Domino's Pizza Group said that sales in the key Christmas 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 £125-135m.
"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 Elias Diaz Sese said.
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 November 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 December 25, the company said.
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 £20m after it exercised an option to sell its investment in Germany and improve its cash position.
Meanwhile, Domino's Pizza said today that it was expanding its partnership with Just Eat nationwide, allowing Just Eat customers across the UK and Ireland to order its pizza via the platform.
After a six-month trial in 100 stores this year, Domino's has confirmed that it has now rolled out to over 1,000 stores, with a further 200 to be added by the end of 2022.
The partnership includes 37 stores in the Republic of Ireland, with a further 20 to be added this year.
Elias Diaz Sese, interim CEO of Domino's Pizza Group, said it has been great to see how Just Eat users have embraced Domino's.
"The trial has shown us how a platform such as Just Eat can help us access new customers. With a clear strategy and our focus on developing our own digital platforms alongside the nationwide Just Eat partnership, we're confident we are continuing to ensure that nobody delivers like Domino's," he added.
