10-K 1 form10k051.htm FORM 10-K FORM 10-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended June 29, 2005

Commission File No. 1-10275

BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

75-1914582

(State or other jurisdiction of

(I.R.S. employer

incorporation or organization)

identification no.)

 

 

6820 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, Texas

75240

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number,
including area code (972) 980-9917

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class
Common Stock, $0.10 par value
Stock Purchase Rights

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes   X    No ___

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ____

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).  Yes   X    No ___

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter.
$3,059,776,156

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class

Outstanding at August 18, 2005

Common Stock, $0.10 par value

87,993,539 shares


 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended June 29, 2005, are incorporated by reference into Part II hereof, to the extent indicated herein.  Portions of the registrant's Proxy Statement for its annual meeting of shareholders on October 20, 2005, to be dated on or about September 9, 2005, are incorporated by reference into Part III hereof, to the extent indicated herein.

PART I

Item 1.  BUSINESS.

General

Brinker International, Inc. (the "Company") is principally engaged in the ownership, operation, development and franchising of the Chili's Grill & Bar ("Chili's"), Romano's Macaroni Grill ("Macaroni Grill"), Maggiano's Little Italy ("Maggiano's"), On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina ("On The Border"), and Corner Bakery Cafe ("Corner Bakery") restaurant concepts.  Additionally, the Company owns an approximate 43% interest in the legal entities owning Rockfish Seafood Grill ("Rockfish"), which interests were acquired in July 2001 and October 2002.  The Company was organized under the laws of the State of Delaware in September 1983 to succeed to the business operated by Chili's, Inc., a Texas corporation, organized in August 1977.  The Company completed the acquisitions of Macaroni Grill, On The Border, Maggiano's, and Corner Bakery in November 1989, May 1994, August 1995, and August 1995, respectively.

Primary Restaurant Concepts

Chili's Grill & Bar

Chili's is a full-service restaurant, featuring a casual atmosphere and a varied menu of chicken, beef and seafood entrees, steaks, fajitas, sandwiches, salads, appetizers, desserts, and its legendary Big Mouth Burgers and Baby Back Ribs, all prepared fresh daily according to special Chili's recipes.  The full-service Margarita Bar is available at each Chili's restaurant serving alcohol, with a variety of specialty margaritas, including the Presidente Margarita, offered as the concept's signature drink.  Emphasis is placed on serving substantial portions of fresh, flavorful, and high quality food at modest prices. 

Chili's restaurants feature quick, efficient and friendly table service designed to minimize customer waiting time and facilitate table turnover, with an average turnover time per table of approximately 45 minutes.  Service personnel are dressed casually in jeans, knit shirts or t-shirts, and aprons to reinforce the casual, informal environment.  The decor of a Chili's restaurant consists of booth seating, tile-top tables, hanging plants and wood and brick walls covered with interesting memorabilia.

Entree selections range in menu price from $5.99 to $14.99, with the average revenue per meal, including alcoholic beverages, approximating $12.03 per person.  During the year ended June 29, 2005, food and non-alcoholic beverage sales constituted approximately 86.4% of the concept's total restaurant revenues, with alcoholic beverage sales accounting for the remaining 13.6%.

Romano's Macaroni Grill

Macaroni Grill is an exciting casual Italian restaurant that ignites the senses.  Guests enjoy culinary masterpieces inspired by the Italian passion and culinary heritage of Macaroni Grill.  Menu selections include signature pastas, grilled steak, seafood, salads and delicious desserts - all prepared by talented chefs in open kitchens.  Macaroni Grill features brick ovens, festive string lights, fresh gladiolus, and a broad selection of house and premium wines.  Guests are met with a sincere welcome at the door and enjoy warm, knowledgeable service.  Additionally, guests enjoy the convenience of Macaroni Grill's Curbside To Go service.  Delicious, chef-prepared meals are delivered right to their cars for them to enjoy at home.


Entree selections range in menu price from $9.49 to $19.99 with chef features priced separately.  The average revenue per meal, including alcoholic beverages, is approximately $14.66 per person.  During the year ended June 29, 2005, food and non-alcoholic beverage sales constituted approximately 87.5% of the concept's total restaurant revenues, with alcoholic beverage sales accounting for the remaining 12.5%.

