{
  "id": 14300823,
  "title": "S&P revises Brinker outlook to positive on traffic growth and lower debt",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/s-p-revises-brinker-outlook-to-positive-on-traffic-growth-and-lower",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-13T21:47:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Investing.com",
    "slug": "investing-com",
    "url": "https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/sp-revises-brinker-outlook-to-positive-on-traffic-growth-and-lower-debt-4947619"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "S&P Global Ratings has upgraded its outlook for Brinker International Inc from stable to positive, reflecting the company's strong performance and efforts to reduce debt. The Dallas-based restaurant operator's credit rating remains at BB+, indicating above-average performance within its industry. Brinker's focus on maintaining lower debt levels and improved operational efficiency has contributed to this positive outlook. The company's leverage has improved to 1.6x for fiscal 2026 from 1.8x in the previous year, thanks to solid earnings growth and a new financial policy targeting a leverage ratio below 2.0x. Chili's Grill & Bar continues to outperform the casual dining sector through value-oriented marketing and menu simplification, driving steady revenue growth. Brinker's same-restaurant sales have grown by 23% in fiscal 2025 and 9% in fiscal 2026, supported by a three-year revenue compound annual growth rate of around 12%. The company's S&P-adjusted EBITDA margin reached 18.4% in fiscal 2026, outpacing inflationary pressures. Looking ahead, S&P projects annual revenue growth of 4% to 6% for fiscal 2027 and 2028, with free operating cash flow of $500 million to $550 million available for investments and shareholder buybacks. While Brinker has already used its revolving credit facility to retire a $350 million bond, the company must maintain its updated financial policy to achieve a full credit upgrade, which may involve further lever age reduction and business scale expansion.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}