_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
______________________________________
FORM 8-K
 
_____________________________________
 
Current Report
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 21, 2015
 
_____________________________________
BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 _____________________________________
 
 
 
 
 
 
Delaware
 
1-10275
 
75-1914582
(State of
Incorporation)
 
(Commission
File Number)
 
(IRS Employment
Identification No.)
6820 LBJ Freeway
Dallas, Texas 75240
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code 972-980-9917

_____________________________________
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
¨
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425).
¨
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12).
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)).
¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)).
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________








Section 2 – Financial Information.
Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Conditions.
The information contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including the Exhibit attached hereto, is being furnished and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section. Furthermore, the information contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
On April 21, 2015, Brinker International, Inc. ("Company") issued a Press Release announcing its third quarter fiscal 2015 results. A copy of this Press Release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
Section 9 – Financial Statements and Exhibits.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
99.1 Press Release dated April 21, 2015.





SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
 
 
BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
 
 
 
Dated: April 21, 2015
By:
 
/s/ Wyman T. Roberts
 
 
 
Wyman T. Roberts,
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer and
 
 
 
President and President of Chili’s Grill and Bar
 
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)






Exhibit 99.1


BRINKER INTERNATIONAL REPORTS INCREASES IN THIRD QUARTER FISCAL 2015 EPS AND
COMPARABLE RESTAURANT SALES
DALLAS (April 21, 2015) – Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT) today announced results for the fiscal third quarter ended March 25, 2015.
Highlights include the following:

Earnings per diluted share, excluding special items, increased 11.9 percent to $0.94 compared to $0.84 for the third quarter of fiscal 2014

On a GAAP basis, earnings per diluted share increased 24.4 percent to $1.02 compared to $0.82 for the third quarter of fiscal 2014

Brinker International company sales increased 3.0 percent to $761.7 million and comparable restaurant sales at company-owned restaurants increased 1.7 percent. Comparable restaurant sales increased 2.6 percent excluding the impact of Christmas Day moving to the third quarter

Chili’s company-owned comparable restaurant sales increased 1.9 percent

Maggiano’s comparable restaurant sales increased 0.1 percent, representing the 21st consecutive quarterly increase

Chili's franchise comparable restaurant sales increased 2.5 percent which includes a 3.1 percent increase for U.S. franchise restaurants and a 1.2 percent increase for international franchise restaurants

Restaurant operating margin,1 as a percent of company sales, improved approximately 30 basis points to 18.9 percent compared to 18.6 percent for the third quarter of fiscal 2014

For the first nine months of fiscal 2015, cash flows provided by operating activities were $274.9 million and capital expenditures totaled $107.1 million. Free cash flow2 was approximately $167.8 million

The company repurchased approximately 1.7 million shares of its common stock for $104.2 million in the third quarter and a total of approximately 3.9 million shares for $217.0 million year-to-date

The company paid a dividend of 28 cents per share in the third quarter, an increase of 17 percent over the prior year third quarter, and declared a dividend of 28 cents per share to be paid in the fourth quarter

"Brinker delivered another solid quarter of double digit EPS growth," said Wyman Roberts, Chief Executive Officer and President. "We believe our ongoing culinary and technology innovations will drive traffic and help us deliver a differentiated guest experience."
    
1 Restaurant operating margin is defined as Company sales less Cost of sales, Restaurant Labor and Restaurant expenses.
2 Free cash flow is defined as cash flows provided by operating activities less capital expenditures.

1

Exhibit 99.1


Table 1: Q3 comparable restaurant sales
Q3 F15 and Q3 F14, company-owned, reported brands and franchise; percentage
 
 
Q3 15
 
Q3 14
Brinker International
 
1.7

 
0.7

  Chili’s Company-Owned
 
 
 
 
     Comparable Restaurant Sales
 
1.9

 
0.7

     Pricing Impact
 
0.6

 
1.1

     Mix-Shift
 
1.5

 
0.8

     Traffic
 
(0.2
)
 
(1.2
)
  Maggiano’s
 
 
 
 
     Comparable Restaurant Sales
 
0.1

 
0.2

     Pricing Impact
 
2.5

 
1.5

     Mix-Shift
 
(1.1
)
 
(0.4
)
     Traffic
 
(1.3
)
 
(0.9
)
 
 
 
 
 
