Zacks Investment Research·2d ago
Can Brinker Turn Chili's $5M AUV Into Its Next Growth Engine?EAT is building Chili's next growth phase on $5M AUVs, sustained traffic gains and reinvestment in value, operations, menu innovation and reimages.
Brinker International's operational turnaround, marked by a 199% increase in operating income from 2025Q1 to 2026Q3, has successfully translated into strong cash generation and balance sheet repair. However, the company's high Debt/Equity ratio of 3.96 and vol...
Price trend, volume and key moving averages
Start with the evidence for owning the stock and the risks that can break the thesis.
Revenue growth has decelerated from a peak of 27.2% in 2025Q3 to 5.1% in 2026Q4, while operating income demonstrated significant leverage by growing 199% on 36% revenue growth over the same period.
Chili's current sales momentum is reinforced by recent analyst upgrades, particularly from UBS, indicating positive performance in the casual dining space.
Brinker's strong fourth quarter and full-year results highlight its ability to deliver consistent financial performance, supporting investor confidence.
The company's ambitious fiscal 2026 guidance suggests optimism about future growth and operational efficiency, serving as a key bullish driver.
Trailing total returns as of 9/24/2026, which may include dividends or other distributions. Benchmark is S&P 500 (^GSPC).
Check whether operating performance supports the current valuation.
Recent results and news deserve attention only when they alter the forward view.
| Quarter | EPS (Act vs Est) | Revenue (Act vs Est) |
|---|---|---|
Q3 2026Latest Aug 12, 2026 | $3.07-0.6% vs $3.09 | $1.5B+0.2% vs $1.5B |
Q2 2026 Apr 29, 2026 | $2.90+1.8% vs $2.85 | $1.5B-0.2% vs $1.5B |
Q1 2026 Jan 28, 2026 | $2.87+13.4% vs $2.53 | $1.5B+2.6% vs $1.4B |
Q4 2025 Oct 29, 2025 | $1.93+9.7% vs $1.76 | $1.3B-3.6% vs $1.4B |
EAT is building Chili's next growth phase on $5M AUVs, sustained traffic gains and reinvestment in value, operations, menu innovation and reimages.
EAT targets 4-6% annual revenue growth through fiscal 2029 as Chili's expansion, remodels and buybacks support its long-term strategy.
Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) Analyst/Investor Day Transcript
Brinker International (EAT) concluded the recent trading session at $199.56, signifying a -5.25% move from its prior day's close.
Benchmark EAT against direct peers instead of judging its metrics in isolation.
Key metrics vs top competitors for Brinker International, Inc. (EAT)
| Company | Price | Market Cap | P/E Ratio | Rev Growth (1Y) | Net Margin | ROE | Div Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $210.80 | $9.04B | 19.39 | 7.86% | 8.39% | 119.57% | — | |
| $213.79 | $24.49B | 20.58 | 9.39% | 9.13% | 56.01% | — | |
| $164.84 | $10.83B | 27.02 | 9.39% | 6.63% | 27.2% | — | |
| $8.55 | $732M | 135.50 | 0.14% | 0.7% | 7.28% | — | |
| $6.25 | $321.87M | 15.24 | -2.5% | 2.24% | — | — | |
| $104.41 | $5.19B | 34.01 | 4.75% | 4.61% | 38.83% | — |
Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) vs competitors — business, growth, and fundamentals comparison against the closest industry rivals.
Verify the primary filings, follow material updates, and answer the remaining questions.
Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) SEC filings — annual & quarterly reports (10-K, 10-Q)
Aug 12, 2026·SEC
Jun 17, 2026·SEC
Apr 29, 2026·SEC
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Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) stock FAQ — growth, dividends, profitability & financials explained
Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) reported $5.81B in revenue for fiscal year 2026. This represents a 335% increase from $1.34B in 1997.
Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) grew revenue by 7.9% over the past year. This is steady growth.
Yes, Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) is profitable, generating $487.0M in net income for fiscal year 2026 (8.4% net margin).
Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) has a return on equity (ROE) of 119.6%. This is excellent, indicating efficient use of shareholder capital.
Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) generated $557.5M in free cash flow for fiscal year 2026. Positive FCF indicates the company can fund dividends, buybacks, or reinvestment.
