EAT
Consumer CyclicalBrinker International, Inc. · Restaurants · $8B
What is Brinker International, Inc.?
Brinker International is a Dallas-based casual dining company best known for operating and franchising Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy restaurants across the United States and internationally. Founded in 1975, the company has grown into one of the larger full-service restaurant operators in North America.
Brinker generates revenue through two main channels: company-owned restaurant operations and franchise agreements. The Chili's segment — by far the larger of the two — spans well over a thousand locations globally, while Maggiano's operates as a smaller upscale Italian dining brand. Franchise royalties and fees supplement direct restaurant sales, giving the business a mixed owned-and-franchised model common in the casual dining industry.
Brinker International was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
- Chili's Grill & Bar casual dining restaurants
- Maggiano's Little Italy full-service Italian restaurants
- Domestic and international franchise agreements
- Dine-in, takeout, and delivery service channels
Is EAT a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates EAT as Good overall, reflecting a balanced but nuanced profile across its five scoring pillars.
The Quality and Growth pillars both come in at Good, suggesting the business has demonstrated reasonable operational execution and a credible growth trajectory relative to sector peers. The Valuation pillar is rated Attractive, meaning the stock does not appear richly priced compared to its fundamentals — a meaningful consideration for value-conscious investors in the consumer cyclical space.
The Moat and Risk pillars are both rated Weak, which reflects the intensely competitive casual dining landscape and the operational and financial vulnerabilities that come with running a large restaurant fleet.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does EAT pay dividends?
No — Brinker International, Inc. does not currently pay a dividend.
Brinker International does not currently pay a dividend. For a capital-intensive restaurant operator, retaining cash can support reinvestment in restaurant remodels, technology upgrades, and franchise development. Investors seeking income from their consumer cyclical holdings may want to factor this into their broader portfolio planning.
When does EAT report earnings?
Brinker International reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed equities.
Brinker's recent quarters have reflected the broader pressures and recoveries seen across casual dining — including labor costs, consumer spending shifts, and menu pricing dynamics. The company's two-segment structure means Chili's performance tends to drive headline results, while Maggiano's contributes a smaller but distinct revenue stream.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance updates, visit Brinker International's investor relations page directly.
EAT Price History
+346.2% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Brinker International, Inc.?
Based on Brinker International, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
EAT Long-term Outlook
Based on EAT's Good Growth pillar rating, the business appears positioned to sustain a reasonable expansion trajectory within the casual dining category. However, the Weak Risk pillar signals that this path carries meaningful uncertainty — restaurant operators face persistent cost pressures, shifting consumer preferences, and sensitivity to macroeconomic conditions. The Attractive Valuation rating suggests the market may not be fully pricing in the growth potential, though the Weak Moat rating is a reminder that competitive advantages in casual dining are difficult to sustain.
Growth drivers
- Chili's domestic and international franchise expansion
- Menu innovation and off-premise dining channel growth
- Operational efficiency improvements across company-owned locations
Key risks
- Intense competition from fast-casual and quick-service restaurant chains
- Labor cost inflation and staffing challenges across the restaurant fleet
- Consumer spending pullback in a softer macroeconomic environment
EAT vs Peers
Brinker operates in a crowded consumer dining landscape alongside a range of full-service and fast-casual competitors.
Wingstop runs a nearly fully franchised, asset-light model focused on a single core menu category, contrasting with Brinker's broader owned-and-operated restaurant portfolio.
Dutch Bros competes in the beverage-focused drive-thru segment, representing a faster-growth, younger-brand alternative within the consumer cyclical dining space.
Texas Roadhouse targets a similar casual dining customer but differentiates through a steakhouse-focused menu and a reputation for consistent in-restaurant experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Brinker International do?
Brinker International owns, operates, and franchises casual dining restaurants under two brands: Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy. The company generates revenue from both company-run locations and franchise royalties across the United States and select international markets.
Does EAT pay dividends?
Brinker International does not currently pay a dividend. The company retains cash for reinvestment into its restaurant operations, remodeling programs, and franchise development rather than distributing it to shareholders as income.
