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Highlights
- Hollywood Bowl Group reported FY2025 revenue of £250.7 million, representing an 8.8% increase year-on-year.
- Statutory profit after tax rose 15.7% to £34.6 million, supported by disciplined cost control and cash generation.
- The Group returned £35 million to shareholders during the year through dividends and share buybacks.
Hollywood Bowl Group plc (LSE:BOWL), the largest ten-pin bowling operator across the UK and Canada, has announced its audited financial results for the year ended 30 September 2025 (FY2025). The results highlight continued revenue growth, estate expansion, and shareholder returns, alongside ongoing investment in new centres, refurbishments, and digital initiatives.
Revenue Growth and Profitability Trends
Group revenue increased to £250.7 million in FY2025, up 8.8% from £230.4 million in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA before IFRS 16 rose 0.9% to £68.4 million, while adjusted EBITDA including IFRS 16 increased 4.2% to £91.2 million.
Statutory profit after tax climbed to £34.6 million, compared with £29.9 million in FY2024. Adjusted profit after tax stood at £36.7 million. The Group reported continued cash generation, ending the year with a net cash balance of £15.2 million.
Like-for-Like Performance Across Markets
Group like-for-like revenue increased 0.6%, or 1.3% on a constant currency basis. In the UK, like-for-like revenue rose 1.1%, despite a challenging environment for indoor leisure. Spend per game increased 9.2%, while the value proposition remained accessible, with a family of four able to bowl for £26.
In Canada, like-for-like revenue increased 3.2% on a constant currency basis, supported by a 14.8% rise in spend per game. Canada now contributes 15% of Group revenue following sustained expansion since FY2022.
Shareholder Returns and Capital Management
During FY2025, Hollywood Bowl Group returned £35 million to shareholders. The dividend policy was updated to distribute 55% of adjusted profit after tax pre-IFRS 16. A proposed final dividend of 9.18p brings the total dividend for the year to 13.28p. The Group also completed a £15 million share buyback during the period.
Estate Expansion and Operational Initiatives
The Group opened five new centres in the UK and two in Canada during the year, alongside completing refurbishments at twelve existing sites. The estate expansion plan remains ahead of target, with the Group aiming to reach 130 centres by 2035.
Operational initiatives included the rollout of dynamic pricing, increased data-driven marketing, and the launch of a new Group-wide booking system. Investment of £11 million was directed toward new amusement machines, while trials of initiatives such as E-darts and cashless payments continued.
Leadership Updates and FY2026 Outlook
The senior leadership team was expanded to support the next phase of growth, with Antony Smith appointed Group CFO and Laurence Keen named Canada CEO, both effective February 2026.
Looking ahead, the Group has secured four new centres scheduled to open in FY2026. More than 70% of UK revenue remains insulated from cost-of-goods inflation, labour costs represent less than 20% of UK revenue, and UK energy costs are hedged through FY2027.
