Whitbread has outlined a new five-year strategic plan focused on improving margins, reducing capital intensity and repositioning the business as a more hotel-centric operator, following a review of its cost base and operations.
As part of the plan, Whitbread is preparing to sell and lease back around 20 percent of its owned hotel estate, a move that could generate approximately £1.5 billion ($2.03 billion). The company said proceeds from asset disposals and capital recycling are expected to total around £2 billion ($2.71 billion) over the medium term, supporting shareholder returns and reinvestment into higher-return growth opportunities.
The strategy also includes exiting all remaining branded restaurant operations and replacing them with a more streamlined, integrated food-and-beverage offering tailored to hotel guests. Whitbread plans to extend its Accelerating Growth Plan to its remaining 197 restaurant sites, which will be transitioned, repurposed or sold, a shi
