SCOTTSDALE Ariz. Kona Grill Inc. said Thursday that same-store sales declined 2.5 percent for the March-ended first quarter, a marked improvement over the 9.6-percent decrease in the same quarter last year and the 8.1-percent drop in the December-ended fourth quarter of 2009.
The company, which operates the 24-unit casual-dining grill and sushi chain, said it was optimistic about the trends in the most recent quarter, especially as the month of March recorded a 3.6-percent same-store sales increase. It was the first positive result since February 2008, the company said.
“We are cautiously optimistic that this momentum will continue throughout 2010,” said Marc Buehler, Kona’s president and chief executive, “which will enable us to leverage costs and ultimately, improve our bottom line results.”
Kona said first-quarter sales increased 8.2 percent to $21.1 million, helped by the opening of four additional restaurants since the first quarter of 2009.
Kona Grill will release full first-quarter results April 27.
Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].