Interim Results

Domino's Pizza UK & IRL PLC 25 July 2001 For Immediate Release 25 July 2001 DOMINO'S PIZZA UK & IRL plc INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE TWENTY-SIX WEEKS ENDED 1 JULY 2001 Domino's Pizza UK & IRL plc ('Domino's Pizza', symbol: DOM) announces its interim results for the twenty-six weeks ended 1 July 2001. Highlights * System sales increased 32.9% to £46.4m (2000: £34.9m) * Like for like sales up 22.0% (2000:1.8%) * 13 new stores opened (2000: eight stores) * Number of stores up to 228 (2000: 206 stores) * Group turnover up 43.2% to £20.8m (2000: £14.5m) * Operating profit rose by 26.6% to £1.33m (2000: £1.05m) * Profit before tax increased by 15.4% to £1.18m (2000: £1.02m) * Basic earnings per share up 16.3% to 1.71p (2000: 1.47p). Fully diluted earnings per share up 19.9% to 1.69p (2000: 1.41p) * Interim dividend of 0.57p per share (2000: 0.37p) Stephen Hemsley, Chief Executive of Domino's Pizza, commented: 'This is the first interim report I have made to shareholders following my appointment as Chief Executive. I am therefore very pleased to report that your company is going from strength to strength. In the first six months of this year, very strong sales growth has driven profits to record levels. The store opening programme, which is fundamental to our future growth plans, is accelerating over that achieved in the first half of 2000. I therefore currently look forward with great optimism to our maintaining the progress achieved in the first half of the year.' Contact: Domino's Pizza 01908 580672 / 07909 928016 Stephen Hemsley / Bernadette Eddisford Buchanan Communications 020 7466 5000 Richard Oldworth / Isabel Petre Notes to editors: Domino's Pizza UK & IRL plc is quoted on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange (symbol: DOM). Its subsidiary, Domino's Pizza Group Limited, is the UK's leading pizza delivery company and holds the exclusive master franchise to own, operate and franchise Domino's Pizza stores in the UK and Ireland. The first UK store opened in 1985 and today there are 230 stores in the UK and Ireland. Domino's Pizza is world leader in pizza delivery and was founded in the United States in 1960. There are currently more than 7000 stores open across 64 international markets employing over 120,000 people. CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S STATEMENT INTRODUCTION This is the first interim report I have made to shareholders following my appointment as Chief Executive (1st January 2001). I am therefore very pleased to report that your company is going from strength to strength. In the first six months of this year, very strong sales growth has driven profits to record levels. The store opening programme, which is fundamental to our future growth plans, is accelerating over that achieved in the first half of 2000. It is now time to further extend our significant market leadership and to gain a dominant position in the UK and Ireland's fast-growing pizza delivery markets. Our target is to have 500 stores by 2006 compared to the 230 we have today. To reach this ambitious growth target, our strategic focus will continue to be on an accelerated store roll-out. This growth will not be achieved without absolute focus on the fundamentals of the Domino's Pizza system - product, service and image. The use of fresh dough and fresh ingredients in our pizzas is critical to maintaining high standards of customer satisfaction and levels of repeat purchase. Whilst the efforts made to source the finest ingredients from highly regarded suppliers impose significant additional cost on Domino's, we remain totally committed to this approach. Not only does it result in a better pizza, it has also earned the Company a higher level EFSIS (European Food Safety Inspection Standard) accreditation which is testament to our ability to offer our customers consistent, tasty and safe products. Having provided our stores with the finest ingredients, we must then provide our team members with all the training and assistance needed to help them prepare and deliver the best possible pizza. We have committed more resources to this vital area such as a stringent store visit programme, continuous operational evaluation and world-class training. SALES System sales in the first twenty-six weeks of 2001 at £46.4m were 32.9% ahead of the previous year (2000: £34.9m). Like-for-like sales for the 191 stores that had been open for a full year at the start of 2001 were 22.0% ahead at £ 8,330 (2000: £6,829). This exceptional performance, which far exceeded our budgets, can be attributed to a number of factors, such as the £1m investment made in the last quarter of 2000 by our stores in introducing our new heated delivery technology HeatwaveTM, the continuing effectiveness of our local marketing campaigns and the acceleration in store refurbishments, now at the rate of one per week, that has given us a stronger brand presence on more high streets throughout the UK and Ireland. Furthermore, the latest independent research indicates that our brand has achieved