EAT Brinker International Inc

Brinker International Announces August Sales DALLAS, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT), announced today comparable store sales decreased 1.7 percent for the four-week period ending Sept. 1, 2004. August comparable store sales for Brinker and the four reported brands were as follows: August FY '05 August FY '04 Brinker -1.7% 3.0% Chili's -2.7% 3.5% Macaroni Grill -3.2% 2.9% Maggiano's 0.2% 0.8% On The Border 5.3% 2.7% August price increases and product mix-shifts for Brinker and the four reported brands were as follows: Price Increase Product Mix-Shift Brinker 2.3% 0.1% Chili's 2.5% 0.2% Macaroni Grill 2.3% -0.7% Maggiano's 2.3% 1.2% On The Border 1.6% 0.4% The company noted its August 2004 Brinker comparable store sales were negatively impacted 0.5 percent by Hurricane Charley. By brand, comparable store sales were negatively impacted 0.6 percent at Chili's, 0.4 percent at Macaroni Grill and 0.3 percent at Maggiano's. August 2003 Brinker comparable store sales were negatively impacted by approximately 0.4 percent due to the blackout in several states last year. The company also noted September 2004 Brinker comparable store sales will be negatively impacted by Hurricane Frances by approximately 1 percent. As of today, virtually all of the restaurants that were closed due to the hurricane have reopened. The company now anticipates first quarter fiscal 2005 earnings per diluted share to be $0.38 to $0.40 and full year fiscal 2005 earnings per share to be $2.14 to $2.26, excluding a refranchising gain of $0.03 in the first quarter. This is based on quarterly comparable sales of -2 to 0 percent. Including the $0.03 refranchising gain in the first quarter, first quarter fiscal 2005 reported earnings per diluted share are expected to be $0.41 to $0.43 and full year fiscal 2005 reported earnings per diluted share are expected to be $2.17 to $2.29. A recorded message providing perspective on August sales will be available beginning Thursday, September 9, at 4:30 p.m. EDT through Monday, September 13, by dialing 1-973-528-0005 and entering pass code 1313. Brinker International either owns, operates, franchises, or is involved in the ownership of 1,492 restaurants under the names Chili's Grill & Bar (992 units), Romano's Macaroni Grill (217 units), Maggiano's Little Italy (29 units), On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina (129 units), Corner Bakery Cafe (86 units), Big Bowl Asian Kitchen (14 units), and Rockfish Seafood Grill (25 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, Media Relations (972) 770-4967 Lynn Schweinfurth, Investor Relations (972) 770-7228 DATASOURCE: Brinker International, Inc. CONTACT: Louis Adams, Media Relations, +1-972-770-4967, or Lynn Schweinfurth, Investor Relations, +1-972-770-7228, both of Brinker International, Inc. Web site: http://www.brinker.com/

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