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Key Takeaways

• Brinker International exceeded earnings and revenue forecasts and raised its outlook on soaring sales at its Chili's restaurants.

• Year-over-year comparable restaurant sales climbed 27% overall and 31% at Chili's.

• Brinker shares, which have quadrupled in the past year, hit an all-time high.

Shares of Brinker International (EAT) soared to an all-time high Wednesday when the restaurant chain operator beat profit and sales estimates and boosted its guidance as diners flocked to its Chili's locations.

The company, which also runs Maggiano's Little Italy, posted second-quarter fiscal 2025 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.80, with revenue jumping nearly 27% to $1.35 billion. Analysts surveyed by Visible Alpha were looking for $1.78 and $1.24 billion, respectively.

Comparable Restaurant Sales Jump 27% Overall, 31% at Chili's

Comparable restaurant sales soared 27%, driven higher by a 31% gain at Chili's. Brinker noted Chili's sales growth came from a 20% rise in traffic, "generated by investments in advertising behind industry leading value that brought guests in and operational improvements that brought guests back."

Maggiano's Little Italy comparable restaurant sales were 1.8% higher.

CEO Kevin Hochman credited the strong performance to the company's improving fundamentals, which continue "to drive a better guest experience and sustained business results."

Brinker now sees full-year adjusted EPS of $7.50 to $8.00 and revenue of $5.15 billion to $5.25 billion. Previously, it estimated adjusted EPS of $5.20 to $5.50 and revenue of $4.70 billion to $4.75 billion.

Brinker International shares soared more than 15% to $178.79 after earlier hitting a record $180.00. They have more than quadrupled over the past year.

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