UPDATE: Restaurant Brands lifts FY profit 37%, may expand to US mainland

UPDATE: Restaurant Brands lifts FY profit 37%, may expand to US mainland
Tina Morrison
(Adds CEO comment throughout, updates shares) By Tina Morrison April 17 (BusinessDesk) - Restaurant Brands New Zealand increased annual profit 37 percent after the fast-food operator lifted earnings in its local market and benefited from its new businesses in Australia and Hawaii. It's now eyeing expansion to the US mainland. The Auckland-based company said net profit rose to $35.5 million, or 28.83 cents per share, in the 52 weeks ended Feb. 26, from $26 million, or 24.08 cents, a year earlier. Sales jumped 49 percent to $740.8 millio...