US food company J&J Snack Foods has reported a 6.1% rise in quarterly net income, helped by an improved performance at its food service group.


The New Jersey-based company reported net income of US$7.9m, or 88 cents a share, for the fourth quarter to 27 September, just below analysts’ estimates. The company had posted net income of $7.4m, or 81 cents a share, a year earlier, reported Dow Jones News Service.


The company, which makes Mama Tish’s Italian ice and Superpretzel pretzel fillers, said fourth-quarter sales were $103.4m, compared to $100.1m a year earlier.


Net income for the year was $19.9m, up from $18.1m a year earlier. Full-year sales were $364.6m, compared to $353.2m a year earlier.