A strong NPD strategy is paying off for Warburtons as it reports 4.2% volume growth in its latest financial year.
In newly filed accounts for the 52 weeks ended 27 September 2025, the Bolton-headquartered business also reported a 3.8% rise in turnover to £769.9m. Coupled with improved margins, operating profit at Warburtons soared to £43.2m, a 30% leap from the £33.3m in FY24. Its post-tax profit, meanwhile, surged by nearly 40% to £22.2m.
The company, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, highlighted its dedicated R&I centre as core to delivering against consumers’ needs for quality, freshness, and shelf life, making Warburtons the fifth largest grocery brand in the UK [The Grocer] and Britain’s biggest bakery brand.
Its NPD strategy in FY25 spanned a wide range of categories as it noted the continued decline in wrapped loaves which is being offset by growth in other wrapped bakery products. New items rolled out during the period including Belgian Waffles, Gluten Free Soft Brown Pittas, and the premium ‘Our Dough range of wrapped loaves, crumpets, and bagels made with sourdough.
It’s a trend which has continued into FY26 with its new Fibre Fix range tapping into the health trend; new seeded loaf, brioche rolls, and gluten-free flatbread; and a duo of frozen toasties marking the brand’s entry into the frozen category via a partnership with Food Brands Now.
These reflect Warburtons strategic priorities which are around maintaining the highest product qualities possible, delivering best in class customer service, growing market share in key categories, implementing efficiency projects, and investing in its people. During FY25 it recruited more than 400 new staff, with a net gain of 45 putting its total workforce just over 5,000. It also had nearly 200 employees obtain driver qualifications via its Academy programme, had over 100 working towards apprenticeships, and achieved a Great Place To Work certification.
To continue offering value for money for consumers, Warburtons invested £46.6m in its facilities and distribution fleet over the financial period (an increase of £13m vs the previous financial period), which it said helped to maintain price competitiveness whilst offsetting inflationary pressures.
Warburtons manufacturing footprint has been extended too. It now sites as 13 bakeries following the acquisitions of a specialty bread factory in Ilkeston from Roberts Bakery and the former Rathbones bakery in Wakefield. The latter came amidst an announcement of a £100m investment plan to support long-term growth, including two new crumpet lines at its Burnley site, which suffered a major fire on 4 May but subsequently reopened after a few days.
The business is currently led by the fifth generation of the Warburton family, with board appointments of sixth-gen members Jimmy, Harry, and Jack Warburton confirmed at the start of 2026. A TV ad narrated by Morgan Freeman was unveiled in February, giving a hint at an upcoming succession plan with chairman Jonathan Warburton concluding that “they’ll always be a Warburton” behind his desk.
The ongoing struggles within the wrapped bread market has resulted in a spate of activity between large-scale manufacturers in recent months. Both Cheshire-based Roberts Bakery and South Wales-based Brace’s Bakery were rescued from closure by Boparan Private Office, while Kingsmill maker Associated British Foods’ acquisition of Hovis recently received final clearance from the Competition and Markets Authority to proceed.
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