its highest ever awareness rating of 87%. Our sponsorship of The Simpsons on Sky One, which recently reported a 32% increase in gross audience figures, is set to continue until 2004. However, the single most important factor has been the launch of our first ever national terrestrial TV advertising campaign which ran in five bursts from January to July. This well-targeted advertisement which was delivered in 1170 spots on Channel 4, HTV Wales and a number of cable and satellite channels, communicated the benefits of our new HeatwaveTM technology and has proved very popular and highly effective. As the Domino's system grows, so too does the size of the National Advertising Fund ('NAF') into which all stores contribute 4% of turnover to fund national marketing and advertising. Many of the NAF's costs are relatively fixed, so that as the fund grows we have progressively more resources with which to finance TV advertising. Further terrestrial TV advertising can therefore be expected. RESULTS Group turnover, which includes royalty income, food sales and sales made by corporate stores was 43.2% ahead at £20.8m (£14.5m). Operating profit rose by 26.6% to £1.33m (2000: £1.05m). The result for 2000 included other income of £229,000 from the trading in stores (2001: Nil), which whilst part of the normal business of a franchisor, does not recur on a consistent basis. If this item were excluded, operating profits in the period would have increased by 62% over the 2000 interim period. The interest charge in 2000 of only £49,000 reflected the reduction in borrowings resulting from the IPO proceeds. These proceeds have subsequently been invested in corporate stores, resulting in a significant increase in the interest charge to £180,000 in 2001. However, interest remains a comfortable 7.6 times covered by operating profit (2000: 21.9 times). Profit before tax increased by 15.4% to £1.18m (2000: £1.02m). Basic earnings per share increased 16.3% to 1.71 pence per share in 2001 from 1.47 pence per share in 2000. Fully diluted earnings per share increased 19.9% to 1.69 pence per share from 1.41 pence per share. The Board has declared an interim dividend of 0.57 pence per share (2000: 0.37 pence per share). The dividend will be paid on 3rd September to shareholders on the register on 17th August 2001. SYSTEM EXPANSION In the first twenty-six weeks of 2001, 13 new stores have been opened (2000: eight stores). At 1 July 2001 we had 228 delivery stores (2000 interim: 200 stores) including one experimental delivery store (2000 interim: six stores). The increased focus on new store openings is beginning to have a positive impact on our growth and we remain confident that we will significantly exceed the 22 new stores achieved last year. CORPORATE STORES Corporate stores are contributing ahead of budget and are more than meeting the cost of the increased royalty payment due to the US which came into effect on 28th May 2001. Year 2000 was one of very rapid growth for our corporate stores division and I am pleased to report that, despite some initial growing pains, we have been able to benefit from the potential that originally motivated us to develop this area of the business. One recent highlight for the corporate stores division was the opening of a new store in Leighton Buzzard which broke the divisional sales record during launch week. We started the year with 31 corporate stores owned and operated by the Group (2000 interim: 18 stores). Since then we have opened two new stores and acquired one, bringing the period-end total to 34. We continue to own one further store, which is operated by a franchisee. Compared to 2000, the rate of expansion in corporate stores has slowed, reflecting both our changed priorities and the need to consolidate the portfolio acquired. We anticipate that the portfolio will continue to grow at a modest rate and on an opportunistic basis, with the focus since the start of the year being on strict overhead control, maximisation of sales and the enhancement of profitability. It is our belief that the development of corporate stores will remain an important part of our strategy, but not one that will take higher priority than our continued rollout in the UK and Ireland. E-COMMERCE Our market-leading position in the application of e-commerce to the food delivery sector remains unchallenged. Domino's presence on every major national interactive TV platform in the UK, together with our nationwide online ordering service, generates over £300,000 in sales per month from over 20,000 orders. The direction of e-commerce over the first half of this year has moved on from the rapid development of associations with new platforms to the maximisation of the revenue we generate via these media. This strategy will continue with modest further investment to improve the interface with our store computer systems and to ensure the infrastructure remains scaleable. PEOPLE The best pizza and the best profits can only come as a result of having the best people at all levels of the business. None of the impressive results we have