Maggiano's Little Italy

Maggiano's restaurants are classic re-creations of dinner houses found in New York's Little Italy in the 1940s.  Each of the Maggiano's restaurants is a casual, full-service Italian restaurant with a family-style menu as well as a full lunch and dinner menu offering Southern Italian appetizers, homemade bread, bountiful portions of pasta, chicken, seafood, veal and prime steaks, as well as a full range of alcoholic beverages. Most Maggiano's restaurants also feature extensive banquet facilities. 

Entree selections range in menu price from $8.95 to $37.95, with the average revenue per meal, including alcoholic beverages, approximating $25.00 per person.  During the year ended June 29, 2005, food and non-alcoholic beverage sales constituted approximately 79.7% of the concept's total restaurant revenues, with alcoholic beverage sales accounting for the remaining 20.3%.

On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina

On The Border is a full-service, national, casual-dining Mexican restaurant chain.  On The Border's menu offers a wide variety of Mexican favorites and is best known for its fajitas and margaritas.  On The Border also offers a variety of innovative menu items from Guacamole Live! to Shaken Margarita Shrimp Cocktail to a Red Chili Ribeye.  As a full service restaurant, On The Border offers full bar service, in-restaurant dining and patio dining in all locations.  On The Border also offers the convenience of a To-Go menu and To-Go entrance to expedite take-out service in all locations.  In addition to To-Go, On The Border offers catering service from simple drop-off delivery to full-service event planning.

Entree selections range in menu price from $6.99 to $13.99, with the average revenue per meal, including alcoholic beverages, approximating $12.89 per person.  During the year ended June 29, 2005, food and non-alcoholic beverage sales constituted approximately 81.3% of the concept's total restaurant revenues, with alcoholic beverage sales accounting for the remaining 18.7%.

Corner Bakery Cafe

Evolving over the years from one true bakery to a collection of destinations for people in their communities, Corner Bakery Cafe has grown into one of America's premiere quick-casual bakery cafes.  Beneath recognizable black and white awnings, Corner Bakery Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in between.  Breakfast choices include egg scramblers, breakfast pastries and mixed-berry parfaits.  Lunch and dinner feature hearty soups, fresh salads, delicious sandwiches, hot panini and decadent desserts.  Corner Bakery Cafe's atmosphere allows guests to sit and relax or get their food to go quickly.  Most cafes have both indoor seating and inviting outdoor patios.  Corner Bakery Cafe's catering offers a wide variety of breakfast treats, fresh salads and unique sandwich choices for any size meeting or social event.

Prices for menu items range from $1.19 to $6.99 with the average revenue per meal approximating $7.44 per person.  During the fiscal year ended June 29, 2005, food and non-alcoholic beverage sales constituted all of the concept's total restaurant revenues.  Catering sales constituted approximately 21.2% of sales.

Jointly-Developed Concept

Rockfish Seafood Grill


Rockfish offers fresh, flavorful seafood dishes served in a fun, comfortable environment.  Rockfish's decor features piney wood tables, river rock fireplaces and an open kitchen with chefs preparing the catch of the day.  The restaurant serves a wide variety of reasonably priced seafood ranging from salmon and trout to shrimp and crab.  Daily chalkboard specials featuring various seasonal items are also very popular with diners.  In addition to items from the "Stream", Rockfish serves items from the "Field" like Louisiana Pot Roast and Campfire Smoked Ribs.  Friendly, knowledgeable servers clad in Rockfish t-shirts and jeans add to the casual backdrop.  All locations feature full-service bars and most have patio seating available.

Entree selections range in menu price from $5.87 to $16.42 with chalkboard specials priced on a daily basis.  The average revenue per meal, including alcoholic beverages, is approximately $14.50 per person.  During the year ended June 29, 2005, food and non-alcoholic beverage sales constituted approximately 86.5% of the concept's total revenues, with alcoholic beverage sales accounting for the remaining 13.5%.

Business Development

The Company's long-term objective is to continue most of its expansion of its restaurant concepts by opening Company-operated units in strategically desirable markets.  The Company intends to concentrate on the development of certain identified markets to achieve penetration levels deemed desirable in order to improve the Company's competitive position, marketing potential and profitability.  Expansion efforts will be focused not only on major metropolitan areas in the United States but also on smaller market areas and non-traditional locations (such as airports, kiosks and food courts) which can adequately support any of the Company's restaurant concepts.  The Company also continues to consider development in countries outside of the United States. 

