Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Brinker International, Inc. stock jumped Wednesday after the Chili's parent reported mixed fiscal fourth-quarter results but issued a stronger-than-expected fiscal 2027 outlook. The rally was likely magnified by elevated short interest, with 18% of the public float sold short, signaling substantial bearish positioning that may have fueled a squeeze.
Brinker reported adjusted earnings of $3.07 per share, narrowly missing the $3.09 analyst estimate. Total revenue rose to $1.536 billion from $1.462 billion a year earlier, edging past the $1.534 billion estimate. GAAP net income rose to $131.1 million, or $2.99 per diluted share, from $107 million, or $2.30 per share, a year earlier.
Adjusted earnings increased 23% from $2.49 per share. A single bad hire can set a startup back years. Here are the 5 hires founders most often misjudge — and why Still Learning the Market?
These 50 Must-Know Terms Can Help You Catch Up Fast Brinker CEO Kevin Hochman said Chili's ended fiscal 2026 with five straight years of same-store sales growth, producing a 71% cumulative increase over that period. Hochman said Chili's is benefiting from strong brand relevance, compelling value, simpler operations and major restaurant investments. He said those factors have strengthened the brand's competitive position and support sustainable, profitable growth.
Company comparable restaurant sales increased 5% during the quarter. Chili's comparable sales rose 5.6%, while Maggiano's comparable sales fell 2.5%. Chili's growth reflected a 4.3% benefit from pricing and a 1.5% increase in traffic, partly offset by a 0.2% negative mix impact.
Management said sales and traffic accelerated further in July. The company said its Big Crispy chicken sandwich has exceeded expectations. Chili's was selling about 55 sandwiches per restaurant per day by the end of the quarter, up from 20 before the launch.
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