J&K Coaches has reported what it says is a doubling in revenue for the early part of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, with the growing Northern Ireland operator crediting the recent opening of a base in London as a major contributor to that upward trajectory.
That comes as it celebrates 20 years in 2025. The J&K Coaches fleet now numbers 60 and strong early 2025 performance follows a 40% uplift in turnover during 2024, a year that saw £2.5 million invested in fleet and staff.
Establishment of an operating centre near Heathrow Airport to complement its Moneymore, Co Londonderry headquarters “strengthens our UK presence and positions us for continued growth in international markets,” says founder and Managing Director Jim Quinn. “It is a major step forward in our long-term expansion strategy.”
Since Mr Quinn formed J&K Coaches in 2005, it has grown from a small local operator into what the business says is “one of Northern Ireland’s premier coach hire and tourism companies, now serving clients across Ireland, the UK, and continental Europe.” It is also active in the school and corporate travel fields.
He notes that the ongoing upward trend in turnover reflects the operator’s “ongoing commitment to excellence, strategic investment and customer satisfaction” that has included the arrival of multiple new coaches over the past 12 months.
Such growth is also reflected by sister company Cróga Tours. It launched in 2022 and is building traction in high-end tourism via a focus on tailormade, culturally immersive Irish experiences for the inbound market. Cróga has seen its turnover lift by 86% over the past 12 months, the business says.
130 full-time staff are employed by J&K Coaches and in the peak season the operator extends its driving team to over 150.
Mr Quinn credits a people-first approach and shared values for its rapid growth. “Our success is built on a love for the industry, a strong team ethos, and an unwavering focus on customer service,” he says. “Our people are at the heart of everything we do.”
As part of 20th anniversary celebrations this year, J&K Coaches will host a series of staff-led events to highlight that collaborative spirit.
