For the quarter ended December 2025, Brinker International (EAT) reported revenue of $1.45 billion, up 6.9% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $2.87, compared to $2.80 in the year-ago quarter.The reported revenue represents a surprise of +3.44% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.4 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $2.53, the EPS surprise was +13.39%.While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to deter ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Brinker reported total revenues of $1.45 billion for Q2 FY 2026, an increase of 7% over the prior year, with consolidated comp sales of +7.5% [19] - Adjusted diluted EPS for the quarter was $2.87, up from $2.80 last year [19] - Restaurant operating margin was 18.8%, compared to 19.1% in the prior year, a decrease of 30 basis points year over year [20] - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was approximately $223.5 million, a 3.6% increase from the prior year [23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Chili's same-store sales were at +8.6%, outpacing the casual dining industry by 680 basis points, with a 2-year cumulative comp of 43% [5] - Maggiano's reported comp sales for the quarter of -2.4%, but showed sequential improvement during the quarter [20][15] - Chili's top-line sales growth was driven by a price increase of 4.4%, positive traffic of 2.7%, and a positive mix of 1.5% [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Chili's was the number one traffic brand in casual dining for the entire 2025 year [13] - The company captured value leadership in casual dining and the broader restaurant industry over the past three years [12] - The per person check average at Chili's is more than $3 less than direct casual dining competitors and more than $4 less than casual dining as a whole [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on improving food, service, and atmosphere, with plans to continue menu renovations and introduce new offerings [7][9] - A reimage program for Chili's has started, with plans to complete 60-80 reimages in fiscal 2027 [24][92] - The company aims to maintain a disciplined capital allocation strategy while investing in restaurants and returning excess cash to shareholders [24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving the fifth consecutive year of same-store sales growth and second consecutive year of traffic gains [18] - The company anticipates mid-single-digit comps for the back half of the year, despite potential pressure from weather-related impacts [39] - Management noted that the macroeconomic environment is mixed, but emphasized the importance of focusing on controllable factors like food service and atmosphere [67] Other Important Information - The company repurchased an additional $100 million of common stock under its share repurchase program [25] - Capital expenditures for the quarter were approximately $63.7 million, driven by capital maintenance spend [23] - The company expects to face mid-single-digit inflation for the back half of the year due to rising beef prices, despite favorable commodity prices from tariff removals [27][100] Q&A Session Summary Question: What contributed to the strong traffic and sales growth in the quarter? - Management highlighted stable pricing and positive mix driven by successful menu items like the Margarita of the Month and Triple Dippers [30][32] Question: What are the expectations for top-line performance in the back half of the year? - Management expects solid mid-single-digit comps for Chili's, with potential traffic pressure due to weather impacts [39][44] Question: Can you elaborate on the reimaging prototypes being tested? - Management noted that all four reimage units received positive feedback, with insights on cost-effective improvements being gathered [53][56] Question: How is the company addressing store-level employee incentives? - Management is focusing on training managers to understand P&L and ownership before changing incentive structures, with changes expected in 1-2 years [82][85] Question: What is the outlook for new unit growth? - Management confirmed plans for 60-80 remodels in 2027 and expressed optimism about new unit growth in 2028, with a focus on capital allocation [92][95]