Chili's Franchise1
 
2.5

 
0.2

  U.S. Comparable Restaurant Sales
 
3.1

 
0.1

  International Comparable Restaurant Sales
 
1.2

 
0.6

 
 
 
 
 
Chili's Domestic2
 
2.2

 
0.5

System-wide3
 
2.0

 
0.5

1

Revenues generated by franchisees are not included in revenues on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income; however, we generate royalty revenue and advertising fees based on franchisee revenues, where applicable. We believe including franchise comparable restaurant sales provides investors information regarding brand performance that is relevant to current operations and may impact future restaurant development.
2

Chili's Domestic comparable restaurant sales percentages are derived from sales generated by company-owned and franchise operated Chili's restaurants in the United States.
3

System-wide comparable restaurant sales are derived from sales generated by company-owned Chili’s and Maggiano’s restaurants in addition to the sales generated at franchise operated restaurants.
Quarterly Operating Performance
CHILI’S third quarter company sales increased 2.6 percent to $662.9 million from $645.8 million in the prior year primarily due to increases in comparable restaurant sales and restaurant capacity. As compared to the prior year, Chili's restaurant operating margin1,2 improved. Restaurant expenses, as a percent of company sales, decreased due to leverage related to higher company sales and lower workers' compensation insurance expense, partially offset by equipment charges associated with tabletop devices2 and higher credit card fees. Restaurant labor, as a percent of company sales, was favorably impacted by leverage related to higher company sales coupled with lower health insurance expense, partially offset by increased wage rates. Cost of sales, as a percent of company sales, was negatively impacted by menu item mix and unfavorable commodity pricing primarily related to burger meat, which is market based, as well as unfavorable pricing related to fajita beef and salmon, partially offset by favorable menu pricing and efficiency gains related to new fryer equipment.
MAGGIANO’S third quarter company sales increased 5.8 percent to $98.8 million from $93.4 million in the prior year primarily due to increases in restaurant capacity. As compared to the prior year, Maggiano's restaurant operating margin1 improved. Restaurant expenses, as a percent of company sales, were positively impacted by lower workers' compensation insurance expense coupled with leverage related to higher company sales, partially offset by higher utilities expense. Cost of sales, as a percent of company sales, was positively impacted by menu item changes and increased menu pricing, partially offset by unfavorable commodity pricing on beef, seafood, cheese and produce. Restaurant labor, as a percent of company sales, was negatively impacted by higher performance-based compensation, partially offset by leverage related to higher company sales.
1 Restaurant operating margin is defined as Company sales less Cost of sales, Restaurant labor and Restaurant expenses.
2As compared to the prior year, the Chili’s restaurant operating margin metric was negatively impacted by the classification of revenues and expenses associated with tabletop devices. The revenues associated with tabletop devices are included in Franchise and other revenues while the associated equipment charges are included in Restaurant expenses, a component of the restaurant operating margin calculation.

2

Exhibit 99.1

FRANCHISE AND OTHER revenues increased 11.9 percent to $22.5 million for the third quarter compared to $20.1 million in the prior year driven primarily by the revenues associated with tabletop devices, royalty revenues related to Chili's new retail food products, and higher royalty income primarily driven by international franchise restaurant openings. U.S. franchise comparable restaurant sales increased 3.1 percent and international comparable restaurant sales increased 1.2 percent. Brinker franchisees generated approximately $424 million in sales3 for the third quarter of fiscal 2015.

3Royalty revenues are recognized based on the sales generated and reported to the company by franchisees.
Other
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $2.4 million for the quarter primarily due to investments in the Chili's reimage program, new restaurant openings and new fryer equipment, partially offset by an increase in fully depreciated assets.
General and administrative expense increased $1.2 million primarily due to an increase in technology and innovation expenditures made in support of sales driving initiatives.
On a GAAP basis, the effective income tax rate increased to 32.1 percent in the current quarter from 30.4 percent in the prior year quarter primarily due to increased earnings, partially offset by the impact of tax credit changes. Excluding the impact of special items, the effective income tax rate increased to 31.5 percent in the current quarter compared to 30.6 percent in the prior year primarily due to increased earnings, partially offset by the impact of tax credit changes.
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 third quarter of fiscal 2015 consist primarily of proceeds received from a lawsuit settlement.
Table 2: Reconciliation of net income excluding special items
Q3 15 and Q3 14; $ millions and $ per diluted share after-tax
 
