olivLaw · European equity research
Hollywood Bowl Group plc BOWL.L
United Kingdom · London Stock Exchange · ISIN GB00BD0NVK62 · Vertical: Listed companies from United Kingdom
Hollywood Bowl Group is the largest branded ten-pin bowling operator in the UK and is expanding in Canada, with 92 centres at the end of fiscal 2025. Despite cost pressures and a hot, dry summer, it reported record adjusted EBITDA, making it relevant for investors interested in affordable family leisure.
At the close of 05 Nov 2026, Hollywood Bowl Group plc (BOWL.L) stock was 2.97 GBP (+2.07% on the day), with market capitalisation 506.0 m GBP, P/E 14.7 on diluted EPS of 0.20 GBP over the last 12 months, dividend yield 4.11%, beta 0.58, 52-week range 2.35–3.08 GBP.
Data as of · AI analysis dated · Source: ESEF annual reports and closing prices, computed by olivLaw.
Price history
Loading chart…
Technical reading
- RSI (14)
- 77.3
- overbought (≥ 70)
- Bollinger (20, 2)
- 2.49 – 2.96
- above the upper band · %B 1.02 · band width 17.1%
- SMA 50 / 200
- 2.64 / 2.68
- mixed trend
- MACD (12, 26, 9)
- 0.08 / 0.06
- MACD above signal
Indicators describe past prices; on their own they do not predict direction. On our history the RSI ≤ 40 filter added no return (see the signals methodology).
Performance
| Company | EURO STOXX 50 | vs EURO STOXX 50 | Vertical median | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | +20.3% | −0.6% | +20.9 pp | — |
| 3 months | +1.9% | −4.2% | +6.1 pp | — |
| 6 months | +16.3% | +4.3% | +11.9 pp | — |
| Year to date | +7.6% | +7.5% | +0.1 pp | — |
| 1 year | +7.8% | +9.9% | −2.1 pp | +5.8% |
| 3 years | +13.6% | +49.8% | −36.2 pp | +26.3% |
| 5 years | +24.1% | +42.8% | −18.8 pp | — |
Price returns, dividends excluded.
Quarterly results
ESEF annual reports carry no quarters: the results are annual (below).
E/P over time
E/P = trailing-12-month diluted EPS / price at quarter end. E/P is the inverse of P/E and stays defined when earnings are negative.
Today's P/E sits at the 67 percentile of its own 3-quarter history (min 12.5, median 12.5, max 17.9; quarters with earnings only).
Fiscal years
| Fiscal year | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 215.1 m | 230.4 m | 250.7 m |
| Revenue YoY | unavailable | +7.1% | +8.8% |
| Net income | 34.2 m | 29.9 m | 34.6 m |
| Net income YoY | unavailable | −12.4% | +15.7% |
| Diluted EPS | 0.20 | 0.17 | 0.20 |
| Diluted EPS YoY | unavailable | −12.7% | +16.3% |
| net % | 15.9% | 13.0% | 13.8% |
| Free cash flow | 41.7 m | 30.1 m | 37.7 m |
Balance sheet & financial health
Fiscal year 2025 · 30 Sept 2025
- Cash
- 15.2 m GBP
- Financial debt
- unavailable GBP
- Net debt
- unavailable GBP
- Equity
- 151.3 m GBP
- Total assets
- 439.2 m GBP
- Debt / equity
- unavailable
- Current ratio
- 0.61x
- ROE
- 22.8%
- ROA
- 8.1%
- FCF margin
- 15.1%
Financial statements (source on every figure)
Revenue and net income (GBP)
Margins
Income statement · GBP
| Line | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Source (latest year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 215.1 m | 230.4 m | 250.7 m | esef· 08 Jan 2026verified |
| Cost of revenue | 37.5 m | 39.2 m | 41.9 m | esef· 08 Jan 2026verified |
| Gross profit | 136.9 m | 145.5 m | 157.0 m | esef· 08 Jan 2026verified |
| Operating income | 54.1 m | 53.5 m | 58.2 m | esef· 08 Jan 2026verified |
| Interest expense | 10.4 m | 12.5 m | 14.8 m | esef· 08 Jan 2026verified |
| Pre-tax income | 45.1 m | 42.8 m | 44.3 m | esef· 08 Jan 2026verified |
| Income tax | 10.9 m | 12.8 m | 9.7 m | esef· 08 Jan 2026verified |
| Net income | 34.2 m | 29.9 m | 34.6 m | esef· 08 Jan 2026verified |
| Diluted EPS | 0.20 | 0.17 | 0.20 | esef· 08 Jan 2026verified |