The Company considers the restaurant site selection process critical to its long-term success and devotes significant effort to the investigation of new locations utilizing a variety of sophisticated analytical techniques.  The site selection process evaluates a variety of factors, including: trade area demographics, such as target population density and household income levels; physical site characteristics such as visibility, accessibility and traffic volume; relative proximity to activity centers such as shopping centers, hotel and entertainment complexes and office buildings; and supply and demand trends, such as proposed infrastructure improvements, new developments, and existing and potential competition.  Members of each restaurant concept's executive management inspect, review and approve each restaurant site prior to its acquisition for that restaurant concept.

The Company periodically reevaluates restaurant sites to ensure that site selection attributes have not deteriorated below minimum standards.  In the event site deterioration were to occur, the Company makes a concerted effort to improve the restaurant's performance by providing physical, operating and marketing enhancements unique to each restaurant's situation.  If efforts to restore the restaurant's performance to acceptable minimum standards are unsuccessful, the Company considers relocation to a proximate, more desirable site, or evaluates closing the restaurant if the Company's measurement criteria, such as return on investment and area demographic trends, do not support relocation.  Since inception, relating to the Company's primary restaurant concepts, the Company has closed 99 restaurants, including 22 in fiscal 2005, which were performing below the Company's standards primarily due to declining or shifting trade area demographics.  The Company operates pursuant to a strategic plan targeted to support the Company's long-term growth objectives, with a focus on continued development of those restaurant concepts that have the greatest return potential for the Company and its shareholders.

The following table illustrates the system-wide restaurants opened in fiscal 2005 and the planned openings in fiscal 2006:

Fiscal 2005 Openings

Fiscal 2006 Projected Openings

Chili's:
  Company-Operated
  Franchise


82
26


97-100
25-30

Macaroni Grill:
  Company-Operated
  Franchise


18
6


6-7
4-5


Maggiano's


5


4-5

On The Border:
  Company-Operated
  Franchise


8
0


6-8
3-4

Corner Bakery:
  Company-Operated
  Franchise


6
0


7-9
0-1

Rockfish

0

0

 

 

                  Total

151

152-169

The Company anticipates that some of the fiscal 2006 projected restaurant openings may be constructed pursuant to "build-to-suit" agreements, in which the lessor contributes some or substantially all, of the building construction costs.  In other cases, the Company may either lease or own the land (paying for any owned land from its own funds) and either lease or own the building, furniture, fixtures and equipment (paying for any owned items from its own funds).

The following table illustrates the approximate average capital investment for a typical unit in the Company's primary restaurant concepts:

 

Chili's

Macaroni
Grill

Maggiano's

On The
Border

Corner
Bakery

Land

$     650,000

$ 1,000,000

$ 2,700,000

$   850,000

$   950,000

Building

    1,207,000

   1,462,000

   3,600,000

  1,320,000

     435,000

Furniture &
Equipment


       500,000


      550,000


   1,200,000


     520,000


      303,000

Other

         40,000

        55,000

      140,000

        60,000

       20,000

Total

$  2,397,000

$ 3,067,000

$ 7,640,000

$ 2,750,000

$ 1,708,000

The specific rate at which the Company is able to open new restaurants is determined, in part, by its success in locating satisfactory sites, negotiating acceptable lease or purchase terms, securing appropriate local governmental permits and approvals, and by its capacity to supervise construction and recruit and train management personnel.

Franchise Operations

The Company also intends to continue its expansion through franchise development, both domestically and internationally.  At June 29, 2005, 46 total franchise development or joint venture arrangements existed.  During the year ended June 29, 2005, 26 Chili's franchised restaurants were opened, 14 Company-owned Chili's restaurants were sold to two franchisees, and 6 Macaroni Grill franchised restaurants were opened.

In fiscal 2005, of the 26 new Chili's franchised restaurants, 8 were kiosk locations.  The first franchised Macaroni Grill airport location opened in Orlando, Florida, and the first franchised Macaroni Grill location in the Pacific Rim region opened in Taipei.  Additionally, in connection with the sale of the Company-owned Chili's restaurants, the Company entered into two franchise development agreements for 18 Chili's restaurants over the next 7 years in Kentucky and parts of Illinois, Indiana and Tennessee, and for 20 Chili's restaurants over the next 6 years in parts of Alabama and Mississippi.  The Company also entered into a franchise development agreement for 5 Macaroni Grill restaurants over the next 6 years in Hawaii.


