Wells Fargo has upgraded Brinker International Inc (EAT) to Overweight from Equal-Weight, signaling a more optimistic outlook on the company’s future. This action, taken on September 21, 2025, comes as Brinker International, which operates over 1,600 restaurants including Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy, shows signs of improved business performance.
The company, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a key player in the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry, employing approximately 83,840 full-time staff. As of November 20, 2025, Brinker International boasts a market capitalization of $5.7 billion, with a trailing P/E ratio of 17.47 and an EPS of 7.09.
Upcoming earnings reports are scheduled for August 11, 2026, and April 27, 2026, with estimated EPS of $2.98 and $2.92, respectively. Recent performance has been robust, highlighted by a Q1 2026 EPS of $1.93, surpassing estimates by 7.8%.
Such decisions reflect a shift in analyst sentiment, often driven by enhanced confidence in a company's strategic direction and fundamentals. Analyst ratings, while informative, should be considered alongside various factors including competitive positioning and industry trends, as they represent professional opinions based on research and financial models.
As of November 1, 2025, the consensus rating for Brinker International stands at Buy, with 6 Strong Buy, 8 Buy, and 11 Hold recommendations from a total of 25 analysts. This upgrade from Wells Fargo follows another recent upgrade from Evercore ISI Group, which raised its rating to Outperform from In-Line on September 4, 2025.