Australian retail food franchisor Retail Food Group Limited has announced continued strong performance by its four franchise systems bb’s cafe, Brumby’s, Donut King and Michel’s Patisserie.

The group chief executive officer, Tony Alford, said “notwithstanding adverse retail conditions, operational performance of our franchise community is both robust and encouraging given the Christmas and New Year trade provides the stimulus and platform for full year Company outlook.”

January 2009 year to date performance on a weighted average basis across all systems shows network sales growth of 5.98 percent with average weekly sales increased by 5.75 percent and average transaction value up by 6.56 percent.

Alford said the company predicts a minimum 2009 net profit after tax figure of $21 million which would be a 19.5 percent increase on the previous year.