(Reuters) -Domino's Pizza posted better-than-estimated U.S. profit and same-store sales for the third quarter on Tuesday, driven by promotions and new menu items that appealed to consumers seeking
Domino's Pizza Surpasses Q3 Profit Expectations Amid Consumer Budget Cuts
Domino's Q3 Financial Performance
(Reuters) -Domino's Pizza posted better-than-estimated profit and U.S. same-store sales for the third quarter on Tuesday, driven by promotions and new menu items as consumers tighten their budgets amid economic uncertainty.
Sales Growth and Promotions
The company's shares rose 2% in premarket trading. The results come at a time when persistent inflation, economic uncertainty and repeated menu price hikes have prompted consumers to prioritize value when dining out or ordering in.
International Market Challenges
To cater to the shift in consumer spending, Domino's revived its "Best Deal Ever" promotion on August 25, offering any-topping pizzas for $9.99. It also introduced other items such as the parmesan-stuffed-crust pizza.
Impact of Inflation on Costs
Companies like PepsiCo have also responded by introducing smaller pack sizes for its salty snacks with more affordable pricing to cater to shoppers feeling the pinch, especially in lower-income households.
U.S. same-store sales for the world's largest pizza chain grew 5.2% during the quarter, compared with analysts' expectations of a 4.0% rise, according to data compiled by LSEG. Domino's also benefited from its delivery partnership with DoorDash in the country.
Domino's has been offering more deals under its rewards program as its goes up against rising competition from fast-food chains such as McDonald's and Burger King doubling down on steep discounts on select menu items to attract consumers.
Its quarterly earnings per share for the three months ended September 7 were $4.08, compared with the estimate of $3.97, helped by higher order volumes.
Quarterly international same-store sales growth of 1.7%, however, fell short of an estimated 1.9% rise, as the company faces choppy demand in some markets such as Japan and Australia. Geopolitical uncertainties were also taking a toll on some markets, executives had said earlier in the year.
Revenue for the third quarter rose 6.2% to $1.15 billion, while analysts estimated $1.14 billion.
U.S. company-owned store gross margin fell 0.5 percentage point from a year earlier, hurt by higher costs of some commodities such as cheese and pork.
(Reporting by Anshi Sancheti and Juveria Tabassum in Bengaluru; Editing by Leroy Leo and Shilpi Majumdar)
