Comptoir Group, the operator of its eponymous brand and the Shawa model, has said that trading in the 52 weeks to 31 December was above market expectations.
In an update this morning, the company said it had experienced a strong trading performance during the second half of 2017, ending in a busy December. The board reiterated the focus on controlling costs and improving operational efficiencies and margins where possible.
The company opened two new Comptoir Libanais sites and one Shawa in the second half of 2017, together with the launch of a first international franchise operation in the Netherlands with HMS Host. The company ended the year with 26 restaurants, with a further three franchise restaurants. It is on course to open two more restaurants in 2018 - Comptoir Birmingham (H1’2018) and Comptoir London Bridge (H2’ 2018).
The company also confirmed that it has completed the sale of its Central Production Unit for £2.6m (after costs), as initially announced on 19 October.
The company ended the year with net cash of £4.5m.
