JJ Food Service has made a profit nearly £3m higher than predicted. Pre-tax profits at the London-based food specialist fell 3% to £8.3m for the year to March, but this was £3m more than expected following a period of major investment in the business. Sales grew 9% to £127.9m over the period.

The results were achieved by running the business efficiently and winning public sector contracts, said MD Mustafa Kiamil. "These results are despite spending millions on offering a discount for customers to order online. We are doing everything we can to help our catering customers by lowering costs as much as we can."

The wholesaler has also completed the acquisition of a sixth depot, in Sidcup, that will take some of the stock from the over-stretched Enfield depot and allow it to access the southern half of Greater London more easily.

The 67,000 sq ft site was bought from MFI, which went into administration last November, and should be open in February following a refit.

In total JJ's is to spend £11.2m on purchasing the freehold and fitting out the depot with new docking bays, freezers and redeveloped office space. "Within the M25 is a big market and our Enfield depot is so full it is being stretched to its limits," added Kiamil.