KEY POINTS:
KFC sales continued to grow well and Pizza Hut kept on sinking as Restaurant Brands reported fourth quarter sales up 1 per cent on a year earlier.
For the 12 weeks ended February 25 total sales were $70.4 million, with same store sales up 1.9 per cent, the company said today.
At KFC sales rose 6.2 per cent on the equivalent period last year and same store sales were up 4.9 per cent.
Pizza Hut New Zealand had a disappointing sales result in a very competitive market, with total sales down 12.9 per cent for the quarter and same store sales down 8.2 per cent.
Starbucks Coffee had its 17th consecutive quarter of sales growth, with same store sales up 6.4 per cent for the quarter and total sales up 2.5 per cent, helped by a Christmas trading promotion, Restaurant Brands said.
For the full year, total New Zealand sales were $303.5m, topping $300m for the first time, and up $9.9m or 3.4 per cent on the previous year for total sales and for same store sales.
KFC contributed 67 per cent of the group's total sales, up $2.8m for the latest quarter to $47.3m.
For the full year, total KFC sales were $199.1m, an increase of 9 per cent over the prior year and 7.7 per cent up on a same store basis.
It was the fourth consecutive year of solid same store sales growth for the brand, the company said.
The four stores that closed in the previous quarter for major transformations - Hastings, Massey, Whangarei and Invercargill South - had all re-opened in the fourth quarter with double digit sales growth.
Total store numbers were unchanged at 87.
Total sales at Pizza Hut New Zealand during the quarter were $15m, while for the full year, total sales of $71.4m were down 10.4 per cent on the prior year and down 7 per cent on a same store basis.
Store numbers were down 1 to 97 stores nationwide with the closure of the Queenstown Red Roof with the opportunity to surrender the lease.
Starbucks Coffee sales were up to $8.1m for the quarter. For the full year they were up 5.6 per cent to $33m which was a 4 per cent increase on a same store basis.
Restaurant Brands shares closed at 82c yesterday, just up from the year low of 80c hit a fortnight ago, and down from a year high of $1.14 a year ago.
- NZPA
