DALLAS, Oct 27, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --

Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT) today announced results for the fiscal first quarter ended Sept. 29, 2010.

Highlights for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 include the following:

• Earnings per diluted share, before special items, increased to $0.21 compared to $0.12 for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 (see non-GAAP reconciliation below)
• On a GAAP basis, earnings per diluted share increased to $0.21 from $0.15 in the first quarter of the prior year
• Restaurant operating margin(1) improved 190 basis points to 15.0 percent
• Total revenues decreased 6.0 percent to $654.9 million
• Same restaurant sales at company-owned restaurants decreased 4.2 percent consisting of a 5.0 percent decrease at Chili's and a 1.4 percent increase at Maggiano's
• Cash flows used in operating activities were $6.6 million and capital expenditures totaled $15.6 million
• The Company repurchased approximately 5.3 million shares of its common stock for $92.7 million in the first quarter and repurchased an additional 4.3 million shares of its common stock for $83.1 million subsequent to the end of the quarter
• The Company paid a dividend of 14 cents per share in the first quarter, an increase of 27.3 percent over the prior year quarter

"Our team is aggressively pursuing several key strategies to continue to build sales and improve margins," said Doug Brooks, President and Chief Executive Officer. "And the rollout of Team Service is already resulting in a better guest experience and better margins."

(1) Restaurant operating margin is defined as Revenues less Cost of sales, Restaurant labor and Restaurant expenses.

The Company's fiscal 2010 consisted of 53 weeks compared to 52 weeks for fiscal 2011. The comparable restaurant sales percentages above have not been adjusted to reflect the one week calendar shift. Considering this shift, Brinker comparable restaurant sales were (5.8), (5.2) and (0.8) percent for July, August and September, respectively, resulting in (4.2) percent for the quarter. Management believes the adjusted presentation is a useful gauge of the company's performance.

Quarterly Operating Performance

CHILI'S first quarter revenues of $557.8 million represent a 7.7 percent decrease from the prior year period driven by a 5.0 percent decline in comparable restaurant sales. Revenues were also impacted by a net decline in capacity of 3.5 percent due to the sale of 21 restaurants to a franchisee and nine restaurant closures since the first quarter of fiscal 2010. Restaurant operating margin increased compared to the prior year due to favorable cost of sales driven by the positive impact of changes to value offerings and decreased commodity prices for proteins including ribs, beef and chicken. Restaurant labor was positively impacted by the implementation of team service, largely offset by higher restaurant management compensation and sales deleverage. Restaurant expenses decreased primarily due to favorable restaurant supply expenses, partially offset by sales deleverage compared to the prior year.

MAGGIANO'S first quarter revenues were $81.7 million and comparable restaurant sales increased 1.4 percent primarily driven by improved traffic. This increase represents the third consecutive quarterly increase. Restaurant operating margin decreased compared to the prior year primarily due to unfavorable restaurant labor and repairs and maintenance expense.

ROYALTY AND FRANCHISE revenues totaled $15.4 million for the quarter, an increase of 3.4 percent over the prior year. International franchise same restaurant sales increased 0.4 percent for the quarter while domestic franchise same restaurant sales decreased 5.8 percent for the same period. Since the first quarter of fiscal 2010, international and domestic franchisees have had net openings of 19 and 29 restaurants, respectively.

Other

General and administrative expense decreased $5.0 million for the quarter primarily due to decreased salary expense from lower headcount, increased income from transaction support services provided to On The Border and decreased stock-based compensation expense.

The effective income tax rate decreased to 20.4 percent in the current quarter as compared to 23.4 percent in the same quarter last year primarily due the resolution of certain tax positions which resulted in a positive impact to tax expense in the current quarter. Excluding the impact of special items, the effective income tax rate from continuing operations increased to 27.9 percent in the current quarter from 25.8 percent in the same quarter last year driven primarily by increased earnings.

Non-GAAP Reconciliation

The company 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.

"Our earnings growth and solid balance sheet give us the flexibility to invest in key initiatives, pay down debt, repurchase shares and deliver best in class retail dividends. We're committed to this balanced approach to delivering long-term value to our shareholders," said Guy Constant, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

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 be broadcast live on the Brinker website (www.brinker.com) at 9 a.m. CDT today (Oct. 27). 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 Dec. 1, 2010.

Additional financial information, including statements of income which detail continuing operations excluding special items, franchise development and royalty fees, and comparable restaurant sales trends by brand, is also available on the Brinker Web site under the Financial Information section of the Investor tab.

Forward Calendar

• SEC Form 10-Q for first quarter fiscal 2011 filing on or before Nov. 8, 2010; and
• Second quarter earnings release, before market opens, Jan. 25, 2011.

About Brinker

Brinker, International Inc. is one of the world's leading casual dining restaurant companies. Founded in 1975 and based in Dallas, Texas, Brinker currently owns, operates, or franchises 1,555 restaurants under the names Chili's(R) Grill & Bar (1,510 restaurants) and Maggiano's Little Italy(R) (45 restaurants). Brinker also holds a minority investment in Romano's Macaroni Grill(R).

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, terrorists 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