Brinker International(US:EAT)2026-01-28 13:01Financial 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].