Brinker International Inc
Q4 2026 Earnings
Excludes $5.1 million in other (gains) and charges including $5.7 million restaurant-level impairment charges, $1.0 million litigation & claims, and $0.5 million restaurant closure charges, partially offset by $1.1 million lease modification gain and $0.8 million other net gains; also excludes $0.1 million adjustment for special tax items
Market Reaction
Did EAT Beat Earnings? Q4 2026 Results
Brinker International delivered a mixed fiscal fourth-quarter 2026 report, with revenue clearing the bar while earnings came in just shy of expectations. The casual dining operator posted adjusted EPS of $3.07, missing the $3.09 consensus by 0.52%, snapping a five-quarter streak of beating EPS estimates; total revenues of $1.54 billion edged 0.09% above forecasts and rose 5.1% year over year. The headline driver was continued momentum at Chili's, where comparable restaurant sales grew 5.6%, fueled by 1.5% positive traffic and 4.3% menu pricing, even as Maggiano's comps slipped 2.5% on weaker traffic. Chili's restaurant operating margin expanded 40 basis points to 18.6%, though higher beef costs and a temporary produce cost spike from a late Florida freeze partially offset those gains. Looking ahead, management guided fiscal 2027 total revenues of $6.15 billion to $6.27 billion and adjusted EPS of $12.60 to $13.40, ranges that include an estimated $0.70 per share benefit from a 53rd operating week.
- Chili's comparable restaurant sales increased 5.6% in Q4 driven by 4.3% menu pricing and 1.5% positive traffic
- Restaurant operating margin expanded to 18.6% of Company sales (non-GAAP) from 18.2% a year ago
- Disciplined execution across food quality, service, atmosphere, menu innovation, everyday value, and high-impact marketing
- Full-year Chili's comparable restaurant sales grew 9.2% with 3.6% traffic growth
- Operating income margin expanded to 10.9% of total revenues from 9.8% year-over-year
“Q4 2026 completes five consecutive years of Chili's same-store sales growth, delivering an unprecedented 71% cumulative increase over that time.”
Brinker International CEO, on the earnings call
Forward Guidance & Outlook
For fiscal 2027, Brinker guided total revenues of $6.15 billion to $6.27 billion and non-GAAP EPS of $12.60 to $13.40, which includes an estimated 2.0% revenue benefit and $0.70 EPS benefit from a 53rd operating week. Capital expenditures are expected to range from $265.0 million to $285.0 million, with diluted weighted average shares of 42.0 million to 43.0 million. Chili's momentum accelerated in July with the sustained success of the Big Crispy chicken sandwich and other brand initiatives.
EAT YoY Financials
EAT Revenue by Segment
Figures from SEC filings and company reports. Not investment advice.