Revenue during the quarter grew 15.81 percent to $85.60 million from $73.91 million in the previous year period. Gross margin for the quarter expanded 14 basis points over the previous year period to 67.03 percent. Total expenses were 92.13 percent of quarterly revenues, up from 91.05 percent for the same period last year. That has resulted in a contraction of 107 basis points in operating margin to 7.87 percent.

Operating income for the quarter was $6.74 million, compared with $6.61 million in the previous year period.

Steve Hislop, president and chief executive officer of Chuy's Holdings, Inc. stated, "Despite a challenging external environment, our third quarter results included double-digit increases in revenue and diluted net income per share. We were also pleased to continue our consecutive streak of comparable sales growth to 25 quarters despite lapping a strong increase of 4.2% in the prior year. We opened three new Chuy's restaurants during the third quarter and opened one additional restaurant early in the fourth quarter. With 10 restaurants open year-to-date, we are on pace to reach our goal of opening 12 new restaurants for 2016."

For financial year 2016, Chuy's Holdings, Inc. projects diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $1.05 to $1.08 on adjusted basis.