Revenue during the quarter grew 22.57 percent to $71.88 million from $58.65 million in the previous year period. Gross margin for the quarter expanded 48 basis points over the previous year period to 53.01 percent. Total expenses were 96.53 percent of quarterly revenues, up from 95.17 percent for the same period last year. That has resulted in a contraction of 136 basis points in operating margin to 3.47 percent.

Operating income for the quarter was $2.49 million, compared with $2.83 million in the previous year period.

However, the adjusted EBITDA for the quarter stood at $7.45 million compared with $6.75 million in the prior year period. At the same time, adjusted EBITDA margin contracted 115 basis points in the quarter to 10.36 percent from 11.51 percent in the last year period.

"We are pleased with our results this quarter, which included our 51st consecutive quarter of positive comparable restaurant sales. We feel that this is a significant accomplishment in light of a challenging quarter for the industry, in addition to lapping a two year stacked same store comparison of over 19% which consists of 2.9% and 16.2% comparable restaurant sales growth in the third quarter of 2015 and the third quarter of 2014, respectively. We believe our success is attributable to our long-standing strategy of providing a differentiated high-quality fast-casual experience at a tremendous every day value. While our underlying operating discipline is the foundation of our continued success, the third quarter also included several successful marketing and culinary initiatives," said Russ Bendel, president and chief executive officer of The Habit Restaurants, Inc.

For financial year 2016, The Habit Restaurants, Inc expects revenue to be in the range of $283 million to $284 million.