Brinker International, Inc. (EAT)

Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) - 24/7 Wall Street

We tallied up the likes of Yum! Brands, Inc., (NYSE:YUM), Starbucks Corp (NASDAQ: SBUX), Darden Restaurants, Inc., (NYSE: DRI), Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc (NYSE: CMG), Tim Horton's Inc (NYSE: THI), Wendy's/Arby's Group, Inc (NYSE: WEN), Burger King Holdings Inc (NYSE: BKC), Panera Bread Co (NASDAQ: PNRA), Brinker International Inc (NASDAQ: EAT), Jack in the Box Inc (NASDAQ: JACK), Buffalo Wild Wings Inc (NASDAQ: BWLD), Papa John's International Inc (NASDAQ: PZZA), Sonic Corp (NASDAQ: SONC), and Domino's Pizza (NYSE: DPZ). And there are more than twice as many public restaurant and dining companies not reviewed for the restaurant chain tally and more which we showed in the chart of the restaurant and dining stocks. As far as the restaurant counts? 

Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) - Morningstar

Morningstar equity analyst Zoe Tan said sales under a 3 for $20 offer on Chili's menu were better than during Brinker's first quarter 

Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) - Wedbush Morgan

, Analysts at Wedbush Morgan reiterate their "outperform" rating on Brinker (EAT) 

Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) - Lynne Collier at Sterne Agee

Brinker, which also owns On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina and Maggiano's Little Italy, competes in the casual dining segment, which was particularly hard hit by the economic slowdown Now, with the light at the end of the tunnel looking less like a train, Brinker will phase out a deal started last year that offered two entrees, an appetizer and a dessert for $20 Analyst Lynne Collier wondered how consumers will react as restaurants try to wean them from a steady diet of discounts "I think there is some possibility that consumer traffic will start to go more negative," said Collier, senior restaurant analyst in the Dallas office of Sterne Agee The discounting – aimed at boosting traffic – appears to have had some impact 

Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) - Morningstar

Brinker's 2Q Guest Traffic Improves Print Note Reprints Comment Recommend ( ) by Zoe Tan | 01 20 10 | 9:17AM | E mail Note 

Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) - Steve West at Stifel Nicolaus

"We don't think this trend is sustainable," Hottovy said of the efforts among the faltering restaurant chains to lure in new customers. Brinker International, which reported first quarter results Tuesday and owns 1,700 restaurants, most of them Chili's, said customer traffic fell for the 21st consecutive quarter. Meanwhile, revenue skidded 21 percent and profit sank 34 percent, despite efforts around its three course meal deals for two, priced at $20. Despite the roughly 5 percent decrease in customer traffic, the offer is bringing in customers, temporarily. But Stifel Nicolaus & Co analyst Steve West said the deal is cutting into profits for diners whose dollars will be fleeting. a trend that was apparent in September when the company temporarily shelved the promotion and saw fewer customers. 

Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) - Steve West at Stifel Nicolaus

Story continues below "We don't think this trend is sustainable," Hottovy said of the efforts among the faltering restaurant chains to lure in new customers. Brinker International, which reported first quarter results Tuesday and owns 1,700 restaurants, most of them Chili's Grill & Bars, said customer traffic fell for the 21st consecutive quarter. Meanwhile, revenue skidded 21 percent and profit sank 34 percent, despite efforts around its three course meal deals for two, priced at $20. That sent shares down more than 11 percent Tuesday, and the stock continued to decline Wednesday, falling 48 cents, or another 3.3 percent, to $14.17 in late afternoon trading. Despite the roughly 5 percent decrease in customer traffic, the offer is bringing in customers, temporarily. But Stifel Nicolaus & Co analyst Steve West said the deal is cutting into profits for diners whose dollars will be fleeting — a trend that was apparent in September already the company temporarily shelved the promotion and saw fewer customers.  

Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) - Steve West at Stifel Nicolaus

"We don't think this trend is sustainable," Hottovy said of the efforts among the faltering restaurant chains to lure in new customers. Brinker International, which reported first quarter results Tuesday and owns 1,700 restaurants, most of them Chili's Grill & Bars, said customer traffic fell for the 21st consecutive quarter. Meanwhile, revenue skidded 21 percent and profit sank 34 percent, despite efforts around its three course meal deals for two, priced at $20. That sent shares down more than 11 percent Tuesday, and the stock continued to decline Wednesday, falling 48 cents, or another 3.3 percent, to $14.17 in late afternoon trading. Despite the roughly 5 percent decrease in customer traffic, the offer is bringing in customers, temporarily. But Stifel Nicolaus & Co analyst Steve West said the deal is cutting into profits for diners whose dollars will be fleeting , a trend that was apparent in September already the company temporarily shelved the promotion and saw fewer customers.  

Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) - Steve West at Stifel Nicolaus

Sales at locations open at least a year dropped 6 percent in the quarter. By brand, sales at locations open at least a year at Chili's sank 6 percent and declined 6.6 percent at Maggiano's. Higher prices helped offset high commodity prices tied to dairy, chicken and beef, the company said. Stifel Nicolaus & Co analyst Steve West said he is maintaining his "hold" rating on Brinker and urged investors to be cautious about casual dining stocks. "While we have seen 'less bad' results lately from casual dining companies, we view the improvements are limited and likely temporary, as most have been fueled by cost cutting, aided by virtually zero unit growth," he said in a report. 

Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) - Steve West at Stifel Nicolaus

Brinker posted quarterly profit and revenue that beat analysts' estimates, but its three course meals promotion cut into margins as it trained staff to serve them. Chili's has been offering a special deal of an appetizer, two entrees and a dessert to be split between two diners for $20. Aggressive discounts and promotions have hurt profits at sit down dining chains as consumers save money by eating at home or by choosing fast food chains. "Margin improvement (was) not as good" as expected, Stifel Nicolaus analyst Steve West said, adding that the company beat earnings expectations on lower interest expense. Brinker, which also owns On the Border and Maggiano's Little Italy restaurants, reported net income of $15.8 million, or 15 cents a share, for the first quarter that ended Sept. 23, compared with $23.8 million, or 23 cents a share, a year earlier.