The Company intends to selectively pursue domestic and international franchise expansion.  A typical franchise development agreement provides for payment of development and initial franchise fees in addition to subsequent royalty and advertising fees based on the gross sales of each restaurant.  Future franchise development agreements are expected to remain limited to enterprises having significant experience as restaurant operators and proven financial ability to develop multi-unit operations.

Jointly-Developed Operations

From time to time, the Company enters into agreements for research and development activities related to the testing of new restaurant concepts, typically acquiring a significant equity interest in such ventures.  The Company's ownership interest in the legal entities owning the Rockfish restaurants is approximately 43%.  At June 29, 2005, 21 Rockfish restaurants were operating, located in the states of Arizona, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Texas.

Restaurant Management

The Company's philosophy to maintain and operate each concept as a distinct and separate entity ensures that the culture, recruitment and training programs and unique operating environments of each concept are preserved.  These factors are critical to the viability of each concept.  Each concept is directed by a president and one or more concept vice presidents overseeing specifically identified areas.

The Company's restaurant management structure varies by concept.  The individual restaurants themselves are led by a management team including a general manager and between two to five additional managers.  The level of restaurant supervision depends upon the operating complexity and sales volume of each concept.  An area director/supervisor is responsible for the supervision of, on average, three to seven restaurants.  For those concepts with a significant number of units within a geographical region, additional levels of management may be provided.

The Company believes that there is a high correlation between the quality of restaurant management and the long-term success of a concept.  In that regard, the Company encourages increased tenure at all management positions through various short and long-term incentive programs, which may include equity ownership.  These programs, coupled with a general management philosophy emphasizing quality of life, have enabled the Company to attract and retain management employees at levels above the industry norm.

The Company ensures consistent quality standards in all concepts through the issuance of operations manuals covering all elements of operations and food and beverage manuals, which provide guidance for preparation of Company-formulated recipes.  Routine visitation to the restaurants by all levels of supervision enforces strict adherence to Company standards and operating procedures.

The director of training for each concept is responsible for maintaining each concept's operational training program.  The training program includes a three to four month training period for restaurant management trainees, a continuing management training process for managers and supervisors, and training teams consisting of groups of employees experienced in all facets of restaurant operations that train employees to open new restaurants.  The training teams typically begin on-site training at a new restaurant seven to ten days prior to opening and remain on location one to two weeks following the opening to ensure the smooth transition to operating personnel.

Purchasing

The Company's ability to maintain consistent quality of products throughout each of its restaurant concepts depends upon acquiring food and beverage products and related items from reliable sources.  Suppliers are pre-approved by the Company and are required, along with the restaurants, to adhere to strict product specifications established through the Company's quality assurance program to ensure that high quality, wholesome food and beverage products are served in the restaurants.  The Company negotiates directly with the major suppliers to obtain competitive prices and uses purchase commitment contracts to stabilize the potentially volatile pricing


associated with certain commodity items.  All essential food and beverage products are available, or upon short notice can be made available, from alternative qualified suppliers to be delivered to the Company's restaurants.  Because of the relatively rapid turnover of perishable food products, inventories in the restaurants, consisting primarily of food, beverages and supplies, have a modest aggregate dollar value in relation to revenues.

Advertising and Marketing

The Company's concepts generally focus on the eighteen to fifty-four year old age group, which constitutes approximately half of the United States population.  Members of this population segment grew up on fast food, but the Company believes that, with increasing maturity, they prefer a more adult, upscale dining experience.  To attract this target group, the Company relies primarily on television, radio, direct mail advertising and information communicated by customers, with each of its restaurant concepts utilizing one or more of such mediums to meet the concept's needs and direction.

The Company's franchise agreements require advertising contributions to the Company to be used exclusively for the purpose of maintaining, directly administering and preparing standardized advertising and promotional activities.  Franchisees spend additional amounts on local advertising when approved by the Company.

Employees

At June 29, 2005, the Company employed approximately 108,500 persons, of whom approximately 1,100 were corporate personnel, 6,400 were restaurant area directors, managers or trainees and 101,000 were employed in non-management restaurant positions.  The executive officers of the Company have an average of over 16 years of experience in the restaurant industry.

The Company considers its employee relations to be good and believes that its employee turnover rate compares favorably with the industry average.  Most employees, other than restaurant management and corporate personnel, are paid on an hourly basis.  The Company believes that it provides working conditions and wages that compare favorably with those of its competition.  The Company's employees are not covered by any collective bargaining agreements.

