Restaurant Brands is forecasting a 67% rise in its annual profit, to $19.5 million.
The company has attributed the improvement to stronger-than-expected trading over the past quarter of the year.
KFC stores were performing particularly well, and the company resolved a pricing review with a major supplier.
Restaurant Brands, which operates the New Zealand outlets of KFC, Pizza Hut and Starbucks Coffee in New Zealand, said it now anticipated its full-year net profit after tax, excluding non-trading items, for the year ended February 28, would be $7.8 million above the result of the previous year.
Craigs Investment Partners broker Chris Timms said Restaurant Brands was a company that often proved a good indication of New Zealanders' discretionary spending habits.
"People are still going out and are willing to shout themselves but perhaps not at the upper end of the market. They want to eat out and rather than going to a restaurant they go to KFC or Pizza Hut."
Restaurant Brands appeared to be on an upward trajectory after increasing its profit forecasts three times since August last year.
After the profit forecast published by NZX at 11.17am yesterday, the company was up 18c to $2.
Shares in Restaurant Brands had dropped below 60c in late 2008, but rose strongly through 2009.
