Latest news with #KevinHochman
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
5 Insightful Analyst Questions From Brinker International's Q1 Earnings Call
Brinker International's first quarter results showcased substantial revenue growth, outpacing Wall Street expectations. Management attributed this to strong traffic gains at Chili's, driven by menu simplification, operational improvements, and effective marketing campaigns. CEO Kevin Hochman highlighted, 'Sales leverage and simplification continue to drive improved 4-wall economics, which allowed us to deliver an 18.9% restaurant operating margin.' Still, leadership noted the competitive promotional environment and acknowledged potential challenges in sustaining the current momentum as industry headwinds persist. Is now the time to buy EAT? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $1.43 billion vs analyst estimates of $1.39 billion (27.2% year-on-year growth, 2.7% beat) Adjusted EPS: $2.66 vs analyst estimates of $2.57 (3.6% beat) Adjusted EBITDA: $220.6 million vs analyst estimates of $203.4 million (15.5% margin, 8.5% beat) The company lifted its revenue guidance for the full year to $5.34 billion at the midpoint from $5.2 billion, a 2.7% increase Management raised its full-year Adjusted EPS guidance to $8.63 at the midpoint, a 11.3% increase Operating Margin: 11%, up from 6.2% in the same quarter last year Locations: 1,626 at quarter end, up from 1,618 in the same quarter last year Same-Store Sales rose 25.9% year on year (3% in the same quarter last year) Market Capitalization: $7.94 billion While we enjoy listening to the management's commentary, our favorite part of earnings calls are the analyst questions. Those are unscripted and can often highlight topics that management teams would rather avoid or topics where the answer is complicated. Here is what has caught our attention. David Palmer (Evercore ISI) pressed on the sustainability of same-store sales as comparisons become more challenging. CEO Kevin Hochman responded that continued focus on food, service, and atmosphere improvements gives management confidence, though he acknowledged forecasting future momentum is complex. Dennis Geiger (UBS) asked whether the drivers of recent traffic gains had shifted. CFO Mika Ware noted momentum remains broad-based, with strong year-over-year traffic and consistent guest demand for value offerings. Christine Cho (Goldman Sachs) questioned the impact of potential tariffs on cost of sales. Ware explained that over 80% of the supply chain is domestic, with flexibility to manage inflationary pressures and protect margins through pricing and sourcing. Jeff Farmer (Gordon Haskett) inquired about the outlook for restaurant-level margins into next year. Ware said ongoing investments in productivity and leveraging higher average unit volumes should support margin stability or growth. Eric Gonzalez (KeyBanc) asked about the Big QP launch's role in recent traffic trends. Hochman stated that the new burger is outperforming last year's Big Smasher, with strong PR and guest engagement fueling continued sales momentum. In the upcoming quarters, the StockStory team will closely watch (1) the performance and guest response to new menu items like the upgraded rib platform and appetizers, (2) signs of sustained traffic growth as Brinker laps last year's elevated results, and (3) the impact of operational investments, such as kitchen equipment upgrades and labor initiatives, on both guest experience and profitability. Execution on Maggiano's turnaround and the ability to manage through industry-wide promotional pressures will also be important markers. Brinker International currently trades at $178.87, up from $160.62 just before the earnings. At this price, is it a buy or sell? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Market indices reached historic highs following Donald Trump's presidential victory in November 2024, but the outlook for 2025 is clouded by new trade policies that could impact business confidence and growth. While this has caused many investors to adopt a "fearful" wait-and-see approach, we're leaning into our best ideas that can grow regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate. Take advantage of Mr. Market by checking out our Top 6 Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025). Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-small-cap company Comfort Systems (+782% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today.
