(Yicai Global) Aug. 21 -- Acclaimed Chinese hot pot chain Haidilao International Holding lifted profit by 41 percent annually in the first half of this year, raking in some CNY911 million (USD129 million) after opening 259 new restaurants this year and last.

Revenue was up 59.3 percent at CNY11.7 billion (USD1.7 billion), the Sichuan-based firm said in its earnings report yesterday. Almost 97 percent of income came from its restaurants, which served 109 million customers throughout the period.

Shares opened 1.4 percent higher this morning at HKD32.65 (USD4.16).

Haidilao opened 127 new stores in the first six months, taking its global tally to 593. Some 550 are located in 116 cities on the Chinese mainland, with the remainder in Taiwan, Hong Kong and overseas.

Sales at eateries open for at least one year also rose, climbing 4.7 percent to CNY6.3 billion, with income from takeouts surging 40.9 percent to CNY199 million.

Editor: James Boynton