achieved in the first half of this year would have been possible without the continuing commitment and enthusiasm of our team members and franchisees. In recognition of the critical role played by our people, an independent assessment of our corporate reward strategy was recently completed and we are confident that Domino's is offering remuneration and opportunity at levels that support the attraction and retention of the very best industry professionals. With franchisees, we are striving for even better levels of transparency and more regular, higher level contact to assist them in the development of their own enterprises. This includes the provision of world-class training and operational support for franchisees themselves and their team members. OUTLOOK I am greatly encouraged by the sales growth we have reported which has continued since the end of the interim period. I therefore currently look forward with great optimism to our maintaining the progress achieved in the first half of the year. Stephen Hemsley Colin Halpern Chief Executive Chairman 25 July 2001 25 July 2001 GROUP PROFIT AND LOSS ACOUNT (Unaudited) (Unaudited) 26 weeks to 26 weeks 53 weeks to to 1 July 25 June 31 December 2001 2000 2000 Notes £000 £000 £000 TURNOVER Turnover: group and share of joint venture's turnover 21,277 14,905 33,652 Less: share of joint venture's (411) (1,121) turnover (524) GROUP TURNOVER 20,753 14,494 32,531 Cost of sales (11,252) (8,069) (17,071) GROSS PROFIT 9,501 6,425 15,460 Distribution costs (3,485) (2,156) (5,409) Administration expenses (4,688) (3,449) (7,938) 1,328 820 2,113 Other operating income - 229 279 OPERATING PROFIT 1,328 1,049 2,392 Share of operating profit in joint 35 23 70 venture Amortisation of goodwill on joint (2) - (5) venture 33 23 65 TOTAL OPERATING PROFIT: GROUP AND SHARE OF JOINT VENTURE 1,361 1,072 2,457 Net interest payable (180) (49) (268) PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES BEFORE TAXATION 1,181 1,023 2,189 Tax on profit on ordinary 2 (325) (286) (581) activities PROFIT FOR THE FINANCIAL PERIOD 856 737 1,608 Dividends (285) (185) (400) RETAINED PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD 571 552 1,208 Earnings per share - basic 3 1.71 1.47 3.21 - diluted 1.69 1.41 3.11 There are no recognised gains and losses other than those included in the profit and loss account. GROUP BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited) (Unaudited) 1 July 25 June 31 December 2001 2000 2000 Notes £000 £000 £000 FIXED ASSETS Intangible assets 1,932 714 1,992 Tangible assets 12,211 8,310 11,459 Investment in joint venture 271 244 248 Investment properties - 802 - 14,414 10,070 13,699 CURRENT ASSETS Stocks 1,180 901 1,194 Debtors 4 8,401 5,010 7,205 Cash at bank and in hand 3,277 3,254 998 12,858 9,165 9,397 CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year 5 (9,899) (5,184) (8,103) NET CURRENT ASSETS 2,959 3,981 1,294 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 17,373 14,051 14,993 CREDITORS: amounts falling due after more than one year 6 (8,218) (6,087) (6,429) 9,155 7,964 8,564 CAPITAL AND RESERVES Called up share capital 2,502 2,500 2,500 Share premium account 2,064 2,102 2,046 Profit and loss account 4,589 3,362 4,018 Equity shareholders' funds 9,155 7,964 8,564 GROUP STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (Unaudited) 26 weeks 26 weeks to 53 weeks to to 1 July 25 June 31 December Notes £000 £000 £000 NET CASH INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 7 1,860 (876) 1,494 RETURNS ON INVESTMENTS AND SERVICING OF FINANCE Interest received 51 25 60 Interest paid (214) (63) (283) Interest element of finance lease rental payments (5) (11) (19) (168) (49) (242) TAXATION Corporation tax paid (30) (130) (594) CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND FINANCIAL INVESTMENT Payments to acquire intangible fixed (8) (91) (54) assets Payments to acquire tangible fixed (1,187) (1,375) (4,394) assets Payments to acquire investment - (429) - properties Receipts from sales of tangible and intangible fixed assets 138 317 391 (1,057) (1,578) (4,057) ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSALS Purchase of subsidiary undertaking _ _ (1,514) Net overdraft acquired with _ _ (194) subsidiary - - (1,708) EQUITY DIVIDEND PAID (215) (140) (329) NET CASH OUTFLOW BEFORE FINANCING 390 (2,773) (5,436) FINANCING Issue of shares 19 - (56) New long-term loans 2,081 1,500 3,520 Repayments of long-term loans (171) - (1,500) Repayment of capital element of finance leases and hire purchase contracts (41) (54) (111) ------ ------ ------ 1,888 1,446 1,853 INCREASE / (DECREASE) IN CASH 2,278 (1,327) (3,583) NOTES TO THE INTERIM REPORT 1. BASIS OF PREPARATION OF INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION The interim financial information has been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the group's statutory accounts for the fifty-three weeks ended 31 December 2000. The taxation charge is calculated by applying the directors' best estimate of the annual tax rate to the profit for the