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Brinker International (EAT)
NYSE:EAT
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Brinker International (EAT) AI Stock Analysis

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EAT

Brinker International

(NYSE:EAT)

Rating:66Neutral
Price Target:
$175.00
▲(12.08% Upside)
Brinker International's overall stock score is driven by strong earnings call sentiment and solid financial performance, despite high leverage concerns. Technical indicators suggest a neutral to slightly bearish trend, and valuation metrics indicate moderate pricing. The company's strategic initiatives and share repurchase program further support a positive outlook.
Positive Factors
Revenue Expectations
EAT anticipates higher revenues compared to consensus, maintaining strong SSSG driven by Chili’s.
Sales Performance
Chili's +23.7% comp sales continue to far exceed industry, with strong momentum continuing, driven by significant marketing efforts and operational improvements.
Negative Factors
Investor Sentiment
Magnitude of 'beat' and guidance revision likely fell below investor expectations, and outlook implies slowdown in Chili's comp to low-20%.
Market Expectations
The case for investing in EAT is becoming less persuasive as share prices now better reflect the strength of the turnaround, with comps potentially beginning to normalize.

Brinker International (EAT) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Brinker International Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionBrinker International, Inc. (EAT) is a leading casual dining restaurant company based in the United States. It primarily operates in the restaurant sector through its well-known brands, Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy. Chili's offers a variety of American cuisine with a Tex-Mex twist, while Maggiano's provides an authentic Italian dining experience. Brinker International focuses on delivering high-quality food and a welcoming atmosphere to its customers.
How the Company Makes MoneyBrinker International generates revenue primarily through the sales of food and beverages at its company-operated restaurants, which form the largest portion of its income. Additionally, the company earns money through franchise agreements, receiving royalties and fees from franchisees who operate under the Chili's and Maggiano's brands. Catering services and gift card sales also contribute to its revenue streams. Strategic partnerships with food and beverage suppliers help Brinker manage costs and maintain quality, while marketing initiatives and promotions drive customer traffic and sales growth.

Brinker International Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 13, 2025
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Oct 29, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call reflects a strong positive sentiment due to Chili's impressive same-store sales growth, margin expansion, successful product launches, and significant debt reduction. Although Maggiano's performance lagged slightly, the overall financial health and strategic investments position the company well for continued growth.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Chili's Same-Store Sales Growth
Chili's reported a 24% increase in same-store sales, significantly outperforming the casual dining industry by 1,890 basis points. This marks the 17th consecutive quarter of positive same-store sales growth.
Restaurant Operating Margin Expansion
Chili's restaurant operating margins expanded from 11.9% in fiscal '22 to 17.6% in fiscal '25, driven by simplification and operational improvements.
New Product Launch Success
The new frozen margarita program and ribs platform were well-received, with sales exceeding expectations. The frozen margarita sales doubled despite a higher price point.
Debt Reduction and Financial Strength
Brinker International paid down over $570 million in debt over the past three years, achieving a lease-adjusted leverage ratio of 1.7.
Strong Fiscal 2025 Financial Performance
Brinker reported total revenue growth of 21.9%, surpassing $5 billion in revenue for the first time, with a 420 basis point improvement in restaurant operating margins.
Marketing and Brand Recognition
Chili's marketing efforts were recognized as Ad Age's 2025 Brand of the Year, enhancing brand visibility and customer engagement.
Negative Updates
Maggiano's Performance Challenges
Maggiano's reported a slight decline in comp sales of 0.4%, indicating ongoing challenges in the brand's turnaround efforts.
Unfavorable Food and Beverage Costs
Fourth-quarter food and beverage costs were unfavorable by 60 basis points year-over-year due to an unfavorable menu mix and commodity inflation.
Continued Investment Needs
Brinker plans significant capital expenditures for fiscal '26, including $270 million to $290 million, to support reimagining and new unit growth.
Company Guidance
During Brinker International's Q4 fiscal 2025 earnings call, the company shared guidance for fiscal 2026, highlighting several key metrics and strategic initiatives. For fiscal 2026, Brinker anticipates annual revenues between $5.6 billion and $5.7 billion, with an adjusted diluted EPS ranging from $9.90 to $10.50. The company expects to maintain a pricing strategy within the 3% to 5% range, with a particular focus on barbell pricing to balance value and premium offerings. Moreover, Chili's is projected to achieve positive same-store sales each quarter, driven by various initiatives including menu simplification, improved food quality, and continued investment in labor and marketing. Capital expenditures for fiscal 2026 are projected to be between $270 million and $290 million, supporting remodeling efforts and long-term unit growth strategies. Additionally, Brinker plans to maintain G&A expenses at approximately 4% of total revenues. The company also highlighted its commitment to sustaining traffic growth, with an emphasis on operational enhancements and marketing effectiveness to sustain the momentum built over the past three years.

