Domino´s Pizza UK + IRL: Preliminary results for 2008

Milton Keynes / UK. (dp) Domino´s Pizza UK and IRL PLC, the leading pizza delivery company in the United Kingdom and Ireland, announces it results for the 52 weeks ended 28 December 2008. Financial Highlights:

• System sales increased by 18,4 percent to 350,8 million GBP
  (2007: 296,3 million GBP)
• Profit before tax increased 24,7 percent to 23,4 million GBP
  (2007: 18,7 million GBP)
• Like-for-like sales in 450 mature stores up by 10,0 percent
  (2007: 14,7 percent in 404 stores)
• Earnings per share:
  • Basic earnings per share up 28,1 percent to 10,86 pence
    (2007: 8,48 pence)
  • Diluted earnings per share up 28,6 percent to 10,71 pence
    (2007: 8,33 pence)
• Total dividend increased 34,1 percent to 5,9 pence per share
  (2007: 4,4 pence)
• 52 new stores opened in the year (2007: 50 stores) and none closed
  (2007: nil) resulting in a total of 553 stores at the year end (2007: 501)
• E-commerce continues to drive business with online sales of 55,9 million GBP (2007: 32,2 million GBP), an increase of 73,7 percent, representing 23,3 percent of delivered sales

Commenting on the results

Chief Executive Officer Chris Moore: «I am delighted to report another excellent set of results this year, which reflects great momentum in the business with like-for-like sales growth of 10.0 percent, building on the very strong performance in 2007. This growth has been achieved while continuing our aggressive expansion programme, with a record 52 new stores successfully opened during the year, bringing the total number of stores at the year end to 553 and leaving us on track to exceed our target of at least 1’000 stores in the next ten years. Our growth continues to be driven by our unfaltering focus and passion for the delivery of our three key priorities – namely great quality pizza, outstanding customer service and innovative marketing that resonates with our customers. This combination has resulted in total system sales increasing by 18,4 percent and profit before tax, pre-exceptionals, up 24,7 percent. We have had an exceptional start to 2009, with like-for-like sales for the first six weeks up 15,0 percent (2008: 11,0 percent). While we are delighted with this performance, we face some very tough comparatives and an unpredictable economic environment. Our store opening programme continues apace and plans for another 50 new store openings this year are well underway with numerous sites in the pipeline. We are confident that we are well positioned for another year of strong growth» (source).