Domino’s Pizza has revealed pre-tax profits up 54.2 per cent for the year ending 28 December 2003, highlighting the nation’s continued – and growing – love of fast food.

Pre-tax profits were £6.5m last year, compared with £4.2m in 2002.

System sales were up 19.6 per cent to £142.3m and a record 50 new delivery stores were opened, compared with 34 in 2002, for a nationwide total of 318.

The company has also repaid all direct bank debt, of £8.2m.

Chief executive, Stephen Hemsley, said: “A notable feature of the year was the clear demonstration of the effectiveness of our business model.

“In 2003 we increased the rate of new store openings by nearly 50 per cent and increased system sales by nearly 20 per cent.

“This exceptional level of operational gearing resulted in a near 50 per cent increase in underlying operating profits.”