21st Apr 2005 07:00
Domino's Pizza UK & IRL PLC21 April 2005 For immediate release 21 April 2005 Domino's Pizza UK & IRL plc ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING STATEMENT AIM-listed Domino's Pizza UK & IRL plc (the "Company" or "Domino's"), the UK andIreland's leading pizza delivery company, will be holding its Annual GeneralMeeting at 1pm today. Chief Executive, Stephen Hemsley, will update shareholders on current tradingand future prospects, saying: "I am very pleased to report a strong start to the year with system sales in thefirst 15 weeks to 17 April 2005 ahead 18.9% (2004: 18.0%) to £55.2m (2004:£46.5m). In the same 15 weeks, like-for-like sales were up 8.2% (2004: 4.1%). "Your Company's expansion programme has progressed well, with a record total of13 new stores opened since the start of the year (2004: eight) creatingapproximately 325 jobs. I am confident that everything is in place to maintainthis level of expansion and look forward to reporting another positive update onstore openings at the interim stage in July. "I attribute this good start to a continued focus on the basics of thisbusiness. Our ability to deliver a fresh, made-to-order pizza on time using highquality ingredients continues to appeal to a growing number of customers in bothexisting and new locations. "As at today, there are 370 Domino's Pizza stores open and trading in the UK andIreland. However, with only 40% of households in these markets able to access aDomino's delivery, there is ample room for continued growth and we have oursights set firmly on this opportunity. "Today also sees the retirement of our non-executive director Gerald Halpernand, on behalf of the Company, the Board and our shareholders, I should like tothank Gerald for his outstanding contribution." For further information, please contact: Domino's Pizza UK & IRL plcLee Ginsberg, Finance Director 00 44 1908 580611Bernadette Ahmed/Rachel Wattel, Press Office 00 44 1908 580693/672 or 00 44 7909 928016 Buchanan CommunicationsIsabel Podda / Charles Howard 020 7466 5000 Notes to Editors: Domino's Pizza UK & IRL plc is quoted on the Alternative Investment Market ofthe London Stock Exchange (symbol: DOM). Its subsidiary, Domino's Pizza GroupLimited, is the UK and Ireland leader in pizza delivery and holds the exclusivemaster franchise to own, operate and franchise Domino's Pizza stores in thesemarkets. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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