period. All other accounting polices set out in the accounts for the fifty-three weeks ended 31 December 2000 were applied for the purposes of this statement. Basis of consolidation The group accounts consolidate the accounts of Domino's Pizza UK & IRL plc and all its subsidiary undertakings drawn up to the nearest Sunday of the month end. 2. TAXATION The taxation charge is made up as follows: 26 weeks to 26 weeks to 53 weeks to 1 July 25 June 31 December 2001 2000 2000 £000 £000 £000 UK corporation tax 325 286 625 Share of joint venture tax - - 12 (Over)/underprovided in prior years - - (56) 325 286 581 3. EARNINGS PER SHARE The calculation of basic earnings per ordinary share is based on earnings of £ 856,000 (2000: £737,000) and on 50,005,710 (2000: 50,000,000) ordinary shares. The diluted earnings per share is based on 50,621,465 (2000: 52,423,798) ordinary shares which takes into account theoretical ordinary shares that would have been issued, based on average market value if all outstanding options were exercised. 4. DEBTORS (Unaudited) (Unaudited) 1 July 25 June 31 December 2001 2000 2000 £000 £000 £000 Trade debtors 2,554 2,506 2,663 Amounts owed by joint venture 345 345 345 Other debtors 3,055 1,579 2,192 Prepayments and accrued income 1,357 580 1,227 Net investment in finance lease 1,090 - 778 8,401 5,010 7,205 Included within debtors is £1,395,000 (2000: £661,000) due after more than one year. 5. CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year (Unaudited) (Unaudited) 1 July 25 June 31 December 2001 2000 2000 £000 £000 £000 Other loans 252 - 154 Finance lease 62 96 79 creditors Trade creditors 4,536 2,424 3,949 Amounts owed to - 1 - parent undertaking Corporation tax 582 467 287 Other taxes and 955 562 697 social security costs Other creditors 390 84 468 Accruals and 2,837 1,360 2,253 deferred income Proposed dividend 285 190 216 9,899 5,184 8,103 6. CREDITORS: amounts falling due after more than one year (Unaudited) (Unaudited) 1 July 25 June 31 December 2001 2000 2000 £000 £000 £000 Bank loans 7,500 6,000 6,000 Finance lease creditors 39 87 63 Other loans 679 - 366 8,218 6,087 6,429 7. NOTES TO THE CASHFLOW STATEMENT Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash flows from operating activities (Unaudited) (Unaudited) 1 July 25 June 31 December 2001 2000 2000 £000 £000 £000 Operating profit 1,328 1,049 2,392 Depreciation Charge 432 325 768 Amortisation Charge 69 24 88 Other operating income - (229) (279) Decrease/(Increase) in debtors (1,020) (1,038) (1,562) Decrease/(Increase) in stocks 14 (130) (417) Increase in creditors 1,349 (877) 1,282 (Increase) in finance lease (312) - (778) receivables 1,860 (876) 1,494 8. PUBLICATION OF NON-STATUTORY ACCOUNTS The financial information contained in this statement does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The financial information for the full preceding year is based on the statutory accounts for the fifty- three weeks ended 31 December 2000. Those accounts, upon which the auditors issued an unqualified opinion, have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. 9. This report is being sent to all registered shareholders. Copies can also be obtained from the Registered Office at Domino's House, Lasborough Road, Kingston, Milton Keynes MK10 OAB. INTRODUCTION We have been instructed by the company to review the financial information set out on pages 7 to 12 and we have read the other information contained in the interim report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies. DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES The interim report, including the financial information contained therein, is the responsibility of, and has been approved by the directors. The Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority require that the accounting policies and presentation applied to the interim figures should be consistent with those applied in preparing the preceding annual accounts except where any changes, and the reasons for them, are disclosed. REVIEW WORK PERFORMED We conducted our review in accordance with guidance contained in Bulletin 1999 /4 issued by the Auditing Practices Board. A review consists principally of making enquiries of group management and applying analytical procedures to the financial information and underlying financial data and based thereon, assessing whether the accounting policies and presentation have been consistently applied unless otherwise disclosed. A review excludes audit procedures such as tests of controls and verification of assets, liabilities and transactions. It is substantially less in scope than an audit performed in accordance with Auditing Standards and therefore provides a lower level of assurance than an audit. Accordingly we do not express an audit opinion on the financial information. REVIEW CONCLUSION On the basis of our review we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the financial information as presented for the six months ended 1 July 2001. Ernst & Young LLP Luton
UK 100

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