Dough keeps on rising for pizza chain

PIZZA firm Domino's has battled the elements to deliver another tasty sales performance in the first quarter of the year.

The company yesterday posted like-for-like sales growth of 10.5 per cent in the 13 weeks to 28 March despite many stores being forced to close by the winter weather.

Domino's – which was helped by offers such as "Two for Tuesday" and its sponsorship of television series Britain's Got Talent – also maintained expansion plans with the opening of eight stores during the period, bringing its UK and Ireland total to 616.

Chief executive Chris Moore said: "We are pleased with our current performance and trading continues to progress in line with expectations."

The group, which plans to open 55 outlets this year, said customers were also logging on in growing numbers to order takeaways. Internet pizza sales were up more than 50 per cent on a year earlier at 25.3 million and now account for almost 29 per cent of delivered sales.

Numis Securities analyst Douglas Jack said: "The Domino's model is stronger than it has ever been."