Chipotle Mexican Grill recorded its third consecutive quarter of comparable sales growth, with revenue rising 9.6 per cent year-on-year to $3.3 billion.

For the three months ended September 30, the company’s comparable restaurant sales increased 2.1 per cent. However, its net income declined to $339.9 million from $382.1 million in the same period last year.

“Three consecutive quarters of positive comparable transaction growth demonstrates that our ‘Recipe for Growth’ strategy is working,” said Scott Boatwright, CEO of Chipotle.

The company opened 84 company-owned restaurants during the quarter, including 53 featuring a Chipotlane, its digital order pickup lane. It also opened five restaurants with international partners.

Boatwright said menu innovation, digital capabilities, the rollout of high-efficiency equipment and international expansion continued to support the company’s growth strategy.

“We’re gaining traction with menu and digital innovation, making significant progress on our high-efficiency equipment rollout, and accelerating our global expansion with entry into three new markets this quarter,” he said.

“These achievements reinforce our confidence in the strategy and our ability to execute as we build Chipotle into an iconic global brand.”

Looking ahead, Chipotle expects to open between 340 and 360 company-owned restaurants in the US and Canada by next year, along with 15 to 25 company-owned and partner-operated restaurants in international markets.

• Further reading: Starbucks considers mega Chipotle takeover, FT reports.