| Dividend per share | 0.15 | 0.15 | 0.12 | esef· 08 Jan 2026derived |
Balance sheet · GBP
| Line | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Source (latest year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash | 52.5 m | 28.7 m | 15.2 m | esef· 08 Jan 2026verified |
| Receivables | 8.1 m | 9.4 m | 9.6 m | esef· 08 Jan 2026verified |
| Inventories | 2.4 m | 2.9 m | 3.6 m | esef· 08 Jan 2026verified |
| Current assets | 63.7 m | 42.3 m | 30.6 m | esef· 08 Jan 2026verified |
| Property, plant & equipment, net | 78.3 m | 101.9 m | 121.7 m | esef· 08 Jan 2026verified |
| Total assets | 383.5 m | 417.8 m | 439.2 m | esef· 08 Jan 2026verified |
| Current liabilities | 41.7 m | 44.7 m | 50.2 m | esef· 08 Jan 2026verified |
| Total liabilities | 235.6 m | 265.6 m | 287.9 m | esef· 08 Jan 2026verified |
| Equity | 147.9 m | 152.2 m | 151.3 m | esef· 08 Jan 2026verified |
| Shares outstanding at year end | 171.4 m | 171.7 m | 170.7 m | esef· 08 Jan 2026derived |
Cash flow · GBP
| Line | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Source (latest year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating cash flow | 63.5 m | 68.0 m | 73.5 m | esef· 08 Jan 2026verified |
| Capex | 21.8 m | 38.0 m | 35.8 m | esef· 08 Jan 2026verified |
| Free cash flow | 41.7 m ≈ | 30.1 m ≈ | 37.7 m ≈ | esef· 08 Jan 2026derived |
| Investing cash flow | -30.2 m | -52.6 m | -36.4 m | esef· 08 Jan 2026verified |
| Financing cash flow | -36.8 m | -38.9 m | -50.5 m | esef· 08 Jan 2026verified |
| Dividends paid | 25.3 m | 26.2 m | 20.8 m | esef· 08 Jan 2026verified |
≈ computed by olivLaw from the reported lines of the same year: Operating cash flow − Capex.
Computed indicators
Growth
Profitability
Returns
Balance sheet
Liquidity
Cash
Efficiency
Market and valuation
1 indicators that do not apply to the sector.
Valuation
olivLaw classification
- score weight coverage: 52.1% of at least 60%
A scoring methodology on indicators and valuation, not investment advice.
Closing price
05 Nov 2026Source: olivLaw, closing series
Market cap: 506.0 m GBP
Key indicators
Coverage and freshness
The data is older than the freshness threshold.
Score by group
52% · Insufficient data
Estimated value range
unavailable — no valuation assumptions for the reporting currency
Valuation assumptions are editorial choices, not measured; beta is not measured.
Valuation methods
Assumptions (illustrative, editorial)
- Risk-free rate
- 6.5%
- Equity risk premium
- 6.0%
- Beta (default)
- 1.00
- Cost of equity
- 12.5%
- Terminal growth
- 3.0%
Factor scorecard
Insufficient data
Minimum-evidence gate: score weight coverage: 52.1% of at least 60%
| Factor | Value | Score | Weight used |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROIC · Quality | unavailable | unavailable | — |
| Net margin · Quality | 13.8% | 57 (vs peers) | 12% |
| FCF conversion · Quality | 109.0% | 100 (on a fixed band) | 12% |
| Revenue CAGR 3Y · Growth | unavailable | unavailable | — |
| EPS CAGR 3Y · Growth | unavailable | unavailable | — |
| Net debt / EBITDA · Balance sheet | unavailable | unavailable | — |
| Interest coverage · Balance sheet | 3.9x | 38 (on a fixed band) | 12% |
| Current ratio · Balance sheet | 0.6x | 0 (on a fixed band) | 8% |
| P/E (TTM) · Valuation | 14.7x | 50 (vs peers) | 20% |
| EV/EBITDA · Valuation | unavailable | unavailable | — |
| FCF yield · Valuation | 7.5% | 93 (on a fixed band) | 16% |
| Shareholder yield (distributions) · Returns | 4.1% | 59 (on a fixed band) | 12% |
| Payout ratio (FCF) · Returns | 55.2% | 93 (on a fixed band) | 8% |
Factors without a value were dropped; the remaining weights were renormalised.