When does EAT report earnings?
Brinker International reports on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for US-listed companies. For confirmed dates and the most recent results, check the investor relations section of Brinker's official website.
Is EAT a good stock to buy?
EAT earns a Good overall UQS Score, with Attractive Valuation and Good ratings on Quality and Growth. However, Weak scores on Moat and Risk reflect real competitive and operational challenges in casual dining. The full pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.
Is EAT overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar rates EAT as Attractive, suggesting the stock is not trading at a premium relative to its fundamentals. That said, valuation should always be considered alongside the company's risk profile — EAT's Weak Risk pillar is worth factoring in.
How does EAT compare to its competitors?
Compared to peers like Wingstop, Dutch Bros, and Texas Roadhouse, Brinker operates a larger, more diversified restaurant portfolio with both owned and franchised locations. Competitors vary significantly in business model — from asset-light franchise systems to steakhouse-focused concepts — making direct comparisons nuanced.
What is EAT's market cap bracket?
Brinker International is classified as a mid-cap company. This places it in a size range that typically offers more liquidity than small-caps while remaining more nimble than mega-cap restaurant conglomerates.
Who founded Brinker International?
Brinker International traces its roots to Norman Brinker, a prominent figure in the casual dining industry who helped shape the modern full-service restaurant category. The company's founding history is widely documented and available through public sources.
Is EAT a long-term quality stock?
From a long-term quality perspective, EAT's Good UQS Score reflects reasonable fundamentals, but the Weak Moat rating suggests the company lacks strong structural advantages that would insulate it from competition over time. Long-term investors should weigh the Attractive Valuation against the durability of the business model.
What is the main competitive advantage of Brinker International?
Brinker's primary competitive strengths lie in its brand recognition — particularly Chili's — and its scale across thousands of domestic and international locations. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this advantage as Weak, reflecting how difficult it is to build durable differentiation in casual dining.
What sector does EAT belong to?
Brinker International is classified under the Consumer Cyclical sector. This means its business performance tends to be sensitive to consumer confidence and discretionary spending levels, which can fluctuate with broader economic conditions.
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Pro Analysis
EAT — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 30, 2026 | 11.8 | 0.0 | 25.0 | 0.0 | 36.9 | 0.0 | -40.6 |
| Jul 31, 2026 | 52.4 | 71.2 | 25.0 | 67.8 | 25.2 | 73.5 | -1.2 |
| Jul 25, 2026 | 53.6 | 72.6 | 25.0 | 67.8 | 25.2 | 79.0 | 0.0 |
| Jul 24, 2026 | 53.6 | 72.7 | 25.0 | 67.8 | 25.2 | 78.7 | +0.1 |
| Jul 23, 2026 | 53.5 | 72.6 | 25.0 | 67.8 | 25.2 | 78.3 | +0.2 |
| Jul 22, 2026 | 53.3 | 72.2 | 25.0 | 67.8 | 25.2 | 77.7 | +0.1 |
| Jul 21, 2026 | 53.2 | 72.1 | 25.0 | 67.8 | 25.2 | 77.4 | -0.2 |
| Jul 18, 2026 | 53.4 | 72.4 | 25.0 | 67.7 | 25.2 | 77.9 | -0.1 |
| Jul 17, 2026 | 53.5 | 72.7 | 25.0 | 67.7 | 25.2 | 78.6 | -0.4 |
| Jul 16, 2026 | 53.9 | 73.2 | 25.0 | 67.7 | 25.2 | 80.0 | +0.4 |
EAT — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 0.0/100 (25%)Brinker International, Inc. currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 0.0/100 (20%)Brinker International, Inc. faces growth headwinds with declining or stagnant revenue trends.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Risk
— 36.9/100 (15%)Brinker International, Inc. has some risk factors including moderate leverage or solvency concerns.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 0.0/100 (15%)Brinker International, Inc. appears expensively valued relative to its fundamentals and growth prospects.
Moat
— 25/100 (25%)Brinker International, Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for EAT.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the EAT UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Brinker International, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Brinker International, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Brinker International, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.