DALLAS, April 23, 2013 // PRNewswire // -- Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT) today announced results for the fiscal third quarter ended March 27, 2013.
"Brinker delivered a 20 percent increase in EPS for the quarter, despite a tough industry sales environment," said Wyman Roberts, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We've remained steadfast in executing our initiatives and are realizing the benefits of our strengthened business model. As such, we are confident we will meet our 2010 promise of doubling EPS as early as next fiscal year."
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CHILI'S third quarter company sales of $632.6 million represent a 0.7 percent decrease from $637.0 million in the prior year period driven by traffic declines. As compared to the prior year, Chili's operating margin improved due to lower cost of sales. Cost of sales as a percentage of company sales was favorably impacted by mix changes related to shrimp, ribs and fajita meat coupled with increased menu pricing, partially offset by unfavorable commodity pricing primarily related to beef, pork and chicken wings. Restaurant labor was positively impacted by improved labor productivity from the installation of new kitchen equipment and lower manager bonuses, partially offset by increased health insurance claims and sales deleverage.
MAGGIANO'S third quarter company sales of $92.1 million increased 0.2 percent primarily driven by menu pricing. As compared to the prior year, Maggiano's operating margin improved primarily due to lower cost of sales. Cost of sales was favorably impacted by decreased commodity usage from efforts to reduce waste, menu item changes, favorable commodity pricing on seafood as well as increased menu pricing. Restaurant operating margin was negatively impacted by higher workers' compensation insurance expenses and increased health insurance claims, partially offset by lower repair and maintenance expense and utilities expense.
FRANCHISE AND OTHER revenues totaled $18.1 million for the quarter, an increase of 38.2 percent compared to $13.1 million in the prior year. The increase was driven primarily by a $5.2 million reduction in revenues in the prior year resulting from a change in the estimate of gift card breakage. International franchise comparable restaurant sales increased 5.1 percent while domestic franchise comparable restaurant sales decreased 0.3 percent.Brinker franchisees generated approximately $424 million in sales1 for the third quarter of fiscal 2013.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $2.3 million for the quarter primarily due to investments in existing restaurants and asset replacements, partially offset by an increase in fully depreciated assets.
General and administrative expense decreased $6.0 million primarily due to lower performance-based compensation.
Interest expense increased $0.6 million for the quarter as a result of higher borrowing balances.
Excluding the impact of special items, the effective income tax rate remained flat at 28.9 percent in the current quarter compared to the same quarter last year as the tax impact of increased earnings in the current quarter was offset by a credit related to the prior year. On a GAAP basis, the effective income tax rate increased to 28.7 percent in the current quarter as compared to 28.2 percent in the same quarter last year due to increased earnings in the current quarter and the tax benefit resulting from higher net charges related to special items in the prior year, partially offset by a credit related to the prior year.
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.
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.
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. CDT today (April 23). 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 May 21, 2013.
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 Brinkerwebsite under the Financial Information section of the Investor tab.
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 1,588 restaurants under the names Chili's®Grill & Bar (1,544 restaurants) and Maggiano's Little Italy® (44 restaurants).
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.
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SOURCE Brinker International, Inc.
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Media Relations
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Investor Relations
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Brinker International, Inc. is one of the world's leading casual dining restaurant companies.