Associated Press
18-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Prestigious 2025 Gold Plate Award Goes to Kevin Hochman
IFMA The Food Away from Home Association honors the CEO & President of Brinker International with coveted Gold Plate Award CHICAGO, May 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of industry leaders were on hand in the Great Hall of Chicago's Union Station on Saturday night, May 17, as Kevin Hochman, CEO & President of Brinker International was awarded the 2025 Gold Plate Award from the IFMA The Food Away from Home Association. Hochman was nominated in the Chain Full Service category by The Coca Cola Company and selected from the eight honorees who took home Silver Plate awards this year. Hochman became CEO and President of Brinker International, Inc., in 2022. Brinker is one of the world's leading casual dining companies and home of Chili's® Grill & Bar, and Maggiano's Little Italy®. Brinker-owned restaurants serve about 800,000 guests daily, with a workforce of 70,000+. Under Hochman's leadership, the company's market capitalization has increased to over $7 billion. Hochman was introduced at the awards ceremony by his mentor, Dave Goebel, Chairman of Jack in the Box, who told the attending crowd that 'The combination of Kevin's intellectual capacity, his spirit of inclusiveness, his transparency and authenticity, his heart and genuine concern for the thousands of Chiliheads and Maggiano's team members is core to his success, what brings him here this evening and will serve those brands well for years to come.' In accepting the Gold Plate, Hochman thanked the many people who have supported him, from his mother, wife, and family to his colleagues and mentors. He said that, reflecting on the great success of Chili's led him to three important realizations, 'One: Dining out is not out is as relevant as ever for consumers. Two: If you can do the fundamentals can make your operation a success. And Three: Listen to the front lines. Those closest to the customer can help you make better decisions.' For 71 years, IFMA The Food Away from Home Association has presented awards to extraordinary foodservice operators through the Gold & Silver Plate Awards, the most respected awards program in foodservice. Each year, the group solicits nominations from across the industry and a distinguished jury of industry experts weighs the merits of candidates who represent a variety of foodservice segments. Selected honorees receive a Silver Plate Award, and one is then chosen by secret ballot to receive the Gold Plate Award for overall industry excellence. Past Gold Plate winners include Danny Meyer (2000), Van Eure (2004), Charlie Trotter (2008), Timothy J. Dietzler (2010), Wolfgang Puck (2017), Regynald G. Washington (2019), Antionette Watkins (2021), Lance Trenary (2022), Jessica Shelly (2023), and Chris Tomasso (2024). In addition to Hochman, 2025 Silver Plate recipients are: Geoff Alexander, President and CEO of Wow Bao, in the category of Grocery, Convenience, & Specialty Retail, nominated by Ecolab Ryan Conklin, Director & Executive Chef Culinary and Nutrition Services at UNC Health Rex, in the category of Healthcare, nominated by ITW Food Equipment Group Gary Crompton, President & CEO of Aramark Workplace Experience Group, in the category of Business & Industry / Foodservice Management, nominated by PepsiCo Whitney Ellersick, Executive Director for Nutrition Services at Hillsboro School District, in the category of Elementary & Secondary Schools, nominated by Nestlé Professional Solutions Patti Klos, Director of Dining Services at Tufts University, in the category of Colleges & Universities, nominated by ITW Food Equipment Group Richard Schneider, Chief Development Officer at Areas USA, in the category of Travel & Leisure Foodservice, nominated by Ecolab, Hormel Foods, and Nestlé Professional Solutions Michael Skipworth, President and CEO of Wingstop, in the category of Chain Limited Service, nominated by Ecolab and Tyson Foods 'It was an honor to present the Gold Plate to Kevin Hochman this year,' said Phil Kafarakis, IFMA The Food Away from Home Association's President & CEO. 'All our winners are nominated by food, beverage, and equipment manufacturer partners who know their stories first-hand. It's a remarkable class of honorees that proves the point that our entire industry is interconnected and stronger together. And it's exciting to realize that these leaders will continue their relationship with us through the Gold & Silver Plate Society, made up of all past award winners.' The black-tie celebration for the 2025 Silver Plate Class was attended by hundreds of food-away-from-home leaders and luminaries and emceed by the 2022 Gold Plate honoree and CEO of Golden Corral, Lance Trenary. The event opened with the presentation of the National Restaurant Association's Legends Award, presented to Past Golden Corral CEO, Ted Fowler. Trenary spoke from the heart in honoring Fowler, 'I have had the privilege of having a front row seat to this man's life and as my mentor, my friend, my confidant, my fellow foodie, and my fly-fishing buddy so I can honestly say, I am grateful beyond words.' IFMA The Food Away from Home Association is currently soliciting candidates for the 2026 Silver Plate Awards. Nominations will be accepted through September. The 2026 Gold & Silver Plate Awards Celebration will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026. For more information, visit About IFMA The Food Away from Home Association IFMA The Food Away from Home Association is a trade association founded in 1952. The organization empowers, nurtures, and connects an inclusive and diverse $1.5 trillion food-away-from-home ecosystem of manufacturers, distributors, operators, and others. By sharing insights, fostering best practices, and developing networking and educational opportunities through events, IFMA The Food Away from Home Association informs and instructs its members, and motivates change to improve both individual organizations and the food-away-from-home industry at large. For more information, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE IFMA The Food Away from Home Association
