TGI Friday’s UK reports return to like-for-like growth following 2.7% decline last year: The parent company of TGI Friday’s UK arm has reported a return to like-for-like growth in recent months after seeing a decline of 2.7% last year. The company, which is backed by Electra Partners, saw turnover increase 7.7% to £211,007,000 for the year ending 1 January 2017 compared with £193,545,000 the previous year, according to its annual report and accounts filed at Companies House. Ebitda grew 8.5% to £33.1m compared with £30.5m the year before. Pre-tax losses increased slightly to £12,568,000 compared with £12,473,000 the previous year. During the period the company opened five new sites and said all recent acquisitions are “performing in line with expectations”. The company stated: “During the 53-week period ending I January 2017, the group reported sales of £211.0m (52 weeks ended 27 December 2015: £193.5), which represents a 7.7% increase in underlying sales (2015: 9.1%) and a (2.7%) decline on a like-for-like basis (2015: 1.1% increase). This resulted in Ebitda (before share based payment expenses and impact of the onerous lease provision utilisation) growing to £33.1m in the period (2015: £30.5m), an increase of 8.5%. The group’s operating cash flows during the period saw cash inflows of £6.4m and ended the period with a cash position of £15.3m (2015: £8.9m). The actions taken by the group in the period have seen a return to underlying growth in like-for-like sales in recent months, which is in line with the directors’ expectations and the current economic climate. During the period the group opened five new sites and all recent acquisitions are performing in line with expectations. The group continues to actively seek new sites and expects the core estate to perform strongly in 2017 and beyond with further growth from new sites.” Earlier this week, the company, which has more than 80 sites in the UK, launched a Learners Qualification Programme, available to those who are aspiring to move into management. The 12-month development plan is equivalent to two A-levels and is offered in partnership with HIT Training.