 
Q3 15
 
EPS Q3 15
 
Q3 14
 
EPS Q3 14
Net Income
 
65.4

 
1.02

 
56.3

 
0.82

Other (Gains) and Charges, net of taxes1
 
(5.2
)
 
(0.08
)
 
1.3

 
0.02

Net Income excluding Special Items
 
60.2

 
0.94

 
57.6

 
0.84

1

Pre-tax Other gains and charges included a gain of $8.5 million and a charge of $2.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively. See footnote "b" to the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for additional details.
Guidance Policy
Brinker provides annual guidance as it relates to comparable restaurant sales, earnings per diluted share, and other key line items in the comprehensive 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. CDT today (April 21). 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, 2015.
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 third quarter fiscal 2015 filing on or before May 4, 2015; and
- Fourth quarter earnings release, before market opens, Aug. 6, 2015.


3

Exhibit 99.1

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 March 25, 2015, Brinker owned, operated, or franchised 1,629 restaurants under the names Chili’s® Grill & Bar (1,580 restaurants) and Maggiano’s Little Italy® (49 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, increased minimum wages, increased health care costs, 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, inflation, technology failures, and failure to protect the security of data of our guests and teammates.

4

Exhibit 99.1

BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Thirteen Week Periods Ended
 
Thirty-Nine Week Periods Ended
 
 
March 25, 2015
 
March 26, 2014
 
March 25, 2015
 
March 26, 2014
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company sales
 
$
761,736

 
$
739,200

 
$
2,166,368

 
$
2,088,087

Franchise and other revenues (a)
 
22,479

 
20,093

 
71,763

 
61,528

Total revenues
 
784,215

 
759,293

 
2,238,131

 
2,149,615

Operating costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company restaurants (excluding depreciation and amortization)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
 
203,960

 
195,439

 
582,507

 
561,276

Restaurant labor
 
240,105

 
233,890

 
695,114

 
672,525

Restaurant expenses
 
173,611

 
172,459

 
528,047

 
511,293

Company restaurant expenses
 
617,676

 
601,788

 
1,805,668

 
1,745,094

Depreciation and amortization
 
36,599

 
34,218

 
108,213

 
100,912

General and administrative
 
35,194

 
34,009

 
100,488

 
98,792

Other gains and charges (b)
 
(8,477
)
 
2,088

 
747

 
4,315

Total operating costs and expenses
 
680,992

 
672,103

 
2,015,116

 
1,949,113

Operating income
 
103,223

 
87,190

 
223,015

 
200,502

Interest expense
 
7,361

 
7,068

 
21,709

 
21,128

Other, net
 
(454
)
 
(693
)
 
(1,568
)
 
(1,736
)
Income before provision for income taxes
 
96,316

 
80,815

 
202,874

 
181,110

Provision for income taxes
 
30,889

 
24,552

 
63,403

 
55,891

Net income
 
$
65,427

 
$
56,263

 
$
139,471

 
$
125,219

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic net income per share
 
$
1.04

 
$
0.85

 
$
2.19

 
$
1.88

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted net income per share
 
$
1.02

 
$
0.82

 
$
2.14

 
$
1.83

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
 
62,891

 
66,479

 
63,719

 
66,661

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
 
64,091

 
68,342

 
65,108

 
68,591

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive loss:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment (c)
 
$
(2,847
)
 
$
(1,108
)
 
$
(7,183
)
 
$
(1,862
)
Other comprehensive loss
 
(2,847
)
 
(1,108
)
 
(7,183
)
 
(1,862
)
Comprehensive income
 
$
62,580

 
$
55,155

 
$
132,288

 
$
123,357

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a)
Franchise and other revenues primarily includes royalties, development fees and franchise fees, banquet service charge income, gift card activity (breakage and discounts), tabletop device revenue, Chili's retail food product royalties and delivery fee income. Beginning in fiscal 2015, income primarily related to Maggiano's delivery is included in Franchise and other revenues on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. This income was previously included in Restaurant expenses. The prior year consolidated statements of comprehensive income has been adjusted to conform to the fiscal 2015 presentation. This adjustment has no effect on net income previously reported.