Score groups
- Balance sheet23/100 · 2/3 factors with a value
- Growth· partialunavailable · 0/2 factors with a value
- Quality79/100 · 2/3 factors with a value
- Returns72/100 · 2/2 factors with a value
- Valuation69/100 · 2/3 factors with a value
A «partial» group is computed from under half of its weight or from one factor: it is not a full assessment of the group.
Memo
HOLLYWOOD BOWL GROUP PLC (BOWL.L). Latest full fiscal year: 2025; data up to 2025-09-30.
Figures computed from the financial statements: revenue 250.7 m GBP in 2025; YoY growth 8.8%; net margin 13.8%; ROE 22.8%.
The estimated value range is 1.74–2.49 GBP per share (median of 2 methods, agreement: low); assumptions are illustrative. Against the central value of 2.11 GBP, the price of 2.96 GBP leaves a potential of -28.7% (value / price − 1) and a margin of safety of -40.3% (1 − price / value). The range is the median of the methods' low, central and high values, not a probability interval.
Insufficient data for a verdict (score weight coverage: 52.1% of at least 60%).
Text generated deterministically from the figures shown; no language model. Not investment advice.
What supports the thesis
- FCF conversion: 109.0%
- FCF yield: 7.5%
- Payout ratio (FCF): 55.2%
What contradicts it
- Current ratio: 0.6x
- The price is above the estimated value range
- The valuation methods diverge
Not assessed (insufficient data or a ratio without meaning): ROIC, Revenue CAGR 3Y, EPS CAGR 3Y, Net debt / EBITDA, EV/EBITDA.
Versus the vertical median
Listed companies from United Kingdom · same country · compared with 39 companies
Multiples and returns vs the median
Price rebased to 100 (monthly, 5 years)
Companies in the vertical
| Market cap | P/E | ROE | Net margin | Revenue YoY | 1A / 3A | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BATS.LBritish American Tobacco P.L.C. | 104.3 bn | 13.5 | 16.5% | 30.3% | −1.0% | +7% / +88% |
| ABF.LAssociated British Foods PLC | 14.7 bn | 14.3 | 9.2% | 5.3% | −3.1% | −5% / −15% |
| 0EV1.LCarnival PLC | 5.5 bn | 4.1 | 46.7% | 13.4% | +6.4% | unavailable / unavailable |
| BAB.LBabcock International Group PLC | 5.1 bn | 24.7 | 34.7% | 4.1% | +7.2% | −10% / +158% |
| AUTO.LAutotrader Group PLC | 4.8 bn | 16.4 | 60.2% | 47.1% | +3.9% | −13% / −23% |
| BBY.LBalfour Beatty PLC | 4.2 bn | 16.3 | 23.2% | 2.8% | +15.2% | +20% / +160% |
| ABDN.LAberdeen Group PLC | 4.1 bn | 10.8 | 8.0% | 28.9% | −2.1% | +11% / +41% |
| BKG.LThe Berkeley Group Holdings PLC | 3.6 bn | 11.3 | 8.8% | 13.4% | −4.2% | −0% / −22% |
| BME.LB&M European Value Retail PLC | 2.9 bn | 17.4 | 21.2% | 2.8% | +3.7% | +68% / −51% |
| AJB.LAj Bell PLC | 2.4 bn | 22.8 | 49.9% | 33.1% | +18.0% | +8% / +128% |
| ASHM.LAshmore Group PLC | 1.4 bn | 13.9 | 13.1% | 71.6% | −0.1% | +28% / +18% |
| BCG.LBaltic Classifieds Group PLC | 1.2 bn | 23.2 | 15.8% | 57.6% | +6.9% | −99% / −99% |
| APN.LApplied Nutrition PLC | 763.6 m | 36.2 | 41.2% | 19.7% | +24.2% | +71% / unavailable |
| BAG.LA.G. Barr P.L.C. | 671.9 m | 14.4 | 14.4% | 10.8% | +4.0% | −7% / +26% |
| BOWL.LHollywood Bowl Group PLC | 506.0 m | 14.7 | 22.8% | 13.8% | +8.8% | +6% / +11% |
| ASC.LAsos PLC | 494.5 m | — | -81.3% | -12.0% | −14.7% | +71% / +8% |
| ALFA.LAlfa Financial Software Holdings PLC | 486.8 m | 16.3 | 61.5% | 23.8% | +15.3% | −28% / +10% |
| AML.LAston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings PLC | 344.3 m | — | -93.4% | -39.2% | −20.6% | −45% / −85% |
| APTD.LAptitude Software Group PLC | 111.3 m | 28.5 | 7.2% | 6.2% | −7.3% | −30% / −23% |
| AMGO.LAmigo Holdings PLC | 9.9 m | — | — | — | −81.9% | +325% / +844% |
