EAT Brinker International Inc

Brinker International Announces October Sales DALLAS, Nov. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE:EAT), announced today comparable store sales increased 2.0 percent for the four-week period ending Nov. 3, 2004. October comparable store sales for Brinker and the four reported brands were as follows: October FY '05 October FY '04 Brinker 2.0% 0.8% Chili's 3.5% 1.2% Macaroni Grill -4.6% -2.8% Maggiano's 2.1% 2.1% On The Border 5.5% 3.4% October price increases and product mix-shifts for Brinker and the four reported brands were as follows: Price Increase Product Mix-Shift Brinker 2.9% 1.2% Chili's 3.5% 1.8% Macaroni Grill 1.8% 0.0% Maggiano's 1.8% 1.1% On The Border 1.6% -0.5% The company continues to anticipate second quarter fiscal 2005 earnings per diluted share to be $0.45 to $0.47 and full year fiscal 2005 earnings per share to be $2.06 to $2.19, including the impact of EITF 04-8 and excluding lease obligation charges related to Big Bowl, impairment charges and any potential re-franchising gains. The company pointed out that Thanksgiving Day shifts from the December period last year to the November period this year. In addition, Christmas Day shifts from the January period last year to the December period this year. These shifts will result in one less trading day in November for the current fiscal year. As a result, quarterly comparable sales are estimated to range between flat and up 1 percent. The table below includes a reconciliation of both second quarter and full year diluted earnings per share forecasts. Forecast Second Qtr. FY '05 Full Year FY '05 Adjusted diluted EPS $0.47 - $0.49 $2.14 - $2.26 EITF 04-8, net of forward settlement (0.02) (0.08) - (0.07) Diluted EPS after EITF 04-8 adjustment $0.45 - $0.47 $2.06 - $2.19 Impairment and lease obligation charges (0.02) (0.27) Refranchising gains 0.03 0.05 Diluted EPS $0.46 - $0.48 $1.84 - $1.97 A recorded message providing perspective on October sales will be available beginning Wednesday, November 10, at 4:30 p.m. EST through Friday, November 12, by dialing 1-973-528-0005 and entering pass code 1313. Brinker International either owns, operates, franchises, or is involved in the ownership of 1,508 restaurants under the names Chili's Grill & Bar (1,005 units), Romano's Macaroni Grill (222 units), Maggiano's Little Italy (32 units), On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina (131 units), Corner Bakery Cafe (86 units), Big Bowl Asian Kitchen (9 units), and Rockfish Seafood Grill (23 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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