Comptoir Group (LSE:COM) reported resilient trading for the first half of 2026 as improved adjusted EBITDA and continued international franchise expansion helped offset a modest decline in revenue.
For the six months ended 28 June 2026, the restaurant operator generated revenue of £15.7 million, slightly below the comparable period last year. Adjusted EBITDA improved to £0.2 million, while the group recorded a small IFRS loss after tax of £0.2 million.
Adjusted net cash stood at £1.6 million at the end of the period, reflecting the company’s continued focus on protecting liquidity and maintaining disciplined capital expenditure amid a challenging consumer environment.
Management said trading had remained resilient despite ongoing cost-of-living pressures and geopolitical uncertainty affecting parts of the Middle East. Against this backdrop, the group continues to view its franchise model as an important route to growth, allowing the Comptoir Libanais brand to expand internationally without relying entirely on company-funded restaurant openings.
The franchise pipeline has continued to develop, with a new location opening at Rome’s Termini railway station and an agreement signed to introduce the brand into Algeria. A further site is planned for Venice, strengthening Comptoir’s presence in major international travel locations.
Performance from Middle Eastern franchises, however, remains below levels recorded before the recent regional unrest. This continues to weigh on the international business even as expansion into additional territories provides opportunities to diversify the franchise estate geographically.
Comptoir’s broader investment outlook remains constrained by its financial position. Persistent operating losses, previous revenue weakness and high leverage relative to its limited equity base continue to present risks, despite management’s emphasis on cash preservation and disciplined investment.
Technical indicators also remain subdued, with the shares in a broader downward trend and MACD in negative territory. Valuation provides little immediate support because the company remains loss-making, resulting in a negative price-to-earnings ratio, while the absence of a dividend means there is currently no income yield.
More about Comptoir Group
Comptoir Group Plc operates restaurants inspired by Lebanese, Middle Eastern and North African cuisine, led by its flagship Comptoir Libanais brand. The group has a wider estate of 27 restaurants, comprising 20 company-operated sites and seven franchised locations, with operations spanning the UK and selected international markets.
Its portfolio also includes Shawa, a counter-service shawarma concept with locations in major shopping centres and Abu Dhabi, as well as Yalla-Yalla near Oxford Circus in London.
Through international franchise partnerships, Comptoir has expanded into markets including the Netherlands, Qatar, the UAE and Italy. The group is increasingly targeting travel and hospitality locations as it seeks to grow its brands through a capital-light franchise strategy.
Focus keyphrase: Comptoir Group H1 2026 results
Meta description: Comptoir Group reports £15.7 million of H1 revenue as adjusted EBITDA improves and international franchise expansion gathers momentum.
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