Restaurants report rise in trading
Both Ask Central and City Centre Restaurants (CCR) have reported improved trading conditions over 2002.
Business at Ask Central's 146 Ask and Zizzi pizza and pasta restaurants has continued to surpass the same period last year, despite weakness in central London, shareholders were told at the company's annual general meeting last week.
CCR shareholders will hear at the group's annual general meeting that like-for-like sales have grown consistently over the first 18 weeks of the year across all its brands, which include Frankie & Benny's, Garfunkel's and Chiquito's. The company, which boosted 2002 pre-tax profits to £16.8m, said turnover was up by 6% over the first two months of this year.
Cheese savings boost Domino's
An increase in worldwide store numbers and lower-than-expected cheese costs helped home delivery firm Domino's Pizza achieve record turnover and profits in the first quarter ending 23 March.
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation grew by 8.9% to $49.8m (£30.9m) on sales 3% ahead at $976.3m (£606.4m). Like-for-like sales increased by 4.4% internationally but fell by 1.1% in the USA. The group has 7,253 owned and franchised stores in more than 50 countries.
Reynolds takes over at Portfolio
Lesley Reynolds, managing director of recruitment specialist Portfolio International, has confirmed she is to become chief executive after founder David Coubrough's decision to step down from the role to pursue outside interests. Reynolds promised it would be a case of business as usual at the company, which operates in the hotel, catering and leisure markets, and is sponsor of Caterer's inaugural Education and Training Catey 2003.
Coubrough has joined contract caterer Holroyd Howe as a non-executive director.