DALLAS, Jan. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT) today announced results for the fiscal second quarter ended Dec. 25, 2013.

Highlights include the following:

• Earnings per diluted share, excluding special items, increased 18.0 percent to $0.59 compared to $0.50 for the second quarter of fiscal 2013 (see non-GAAP reconciliation below)
• On a GAAP basis, earnings per diluted share increased 16.0 percent to $0.58 compared to $0.50 for the second quarter of fiscal 2013
• Company sales increased 2.3 percent to $684.4 million and restaurant operating margin¹ improved approximately 30 basis points to 16.0 percent compared to 15.7 percent for the second quarter of fiscal 2013
• Brinker International comparable restaurant sales at company-owned restaurants increased 0.8 percent
• Chili's domestic comparable restaurant sales² includes a 0.7 percent increase for company-owned restaurants and a 0.7 percent decrease for franchised restaurants resulting in a net increase of 0.3 percent
• Chili's international franchise comparable restaurant sales increased 1.4 percent, representing the 16th consecutive quarterly increase
• Maggiano's comparable restaurant sales increased 0.9 percent, representing the 16th consecutive quarterly increase
• For the first six months of fiscal 2014, cash flows provided by operating activities were $147.3 million and capital expenditures totaled $69.7 million
• The company repurchased approximately 0.6 million shares of its common stock for $26.8 million in the second quarter and a total of approximately 2.2 million shares for $93.1 million year-to-date
• The company paid a dividend of 24 cents per share in the second quarter, an increase of 20 percent over the prior year second quarter

"We remain encouraged about the trajectory of our business as results from this past quarter demonstrate our steady progress of driving top-line sales, while increasing value for our shareholders," said Wyman Roberts, Chief Executive Officer and President.

Quarterly Operating Performance

CHILI'S second quarter company sales increased to $576.7 million from $563.3 million in the prior year primarily due to the acquisition of 11 restaurants in Canada, as well as increases in comparable restaurant sales and domestic restaurant capacity. As compared to the prior year, Chili's operating margin improved. Cost of sales was favorably impacted by mix changes related to the introduction of new menu items, improved waste control and menu pricing, partially offset by unfavorable commodity pricing primarily related to meat and poultry. Restaurant labor was positively impacted by improved labor productivity resulting from the installation of new kitchen equipment and server initiatives, coupled with leverage related to higher revenue, partially offset by higher restaurant manager bonuses. Restaurant expense was negatively impacted by higher advertising accruals and workers' compensation insurance expenses.

MAGGIANO'S second quarter company sales of $107.7 million increased 1.8 percent primarily driven by increases in menu pricing and restaurant capacity. As compared to the prior year, Maggiano's restaurant operating margin was negatively impacted primarily by costs associated with strategic initiatives including a new point of sale system, new restaurant development and unfavorable facilities costs. Cost of sales was positively impacted by favorable commodity pricing on bread, steak, dairy and seafood as well as increased menu pricing, partially offset by unfavorable mix changes.

FRANCHISE AND OTHER revenues totaled $20.0 million for the quarter, a decrease of 2.9 percent compared to $20.6 million in the prior year driven primarily by lower domestic royalty income, as well as lower international franchise and development fees. International comparable restaurant sales increased 1.4 percent, while U.S. franchise comparable restaurant sales decreased 0.7 percent. Brinker franchisees generated approximately $390 million in sales¹ for the second quarter of fiscal 2014.

Other

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $0.6 million for the quarter primarily due to investments in the Chili's reimage program, kitchen equipment, and software as well as the acquisition of 11 restaurants in Canada, partially offset by an increase in fully depreciated assets.

General and administrative expense decreased $0.7 million primarily due to lower performance-based and other compensation costs partially offset by an increase in professional fees and higher stock-based compensation costs.

Excluding the impact of special items, the effective income tax rate decreased to 31.3 percent in the current quarter compared to 32.7 percent in the prior year primarily due to the impact of tax credits for workforce programs and deductions related to increased stock option exercises.

Non-GAAP Reconciliation

Brinker believes excluding special items from its financial results provides investors with a clearer perspective of the company's ongoing operating performance and a more relevant comparison to prior period results. Special items in the second quarter of fiscal 2014 consist primarily of charges associated with the impairment of restaurants and other fixed assets.

Guidance Policy

Brinker provides annual guidance as it relates to comparable restaurant sales, earnings per diluted share, and other key line items in the income statement and will only provide updates if there is a material change versus the original guidance. Consistent with prior practice, management will not discuss intra-period sales or other key operating results not yet reported as the limited data may not accurately reflect the final results of the period or quarter referenced.

Webcast Information

Investors and interested parties are invited to listen to today's conference call, as management will provide further details of the quarter. The call will broadcast live on the Brinker website (www.brinker.com) at 9 a.m. CST today (Jan. 22). For those who are unable to listen to the live broadcast, a replay of the call will be available shortly thereafter and will remain on the Brinker website until the end of the day Feb. 19, 2014.

Additional financial information, including statements of income which detail operations excluding special items, franchise and other revenues, and comparable restaurant sales trends by brand, is also available on the Brinker website under the Financial Information section of the Investor tab.

Forward Calendar

• SEC Form 10-Q for second quarter fiscal 2014 filing on or before Feb. 3, 2014; and
• Third quarter earnings release, before market opens, April 23, 2014.

About Brinker

Brinker International, Inc. is one of the world's leading casual dining restaurant companies. Founded in 1975 and based in Dallas, Texas, as of Dec. 25, 2013, Brinker owned, operated, or franchised 1,602 restaurants under the names Chili's^® Grill & Bar (1,557 restaurants) and Maggiano's Little Italy^® (45 restaurants).

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and, consequently, could be affected by general business and economic conditions, financial and credit market conditions, credit availability, reduced disposable income, the impact of competition, the impact of mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and other strategic transactions, franchisee success, the seasonality of the company's business, adverse weather conditions, future commodity prices, product availability, fuel and utility costs and availability, terrorist acts, consumer perception of food safety, changes in consumer taste, health epidemics or pandemics, changes in demographic trends, availability of employees, unfavorable publicity, the company's ability to meet its business strategy plan, acts of God, governmental regulations and inflation.

SOURCE Brinker International, Inc.

Maureen Locus, Media Relations, (800) 775-7290 or Chris Bremer, Investor Relations, (972) 980-9917