Cooks Coffee has reported a 14.3% increase in systemwide store sales across its Esquires franchised network in the UK and Ireland for the six months ended 30 September 2026.
The coffee chain, which trades under the Esquires (The Organic Coffee Company) brand, said growth came from both higher customer numbers and higher average transaction values. Like-for-like sales rose 1.3% in the UK and 3.4% in Ireland.
Store openings support growth
UK systemwide sales increased 15.5% in the period, while Ireland sales were up 11.6%. In the second quarter, the three months to 30 September 2026, group systemwide sales rose 14.6% year on year.
New stores played a meaningful role in the performance. Locations opened in the last 12 months accounted for 18% of UK sales and 14% of Ireland sales.
Across the full 12 months to 30 September 2026, systemwide sales in the UK and Ireland combined increased 16.5% compared with the previous 12 months. Over that period, UK sales rose 16.6% and Ireland sales increased 16.3%.
The store network stood at 128 locations at 30 September 2026. Of these, 89 were in the UK, 29 in Ireland and 10 in other international markets.
Management and international expansion
Cooks Coffee also highlighted recent appointments to support expansion. In October 2026, Gareth Piper and his business partner, Jason McGrenra, were jointly appointed to the Regional Developer role for Southwest England and South Wales. Piper had previously been Head of Operations for the group’s UK business.
The central team has also been strengthened, with a UK Marketing Manager joining in July 2026, a Group Marketing Director joining in September 2026 and a new Head of Operations joining in November 2026.
Internationally, the first stores in India and the UAE are under construction and are expected to open before the end of FY27. Cooks Coffee described that as an important milestone in its international growth strategy.
Keith Jackson, executive chairman, said the group had delivered “a positive first half, with systemwide sales up more than 14% and like-for-like growth in both the UK and Ireland.” He also said the new store programme continued to perform well and that the group was “well placed for the second half and beyond.”
The board said it remains focused on expanding its franchise network, supporting existing stores and developing its international presence. It added that, with further store openings planned and additional resources in place, it remains confident in the group’s prospects for the rest of the financial year.
Systemwide store sales refer to aggregate sales generated across the group’s Esquires-branded stores in the UK and Ireland. Like-for-like sales compare stores that traded throughout both the current and prior-year periods.
