Whitbread, a UK-based global hotel, coffee shop and restaurant firm, has reported an increase in total sales by 13.8% for the 13 weeks (first quarter) to 30 May 2013.
During the reporting period, the group's like for like sales increased 3.1%.
Total sales of Costa grew worldwide by 24.8% in Q1, as the chain benefitted from cold weather. Like for like sales rose by 8%.
Whitbread opened 39 net new UK stores in the quarter, including 36 in UK Retail and three in Costa Enterprises.
The company plans to open 300 new stores and has raised its target to 750 Costa Express units in the full year.
Whitbread chief executive Andy Harrison said the company has witnessed strong growth in sales and profits in Q1.
"We see no change to market conditions. Our plans for profitable organic growth are well established which, combined with our strong focus on returns, should create further substantial shareholder value," Harrison added.
