The Austin-based retailer of natural and organic foods said it made $20.2 million, 34 cents a share, on revenue of $622.8 million in the quarter ending April 14. That compares to a profit of $27.2 million, 49 cents a share, on revenue of $516.6 million in the same quarter a year ago. Last year's profit included a $12.3-million, one-time gain from discontinued operations.

The company said the 21% growth in sales for Q1 was driven by a 17% increase in square footage and 10.1% increase in comparable-store sales. Whole Foods sees continued growth, raising its estimates for the fiscal year to 17% to 22% from 15% to 20%. The company expect to open two stores in the current quarter and two to four stores in the following quarter.

The earnings come on the heels of Whole Foods' announcement to build an 80,000-sf store in Austin and lease 170,000 sf for offices in an adjoining office building. It also opened a store in Toronto, its first outside the US. It has signed leases for new stores in Palm Beach, FL, Atlanta and Long Island, NY. The company also will expand its Plano store to 62,000 sf from 31,000 sf.