Upscale restaurant chain Grill Concepts Inc., whose top officers recently took a pay cut, said Tuesday its net loss in the third quarter widened significantly as cash-strapped consumers ate out less often and spent less.

Woodland Hills-based operators of The Grill on the Alley and Daily Grill restaurants after Tuesday’s market close reported a net loss of $11.1 million (-$1.26 per share), compared loss of $589,000 (-7 cents) a year ago. In addition to slowing sales, the company had some restructuring costs and one-time charges, including settlement expenses of $268,000 from class-action lawsuit.

Total revenues rose 14.5 percent to $24.4 million largely on new openings, with same-restaurant sales down 8 percent.

The company last month announced that a dozen top executives would take a 10 percent pay cut to help offset the effects of the ailing economy. Chief Executive Philip Gay said the company is suspending its ambitious expansion program until the economy recovers and has drawn back from new lease commitments at certain planned locations.

“We recognize the greater focus on conserving capital, and the board and management team have determined that a more conservative approach to further growth would be in the best interest of our company, team members and shareholders,” Gay said in a statement.

Prior to the earnings release, Grill Concepts shares closed down 10 cents, or 10 percent, to 90 cents on the Nasdaq. That compared to a 52-week high of $6.63 hit in mid-January.