Burger King Worldwide Inc., which is buying coffee chain Tim Hortons Inc. in a bid to become the world’s third-largest fast-food chain, reported U.S. sales growth that topped estimates, lifted by new menu items.

Third-quarter same-store sales in the U.S. and Canada rose 3.6 percent, the Miami-based company said in a statement. That topped the 2.5 percent projected by analysts, according to Consensus Metrix. Global comparable sales growth was 2.4 percent, matching projections.

Burger King is advertising new foods and promotions to draw American diners amid tough industry competition. The chain, which said in August that it’s buying Tim Hortons, recently advertised a 10-pack of chicken nuggets for $1.49.

Burger King’s shares have climbed 41 percent this year through yesterday’s close, outpacing the 1.9 percent decline for the Standard & Poor’s 500 Restaurants Index.

The sales gain in the U.S. and Canada compared with a 0.3 percent same-store decline a year earlier. The latest quarter also outshined the performance of rival McDonald’s Corp., which last month reported a 3.3 percent decline at U.S. stores open at least 13 months.