Brinker quarterly profit jumps 12%

Brinker International, the Dallas-based parent of Chili’s and Maggiano’s Little Italy, reported a 12-percent increase in net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2015. Its net income of $32.7 million, or 49 cents per diluted share, rose in comparison to a $29.2 million, or 42 cents per diluted share, profit in the first quarter of fiscal 2014. Chief executive Wyman Roberts said Brinker’s two casual-dining chains not only grew their comparable sales and traffic in the quarter but also took market share in their category. “The key to our successful results is our ability to drive relevance and differentiation while maintaining a strong business model,” he said in a statement. Revenue rose 3.8 percent for the Sept. 24-ended period to $711.02 million, reflecting a same-store sales gain of 2.4 percent at company-owned restaurants. By brand, Chili’s same-store sales rose 2.6 percent at its 824 company-owned locations and 1.7 percent at its 439 franchised locations in the United States. The 48 company-owned Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurants produced a 0.6-percent lift in same-store sales for the quarter.