DALLAS Brinker International Inc. said unfavorable winter weather chilled February sales at all its chains, resulting in a blended same-store sales decline of 4.9 percent for the four weeks ended Feb. 28.
Brinker's flagship Chili's Grill & Bar brand posted a same-store sales decline of 5.1 percent for the February period despite a 1-percent menu price increase. Romano's Macaroni Grill, On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina and Maggiano's Little Italy recorded same-store sales dips of 4.1 percent, 5.5 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively.
Brinker is the latest restaurant company - and analysts predict that it won't be the last - to blame February's snow storms for keeping customers away from restaurants. Chains including Cracker Barrel, Applebee's and Panera had cited severe winter weather when reporting negative same-store sales results for February.
Brinker's system includes 1,712 corporate or franchised restaurants including 1,275 Chili's, 247 Macaroni Grills, 151 On the Borders and 39 Maggiano's.