Malaysian Reserve
18-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Prestigious 2025 Gold Plate Award Goes to Kevin Hochman
IFMA The Food Away from Home Association honors the CEO & President of Brinker International with coveted Gold Plate Award CHICAGO, May 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Hundreds of industry leaders were on hand in the Great Hall of Chicago's Union Station on Saturday night, May 17, as Kevin Hochman, CEO & President of Brinker International was awarded the 2025 Gold Plate Award from the IFMA The Food Away from Home Association. Hochman was nominated in the Chain Full Service category by The Coca Cola Company and selected from the eight honorees who took home Silver Plate awards this year. Hochman became CEO and President of Brinker International, Inc., in 2022. Brinker is one of the world's leading casual dining companies and home of Chili's® Grill & Bar, and Maggiano's Little Italy®. Brinker-owned restaurants serve about 800,000 guests daily, with a workforce of 70,000+. Under Hochman's leadership, the company's market capitalization has increased to over $7 billion. Hochman was introduced at the awards ceremony by his mentor, Dave Goebel, Chairman of Jack in the Box, who told the attending crowd that 'The combination of Kevin's intellectual capacity, his spirit of inclusiveness, his transparency and authenticity, his heart and genuine concern for the thousands of Chiliheads and Maggiano's team members is core to his success, what brings him here this evening and will serve those brands well for years to come.' In accepting the Gold Plate, Hochman thanked the many people who have supported him, from his mother, wife, and family to his colleagues and mentors. He said that, reflecting on the great success of Chili's led him to three important realizations, 'One: Dining out is not dead…eating out is as relevant as ever for consumers. Two: If you can do the fundamentals well…you can make your operation a success. And Three: Listen to the front lines. Those closest to the customer can help you make better decisions.' For 71 years, IFMA The Food Away from Home Association has presented awards to extraordinary foodservice operators through the Gold & Silver Plate Awards, the most respected awards program in foodservice. Each year, the group solicits nominations from across the industry and a distinguished jury of industry experts weighs the merits of candidates who represent a variety of foodservice segments. Selected honorees receive a Silver Plate Award, and one is then chosen by secret ballot to receive the Gold Plate Award for overall industry excellence. Past Gold Plate winners include Danny Meyer (2000), Van Eure (2004), Charlie Trotter (2008), Timothy J. Dietzler (2010), Wolfgang Puck (2017), Regynald G. Washington (2019), Antionette Watkins (2021), Lance Trenary (2022), Jessica Shelly (2023), and Chris Tomasso (2024). In addition to Hochman, 2025 Silver Plate recipients are: Geoff Alexander, President and CEO of Wow Bao, in the category of Grocery, Convenience, & Specialty Retail, nominated by Ecolab Ryan Conklin, Director & Executive Chef Culinary and Nutrition Services at UNC Health Rex, in the category of Healthcare, nominated by ITW Food Equipment Group Gary Crompton, President & CEO of Aramark Workplace Experience Group, in the category of Business & Industry / Foodservice Management, nominated by PepsiCo Whitney Ellersick, Executive Director for Nutrition Services at Hillsboro School District, in the category of Elementary & Secondary Schools, nominated by Nestlé Professional Solutions Patti Klos, Director of Dining Services at Tufts University, in the category of Colleges & Universities, nominated by ITW Food Equipment Group Richard Schneider, Chief Development Officer at Areas USA, in the category of Travel & Leisure Foodservice, nominated by Ecolab, Hormel Foods, and Nestlé Professional Solutions Michael Skipworth, President and CEO of Wingstop, in the category of Chain Limited Service, nominated by Ecolab and Tyson Foods 'It was an honor to present the Gold Plate to Kevin Hochman this year,' said Phil Kafarakis, IFMA The Food Away from Home Association's President & CEO. 