Results from restaurant operator Comptoir Group's recently ended trading year came were set to come in strong despite a "difficult market backdrop", as a strong second-half performance and a busy holiday trading period gave the firm the boost it needed.
The firm gave no details in terms of numbers in a pre-close trading statement issued on Thursday but said that results would come in ahead of market expectations.

Comptoir opened two new Libanais sites and one Shawa location during the second half, including its first international franchise operation in the Netherlands with HMS Host, taking its total restaurant count to 26, with a further three franchise eateries, and planned to swing open the doors on two additional locations throughout 2018.

The London-based group completed the sale of its CPU for £2.6m, pushing Comptoir to a net cash balance of £4.5m as of 31 December.

Comptoir said its focus would remain on controlling costs and improving its operational efficiencies and margins where possible.

As of 1040 GMT, shares had advanced 5.26% to 20.00p.

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