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) Q2 2026 Earnings call January 28, 2026 10:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsChris O'Cull - Managing DirectorDavid Palmer - Senior Managing DirectorDennis Geiger - Executive DirectorKevin Hochman - CEO and PresidentKim Sanders - Head of Investor RelationsMika Ware - CFOConference Call ParticipantsAndrew Strelzik - Senior AnalystBrian Harbour - Equity Research AnalystBrian Vaccaro - Equity Research AnalystChristine Cho - VP and Equity Research AnalystEric Gonzalez - Senior Research ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q2 FY 2026, Brinker reported total revenues of $1.45 billion, an increase of 7% over the prior year, with consolidated comp sales of +7.5% [18] - Adjusted diluted EPS for the quarter was $2.87, up from $2.80 last year [18] - Restaurant operating margin was 18.8%, compared to 19.1% in the prior year, a decrease of 30 basis points year over year [19] - Adjusted EBITDA was approximately $223.5 million, a 3.6% increase from the prior year [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Chili's same-store sales were at +8.6%, outpacing the casual dining industry by 680 basis points, with a 2-year cumulative comp of 43% [4] - Maggiano's reported comp sales for the quarter of -2.4%, but there were signs of sequential improvement [19][13] - Chili's top-line sales growth was driven by a price increase of 4.4%, positive traffic of 2.7%, and a positive mix of 1.5% [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Chili's was the number one traffic brand in casual dining for the entire 2025 year [12] - The company captured value leadership in casual dining and the broader restaurant industry over the past three years [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to continue focusing on improving food, service, and atmosphere, with a strong emphasis on marketing and brand building [5] - A reimage program for Chili's has started, with plans to complete 60-80 reimages in fiscal 2027 and fully roll out the program in fiscal 2028 [22][88] - The company aims to maintain a disciplined capital allocation strategy, allowing for investments in restaurants and returning excess cash to shareholders [22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving their fifth consecutive year of same-store sales growth and second consecutive year of traffic gains [17] - The company anticipates mid-single-digit comps for the back half of the year, despite potential pressure from recent weather events [36] - Management noted that the macroeconomic environment remains mixed, but they are focused on controllable factors like food service and atmosphere to drive guest traffic [66] Other Important Information - The company repurchased an additional $100 million of common stock under its share repurchase program [23] - Capital expenditures for the quarter were approximately $63.7 million, driven by capital maintenance spend [21] - The company expects to face commodity inflation in the low single digits for the fiscal year, with some pressures anticipated in the back half [26] Q&A Session Summary Question: What contributed to the strong traffic and sales growth in the quarter? - Management highlighted stable pricing and positive performance from the Margarita of the Month and other menu items, with no significant changes in guest frequency [30][32] Question: What are the expectations for the back half of the year regarding top-line performance? - Management expects solid mid-single-digit comps for the back half, with potential traffic pressure due to recent weather events [36][42] Question: Can you elaborate on the remodels and their expected impact? - Management confirmed plans for 60-80 remodels in 2027, with a focus on operational learning and cost-effective improvements [88][92] Question: How does the company plan to manage pricing power with the $10.99 price point? - Management emphasized the importance of a barbell strategy to maintain a diverse menu and prevent over-reliance on lower price points [44][46] Question: What is the outlook for commodity costs and their impact on margins? - Management reiterated that while tariffs have provided some favorability, mid-single-digit inflation is expected in the back half of the year [99]

Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) is looking like an interesting pick from a technical perspective, as the company reached a key level of support. Recently, EAT's 50-day simple moving average crossed above its 200-day simple moving average, known as a "golden cross."A golden cross is a technical chart pattern that can signify a potential bullish breakout. It's formed from a crossover involving a security's short-term moving average breaking above a longer-term moving average, with the most common moving ave ...

Q2 F26 January 28, 2026 SAME STORE SALES – F25, F26 | | Brinker | Chili's | Maggiano's | Domestic Franchise | International Franchise | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Q1 F25 | 13.0% | 14.1% | 4.2% | 12.3% | 3.7% | | Q2 F25 | 27.4% | 31.4% | 1.8% | 21.1% | (1.0%) | | Q3 F25 | 28.2% | 31.6% | 0.4% | 24.1% | 5.8% | | Q4 F25 | 21.3% | 23.7% | (0.4%) | 15.5% | 9.0% | | FY F25 | 22.7% | 25.3% | 1.5% | 19.9% | 6.8% | | | Brinker | Chili's | Maggiano's | Domestic Franchise | International Franchise | | Q1 ...

Brinker topped earnings and revenue expectations and raised full-year guidance as Chili's continues to outperform a sluggish restaurant sector. ...

Brinker International (EAT) came out with quarterly earnings of $2.87 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.53 per share. This compares to earnings of $2.8 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +13.39%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this operator of restaurant chains Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy would post earnings of $1.76 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.93 ...