'All our winners are nominated by food, beverage, and equipment manufacturer partners who know their stories first-hand. It's a remarkable class of honorees that proves the point that our entire industry is interconnected and stronger together. And it's exciting to realize that these leaders will continue their relationship with us through the Gold & Silver Plate Society, made up of all past award winners.' The black-tie celebration for the 2025 Silver Plate Class was attended by hundreds of food-away-from-home leaders and luminaries and emceed by the 2022 Gold Plate honoree and CEO of Golden Corral, Lance Trenary. The event opened with the presentation of the National Restaurant Association's Legends Award, presented to Past Golden Corral CEO, Ted Fowler. Trenary spoke from the heart in honoring Fowler, 'I have had the privilege of having a front row seat to this man's life and as my mentor, my friend, my confidant, my fellow foodie, and my fly-fishing buddy so I can honestly say, I am grateful beyond words.' IFMA The Food Away from Home Association is currently soliciting candidates for the 2026 Silver Plate Awards. Nominations will be accepted through September. The 2026 Gold & Silver Plate Awards Celebration will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026. For more information, visit About IFMA The Food Away from Home AssociationIFMA The Food Away from Home Association is a trade association founded in 1952. The organization empowers, nurtures, and connects an inclusive and diverse $1.5 trillion food-away-from-home ecosystem of manufacturers, distributors, operators, and others. By sharing insights, fostering best practices, and developing networking and educational opportunities through events, IFMA The Food Away from Home Association informs and instructs its members, and motivates change to improve both individual organizations and the food-away-from-home industry at large. For more information, visit
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Prestigious 2025 Gold Plate Award Goes to Kevin Hochman
IFMA The Food Away from Home Association honors the CEO & President of Brinker International with coveted Gold Plate Award CHICAGO, May 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of industry leaders were on hand in the Great Hall of Chicago's Union Station on Saturday night, May 17, as Kevin Hochman, CEO & President of Brinker International was awarded the 2025 Gold Plate Award from the IFMA The Food Away from Home Association. Hochman was nominated in the Chain Full Service category by The Coca Cola Company and selected from the eight honorees who took home Silver Plate awards this year. Hochman became CEO and President of Brinker International, Inc., in 2022. Brinker is one of the world's leading casual dining companies and home of Chili's® Grill & Bar, and Maggiano's Little Italy®. Brinker-owned restaurants serve about 800,000 guests daily, with a workforce of 70,000+. Under Hochman's leadership, the company's market capitalization has increased to over $7 billion. Hochman was introduced at the awards ceremony by his mentor, Dave Goebel, Chairman of Jack in the Box, who told the attending crowd that "The combination of Kevin's intellectual capacity, his spirit of inclusiveness, his transparency and authenticity, his heart and genuine concern for the thousands of Chiliheads and Maggiano's team members is core to his success, what brings him here this evening and will serve those brands well for years to come." In accepting the Gold Plate, Hochman thanked the many people who have supported him, from his mother, wife, and family to his colleagues and mentors. He said that, reflecting on the great success of Chili's led him to three important realizations, "One: Dining out is not out is as relevant as ever for consumers. Two: If you can do the fundamentals can make your operation a success. And Three: Listen to the front lines. Those closest to the customer can help you make better decisions." For 71 years, IFMA The Food Away from Home Association has presented awards to extraordinary foodservice operators through the Gold & Silver Plate Awards, the most respected awards program in foodservice. Each year, the group solicits nominations from across the industry and a distinguished jury of industry experts weighs the merits of candidates who represent a variety of foodservice segments. Selected honorees receive a Silver Plate Award, and one is then chosen by secret ballot to receive the Gold Plate Award for overall industry excellence. Past Gold Plate winners include Danny Meyer (2000), Van Eure (2004), Charlie Trotter (2008), Timothy J. Dietzler (2010), Wolfgang Puck (2017), Regynald G. Washington (2019), Antionette Watkins (2021), Lance Trenary (2022), Jessica Shelly (2023), and Chris Tomasso (2024). In addition to Hochman, 2025 Silver Plate recipients are: Geoff Alexander, President and CEO of Wow Bao, in the category of Grocery, Convenience, & Specialty Retail, nominated by Ecolab Ryan Conklin, Director & Executive Chef Culinary and Nutrition Services at UNC Health Rex, in the category of Healthcare, nominated by ITW Food Equipment Group Gary Crompton, President & CEO of Aramark Workplace Experience Group, in the category of Business & Industry / Foodservice Management, nominated by PepsiCo Whitney Ellersick, Executive Director for Nutrition Services at Hillsboro School District, in the category of Elementary & Secondary Schools, nominated by Nestlé Professional Solutions Patti Klos, Director of Dining Services at Tufts University, in the category of Colleges & Universities, nominated by ITW Food Equipment Group Richard Schneider, Chief Development Officer at Areas USA, in the category of Travel & Leisure Foodservice, nominated by Ecolab, Hormel Foods, and Nestlé Professional Solutions Michael Skipworth, President and CEO of Wingstop, in the