5

Exhibit 99.1

(b)
Other gains and charges include:

 
Thirteen Week Periods Ended
 
Thirty-Nine Week Periods Ended
 
March 25, 2015
 
March 26, 2014
 
March 25, 2015
 
March 26, 2014
Litigation
$
(8,553
)
 
$

 
$
(2,753
)
 
$

Restaurant impairment charges

 

 
747

 
1,285

Restaurant closure charges
76

 
1,224

 
1,457

 
2,330

Loss (Gain) on the sale of assets, net

 

 
1,093

 
(579
)
Impairment of liquor licenses

 

 
175

 

Other

 
864

 
28

 
1,279

 
$
(8,477
)
 
$
2,088

 
$
747

 
$
4,315


(c)
The foreign currency translation adjustment included in comprehensive income on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income represents the unrealized impact of translating the financial statements of the Canadian restaurants and the Mexican joint venture from their respective functional currencies to U.S. dollars. This amount is not included in net income and would only be realized upon disposition of the businesses.


6

Exhibit 99.1


BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
March 25, 2015
 
June 25, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Current assets
 
$
190,046

 
$
210,854

Net property and equipment (a)
 
1,037,425

 
1,056,454

Total other assets
 
209,848

 
223,296

Total assets
 
$
1,437,319

 
$
1,490,604

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Current installments of long-term debt
 
3,115

 
$
27,884

Other current liabilities
 
403,526

 
438,226

Long-term debt, less current installments
 
933,207

 
832,302

Other liabilities
 
129,600

 
129,098

Total shareholders’ (deficit) equity
 
(32,129
)
 
63,094

Total liabilities and shareholders’ (deficit) equity
 
$
1,437,319

 
$
1,490,604


(a)
At March 25, 2015, the company owned the land and buildings for 189 of the 889 company-owned restaurants. The net book values of the land and buildings associated with these restaurants totaled $142.2 million and $115.3 million, respectively.


7

Exhibit 99.1

BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
 
Thirty-Nine Week Periods Ended
 
 
March 25, 2015
 
March 26, 2014
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
139,471

 
$
125,219

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
108,213

 
100,912

Stock-based compensation
 
11,587

 
12,990

Restructure charges and other impairments
 
8,402

 
3,836

Net loss on disposal of assets
 
3,819

 
3,208

Changes in assets and liabilities
 
3,415

 
30,935

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
274,907

 
277,100

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
Payments for property and equipment
 
(107,108
)
 
(113,980
)
Proceeds from sale of assets
 
1,950

 
833

Net cash used in investing activities
 
(105,158
)
 
(113,147
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
Borrowings on revolving credit facility
 
442,750

 
98,000

Purchases of treasury stock
 
(217,019
)
 
(191,811
)
Payments on long-term debt
 
(188,758
)
 
(19,890
)
Payments on revolving credit facility
 
(177,000
)
 
(40,000
)
Payments of dividends
 
(53,248
)
 
(47,556
)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
 
16,920

 
17,972

Proceeds from issuances of treasury stock
 
14,965

 
24,574

Payments for deferred financing costs
 
(2,501
)
 

Net cash used in financing activities
 
(163,891
)
 
(158,711
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
 
5,858

 
5,242

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
57,685

 
59,367

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
63,543

 
$
64,609


8

Exhibit 99.1

BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
RESTAURANT SUMMARY
 
 
 
Third Quarter
Openings
Fiscal 2015
 
Total Restaurants
March 25, 2015
 
Projected Openings Fiscal 2015
Company-Owned Restaurants:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chili’s Domestic
 
2

 
827

 
8-10

Chili’s International
 

 
13

 
1

Maggiano’s
 

 
49

 
3

 
 
2

 
889

 
12-14

Franchise Restaurants:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chili’s Domestic
 
1

 
435

 
5

Chili's International
 
2

 
305

 
28-30

 
 
3

 
740

 
33-35

Total Restaurants:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chili’s Domestic
 
3

 
1,262

 
13-15

Chili's International 
 
2

 
318

 
29-31

Maggiano’s
 

 
49

 
3

 
 
5

 
1,629

 
45-49


FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:
JILL CUTHBERTSON
INVESTOR RELATIONS
(972) 980-9917

ASHLEY JOHNSON
MEDIA RELATIONS
(800) 775-7290

6820 LBJ FREEWAY
DALLAS, TEXAS 75240





9
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