Domino's profit climbs but openings sliced

Pizza delivery chain Domino’s today served up record profits, but said a shortage of new franchisees had stopped it hitting its annual store opening target.

The group, which runs 357 stores in the Ireland and the UK on a franchise basis, said pre-tax profits leapt by more than a third to £8.8m (€12.7m) in the 53 weeks to January 2.