DALLAS, April 23, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT) today announced results for the fiscal third quarter ended March 26, 2014.

Highlights include the following:

• Earnings per diluted share, excluding special items, increased 16.7 percent to $0.84 compared to $0.72 for the third quarter of fiscal 2013 (see non-GAAP reconciliation below)
• On a GAAP basis, earnings per diluted share increased 15.5 percent to $0.82 compared to $0.71 for the third quarter of fiscal 2013
• Company sales increased 2.0 percent to $739.2 million and restaurant operating margin¹ improved approximately 80 basis points to 18.7 percent compared to 17.9 percent for the third quarter of fiscal 2013
• Brinker International comparable restaurant sales at company-owned restaurants increased 0.7 percent
• Chili's domestic comparable restaurant sales² includes a 0.7 percent increase for company-owned restaurants and a 0.1 percent increase for franchise operated restaurants
• Chili's international franchise comparable restaurant sales increased 0.6 percent, representing the 17th consecutive quarterly increase
• Maggiano's comparable restaurant sales increased 0.2 percent, representing the 17th consecutive quarterly increase
• For the first nine months of fiscal 2014, cash flows provided by operating activities were $277.1 million and capital expenditures totaled $114.0 million
• The company repurchased approximately 1.9 million shares of its common stock for $98.7 million in the third quarter and a total of approximately 4.1 million shares for $191.8 million year-to-date
• The company paid a dividend of 24 cents per share in the third quarter, an increase of 20 percent over the prior year third quarter

"Brinker delivered another solid quarter of results," said Wyman Roberts, Chief Executive Officer and President. "The effectiveness of our strategies enabled us to deliver double digit EPS growth, positive comp sales, and improved operating margins."     

Quarterly Operating Performance

CHILI'S third quarter company sales increased to $645.8 million from $632.6 million in the prior year primarily due to the acquisition of 11 restaurants in Canada, as well as increases in domestic restaurant capacity and comparable restaurant sales. As compared to the prior year, Chili's operating margin improved. Cost of sales, as a percent of company sales, was favorably impacted by the introduction of new menu items, improved waste control, efficiency gains related to new kitchen equipment and menu pricing. Commodity pricing was flat with higher meat and seafood costs offset by other items. Restaurant labor, as a percent of company sales, was positively impacted by favorable health insurance expenses coupled with leverage related to higher revenue, partially offset by higher restaurant manager salaries and bonuses. Restaurant expenses, as a percent of company sales, were negatively impacted by higher advertising and utilities expense.

MAGGIANO'S third quarter company sales of $93.4 million increased 1.4 percent primarily driven by increases in restaurant capacity and menu pricing. As compared to the prior year, Maggiano's restaurant operating margin improved slightly. Cost of sales, as a percent of company sales, was positively impacted by favorable commodity pricing and increased menu pricing, partially offset by unfavorable mix changes. Restaurant labor, as a percent of company sales, was positively impacted by lower performance based compensation. Restaurant expenses, as a percent of company sales, were negatively impacted by higher advertising and facilities costs.

FRANCHISE AND OTHER revenues totaled $19.2 million for the third quarter, an increase of 6.1 percent compared to $18.1 million in the prior year driven primarily by other revenues. International comparable restaurant sales increased 0.6 percent and U.S. franchise comparable restaurant sales increased 0.1 percent. Brinker franchisees generated approximately $414 million in sales¹ for the third quarter of fiscal 2014.

Other

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $1.0 million for the quarter primarily due to investments in the Chili's reimage program, kitchen equipment, as well as the acquisition of 11 restaurants in Canada, partially offset by an increase in fully depreciated assets.

On a GAAP basis, the effective income tax rate increased to 30.4 percent in the current quarter from 28.7 percent in the prior year.  Excluding the impact of special items, the effective income tax rate increased to 30.6 percent in the current quarter compared to 28.9 percent in the prior year. The increase in the effective tax rates was primarily due to increased earnings and lower tax credits as the impact of tax benefits related to special items was equivalent for each quarter.

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 2014 consist primarily of charges associated with closed restaurants.

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 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, 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 third quarter fiscal 2014 filing on or before May 5, 2014; and
• Fourth quarter earnings release, before market opens, Aug. 7, 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 March 26, 2014, Brinker owned, operated, or franchised 1,608 restaurants under the names Chili's^® Grill & Bar (1,563 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

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