Gowrings shares sizzle after profits rise

Shares in Burger King franchising group Gowrings soared 8% today after it served up a near-trebling in half-year profits from its restaurants and said the second half had started well.

The stock picked up 5p to 69.5p after the company said its 41 Burger King outlets in the UK had booked profits of £441,000 (€654,900) in the six months to June 30, against £163,000 (€242,100) in 2003.