Domino’s Pizza benefits from football and rain

By PETER RANSCOMBE AND JAMIE GRIERSON
Published on 23/07/2012 09:53

Record rainfall and the European football championships encouraged customers to stay home during the spring, giving a sales and profits boost to Domino’s Pizza.

The takeaway food company, which runs 738 stores across the UK and Ireland, said pre-tax profits rose by 15 per cent to £23.3 million in the 26 weeks to 24 June, while like-for-like sales in the UK rose 5.7 per cent.

Chief executive Lance Batchelor said “a combination of rain, sport and national celebrations” boosted business in the second quarter.

The group said it opened 23 stores in the period and was confident of achieving the target of 72 stores during the full year, of which 12 are planned in Germany.

Edinburgh-based franchise holder Sean Geddes is among those making the push into Germany.