Domino's Pizza Inc. reported a 14% rise in U.S. same store sales during the first eight weeks of the fiscal second quarter this year.

The company reported an initial increase of 7.1% in U.S. same-store sales growth from March 23 to April 19, compared with the year-ago period. The company reported a 20.9% gain in U.S. same-store sales from April 20 to May 17 over the previous year's period, according to preliminary results released by the company today.

Tthe brand has not fared as well internationally, as same-store sales from March 23 to April 19 fell 1.1%, though they managed to climb 3.3% over the next four weeks of the quarter for a 1% overall gain in same-stores sales over the first eight week of the quarter. 

Global retail sales for the entire system rose just 2.9% year over year.  International stores sales fell 11.6% for the first eight weeks of the second quarter, while U.S. retail sales grew 17.8% for the period from March 23 through May 17 this year over the same period last year. 

"We are seeing a tailwind as consumer behavior across the restaurant industry has shifted toward delivery and carryout, though we are not sure whether this trend will continue for the remainder of the second quarter or how long this tailwind may last. …" Domino's CEO Ritch Allison said in the earnings results report. 

"Our international sales results continue to be choppy — and may be for the foreseeable future. In some markets, sales results are matching or exceeding those that we see in the U.S.  In others, where our master franchisees are still experiencing significant operating limitations or temporary store closures, those sales are down materially versus last year.  At our peak, we had approximately 2,400 temporary store closures." 

As of May 24, this year, the company said "nearly all" of its company U.S. stores were open, though dining rooms remained close as restaurants continued to deploy contactless delivery and carryout solutions. Based on information reported its master franchisees, Domino's estimated that fewer than 900 international stores remain temporarily closed as of May 24, this year. 

Domino's said it has repaid $100 million of the $158 million it took as a "precautionary measure" as a loan under its outstanding variable funding notes during the second quarter of 2020. The brand said it now has nearly $250 million of cash on hand and after repayment, it has $102 million of available borrowings under its $200 million variable funding notes, net of letters of credit issued of $40 million.

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