Wetherspoon boss defends app amid QR code backlash

Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin has clarified its ordering app is here to stay amid press speculation on the contrary.

A recent article in the Sun newspaper reported the boss of the 800-strong pub chain had “bemoaned the rise of QR codes” and suggested he may decide to “call time” on the use of ordering technology in future.

This resulted in several news outlets reporting the pub group might scrap its Order & Pay app, which it launched in 2017 in a bid to reduce queues at the bar.

In response, a statement from Wetherspoon said the Sun story had “no basis in fact and has, unfortunately, created anxiety among dedicated app-users”.

Martin added: “The journalist undoubtedly had a rush of blood to the head and struggled to understand my deft sense of humour. The app is very popular and Wetherspoon never had any intention of curbing its use.”

Last month, Wetherspoon saw its operating profit slide by 18.4% in the first half of the group’s financial year.

In the 26 weeks ending 25 January 2026, the pub giant’s like-for-like profits fell from £64.8m in 2025 to £52.9m this year.

In February, Martin dismissed the government’s business rates support package for pubs as “small fry”, and said that Wetherspoon has faced a £100m hike in costs under Labour’s policies after coming into power in 2024.

The pub group previously issued a profit warning for the first half of its 2026 financial year, citing “higher than anticipated” costs.