebrations, marking the first time restaurants have outpaced pubs for 16 months.
Managed bars saw trading fall by 2.6% compared with the same period in 2025, and the on-the-go segment achieved marginal growth of 0.9%.
While combined like-for-like growth improved on January and February figures, the 0.9% increase remains below the current rate of inflation.
Total sales, which include venues launched within the last 12 months, rose 4.3%. This suggests groups are relying on new openings to achieve real-terms growth.
Regionally, sales within the M25 rose by 0.4%. Locations outside of London performed better, recording a 1.1% increase in like-for-like sales.
In addition, confidence in the sector appears low, with fewer than a third of leaders feeling optimistic about the next 12 months. Ongoing geopolitical uncertainty also threatens to increase energy prices.
Karl Chessell, director at NIQ, said: “Restaurants’ move back into the black in March is a welcome development after a very challenging start to the year. Nevertheless, many groups remain reliant on new openings and deliveries for real-terms growth, and geopolitical concerns are casting a long shadow over the months ahead.
“Hospitality faces relentless challenges that are not of its own making, and without targeted government support it is likely to be a challenging summer season.”
