DUNSTABLE (dpa-AFX) - Restaurant operator Whitbread Plc (WTB.L) on Thursday reported a higher profit for the year, amid a revenue growth exceeding 11 percent.
For the year ended March 1, pre-tax profit advanced to 305.8 million pounds from 271.2 million pounds. Underlying profit before tax grew to 320.1 million pounds from 287.5 million pounds.
Profit attributable to parent shareholders rose to 267.3 million pounds from 223.3 million pounds. Earnings per share grew to 151.19 from 126.73.
Total revenue increased 11.2 percent to 1.778 billion pounds from 1.6 billion pounds. Group like for like sales were up 2.6 percent in the year.
The company hiked full year dividend 15.2 percent to 51.25 pence from 44.50 pence.
Andy Harrison, Chief Executive, said, 'In the new financial year both Premier Inn and Restaurants have shown positive like for like sales growth and Costa has continued its good momentum, both in the UK and internationally. Trading in 2011/12 was variable month by month and we expect this to continue with short term comparatives affected by the phasing of bank holidays and the Olympics.'
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