Restaurant expenses reached RON1.2 billion, up 7.8%, reducing their weight in sales from 91.8% in 2022 to 89.1% in 2023.
Operating profit stood at RON96.9 million, 82.3% higher. Excluding the impact of the one-offs, the normalized gross profit for the period amounted to RON40.7 million, a 33% YoY increase, the normalized net profit was RON36.9 million, a 28.7% increase, while the normalized EBITDA was RON53.2 million, a 19.9% YoY increase.
„Q4 2023 brought another quarter of historical sales for Sphera Franchise Group S.A. (hereinafter referred to as the “Group”), as the Group reported another best quarter in history in terms of overall sales, registering revenues of RON 394.4 million, a 6.8% year-on-year increase versus RON 369.2 million generated in Q4 2022. It is important to underline that, as previously reported, as of Q2 2023, Sphera registers more moderate, single digit YoY growth rates. These rates are reflective of pre-pandemic growth levels and indicate the consolidation of the Group’s network across the three markets, with the principal focus of the management being on profit margins,” reads the company’s report.
The group’s shares have gained 72.55% in the past year and 2.7% in 2024, amid RON67.2 million deals, RON10 million respectively.
Romania contributed RON340 million to the Q4 2023 turnover, bringing in 86.2% of the total sales as the revenues registered a 7.7% YoY increase.
Italy brought RON48.8 million, 12.4% of total revenues, with sales registering a 0.6% YoY increase, while the Republic of Moldova contributed RON5.6 million, amounting to 1.4% of revenues and an 9.9% appreciation in sales.
At the level of the brands, in Q4 2023, KFC saw a 9% increase in sales, generating RON343.3 million, while Taco Bell grew 13.3% to RON22.6 million. Pizza Hut sales declined 16.6% to RON 28.6 million.
„Pizza Hut’s network reorganization program formally began in Q3 2023 with the aim to optimize costs, increase the agility of the brand and improve profitability indicators, therefore having a moderate impact on the Q4 2023 topline evolution’.
(English version by Catalina Apostoiu)