NEW YORK – Burger King Holdings said Thursday that its profit rose 42 percent in its fiscal 2008 fourth quarter, pushed by improved sales and marketing.

The fast-food restaurant chain said it earned $51 million in the quarter ended June 30. That's up from $36 million a year ago.

It says revenue rose 9 percent to $646 million.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters reportedly expected the company to earn 34 cents per share on revenue of $634.6 million.

Burger King said sales in restaurants open at least a year, a key metric, rose 5.3 percent worldwide and increased 5.5 percent in the U.S. and Canada.

Source: Associated Press