The Costa Coffee chain, which is on a rapid expansion plan, has recorded a 20 per cent rise in sales as the company looks to expand its market presence.

The chain is expanding from just High Streets and shopping centres into motorway service areas and garages to attract new segment of customers. The coffee chain, which is a part of the Whitbread leisure group, has opened a total of 86 new outlets during the previous six months in the UK. The new stores have taken the total to 1,664. teh company now has 800 more outlets than its closest rival.

The coffee chain also recently marked the mark of 1,000 international stores with a new coffee shop in Bangkok. The company recorded a growth of 19.5 per cent in sales to £569.2million during the six months to 29 August, 2013. Its underlying profits were 20.5 per cent higher at £43.5million.

Whitbread said it created 1,200 new UK jobs over the period with a 10,000 expected during the next three months. Whitbread recorded a rise in half-year underlying profits of 12.6 per cent to £216.1million.

Chief executive Andy Harrison said: 'This good first half performance puts us on track to deliver this year's business plan and we remain on the right trajectory for our 2016 and 2018 growth milestones.'