Brinker International(US:EAT) Prnewswire·2026-01-28 11:45Core Insights - Brinker International, Inc. reported strong financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2026, with Chili's achieving industry-leading growth of +9% and a two-year comparable sales growth of +43% [2][3] - The company experienced a 7.5% increase in comparable restaurant sales, with Chili's specifically seeing an 8.6% increase, while Maggiano's faced a decline of 2.4% [4][7] - The company has raised its full-year fiscal 2026 guidance, reflecting a stronger sales and profit outlook despite the negative impact from Winter Storm Fern, which resulted in approximately $20 million in reduced revenues [5][6] Financial Performance - Company sales for Q2 fiscal 2026 reached $1,438.8 million, up from $1,346.1 million in Q2 fiscal 2025, marking a variance of $92.7 million [3][21] - Total revenues increased to $1,452.2 million from $1,358.2 million, with an operating income of $168.4 million compared to $156.0 million in the previous year [3][21] - Net income rose to $128.5 million, or $2.86 per diluted share, compared to $118.5 million, or $2.61 per diluted share, in Q2 fiscal 2025 [3][21] Segment Performance - Chili's company sales increased to $1,304.1 million from $1,196.9 million, while Maggiano's sales decreased to $149.2 million from $134.7 million [7][21] - Chili's operating income was $200.0 million, with an operating margin of 15.2%, while Maggiano's operating income was $15.0 million, with an operating margin of 11.1% [7][32] - Franchise revenues for Chili's reached approximately $271.9 million, up from $232.3 million in the same quarter last year [10] Guidance and Future Outlook - The updated fiscal 2026 guidance includes total revenues projected between $5.76 billion and $5.83 billion, and net income per diluted share expected to be between $10.45 and $10.85 [6] - Capital expenditures are now expected to be between $250 million and $260 million, down from the previous estimate of $270 million to $290 million [6] - The company anticipates a total of 32 to 38 new restaurant openings for the fiscal year, with a focus on both company-owned and franchise locations [25]