Trademarks

The Company has registered and/or has pending, among other marks, "Brinker International", "Chili's", "Chili's Bar & Bites", "Chili's Grill & Bar", "Chili's Margarita Bar", "Chili's Southwest Grill & Bar", "Chili's Too", "Corner Bakery", "Corner Bakery Cafe", "Romano's Macaroni Grill", "Macaroni Grill", "Maggiano's", "Maggiano's Little Italy", "On The Border", "On The Border Mexican Cafe", and "On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina", as trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Risk Factors/Forward-Looking Statements

The Company wishes to caution readers that the following important factors, among others, could cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those indicated by forward-looking statements made in this report and from time to time in news releases, reports, proxy statements, registration statements and other written or electronic communications, as well as verbal forward-looking statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company.  Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company's or the restaurant industry's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.  Factors that might cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements may include matters such as future economic performance, restaurant openings, operating margins, the availability of acceptable real estate locations for new restaurants, the sufficiency of the Company's cash balances and cash generated from operating and financing activities for the Company's future liquidity and capital resource needs, and other matters, and are generally accompanied by words such as


"believes," "anticipates," "estimates," "predicts," "expects" and similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes.  An expanded discussion of some of these risk factors follows.

Competition may adversely affect the Company's operations and financial results.

The restaurant business is highly competitive with respect to price, service, restaurant location, nutritional and dietary trends, and food quality, and is often affected by changes in consumer tastes, economic conditions, population and traffic patterns.  The Company competes within each market with locally-owned restaurants as well as national and regional restaurant chains, some of which operate more restaurants and have greater financial resources and longer operating histories than the Company.  There is active competition for management personnel and for attractive commercial real estate sites suitable for restaurants.  In addition, factors such as inflation, increased food, labor and benefits costs, and difficulty in attracting hourly employees may adversely affect the restaurant industry in general and the Company's restaurants in particular.

The Company's sales volumes generally decrease in winter months.

The Company's sales volumes fluctuate seasonally, and are generally higher in the summer months and lower in the winter months, which may cause seasonal fluctuations in the Company's operating results.

Changes in governmental regulation may adversely affect the Company's ability to open new restaurants and the Company's existing and future operations.

Each of the Company's restaurants is subject to licensing and regulation by alcoholic beverage control, health, sanitation, safety and fire agencies in the state, county and/or municipality in which the restaurant is located.  The Company generally has not encountered any material difficulties or failures in obtaining the required licenses or approvals that could delay or prevent the opening of a new restaurant and although the Company does not, at this time, anticipate any occurring in the future, there can be no assurance that the Company will not experience material difficulties or failures that could delay the opening of restaurants in the future.

The Company is subject to federal and state environmental regulations, and although these have not had a material negative effect on the Company's operations, the Company cannot ensure that there will not be a material negative effect in the future.  More stringent and varied requirements of local and state governmental bodies with respect to zoning, land use and environmental factors could delay or prevent development of new restaurants in particular locations. 

The Company is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act, which governs such matters as minimum wages, overtime and other working conditions, along with the Americans With Disabilities Act, various family leave mandates and a variety of other laws enacted, or rules and regulations promulgated, by federal, state and local governmental authorities that govern these and other employment matters.  The Company expects increases in payroll expenses as a result of federal, state and local mandated increases in the minimum wage, and although such increases are not expected to be material, the Company cannot assure that there will not be material increases in the future.  In addition, the Company's vendors may be affected by higher minimum wage standards, which may increase the price of goods and services supplied to the Company.

Inflation may increase the Company's operating expenses.

The Company has not experienced a significant overall impact from inflation.  As operating expenses increase, the Company, to the extent permitted by competition, recovers increased costs by increasing menu prices, by reviewing, then implementing, alternative products or processes, or by implementing other cost-reduction procedures.  There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will be able to continue to recover increases in operating expenses due to inflation in this manner.

Increased energy costs may adversely affect the Company's profitability.


The Company's success depends in part on its ability to absorb increases in utility costs.  Various regions of the United States in which the Company operates multiple restaurants have experienced significant and temporary increases in utility prices.  If these increases should recur, they will have an adverse effect on the Company's profitability.

