US food group J&J Snack Foods has announced “record” sales and earnings for the third quarter of its fiscal year despite what it called a “difficult economy”.

Sales for the three months to 26 June climbed 6% to US$189.7m, which drove a 6% increase in net earnings 6% to $15.9m. Operating income was up 7% to $26.1m.

President and CEO Gerald Shreiber said: “All of our business groups, led by our ICEE beverage and supermarket businesses, contributed to our record setting sales performance. In a difficult economy, we were able to continue to grow our business.”