| ASBE.LAssociated British Engineering PLC | 605.3 k | — | -19.1% | — | unavailable | unavailable / unavailable |
| AMIF.LAmicorp Fs (uk) PLC | 221.6 k | 0.1 | 27.5% | 9.1% | +8.1% | unavailable / unavailable |
| AAF.LAirtel Africa PLC | — | — | 24.1% | 10.6% | +29.5% | −7% / +164% |
| AAL.LAnglo American PLC | — | — | -19.3% | -20.2% | +4.5% | +30% / +76% |
| ACG.LAcg Metals Limited | — | — | -80.3% | -32.0% | +134.8% | +60% / +63% |
1- and 3-year price returns: for BOWL.L from daily closes (the same as the performance table), for the other companies from month-end closes.
olivLaw engine forecast
The world engine ran after the company's latest material disclosure. Probabilities are of TOUCHING a level within the horizon (not closing there) and sit next to the random walk (p_rw), the no-information benchmark.
The engine has no published run for this company yet.
Valuation scenarios (editable assumptions)
Illustrative scenarios
Illustrative: not forecasts and without probabilities. Each case is one coherent set of assumptions, computed on today's figures.
Estimated price (GBP)
| Estimated price | Bear | Base | Bull |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 years | 1.84 Total return -35% · Per year -35% | 3.25 Total return 14% · Per year 14% | 4.88 Total return 70% · Per year 70% |
| 3 years | 1.94 Total return -24% · Per year -9% | 3.84 Total return 44% · Per year 13% | 6.32 Total return 132% · Per year 32% |
| 5 years | 2.05 Total return -13% · Per year -3% | 4.55 Total return 80% · Per year 13% | 8.19 Total return 212% · Per year 26% |
- Exit P/E± 0.96
- Net margin± 0.67
- Annual revenue growth± 0.53
- Annual dilution± 0.06
AI analysis
AI-generatedAI-generated analysis (Claude) from cited public sources; it may contain errors. Not investment advice. As of 27 Oct 2026 · Model: claude-haiku-5-5.
In brief
Hollywood Bowl Group is the largest branded ten-pin bowling operator in the UK and is expanding in Canada, with 92 centres at the end of fiscal 2025. Despite cost pressures and a hot, dry summer, it reported record adjusted EBITDA, making it relevant for investors interested in affordable family leisure.
SWOT
Strengths
- A differentiated business model with well-chosen sites, an offer accessible to all age groups, and a cost base largely protected from goods-cost inflation 1.
- A record Net Promoter Score and low team member turnover suggest good relationships with customers and staff 1.
- A solid balance sheet with net cash and an available credit facility, giving flexibility for investment 1.
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
- A decline in disposable income could reduce visit frequency, although the company considers its high-footfall locations more resilient 1.
- New socialising concepts could attract landlords and customers in targeted areas 1.
- Rising labour and tax costs could squeeze margins if they cannot be passed on to customers 1.
Risks
- Bank covenantsmedium
Quarterly leverage tests could be breached if profitability fell significantly, which could lead to a review of banking arrangements and liquidity issues 1.
- Economy and consumer incomesmedium
A recession could reduce discretionary spending, although the company considers its positioning and pricing give relative protection 1.
- Competition for sitesmedium
If other operators secure good locations or lower rents, the pace of opening new centres could be affected 1.
- Reliance on IT systemshigh
A failure of the reservation system or a critical IT partner could prevent online bookings, which make up a major part of revenue 1.
