Restaurant Group enjoys strong second-half sales
Its brands include Frankie and Benny's, Chiquito, Garfunkel's, Caffé Uno and Est Est Est.
The company said in a trading statement that like-for-like sales for 2004 had grown by 5% and that this would be reflected in "highly satisfactory" full-year results.
Trading patterns were more mixed in December than in 2003. Outlets in concessions and leisure parks performed well over the Christmas period, but sales were more muted in high-street restaurants, especially in the week before the Christmas weekend.
While the group expects market conditions to remain tough, it said the current year had started well.
"The Restaurant Group has traded well throughout 2004, particularly in areas where we are acknowledged market leaders, namely airports and on leisure parks," said executive chairman Alan Jackson.
"The company will again open 20-30 new restaurants in 2005, reflecting its confidence in delivering further progress in the current year."
by Angela Frewin
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