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Financial Performance - Total revenues for Q2 FY2026 were $1.452 billion, up from $1.358 billion in Q2 FY2025, reflecting a variance of $94 million[3]. - Net income for Q2 FY2026 increased to $128.5 million, compared to $118.5 million in Q2 FY2025, marking a growth of $10 million[3]. - Net income for the twenty-six week period ended December 24, 2025, was $228.0 million, compared to $157.0 million for the same period in 2024, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 45.2%[26]. - Basic net income per share for the thirteen-week period ended December 24, 2025, was $2.92, up from $2.67 in the prior year, marking an increase of 9.3%[21]. - Net income for Q2 26 was $128.5 million, up from $118.5 million in Q2 25, indicating an increase of 8%[38]. - The company reported a year-to-date net income of $228.0 million for Q2 26, compared to $157.0 million in Q2 25, an increase of 45%[38]. Sales Growth - Chili's achieved a 2-year comparable sales growth of +43% and a 7.5% increase in company comparable restaurant sales for Q2 FY2026, with Chili's specifically growing by 8.6%[2][4]. - Comparable restaurant sales for company-owned restaurants increased by 7.5% for Q2 2026 compared to Q2 2025, with Chili's domestic showing an increase of 8.6%[30]. - Chili's franchisees generated sales of approximately $271.9 million in Q2 FY2026, compared to $232.3 million in Q2 FY2025[15]. - Franchise revenues for Q2 26 were $13.2 million, up from $11.9 million in Q2 25, reflecting a growth of 11%[34]. Operating Income - Operating income for the twenty-six week period ended December 24, 2025, was $286.3 million, compared to $212.4 million for the same period in 2024, representing a 34.7% increase[21]. - Chili's operating income for Q2 26 was $200.0 million, up from $175.1 million in Q2 25, representing an increase of 14%[34]. - Maggiano's operating income for Q2 26 was $15.0 million, compared to $28.2 million in Q2 25, reflecting a decrease of 46%[34]. Guidance and Projections - Full year FY2026 revenue guidance has been raised to $5.76 billion - $5.83 billion, up from the previous guidance of $5.60 billion - $5.70 billion[7]. - Net income per diluted share guidance, excluding special items, has been increased to $10.45 - $10.85 from $9.90 - $10.50[7]. - The company plans to open 32-38 new franchise restaurants in the fiscal year, with 24-28 of those being Chili's international locations[29]. Expenses and Liabilities - Interest expenses decreased to $10.7 million in Q2 26 from $14.7 million in Q2 25, a reduction of 27%[38]. - Depreciation and amortization increased to $54.6 million in Q2 26 from $47.7 million in Q2 25, a rise of 14%[38]. - The company reported total current liabilities of $669.7 million as of December 24, 2025, a slight decrease from $675.6 million in the previous period[23]. Cash Flow and Assets - Cash flows from operating activities for the twenty-six week period ended December 24, 2025, were $339.7 million, compared to $281.0 million for the same period in 2024, indicating a 20.8% increase[26]. - Total assets as of December 24, 2025, were $2,749.2 million, up from $2,678.6 million as of June 25, 2025, reflecting a growth of 2.6%[23]. Tax and External Factors - The effective income tax rate for Q2 FY2026 was 18.7%, lower than the statutory rate of 21.0% due to the leverage of the FICA tip credit[11]. - The company anticipates a negative impact of approximately $20 million in revenues and a decrease of $0.15 in net income per diluted share due to Winter Storm Fern[6]. Restaurant Operations - The total number of company-owned restaurants as of December 24, 2025, was 1,160, a decrease from 1,164 in the previous year, with projected openings of 6 for the full fiscal year[29]. - The non-GAAP restaurant operating margin for Chili's was 19.1% in Q2 26, an increase from 18.7% in Q2 25[34]. - Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 26 was $223.5 million, compared to $215.8 million in Q2 25, showing a growth of 4%[38]. - The company emphasizes that restaurant operating margin is a useful metric for evaluating restaurant-level operating efficiency, despite being a non-GAAP measure[35].