Burger King profits grow strongly

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US fast food chain Burger King has reported higher profits in the first three months of this year after cost control initiatives paid off.

The Miami-based chain saw net profits rise by 15% to $47m (£31.9m), up from $41m in the same period a year earlier.

Revenues rose by 1% to $600m despite a "rapid" slowdown in sales in March, particularly outside the US.

Last week, rival McDonald's reported a 4% rise in first quarter profits to $979.5m from the same period last year.

'Unexpected decline'

"We continue to post top-line growth even in this challenging macroeconomic environment," said Burger King boss John Chidsey.

But he did concede that the slowdown in sales in March had hit the company's overall performance.

"While we performed well in January and February, the unexpected decline in March traffic across many of the countries in which we operate, particularly the Germany and Mexico markets, adversely affected our results."

The company said it expected tough trading conditions in the current quarter due to "persisting macroeconomic uncertainties and an increased competitive landscape," as well the potential effects of swine flu.