CASUAL dining chain Individual Restaurant Company said today that its 38 restaurants are performing `well' despite the challenging consumer environment.

The Manchester company, which operates the Piccolino and Restaurant Bar & Grill brands, told shareholders at its annual meeting that it was on track to open a further seven sites this year.

It said: "The group's restaurants have performed well for the four months to April 27, and trading overall is in line with expectations.

"Given the challenging consumer environment, this demonstrates the ongoing appeal of both the Piccolino and Restaurant Bar & Grill brands."

Sales in the period are up 23 per cent, with growth coming mainly from six new openings last year.

Finance director Vernon Lord said the company was having to absorb higher food costs of around £300,000 rather than pass them on to customers in the current market place.

He said the company's Manchester restaurants had seen little impact from the UEFA Cup final this week: "It was not exactly like Valentine's Night in terms of a sales uplift. I think quite a lot of people didn't bother going out because of the impact of so many football fans coming into the city."

Two Piccolino sites, in Birmingham and York, are being fitted out and will be the next to open, while Bristol will follow later in the year.

Broker Altium Securities is forecasting full year profits of £3.4m on revenues of £61.6m.