EAT Brinker International Inc

Brinker International Announces April Sales DALLAS, May 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT), announced today April comparable store sales increased 3.7 percent for the five-week period ending May 4, 2005. Comparable store sales for Brinker and the four reported brands were as follows: April FY '05 April FY '04 Brinker 3.7% 2.5% Chili's 4.8% 2.6% Macaroni Grill -1.5% -0.8% On The Border 4.3% 5.6% Maggiano's 3.3% 5.2% April price increases and product mix-shifts for Brinker and the four reported brands were as follows: Price Increase Product Mix-Shift Brinker 2.9% 2.5% Chili's 3.4% 2.7% Macaroni Grill 2.1% 2.6% On The Border 1.4% 0.3% Maggiano's 1.7% 2.4% The company estimates April comparable sales were positively impacted by approximately 1 percent due to the calendar shift of Easter weekend to March this year from April last year. Brinker now anticipates fourth quarter earnings per diluted share to be $0.67 to $0.68, excluding impairment and restructure charges and refranchising gains. The fourth quarter estimate assumes comparable store sales growth of 2 to 3 percent and weighted average shares of approximately 91 million. A recorded message providing perspective on April sales will be available beginning Wednesday, May 11, at 4:30 p.m. EDT through Wednesday, June 1, by dialing 1-973-528-0005 and entering pass code 1313. The company will release May sales results on June 8, 2005. Brinker International either owns, operates, franchises, or is involved in the ownership of 1,571 restaurants under the names Chili's Grill & Bar (1,063 units), Romano's Macaroni Grill (233 units), On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina (134 units), Maggiano's Little Italy (33 units), Corner Bakery Cafe (87 units), and Rockfish Seafood Grill (21 units). The statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and, consequently, could be affected by general business and economic conditions, the impact of competition, the seasonality of the company's business, adverse weather conditions, future commodity prices, fuel and utility costs and availability, terrorist acts, consumer perception of food safety, changes in consumer taste, changes in demographic trends, availability of employees, unfavorable publicity, the company's ability to meet its growth plan, acts of God, governmental regulations, and inflation. Contacts: Louis Adams or Chris Barnes, Media Relations (972) 770-4967 or (972) 770-4959 Lynn Schweinfurth, Investor Relations (972) 770-7228 DATASOURCE: Brinker International, Inc. CONTACT: Media Relations, Louis Adams, +1-972-770-4967, or Chris Barnes, +1-972-770-4959, or Investor Relations, Lynn Schweinfurth, +1-972-770-7228, all of Brinker International, Inc. Web site: http://www.brinker.com/

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