Domino’s sales rising

Sales growth at Domino’s Pizza has accelerated over the past three months as more customers order their takeaways online.

The pizza delivery firm said that UK like-for-like sales rose by 6.4 per cent in the first half of the year, up from 6.1 per cent in the opening quarter.

Domino’s also hailed the performance of its Irish and Swiss businesses.

In Germany, the group said that it would put some of its company-owned stores into the hands of its franchisees to improve their performance.

Germany is a relatively-new market for the company, which has been using its corporate branches to test menus.

But full-year losses at the corporate stores are expected to be up to £3 million above previous predictions.

Chief executive Lance Batchelor said: “I am very pleased with the overall results for the first half – particularly with regards to the UK and Ireland like-for-like sales.

“With the majority of our business coming via web and mobile platforms, we are now truly an online retailer.”

Batchelor added: “In Germany, as in the UK, our franchisees run great stores.

“Corporate stores have allowed us to test menus, develop marketing plans and understand the German consumer – but now that the ground work is done, it is time to drive our German expansion using our tried and tested franchise model.”