Successful mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and other strategic transactions are important to the future growth and profitability of the Company

The Company intends to evaluate potential mergers, acquisitions, joint venture investments, and divestitures as part of its strategic planning initiative.  These transactions involve various inherent risks, including accurately assessing the value, future growth potential, strengths, weaknesses, contingent and other liabilities and potential profitability of acquisition candidates; the Company's ability to achieve projected economic and operating synergies; unanticipated changes in business and economic conditions affecting an acquired business; and the ability of the Company to complete divestitures on acceptable terms and at or near the prices estimated as attainable by the Company.

If the Company is unable to meet its growth plan, the Company's profitability in the future may be adversely affected.

The Company's ability to meet its growth plan is dependent upon, among other things, its ability to identify available, suitable and economically viable locations for new restaurants, obtain all required governmental permits (including zoning approvals and liquor licenses) on a timely basis, hire all necessary contractors and subcontractors, and meet construction schedules.  The costs related to restaurant and concept development include purchases and leases of land, buildings and equipment, and facility and equipment maintenance, repair and replacement.  The labor and materials costs involved vary geographically and are subject to general price increases.  As a result, future capital expenditure costs of restaurant development may increase, reducing profitability.  There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to expand its capacity in accordance with its growth objectives or that the new restaurants and concepts opened or acquired will be profitable.

Unfavorable publicity relating to one or more of the Company's restaurants in a particular brand may taint public perception of the brand.

Multi-unit restaurant businesses can be adversely affected by publicity resulting from poor food quality, illness or other health concerns or operating issues stemming from one or a limited number of restaurants.  In particular, since the Company depends heavily on the "Chili's" brand for a majority of its revenues, unfavorable publicity relating to one or more Chili's restaurants could have a material adverse effect on the Chili's brand, and consequently on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.

Identification of material weakness in internal control may adversely affect the Company's financial results

The Company is subject to the ongoing internal control provisions of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  Those provisions provide for the identification of material weaknesses in internal control which could indicate a lack of adequate controls to generate accurate financial statements.  Though the Company routinely assesses its internal controls, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to timely remediate material weaknesses, if any, that may be identified in future periods, or maintain all of the controls necessary for continued compliance.  There likewise can be no assurance that the Company will be able to retain sufficient skilled finance and accounting personnel, especially in light of the increased demand for such personnel among publicly traded companies. 

Other risk factors may adversely affect the Company's financial performance.

Other risk factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, without limitation, changes in economic conditions, consumer perceptions of food safety, changes in consumer tastes, governmental monetary policies, changes in demographic trends, availability of employees, terrorist acts, and weather and other acts of God.


Available Information

The Company maintains an internet website with the address of http://www.brinker.com.  Copies of the Company's reports filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K and any amendments to such reports are available for viewing and copying at such internet website, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after filing such material with, or furnishing it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.  In addition, copies of the Company's corporate governance materials, including, Corporate Governance Guidelines, Governance and Nominating Committee Charter, Audit Committee Charter, Compensation Committee Charter, Executive Committee Charter, Code of Conduct and Ethical Business Policy, and Problem Resolution Procedure/Whistle Blower Policy, are available for viewing and copying at the website, free of charge.

Item 2.    PROPERTIES.

Restaurant Locations

At June 29, 2005, the Company's system of company-operated, jointly-developed and franchised units included 1,588 restaurants located in forty-nine states, Washington, D.C., Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Egypt, Great Britain, Germany, Guatemala, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela.  The Company's portfolio of restaurants is illustrated below:

Chili's:
   Company-Operated
   Franchise


811
263

Macaroni Grill:
   Company-Operated
   Franchise


220
15

Maggiano's

33

On The Border:
   Company-Operated
   Franchise


117
18

Corner Bakery:
   Company-Operated
   Franchise


87
              3


Rockfish


              21

 
   Total


1,588

The 1,074 Chili's restaurants include domestic locations in 49 states and foreign locations in 23 countries.  The 235 Macaroni Grill restaurants include domestic locations in 41 states and foreign locations in Canada, Great Britain, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Taiwan.  The Maggiano's, On The Border, and Corner Bakery restaurants are located exclusively within the United States in 17 (and the District of Columbia), 32 and 8 (and the District of Columbia) states, respectively.