- Suppliers and amusementsmedium
A disruption to the relationship with the main amusement supplier could leave centres without a core part of their offer 1.
Investment thesis
What would need to be true (bull case)
- The company shows growth in average spend per customer and a record satisfaction score, which could support revenue even when demand is volatile 1.
- Expansion in Canada and the UK pipeline of new centres could add medium-term growth if sites remain well chosen 1.
- A cost structure with most revenue outside goods-cost inflation and energy hedged could help protect margins 1.
What would break the thesis
- UK game volumes fell, showing that demand can be sensitive to weather and consumer confidence 1.
- Wage and tax increases could reduce margins, which the company acknowledges affect its cost base 1.
- Dependence on investment-heavy centres and the pace of openings could slow growth if the property market becomes more restrictive 1.
What to watch
- Trend in UK LFL game volumesFiscal 2026
- Opening of the first Edmonton centre and pace of Canadian expansionFiscal 2026
- Impact of wage and business rate increases on marginsFiscal 2026
- Compliance with quarterly bank leverage covenantsQuarterly
Products, market & competition
AI-generatedAI-generated analysis (Claude) from cited public sources; it may contain errors. Not investment advice. As of 27 Oct 2026 · Model: claude-haiku-5-5.
The business
Hollywood Bowl Group plc operates bowling and entertainment centres in the UK and Canada, combining bowling with amusements, food and drink, according to its annual report for the year ended 30 September 2025 1. Its model relies on out-of-town locations with ample parking and a family-oriented offer 1. The company says investment in technology and a customer-focused strategy let it stimulate demand even in difficult periods 1.
Adjusted EBITDA on a pre-IFRS 16 basis was £68.4m, broadly in line with the prior year, while statutory profit after tax rose 1. The company relies on a strong balance sheet with a net cash position and an undrawn revolving credit facility at the report date 1.
Segments
Market context
The company describes ten-pin bowling as the cornerstone of the UK's competitive socialising sector and positions Hollywood Bowl as the market leader with the lowest-priced branded bowling offer in the UK, where a family of four can bowl for under £26 at peak times 1. In Canada the market is described as fragmented and underinvested, offering room for expansion 1.
Management says consumers prefer spending on experiences over purchases, while new adult-focused socialising entrants concentrated in city centres could attract a narrower audience 1. Pressure on traditional retail space also creates opportunities for landlords seeking leisure destinations 1.
Trends
- Demand for experiencestailwind
Consumers, even with a high cost of living, could continue to choose experiences over purchases, favouring affordable family venues 1.
- Labour cost pressureheadwind
Increases to the minimum wage and to payroll costs announced in the government budget will affect the Group's cost base, and business rates could rise in fiscal 2026 1.
- Weather and consumptionmixed
An exceptionally hot and dry spring and summer reduced game volumes, but operational efficiency partly offset the effect 1.
- Retail and leisure expansiontailwind
Landlords are expanding leisure offers, which could support new sites for the UK operator if they stay well located 1.
Competitive position
The company cites new competitive socialising concepts that could target the same locations or urban audiences, and other operators that could enter its markets for part of the catchment area 1. Competitors could also open centres in Canada following the success of Splitsville 1.
Management believes its broad family audience and low prices give it an advantage over adult-focused and city-centre competitors 1. That position depends on the pace of new openings and the ability to secure good sites quickly 1.
- New competitive socialising concepts
Competitors described by the company as adult-focused and city-centre based, with potential to attract customers from the same catchment areas 1.
- Other bowling operators
Operators that could enter Hollywood Bowl's markets in less desirable locations but still affect revenue opportunities 1.
- Canadian leisure operators
Potential competitors in Canada, where the family entertainment offer is viewed as under-served and the market as fragmented 1.
- Shopping centre landlords as an alternative
Landlords who could offer space to rival operators if those operators offer higher short-term rents 1.
News & filings
In the press
No news in our archive over the last 180 days.
Annual reports (ESEF)
- Annual report 202508 Jan 2026
- Annual report 202414 Jan 2025
Sources
- [1] Annual report, fiscal year ended 2025-09-30 (ESEF) · SEC / Hollywood Bowl Group plc · 30 Sept 2025
Figures computed by olivLaw from ESEF annual reports and closing prices; the qualitative analysis is AI-generated from cited sources. Not investment advice.