Nov 10 (Reuters) – Domino’s Pizza Group Plc (DOM.L) said on Thursday sales in the key holiday quarter were off to a positive start and the fast-food chain is pinning hopes on the FIFA World Cup to drive revenues further despite a squeeze on consumer finances.
The company, a franchisee of US-based Domino’s Pizza Inc (DPZ.N), also reiterated its full-year profit expectation of 125-135 million pounds ($142.3-$153.6 million).
“I’m pleased that we have made a strong start to our important final quarter … We’re looking forward to our busiest weeks of the year with the men’s football World Cup and the festive season to come,” Interim Chief Executive Officer Elias Diaz Sese said in a statement.
Big-ticket sporting events have driven demand and sales for the company in the past – such as the Men’s Euro soccer tournament last year.
The 2022 World Cup, which begins on Nov. 20, is expected to be watched by 5 billion people.
Like-for-like sales excluding VAT rates rose 10.4% in the first six weeks of the fourth quarter, ending on Dec. 25, the company said.
Its shares were up 2.8% at 251 pence by 1020 GMT after falling as much as 2% earlier.
The firm added that current-quarter sales were partially buoyed by its initial rollout on the food delivery platform Just Eat, which would now be made widely available, helping it reach more customers at a time when they face a deepening cost-of-living crisis .
Third-quarter system sales across its stores in the UK and Ireland fell about 8%, hurt by higher value added taxes and as fewer people ordered in, but overall sales were still above pre-pandemic levels.
The London-listed firm also announced a share buyback of 20 million pounds after it exercised an option to sell its investment in Germany and improve its cash position.
($1 = 0.8787 pounds)
Reporting by Prerna Bedi and Pushkala Aripaka in Bengaluru; Editing by Rashmi Aich and Uttaresh.V
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