Brinker International tops Q4 2026 sales, shares up 6%

Brinker International Inc. reported fourth-quarter sales that topped analysts' estimates, sending shares up 6% in extended trading on Thursday.

The Dallas-based restaurant operator, which owns the Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy chains, posted Q4 revenue of $1.24 billion, surpassing the $1.21 billion consensus among analysts polled by Refinitiv. The company did not provide specific earnings per share figures in the release.

Brinker attributed the better-than-expected performance to sustained demand across its brands, despite ongoing challenges in labor costs and supply chain pressures. Same-store sales, a key metric for restaurant operators, rose 4.2% year-over-year, exceeding the 3.5% increase forecasted by analysts.

Chief Executive Officer Wyman Roberts highlighted the company's ability to navigate inflationary pressures while maintaining customer traffic. "We continue to see strong guest counts and pricing power across our portfolio," Roberts said in a statement. "Our operational execution remains a differentiator in a competitive environment."

Brinker's shares were up 6.2% at $42.80 in after-hours trading following the release, extending gains from the broader market rally earlier in the session. The stock has gained roughly 12% over the past three months, outperforming the S&P 500's 8% gain in the same period.

Analysts at Piper Sandler maintained their overweight rating on Brinker, citing the company's resilient margins and improved cost management. "The beat-and-raise trajectory is encouraging," the firm noted in a research note.

Investors will continue to monitor Brinker's ability to sustain growth amid rising wage pressures and fluctuating consumer spending patterns. The company is scheduled to release its full fiscal 2026 results in the coming weeks.