Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) Posts Earnings Results

Posted by Brian Himes on Aug 12th, 2026

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT – Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The restaurant operator reported $3.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.10 by ($0.03), FiscalAI reports. The company had revenue of $1.54 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.53 billion. Brinker International had a net margin of 8.07% and a return on equity of 123.22%. Brinker International’s revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.30 earnings per share. Brinker International updated its FY 2027 guidance to 12.600-13.400 EPS.

Here are the key takeaways from Brinker International’s conference call:

Chili’s same-store sales rose 5.6% in Q4, marking the brand’s 21st consecutive quarter of growth and continued outperformance of casual dining, supported by 1.5% traffic growth. Brinker reported adjusted EPS of $3.07, up 23% year over year.
The Big Crispy chicken sandwich launch exceeded expectations, with sales reaching 55 sandwiches per restaurant per day by the end of Q4 versus 20 before launch. Management said demand continued to accelerate in July and August, alongside gains from value offerings, margaritas, desserts, and improved restaurant throughput.
Brinker issued fiscal 2027 guidance for revenue of $6.15 billion to $6.27 billion and adjusted EPS of $12.60 to $13.40, including a 53rd operating week expected to add about $0.70 to EPS. Management expects mid-single-digit Chili’s comparable-sales growth, positive traffic, 20 to 40 basis points of restaurant-margin expansion on a 52-week basis, and three net new company-owned restaurants.
Brinker plans to complete 60 to 80 Chili’s reimages in fiscal 2027 and expects to begin a roughly 10% annual fleet cadence in fiscal 2028, while accelerating new-unit growth from fiscal 2028 onward. The company will also acquire 12 lower-performing Chili’s franchise restaurants in Alabama and Mississippi, an acquisition expected to have a roughly neutral EPS impact.
Maggiano’s comparable sales declined 2.5% in Q4, with traffic down 5.3%, and management acknowledged that its turnaround is progressing more slowly than planned. Fiscal 2027 guidance assumes flat Maggiano’s revenue and profit, while higher commodity, wage, insurance, advertising, and other operating costs are expected to limit near-term margin expansion.

Brinker International Stock Up 8.7%

Shares of Brinker International stock traded up $19.32 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $240.70. 1,114,314 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,163,251. Brinker International has a 1 year low of $100.30 and a 1 year high of $241.15. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $180.87 and its 200 day moving average is $159.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05, a quick ratio of 0.35 and a current ratio of 0.40. The firm has a market cap of $10.32 billion, a PE ratio of 23.60, a PEG ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 1.23.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Brinker International

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of EAT. Allworth Financial LP increased its stake in shares of Brinker International by 58.5% during the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 225 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 83 shares during the period. Aviva PLC lifted its position in Brinker International by 2.8% in the fourth quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 4,123 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $592,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares during the period. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System lifted its position in Brinker International by 1.9% in the fourth quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 6,511 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $934,000 after purchasing an additional 121 shares during the period. &PARTNERS boosted its holdings in Brinker International by 3.2% in the 4th quarter. &PARTNERS now owns 4,469 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock valued at $641,000 after purchasing an additional 140 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC increased its position in Brinker International by 570.4% during the 4th quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC now owns 181 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 154 shares during the period.

Key Stories Impacting Brinker International

Here are the key news stories impacting Brinker International this week:

Positive Sentiment: Brinker reported fiscal fourth-quarter revenue of $1.54 billion, above the $1.53 billion consensus estimate, while revenue grew 5.1% year over year. Chili’s continued to drive performance, marking five consecutive years of same-store sales growth and a cumulative 71% increase over that period. Brinker fiscal 2026 results and fiscal 2027 guidance
Positive Sentiment: Fiscal 2027 earnings-per-share guidance of $12.60 to $13.40 topped the $12.47 analyst consensus, while revenue guidance of $6.2 billion to $6.3 billion exceeded the $6.1 billion consensus. The outlook suggests management expects continued sales strength and operating leverage. Bank of America maintains Buy rating
Positive Sentiment: Brinker announced expanded share buybacks, providing an additional potential support for per-share earnings and signaling management confidence in future cash generation. Bank of America reiterated its Buy rating, and UBS raised its price target to $260 while maintaining a Buy rating. UBS raises Brinker price target
Neutral Sentiment: Fourth-quarter EPS was $3.07, up from $2.30 a year earlier. Results were described as matching the Zacks consensus, although other estimates placed expectations at $3.10, indicating only a marginal earnings miss. Brinker matches Q4 earnings estimates
Negative Sentiment: Brinker’s elevated valuation remains a risk. A recent analysis argued that the stock’s strong rally has increased the need for new growth opportunities beyond its current Chili’s momentum, potentially limiting upside if sales trends moderate. Brinker valuation analysis

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. Citigroup raised their price target on Brinker International from $189.00 to $227.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 28th. KeyCorp increased their target price on Brinker International from $177.00 to $204.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Brinker International from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Tuesday, June 16th. UBS Group lifted their target price on Brinker International from $190.00 to $260.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday. Finally, Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Brinker International from $170.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $196.75.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on EAT

About Brinker International

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Brinker International, Inc (NYSE: EAT) is a leading global operator of casual dining restaurants. The company’s portfolio is anchored by its flagship Chili’s® Grill & Bar concept and Maggiano’s® Little Italy full‐service restaurants, offering a range of American‐style menu items, handcrafted cocktails and family‐friendly dining experiences. Through dine‐in, takeout, delivery and catering services, Brinker seeks to meet consumer preferences across multiple channels.

The Chili’s brand features signature items such as baby back ribs, burgers and fajitas alongside a rotating selection of limited‐time offerings and seasonal beverages.