Brinker International Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Brinker International shows strong revenue growth and improving profitability with a net profit margin of 7.12%. However, the high debt-to-equity ratio of 4.21 indicates significant leverage, posing a risk if market conditions change. The company demonstrates good cash flow management, providing a buffer against potential financial challenges.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Brinker International shows a strong revenue growth rate of 4.95% in the TTM, with improving profit margins. The gross profit margin increased slightly to 14.41%, and the net profit margin improved to 7.12%, indicating enhanced profitability. EBIT and EBITDA margins also show positive trends, reflecting operational efficiency. However, the restaurant industry remains competitive, and maintaining these growth rates could be challenging.
Balance Sheet
60
Neutral
The company has a high debt-to-equity ratio of 4.21, indicating significant leverage, which poses a risk. However, the return on equity is positive at 1.98%, showing that the company is generating returns for shareholders. The equity ratio is low, suggesting a reliance on debt financing, which could be a concern if interest rates rise or if the company faces cash flow issues.
Cash Flow
70
Positive
Brinker International's cash flow statement reflects a healthy free cash flow growth rate of 5.78% in the TTM. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is slightly above 1, indicating good cash generation relative to net income. The free cash flow to net income ratio of 0.61 suggests that a significant portion of net income is being converted into free cash flow, which is positive for financial flexibility.
BreakdownTTMDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue5.38B5.38B4.42B4.13B3.80B3.34B
Gross Profit775.80M775.80M627.30M500.10M499.20M503.30M
EBITDA719.70M716.00M400.70M314.20M325.70M351.60M
Net Income383.10M383.10M155.30M102.60M117.60M131.60M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets2.68B2.68B2.59B2.49B2.48B2.27B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments18.90M18.90M64.60M15.10M13.50M23.90M
Total Debt1.69B1.69B2.00B2.16B2.27B2.04B
Total Liabilities2.31B2.31B2.55B2.63B2.75B2.58B
Stockholders Equity370.90M370.90M39.40M-144.30M-268.10M-303.30M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow413.70M413.70M223.00M71.40M101.90M275.70M
Operating Cash Flow679.00M679.00M421.90M256.30M252.20M369.70M
Investing Cash Flow-263.40M-263.40M-192.20M-174.20M-234.20M-90.90M
Financing Cash Flow-461.30M-461.30M-180.20M-80.50M-28.40M-298.80M

Brinker International Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price156.14
Price Trends
50DMA
164.44
Negative
100DMA
158.94
Negative
200DMA
151.36
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-2.01
Negative
RSI
47.94
Neutral
STOCH
55.38
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For EAT, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 156.14 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 155.93, below the 50-day MA of 164.44, and above the 200-day MA of 151.36, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -2.01 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 47.94 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 55.38 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for EAT.

Brinker International Risk Analysis

Brinker International disclosed 31 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Brinker International reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Brinker International Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
74
Outperform
$11.75B27.0532.28%1.48%14.59%18.98%
67
Neutral
$1.46B11.2424.80%3.45%0.09%-23.74%
66
Neutral
$7.20B19.47186.74%21.95%146.44%
66
Neutral
$4.51B227.484.16%13.13%-25.05%
65
Neutral
$3.09B19.0641.01%1.74%4.77%38.24%
61
Neutral
$17.75B12.56-5.49%3.02%1.43%-14.12%
60
Neutral
$1.59B21.25-20.16%3.79%-1.46%8.10%
* Consumer Cyclical Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
EAT
Brinker International
156.14
86.40
123.89%
ARCO
Arcos Dorados Holdings
6.96
-1.68
-19.44%
PZZA
Papa John's International
48.56
2.59
5.63%
TXRH
Texas Roadhouse
174.84
7.65
4.58%
CAKE
Cheesecake Factory
61.91
22.87
58.58%
SHAK
Shake Shack
106.76
2.10
2.01%

Brinker International Corporate Events

Stock BuybackFinancial Disclosures
Brinker International Expands Share Repurchase Program
Positive
Aug 13, 2025

On August 11, 2025, Brinker International‘s Board of Directors authorized an additional $400 million for its share repurchase program, increasing the total available authority to $507 million. The company reported strong financial results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, with a significant increase in sales and traffic at Chili’s, leading to improved margins and a reduction in debt. The company also provided optimistic guidance for fiscal 2026, expecting continued revenue growth and increased net income per share.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 27, 2025