category of Chain Limited Service, nominated by Ecolab and Tyson Foods "It was an honor to present the Gold Plate to Kevin Hochman this year," said Phil Kafarakis, IFMA The Food Away from Home Association's President & CEO. "All our winners are nominated by food, beverage, and equipment manufacturer partners who know their stories first-hand. It's a remarkable class of honorees that proves the point that our entire industry is interconnected and stronger together. And it's exciting to realize that these leaders will continue their relationship with us through the Gold & Silver Plate Society, made up of all past award winners." The black-tie celebration for the 2025 Silver Plate Class was attended by hundreds of food-away-from-home leaders and luminaries and emceed by the 2022 Gold Plate honoree and CEO of Golden Corral, Lance Trenary. The event opened with the presentation of the National Restaurant Association's Legends Award, presented to Past Golden Corral CEO, Ted Fowler. Trenary spoke from the heart in honoring Fowler, "I have had the privilege of having a front row seat to this man's life and as my mentor, my friend, my confidant, my fellow foodie, and my fly-fishing buddy so I can honestly say, I am grateful beyond words." IFMA The Food Away from Home Association is currently soliciting candidates for the 2026 Silver Plate Awards. Nominations will be accepted through September. The 2026 Gold & Silver Plate Awards Celebration will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026. For more information, visit About IFMA The Food Away from Home AssociationIFMA The Food Away from Home Association is a trade association founded in 1952. The organization empowers, nurtures, and connects an inclusive and diverse $1.5 trillion food-away-from-home ecosystem of manufacturers, distributors, operators, and others. By sharing insights, fostering best practices, and developing networking and educational opportunities through events, IFMA The Food Away from Home Association informs and instructs its members, and motivates change to improve both individual organizations and the food-away-from-home industry at large. For more information, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE IFMA The Food Away from Home Association
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EAT Q1 Earnings Call: Brinker International Raises Guidance After Outperforming Sales and Margin Expectations
Casual restaurant chain Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) reported Q1 CY2025 results exceeding the market's revenue expectations , with sales up 27.2% year on year to $1.43 billion. The company's full-year revenue guidance of $5.34 billion at the midpoint came in 1.8% above analysts' estimates. Its non-GAAP profit of $2.66 per share was 3.5% above analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy EAT? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $1.43 billion vs analyst estimates of $1.39 billion (27.2% year-on-year growth, 2.6% beat) Adjusted EPS: $2.66 vs analyst estimates of $2.57 (3.5% beat) Adjusted EBITDA: $220.6 million vs analyst estimates of $203.4 million (15.5% margin, 8.5% beat) The company lifted its revenue guidance for the full year to $5.34 billion at the midpoint from $5.2 billion, a 2.7% increase Management raised its full-year Adjusted EPS guidance to $8.63 at the midpoint, a 11.3% increase Operating Margin: 11%, up from 6.2% in the same quarter last year Free Cash Flow Margin: 9.3%, up from 7% in the same quarter last year Locations: 1,626 at quarter end, up from 1,618 in the same quarter last year Same-Store Sales rose 25.9% year on year (3% in the same quarter last year) Market Capitalization: $6.47 billion Brinker International's first-quarter results reflected significant momentum in its core brands, with management attributing outperformance to operational improvements and disciplined execution on menu simplification and marketing. CEO Kevin Hochman highlighted the impact of menu streamlining, improved kitchen processes, and a focus on guest experience, noting, 'Our continued focus on the fundamentals of casual dining, food, service and atmosphere is accelerating performance.' The company's initiatives, including targeted digital marketing and operational changes, drove traffic gains and enhanced restaurant-level economics. Looking ahead, management raised full-year guidance, citing confidence in sustainable traffic growth and continued margin expansion. CFO Mika Ware emphasized that investments in labor, kitchen equipment, and guest experience are expected to support ongoing profitability, while maintaining pricing discipline. Ware explained, 'We're excited by the opportunities ahead to grow the base business,' and noted that Brinker is prepared to adjust its strategy as needed to address inflation and supply chain pressures. The leadership reiterated their commitment to reinvesting in core operations while evaluating future capital allocation and potential shareholder returns. Brinker International's management credited the strong quarter to targeted initiatives across operations, marketing, and menu innovation. They identified streamlined processes and brand differentiation as primary factors in both recent performance and the positive outlook for the rest of the year. Menu and Kitchen Simplification: Leadership emphasized the removal of low-performing menu items and sauces, allowing kitchen