Domino's Pizza shares surge after strong third-quarter sales results

The UK's biggest pizza delivery company saw shares boosted by 10 per cent thanks to new stores and an increase in online orders

Domino's has seen a 17.4 per cent increase in online orders. (PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)

Shares in Britain’s Domino’s Pizza surged by double digits on Tuesday, after the fast food giant reported stellar results for the third quarter of the year, helped by the opening of new stores and by quirky additions to its menu – like chocolate-covered pizzas.

The UK’s biggest pizza delivery firm said that group sales in the 13 weeks to 24 September rose almost 21 per cent to £286.4m. Following the sales release, Domino’s shares were boosted by 10 per cent.

UK sales saw a boost of 8.1 per cent at stores that were open for more than a year, while online there was a 17.4 per cent increase in orders.

In July, Domino’s recorded a 9 per cent increase in profit for the six months to the end of June helped by the opening of 40 new stores and “innovations” including a chocolate-covered pizza.

It said in July that underlying profit before tax was up to £44.6m in the 26 weeks to the end of June and that earnings per share rose by a little under 10 per cent.

At the time, the firm said it was speeding up its growth programme.

On Tuesday, the group said it would open 90 stores in UK this year. It pointed to a strong demand for delivered food in the UK even in an uncertain consumer environment.