Australian pizza maker Domino’s Pizza Enterprises has announced an $8.7 million half-year net profit after tax, up 39.2 percent above the corresponding period last year.

Sales over the franchised and corporate owned store network reached $353.5 million, which was an increase of 7.6 percent over the first half of 2009. Same store sales also grew, with a 2.9 percent increase over the corresponding period last yar.

Domino’s CEO and managing director, Don Meij, said the strong results had been helped by successful product launches in Australia, and strong European network sales.

“We have recorded solid performance for the first half of the 2010 financial year, particularly in Australia and New Zealand where the successful launch of Domino’s iPhone application and the introduction of our new lunchtime Oven Baked Sandwiches resulted in sale store sales growth of plus 4.57 percent,” Meij said.

Meij added Domino’s digital focus had also worked in the company’s favour. “We have seen significant results in our online and digital platform parts of the business. In Australia our iPhone application has now achieved more than $2 million in sales and more than 200,000 downloads since its launch three months ago, and our online ordering now exceeds 28 percent of sales in Australia.”

This year Domino’s plans to add at least 70 stores across its network of five countries, many of them in Europe.

“In Australia, I’m confident our recently launched Good Choice Range – which offers customers a healthier alternative with all meals under 380 calories – will see our business attract new customers,” Meij said.