DALLAS, Aug. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT) today announced results for the fiscal fourth quarter and year ended June 26, 2013.

Highlights include the following:

• Earnings per diluted share, excluding special items, increased 26.2 percent to $0.77 compared to $0.61 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 (see non-GAAP reconciliation below)
• On a GAAP basis, earnings per diluted share increased 4.9 percent to $0.64 compared to $0.61 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012
• Brinker's operating income, excluding special items, improved 180 basis points from 9.8 percent to 11.6 percent driven by a 60 basis point restaurant operating margin¹ improvement in addition to reduced general and administrative expenses
• Chili's domestic comparable restaurant sales² decreased 0.3 percent for the quarter consisting of a 0.6 percent decrease for company-owned restaurants, partially offset by a 0.5 percent increase for franchised restaurants. Chili's international franchise comparable restaurant sales increased 2.3 percent
• Maggiano's comparable restaurant sales increased 0.2 percent, representing the 14th consecutive quarterly increase
• Cash flows provided by operating activities were $290.7 million and capital expenditures totaled $131.5 million for fiscal 2013
• The company repurchased approximately 3.5 million shares of its common stock for $141.6 million in the fourth quarter
• The company paid a dividend of 20 cents per share in the fourth quarter, an increase of 25 percent over the prior year fourth quarter
• On June 1, 2013, the company completed the acquisition of 11 Chili's restaurants located in Alberta, Canada
• On May 8, 2013, the company completed a public offering of $550 million in notes consisting of two tranches, $250 million due 2018 and $300 million due 2023

"We are confident we will achieve our previously stated goal of doubling of our fiscal 2010 earnings per share next fiscal year, a full year ahead of schedule," said Wyman Roberts, Chief Executive Officer and President.

Quarterly Operating Performance
CHILI'S fourth quarter company sales of $615.7 million represent a 0.2 percent decrease from $616.8 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 and restaurant labor. Cost of sales as a percentage of company 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 alcohol and chicken wings. Restaurant labor was positively impacted by improved labor productivity from the installation of new kitchen equipment. Restaurant expense was negatively impacted by higher workers' compensation insurance expenses.

MAGGIANO'S fourth quarter company sales of $93.4 million increased 0.1 percent primarily driven by favorable mix and menu pricing. As compared to the prior year, Maggiano's operating margin improved primarily due to lower cost of sales. Cost of sales as a percentage of company sales was positively impacted by favorable commodity pricing on seafood and meat, decreased commodity usage from efforts to reduce waste, menu item changes, as well as increased menu pricing. Restaurant operating margin was negatively impacted by higher long-term incentive compensation expenses.

FRANCHISE AND OTHER revenues totaled $20.9 million for the quarter, an increase of 14.8 percent compared to $18.2 million in the prior year. The increase was driven primarily by a one-time development fee refund in the prior year. International and U.S. franchise comparable restaurant sales increased 2.3 percent and 0.5 percent, respectively. Brinker franchisees generated approximately $415 million in sales¹ for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.

Other
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $0.9 million for the quarter primarily due to Chili's reimage, kitchen equipment and software investments in existing restaurants, partially offset by an increase in fully depreciated assets.

General and administrative expense decreased $7.1 million primarily due to lower performance-based compensation and professional fees.

Interest expense increased $1.4 million for the quarter as a result of higher borrowing balances which occurred prior to the retirement of the 5.75% notes. 

Excluding the impact of special items, the effective income tax rate remained flat for the current quarter at 28.3 percent as the tax impact of increased earnings and lower tax credits was offset by prior year state tax adjustments and deductions related to increased stock option exercises. On a GAAP basis, the effective income tax rate increased to 25.0 percent in the current quarter compared to 24.6 percent last year due to lower tax credits and the positive impact of resolved tax positions in the prior year, partially offset by the increased tax benefit resulting from higher special item charges in the current year.

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 fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 consist primarily of the loss associated with the retirement of the 5.75% notes, with other offsetting items related to the gain on the sale of the company's minority interest in Romano's Macaroni Grill and losses associated with the impairment of restaurants and other fixed assets, including the company-owned restaurant in Brazil. 

Fiscal 2014 Outlook
The company anticipates earnings per diluted share, excluding special items, to increase 15 to 22 percent in the range of $2.70 to $2.85. Earnings are based on the following expectations:

• Comparable sales are expected to increase one to two percent
• Company-owned new restaurant development combined with the recent acquisition of restaurants in Canada is expected to add year-over-year capacity growth of about two percent
• Restaurant operating margin is expected to improve 50 to 75 basis points year-over-year
• Depreciation expense is expected to increase slightly on a dollar basis, assuming capital expenditures of $150 to $160 million
• General and administrative expense is expected to be slightly higher on a dollar basis due to the fact that incentive compensation is planned at target
• Interest expense is expected to be essentially flat driven by lower rates despite higher borrowing balances
• Excluding the impact of special items, the effective income tax rate is projected to be approximately 32 percent
• Free cash flow will be $180 to $190 million
• Diluted weighted average shares outstanding will be 66 to 68 million

The company believes providing fiscal 2014 earnings per diluted share guidance provides investors the appropriate insight into the company's ongoing operating performance.

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. CDT today (Aug. 2). 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 Aug. 30, 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 Brinker website under the Financial Information section of the Investor tab.

Forward Calendar

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 1,591 restaurants under the names Chili's^® Grill & Bar (1,547 restaurants) and Maggiano's Little Italy^® (44 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, 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

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