Domino’s Pizza UK & Ireland has reported a 9.7% increase in like-for-like sales for the 52 weeks to 31 December 2006.
The company also reported that like-for-like sales for the six weeks of 2007 rose by 14.3%, compared to 10.3% in 2006.
The group said that average annual like-for-like growth over the last five years was 8.4%.
Pre-tax profit climbed 28% to £14.3m for the year, while the company returned £10.2m to shareholders in share buybacks over the 12 months.
Ebitda increased 25.9% for the year to £16.2m, while turnover grew by 16.3% to £95m.
System sales rose by 19.7% to £240.1m, compared to a 15.1% increase in 2005.
E-commerce sales grew by 43.8% during the year, reaching sales of £20.1m compared to £13.9m in 2005.
The company said that its e-commerce platform continues to perform strongly with an increase of 36.2% in sales during the first six weeks of the year.
It said that the launch of its e-commerce platforms in the Republic of Ireland this month will further drive its online growth.
Stephen Hemsley, chief executive, said: “Trading in the first six weeks of 2007 has got off to an excellent start. We are encouraged by this performance given the demanding comparatives of the previous year.
“Our 2007 new store opening programme has got off to a good start but we are mindful that the planning related issues remain a significant restraining factor in our drive to open 50 new stores per annum.”
The group opened 46 new stores in 2006 compared with 50 the previous year. Two stores were closed in the year bringing Domino’s total estate to 451 at the year’s end.
The company also announced it was looking to improve its marketability and liquidity through a proposed three for one share split.
It said that an ordinary resolution to subdivide each issued and unissued ordinary share of 5p in the company into three new ordinary share of 1.67p each will be proposed to shareholders at its next Annual General Meeting on 26 April.
