A craving for KFC has helped drive fastfood operator Restaurant Brands' first half net profit almost 17 percent higher, with positive growth across most of its fast food brands.
The company, which also runs Pizza Hut, the Starbucks coffee chain and the fledgling Carl's Junior burger outlets, reported a profit of $13.4 million in the six months to mid-September.
KFC restaurant logo Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski
Restaurant Brands' total sales rose almost 14 percent , while sales from established stores - a key indicator of the company's performance - rose 6.7 percent.
KFC sales accounted for almost three quarters of group revenue, but Restaurant Brands said it doesn't expect to sustain the 12 percent growth seen in the first half.
Starbucks Coffee and Carl's Junior also showed sales and profit growth, but Pizza Hut remained the soft spot as it reduces the number of outlets owned by Restaurant Brands.
The company, which increased its first half dividend to 8.5 cents a share, said it expected the improved first-half profit performance to be sustained through the second half, resulting in a net annual profit of more than $24 million.