Pre Close Update

RNS Number : 0531L

Restaurant Group PLC

05 January 2009

 



The Restaurant Group plc                    

('the Group' or 'TRG')

Pre-close Update     

The Board is pleased to announce that it anticipates reporting results for the year ended 28 December 2008 in line with management's expectations.

TRG has recorded like for like sales growth of 1.5% for the 52 weeks to 28th December 2008. This compares to 2.5% for the 45 weeks to 9 November as announced in the Group's Interim Management Statement on 13th November. This is a creditable performance resulting from the Group's distinctive market positions and value for money offerings.

Against a deteriorating economic backdrop the Group's like for like trading over the seven weeks since the IMS update has been reasonable, albeit at levels below the same period last year.

During the year the Group opened 40 new restaurants resulting in a net increase of 24 sites and, as previously announced, expects to open between 18 and 25  in 2009. 

TRG is expected to announce its 2008 full year results in early March 2009.

5 January 2009

Enquiries:

The Restaurant Group                   020 7939 6500

Andrew Page, Chief Executive

Stephen Critoph, Finance Director

College Hill                                     020 7457 2020

Matthew Smallwood

Notes for Editors

1.    The Restaurant Group plc operates  354 restaurants and pub restaurants. Its principal trading brands are Frankie & Benny's, Chiquito, Garfunkel's, Blubeckers and Brunning & Price, as well as operating 48 sites in its Concessions division which principally trades on airports.

2.    This statement is based on information sourced from management accounts.

3.    Statements made in this announcement that look forward in time or that express management's beliefs, expectations or estimates regarding future occurrences are 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the United States federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements reflect the Group's current expectations concerning future events and actual results may differ materially from current expectations or historical results.

 

END

 

 

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