staff to operate more efficiently and focus on delivering consistent quality. This included adjustments to fry station workflows and new kitchen display features to reduce ticket times. Marketing and Brand Positioning: The company's marketing strategy centered on value-driven campaigns, including the launch of the Big QP burger and pop-culture promotions like the Chili's Scranton branch, which generated substantial brand impressions and reinforced Chili's value proposition in a crowded market. Operational Investments: Investments in labor, staff training, and new kitchen equipment, such as TurboChef ovens, were highlighted as supporting elevated guest volumes and driving improved restaurant operating margins. Management also stressed the importance of making team member roles more manageable to reduce turnover and maintain service quality. Maggiano's Turnaround Efforts: The Maggiano's brand followed a similar playbook, focusing on menu upgrades, reducing discounting, and simplifying operations. Management acknowledged near-term traffic volatility but expects these changes to drive long-term brand loyalty and profitability. Competitive Environment and Value: Management noted increasing promotional intensity across the industry but maintained that Brinker's focus on guest experience and perceived value differentiated its brands, enabling them to gain market share despite macroeconomic headwinds and heightened competition. Management's outlook for the next several quarters centers on sustaining traffic gains through continued operational enhancements and menu innovation, while navigating inflationary pressures and a competitive value environment. Focus on Menu Upgrades: Planned launches in ribs, appetizers, and other core items are expected to attract customers and improve pricing power, with management expressing optimism about the potential to expand sales from underpenetrated menu categories. Operational Productivity Investments: Ongoing investments in kitchen technology and staff training are intended to support higher guest volumes and improve four-wall economics, with anticipated productivity gains as teams adapt to increased traffic. Managing Cost Headwinds: Management highlighted the need to monitor commodity inflation, wage pressures, and potential tariffs, noting that a largely domestic supply chain and disciplined pricing strategy should help mitigate cost volatility. Flexibility in pricing and supply chain adjustments remain key priorities. David Palmer (Evercore ISI): Asked about the sustainability of same-store sales growth as comps become more challenging. CEO Kevin Hochman stressed ongoing improvements in food, service, and atmosphere as the foundation for future growth, stating, 'If we're better this year versus last year, we have confidence we'll continue to grow the comp.' Dennis Geiger (UBS): Inquired about shifts in drivers behind recent momentum, particularly regarding value platforms and marketing. CFO Mika Ware noted continued strong traffic and said momentum has not slowed, even as certain product mix benefits are expected to moderate. Chris O'Cull (Stifel): Sought clarification on capital expenditure increases and the rationale. Ware attributed the step-up to accelerated investments in new ovens and asset maintenance to sustain elevated sales levels, emphasizing the focus on maintaining updated restaurant assets. Christine Cho (Goldman Sachs): Questioned the impact of tariffs and inflation on food costs and pricing flexibility. Ware explained that over 80% of the supply chain is domestic and that current pricing strategies can absorb modest tariff impacts without significant margin risk. Jon Tower (Citi): Asked about the sources of Chili's traffic growth and whether it reflects new guests or increased frequency. Ware responded that the growth comes from all guest segments, including both new and returning customers, attributing it to enhanced guest experience and operational improvements. In tracking Brinker International's execution, our analysts will focus on (1) the success of upcoming menu innovations, especially the revamped ribs and appetizer offerings; (2) evidence that operational investments continue to support higher guest volumes without eroding margins; and (3) Maggiano's progress in driving sustainable traffic and profitability through its turnaround strategy. We will also monitor how the company manages industry-wide cost pressures and whether marketing initiatives sustain consumer engagement. Brinker International currently trades at a forward P/E ratio of 15.7×. Is the company at an inflection point that warrants a buy or sell? Find out in our free research report. Market indices reached historic highs following Donald Trump's presidential victory in November 2024, but the outlook for 2025 is clouded by new trade policies that could impact business confidence and growth. While this has caused many investors to adopt a "fearful" wait-and-see approach, we're leaning into our best ideas that can grow regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate. Take advantage of Mr. Market by checking out our Top 9 Market-Beating Stocks. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 176% over the last five years. Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-micro-cap company Tecnoglass (+1,754% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today. Sign in to access your portfolio
