Hamburger chain Jack in the Box has recorded a same-store sales slowdown for the third quarter; however, it says it expects to improve during the fourth quarter and into the next fiscal year. 

Same-store sales in the three months ended on July 6 fell by 7.1 per cent, including a reduction in franchise same-store sales of 7.2 per cent and company-owned same-store sales of 6.4 per cent. 

“While the macro environment remains challenging, Jack in the Box is poised to improve performance in the fourth quarter and into the next fiscal year by prioritizing areas of immediate impact of leveraging innovation, offering craveable value and re-focusing on improving the overall guest experience,” said Lance Tucker, Jack in the Box’s CEO.

Partially offset by an increase in price, sales performance resulted from a decline in transactions and mix.

Due to lower sales and other cost-related constraints, the company’s restaurant and franchise-level margins decreased compared to last year.

The chain’s net restaurant count in the quarter declined, with six restaurant openings and 21 closures.

Earlier, Jack in the Box swung to a loss amid a portfolio-wide sales decline in the second quarter.