Pizza franchise Domino’s has achieved a net profit after tax of $15.4 million for 2009, an increase of 29.7 percent on the previous year. The profit was generated from total network sales, up by 14.4 percent to $676.4 million. The group also showed an increase of 4.6 percent of same store sales (SSS).

Over the year Domino’s has added seven stores in Australia and New Zealand and 28 European outlets to bring its network store total to 776. Australia now has 439 stores, New Zealand 77.

Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Limited CEO and MD Don Meij said the full year success was a result of strong performances in all markets.

“The new menu in Australia, launched in February 2009, helped deliver the best SSS growth in six years with [an increase of] 7.2 percent achieved in the second half 2009. In Australia our online ordering continued to impress with more than 22.5 percent of sales now coming from this part of the business.

“We are now the number one food and beverage retailer online in Australia, which we are very excited about.”

The pizza chain is expecting an additional 40 to 50 new stores in the portfolio for 2010, and increased growth on the 2009 figures of between 10 and 15 percent.

“Strategies in Australia and New Zealand include greater menu expansion, investment in quality ingredients and new technologies, and rolling out the new image design for our stores,” explained Meij.

“In Europe we are looking to grow our presence on television and upgrade the online ordering experience for customers, expand our menu in France to include a lunch offering and also open a new commissary in The Netherlands to keep up with demand for hot, fresh pizzas.”

Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Limted is Australia’s only publicly-listed pizza company and is the master franchisor for the Domino’s Pizza brand in Australia, New Zealand, France, Belgium and The Netherlands.