The ailing pizza chain Domino’s plans to close up to 110 loss-making branches in Japan and France in order to cut costs and create a “foundation for future growth”.
In a trading update after the market close on Wednesday, Domino’s announced that it would close up to 80 “low-volume” stores in Japan.
In France, the company expects to close 20 to 30 stores. However, Domino’s says the closures will be offset by the opening of 10 stores.
The closures in both international markets are expected to be completed in the first half of fiscal year 2025.
“These low-volume stores are overall loss-making and the closures will have a positive impact on earnings, which will be reinvested in additional marketing and advertising to reach more customers and increase orders in this low-frequency market,” the company said of the closures in Japan.
Domino’s opened more than 400 stores in Japan during fiscal years 2020-2023, resulting in several “immature stores.” The company expects to return to positive comparable-store sales in Japan during the current fiscal year.
Domino’s shares fell 31 percent in late January after the company cut its first-half profit forecast and said sales in key international markets were disappointing. In Asia, for example, comparable-store sales fell 8.9 percent in the same period.
The company reported in February that first-half profits fell 9.2 percent to $58 million compared to the previous year. Australia and New Zealand recorded their strongest growth in six years during this period.
Domino’s operates predominantly under the franchise model in Australia, but has historically been burdened in Japan by a large number of branches owned by the company’s headquarters.
Domino’s on Wednesday reiterated its goal of operating 7,100 stores by 2033, with store growth expected to be flat to slightly positive this fiscal year.
The company will release its fiscal year 2024 results on August 21.
Domino’s shares closed 0.1 percent lower at $36.09 on Wednesday.