Strong earnings and same store sales growth for the first half of the 2011 financial year has seen Domino’s Pizza fast track its new store building program with 35 stores under development across the country and set to open by the end of the year.

The pizza franchise’s half year results indicated that is has experienced double digit same store sales growth of 10.9 percent, the strongest figure in the last eight years.

As a result, new site developments have been fast tracked to keep up with customer demand and new franchisee enquiries.

“This period of new store growth will be one of the biggest in recent times in terms of organic store growth for Australia,” said Domino’s chief development and franchising officer, Pat McMichael. “We currently have 456 stores in the country but as the population grows and new regional hubs emerge there is now a high demand for new stores.”

McMichael said new franchisee interest in the business was at an all time high following the franchise’s appearance on the reality TV show, Undercover Boss Australia, and had steadily increased since the release of the first half results for the 2011 financial year.

“Our appearance on Undercover Boss Australia late last year opened up our business to a whole new audience of prospective franchisees and small business owners. The show gave them an invaluable insight into the daily operations of our business, something which many new business owners donÕt get the opportunity to see,” he said.