Brinker International Inc., parent to the Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy casual-dining chains, reported a 4.2-percent increase in quarterly profit on Tuesday, as same-store sales rose slightly despite dips in traffic.
Dallas-based Brinker reported net income of $37.2 million, or 50 cents per share, for it's second quarter ended Dec. 26, compared to $35.7 million, or 44 cents per share, in the prior year period. Revenue rose 1.1 percent to $689.8 million.
Sales at units open at least 18 months rose 0.9 percent at Chili's and increased 0.6 percent at Maggiano's during the quarter. Traffic in the quarter fell 1.9 percent at Chili’s and 2.4 percent at Maggiano’s, the company reported.
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Wyman Roberts, chief executive and president of Brinker International, said a later-than-usual Christmas holiday and the accompanying sales boost fell after the quarter’s end. He added that weather negatively impacted results by 40 basis points.
Restaurant operating margins improved about 30 basis points, to 15.7 percent from 15.4 percent in the prior-year period.
Brinker International ended the quarter with 1,549 Chili’s units and 44 Maggiano’s restaurants.
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