COFFEE chain Bob & Berts had a record year in 2022 with sales of £17.75 million, new accounts show.
A decade on from opening their first shop in in Portstewart, co-founders Colin McClean and David Ferguson are halfway to their goal of reaching 50 stores.
The latest set of accounts for their fast growing coffee chain show sales recovered from the impact of the pandemic, rising 58 per cent to £17.75m for the year ending June 30 2022.
It left Bob & Berts with a pre-tax profit of just over £1.1m. While that was half a million less than the previous period, it spanned a year of rising costs and the breakthrough into the English market, opening four new stores.
The coffee business had already hit 10 shops when it was backed by BGF in 2017. Another 15 outlets have been added since BGF came on board.
The portfolio includes 14 coffee shops in the north, with 11 in Britain, including six in Scotland and most recently, five in England.
The latest accounts show the group’s workforce fast approaching 500, reaching 484 by June 2022.
“The group has come out of the Covid pandemic strongly having developed its offer to included delivery as well as strengthening its traditional sit in offer further,” states the report filed with Companies House.
“In addition to the direct Covid pandemic challenges, the group has had to navigate the additional economic challenges the hospitality industry is facing with respect to food and drink inflation and the global energy crisis.
“Again, the group has managed to treat it well and deliver excellent results despite these challenges. Looking ahead to directors per see that there will be further challenges with regard to food and drink inflation and energy costs.
“With respect to consumer spend pressures, the group has a strong position within the market in terms of value and offer and will trade through any downtime strongly, with the group focusing hard on great customer service and value to its guests.”
