Frankie & Benny's owner The Restaurant Group posted a rise in profits after a strong first half today but said sales growth had slowed down in the last couple of months compared to a bumper summer period last year.
It also admitted that it would be hit by the introduction of the national living wage from April 2016.
Pre-tax profits rose 9.6% to £36.9 million for the 26 weeks to June 28, with revenue up 8% to £334 million and like-for-like sales up 2.5%.
The group said for the 34 weeks to August 23, sales growth stood at 2%, indicating a slowdown over July and August.
But chairman Alan Jackson said the company was pleased with performance over the last couple of months "set against a period of very strong trading" in 2014.
He added: "With continuing improvements in the UK economy, a strong pipeline of new sites and an exciting cinema release schedule, I am confident that the group will continue to make excellent and profitable progress both in this year and future years."
The group, which also includes the Chiquito and Garfunkel's brands, operates more than 480 venues across the UK plus concessions mainly operating at airports.
Many of its restaurants are next to cinemas so it tends to benefit from blockbuster film releases such as the new Star Wars and James Bond films scheduled later this year.
The group said it had opened 21 new restaurants over the year to date with a total of between 43 and 48 expected for the year as a whole.
It said the introduction of the national living wage for over 25s, which will start at £7.20, would "clearly have some cost implications" but that it was "actively taking steps to mitigate the impact" with a focus on cost efficiencies.
The group said Chiquito, operating at 79 units, saw the strongest growth in sales and profits in the first half of all its brands after the development of its breakfast, dessert and cocktail offerings, while new openings were set to deliver strong returns.
Frankie & Benny's, with 251 sites, saw "good growth in turnover and profits" as the group made efforts to bolster service and value.
Peel Hunt analyst Nick Batram said it was "another solid delivery from a company that is the model of consistency" and cited the "very strong" film slate set to boost prospects in the fourth quarter.
"Further out, the living wage will see costs rise but Restaurant Group is better placed than most," he added.
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