Brinker Lifts Full-Year Guidance Following Strong Chili's Sales Growth; Wingstop Cuts Outlook

12:18 PM EDT, 10/28/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Brinker International (EAT) raised its full-year forecasts Wednesday following strong sales growth at Chili's Grill & Bar in the fiscal first quarter, while Wingstop (WING) lowered its outlook as quarterly same-store sales declined. Brinker, which also owns Maggiano's Little Italy, lifted its fiscal 2027 non-GAAP earnings guidance to between $13.30 and $13.90 a share from the previous $12.60 to $13.40 guidance. The FactSet-polled consensus is $13.28. Brinker now expects full-year revenue of $6.23 billion to $6.33 billion, up from an earlier outlook of $6.15 billion to $6.27 billion. Wall Street is looking for $6.3 billion. For the quarter that ended Sept. 23, adjusted EPS rose to $2.77 from $1.93 a year earlier, while analysts expected $2.45. Revenue increased to $1.48 billion from $1.35 billion, topping the Street's $1.46 billion estimate. Consolidated comparable restaurant sales increased 9.1%, ahead of analysts' projections for 7.5% growth. Chili's gained 10%, compared with an 8.5% increase UBS Securities expected, while Maggiano's declined 3.4%. Chili's has delivered a three-year cumulative comparable sales growth of 52%, Brinker Chief Executive Kevin Hochman said in a statement. Chili's momentum was likely supported by contributions from its Big Crispy chicken sandwiches and effective value offerings, among other factors, UBS said in a note earlier this month. "We believe upside potential exists for shares from the sustainability of sales outperformance and potential for better than expected earnings in (fiscal year 2027) and beyond, while accelerating unit growth, a healthy balance sheet, and share repurchase represent (additional) potential upside catalysts," the brokerage said. Brinker's shares soared 14% in Wednesday trade, bringing their year-to-date gains to 56%. Separately, Wingstop now expects full-year domestic same-store sales to fall 6.5% to 7%, compared with its prior guidance of a 4% to 6% decline. Wingstop projects global unit growth of 14.4% to 14.7%, versus 15% to 16% previously. Wingstop's adjusted EPS for the quarter ended Sept. 26 fell to $1.08 a share from $1.09 a year earlier, but exceeded the FactSet-polled consensus of $1.02. Revenue grew 5.3% to $185.1 million, missing Wall Street's $192.9 million estimate. Fiscal third-quarter domestic same-store sales fell 5.4% year over year due to lower transaction volumes amid continued pressure on consumer spending, the company said. UBS had projected a 6% decline in same-store sales amid macroeconomic headwinds, it said in a separate Oct. 14 note. "While we are not satisfied with our third quarter results and the improvement in sales performance is taking time, we are encouraged by the early indicators from the changes we've made and remain focused on returning to sustained sales growth," Wingstop Chief Executive Michael Skipworth said in a statement. Wingstop's third-quarter royalty revenue and franchise fees increased to $86.3 million from $81.2 million a year earlier. Advertising fees and company-owned restaurant sales also grew. Wingstop shares were up 12% intraday. The stock has fallen 42% this year. Domino's Pizza (DPZ) reported better-than-expected third-quarter results on Oct. 13. Restaurant Brands International's (QSR) third-quarter results are slated to be released Thursday, while McDonald's (MCD) will report earnings on Nov. 4. Price: 223.26, Change: +26.54, Percent Change: +13.49