Brinker International Inc logo

Brinker International Inc(EAT)

Top Performer Top performer
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ADVISORIES YOU CAN VERIFY
QUALITY SIGNAL
5-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$207.2
09/25/2026
(24-hour delay)

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*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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Upturn Advisory & Investor View for EAT

09/25/2026: EAT (5-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Brinker International Inc is a prominent operator of casual dining restaurants, best known for its Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy brands. The company's core strength lies in its strong brand presence and the recent successful expansion of its digital and off-premise sales channels. Its growth story hinges on maintaining store traffic through value-based initiatives and improving operational efficiency in a high-cost environment. Key risks include intense industry competition, sensitivity to discretionary consumer spending, and the ongoing impact of inflationary labor and food costs. The stock may suit value-oriented investors, though potential shareholders should monitor same-store sales performance and margin health closely.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitThe company exhibits steady, moderate growth rather than the aggressive expansion typical of high-growth tech or consumer startups.
Momentum investorStrong fit while signal remains positiveMomentum investors may favor EAT when price action reflects strong same-store sales and positive industry sentiment.
Value investorStrong fitBrinker's valuation often reflects a mature, cash-generative business model that may appeal to value-oriented investors.
Dividend investorMixed fitThe company's history of dividend payments makes it of interest, though capital allocation priorities often shift between dividends and buybacks.
Low-risk investorWeak fitThe restaurant industry is inherently volatile and sensitive to economic cycles, making it less suitable for low-risk portfolios.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityMedium / highRestaurant stocks frequently swing based on consumer confidence and inflationary data.
Valuation riskMediumInvestors must weigh the stock price against the company's ability to maintain margins in a high-cost environment.
Competition risk (casual dining)HighIntense rivalry for market share keeps pricing power limited for casual dining operators.
Business qualityMediumBrinker maintains established brands, though it lacks the competitive moat of global, quick-service leaders.
Dividend incomeMediumDividend reliability is subject to the company's earnings and cash flow stability.
Execution riskMedium / highEffective management of labor, food costs, and service consistency is critical to maintaining profitability.

Price Behavior

Strong Uptrend
PRICE PATH

Strong Uptrend

The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.

Moderately Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Moderately Choppy

The stock has experienced noticeable price swings while retaining some directional structure.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit 283.51%
Avg. Invested days 51
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 3.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 5.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 09/25/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
EAT receives a 4-star rating, supported by solid company fundamentals, and solid analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
EAT has solid overall fundamentals (4 stars), with moderate financial health, solid growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2026 versus FY2025, solid earnings growth (+27.1%) and solid cash generation (FCF margin 9.6%) are partially offset by moderate revenue growth (+7.9%), soft profitability (net margin 8.4%), modest insider ownership of 1.14%.

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
EAT's financial health is supported by solid cash strength, including free-cash-flow generation (9.6% of revenue). Profitability is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Free-cash-flow growth is EAT's strongest growth driver at +34.8% FY2026 versus FY2025 (solid, 4 stars). Revenue growth (+7.9%, moderate) and earnings growth (+27.1%, solid) are also constructive, though not equally high across every growth measure.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 115.5% and approximately 98.7% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership of 1.14% provides only moderate management-shareholder alignment.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 15.76%
FMR Inc 15.63%
Vanguard Portfolio Management, LLC 5.90%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 4.66%
State Street Corp 4.05%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
EAT generates approximately $186 of gross profit, $107 of operating income, and $96 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2026 results. Strong margins, cash conversion, and capital efficiency support the rating.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 16.16%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
EAT has a high-quality, liquid profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback, while elevated volatility.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Value-OrientedQuality TiltHigh VolatilitySmall / Mid Cap RiskShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Mid-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 8.65B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 19.06
1Y Target Price 264
Price to earnings Ratio 19.06
1Y Target Price 264
Volume (30-day avg) 1.2M shares
Beta 1.26
52 Weeks Range 100.30 - 254.99
Updated Date 09/25/2026
52 Weeks Range 100.30 - 254.99
Updated Date 09/25/2026
Dividends yield (FY) -
Basic EPS (TTM) 10.87

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Chili's Grill & BarDine-in, carry-out, and delivery food and beverage sales.The primary revenue driver for the company, focusing on mass-market casual American dining.
Maggiano's Little ItalyFull-service Italian dining and large-scale banquet operations.Provides a higher-check-average experience that complements the Chili's brand.
GeographyOperations primarily within the United States.Highly exposed to the US consumer economy and domestic labor trends.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

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Valuation

Trailing PE 19.06
Forward PE 16.21
Enterprise Value 10.45B
Price to Sales(TTM) 1.49
Enterprise Value 10.45B
Price to Sales(TTM) 1.49
Enterprise Value to Revenue 1.8
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 12.44
Shares Outstanding 41.77M
Shares Floating 41.23M
Shares Outstanding 41.77M
Shares Floating 41.23M
Percent Insiders 1.14
Percent Institutions 115.5

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Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

About Brinker International Inc

Exchange NYSE
Headquarters Dallas, TX, United States
IPO Launch date 1989-07-28
President, CEO & Director Mr. Kevin D. Hochman
Sector Consumer Cyclical
Industry Restaurants
Full time employees 20096
Full time employees 20096

Brinker International, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the ownership, development, operation, and franchise of casual dining restaurants in the United States and internationally. It operates and franchises Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy restaurant brands. The company was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.