Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT) released its first-quarter fiscal 2027 financial results on October 28, 2026, covering the thirteen-week period ended September 23, 2026, and updated its full-year fiscal 2027 guidance.

Key Highlights

  • Company sales of $1,461.2 million in Q1 fiscal 2027, up from $1,335.4 million in Q1 fiscal 2026, a variance of $125.8 million.
  • Chili's comparable restaurant sales grew 10.1% year over year, which the filing describes as the brand's 22nd consecutive quarter of same-store sales growth.
  • Net income per diluted share of $2.64 (GAAP) and $2.77 excluding special items (non-GAAP), compared to $2.17 and $1.93, respectively, in Q1 fiscal 2026.
  • Free cash flow (non-GAAP) was $105.7 million, up from $62.2 million in the prior-year quarter.
  • The company repurchased $125.0 million of common stock and redeemed $350.0 million of 8.25% notes using its revolving credit facility during the quarter.
  • Updated full-year fiscal 2027 revenue guidance of $6.23 to $6.33 billion, raised from the previous range of $6.15 to $6.27 billion.
  • Maggiano's comparable restaurant sales declined 3.4% in Q1 fiscal 2027, according to the filing.

Brinker Q1 Fiscal 2027: Segment Results, Cash Flow, and Raised Guidance

According to the filing, Brinker International reported total revenues of $1,475.6 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2027, compared to $1,349.2 million in the same period of fiscal 2026. Operating income was $151.0 million, or 10.2% of total revenues, up from $117.9 million and 8.7% in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) reached $209.1 million, compared to $172.4 million a year earlier. The company reported net income of $113.3 million versus $99.5 million in Q1 fiscal 2026.

The Chili's segment reported Company sales of $1,366.5 million for the quarter, up from $1,236.2 million, with restaurant operating margin (non-GAAP) of 18.7% of Company sales compared to 17.3% in the prior-year period. The filing noted that Chili's sales increased "primarily due to favorable comparable restaurant sales driven by higher traffic and menu pricing," while restaurant expenses as a percentage of sales decreased due to sales leverage, partially offset by higher commodity costs and other items. Chili's franchisees generated sales of approximately $296.7 million, up from $269.5 million. Maggiano's Company sales were $94.7 million, down from $99.2 million, with the filing attributing the decline primarily to lower traffic, partially offset by menu pricing.

On the balance sheet and capital allocation front, net cash provided by operating activities was $169.1 million, up from $120.8 million in Q1 fiscal 2026. The company redeemed $350.0 million of 8.25% outstanding notes, funded through the revolving credit facility. For fiscal 2027, updated guidance raises the non-GAAP net income per diluted share range to $13.30 to $13.90 from the previous $12.60 to $13.40. Capital expenditure guidance of $265.0 to $285.0 million and diluted weighted average shares of 42.0 to 43.0 million remain unchanged. The company noted that updated guidance includes a 53rd operating week in the fourth quarter, estimated to contribute approximately 2.0% to total revenues and $0.70 to non-GAAP net income per diluted share.

What Was Disclosed

Brinker International disclosed Q1 fiscal 2027 results for the period ended September 23, 2026, including revenue, operating income, net income, segment performance for Chili's and Maggiano's, cash flow metrics, capital allocation actions, and raised full-year fiscal 2027 financial guidance.