Restaurant Property Information


The following table illustrates the approximate average dining capacity for each current prototypical unit in the Company's primary restaurant concepts:

Chili's

Macaroni Grill

Maggiano's

On The Border

Square Feet

4,000 - 5,900

6,300 - 7,000

12,000 - 18,000

5,200 - 6,200

Dining Seats

150 - 220

235 - 280

500 - 725

195 - 265

Dining Tables

35 - 50

50 - 70

100 - 150

45 - 65

Corner Bakery's size and dining capacity varies based upon whether it is an in-line or kiosk location.  For a Corner Bakery located in a kiosk, the square footage ranges from 80 to 200 square feet, the number of dining seats varies from 0 to 40, and the number of dining tables varies from 0 to 15.  For in-line Corner Bakery locations, the square footage ranges from 1,971 to 5,347, the number of dining seats ranges from 60 to 150, and the number of dining tables ranges from 20 to 50.

Certain of the Company's restaurants are leased for an initial term of 5 to 30 years, with renewal terms of 1 to 35 years.  The leases typically provide for a fixed rental plus percentage rentals based on sales volume.  At June 29, 2005, the Company owned the land and/or building for 937 of the 1,268 Company-operated restaurants.  The Company considers that its properties are suitable, adequate, well-maintained and sufficient for the operations contemplated.

Other Properties

The Company leases warehouse space totaling approximately 39,150 square feet in Carrollton, Texas, which it uses for storage of equipment and supplies.  The Company owns an office building containing approximately 108,021 square feet which it uses for part of its corporate headquarters and menu development activities.  The Company leases an additional office complex containing approximately 198,000 square feet for the remainder of its corporate headquarters, of which approximately 197,461 square feet is currently utilized by the Company or reserved for future expansion of the Company headquarters, and the remaining 539 square feet is under lease.  The Company also leases office space in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Texas for use as regional operation or real estate/construction offices.  The size of these office leases range from 144 square feet to 4,049 square feet. 

Item 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

In January 1996, the Company entered into a Tip Reporting Alternative Commitment ("TRAC") agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS").  The TRAC agreement required the Company, among other things, to implement tip reporting educational programs for its hourly restaurant employees and to establish tip reporting procedures, although employees remain ultimately responsible for accurately reporting their tips.  The IRS alleged that the Company did not meet the requirements of the TRAC agreement and retroactively and unilaterally revoked it.  As a result of the revocation, the IRS commenced an examination of the Company's 2000 through 2002 calendar years for payroll tax purposes.  In December 2004, the Company paid an assessment of $17.3 million for employer-only FICA taxes on unreported cash tips for the examination period.  The Company recorded the $17.3 million payment in restaurant expenses in the second quarter of fiscal 2005 and recorded a related income tax benefit of approximately $16.9 million, consisting of federal income tax credits related to additional FICA taxes paid.  The Company continues to believe that it was in full compliance with the TRAC agreement and that the IRS' retroactive revocation was unjustified, particularly in light of compliance reviews conducted by the IRS prior to the revocation.  Nevertheless, the Company agreed to the resolution to avoid potentially costly and protracted litigation. 

The Company is engaged in various other legal proceedings and has certain unresolved claims pending.  The ultimate liability, if any, for the aggregate amounts claimed cannot be determined at this time.  However, management of the Company, based upon consultation with legal counsel, is of the opinion that there are no matters pending or threatened which are expected to have a material adverse effect, individually or in the aggregate, on the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations.


Item 4.    SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

None.

PART II

Item 5.    MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

The Company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "EAT".  Bid prices quoted represent interdealer prices without adjustment for retail markup, markdown and/or commissions, and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.  The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low closing sales prices of the common stock, as reported by the NYSE.

Fiscal year ended June 29, 2005:

High

Low

First Quarter

$36.47

$29.49

Second Quarter

$35.18

$30.64

Third Quarter

$39.00

$33.90

Fourth Quarter

$41.85

$33.50

Fiscal year ended June 30, 2004:

High

Low

First Quarter

$36.96

$30.31

Second Quarter

$34.30

$29.60

Third Quarter

$39.54

$32.47

Fourth Quarter

$39.52

$34.12

As of August 18, 2005, there were 1,088 holders of record of the Company's common stock.

The Company has never paid cash dividends on its common stock as profits are currently reinvested into the Company to fund expansion of its restaurant business.  Additionally, the Company has been active in its share repurchase program. 

In October 2001, the Company issued $431.7 million aggregate principal amount at maturity of Zero Coupon Convertible Senior Debentures Due 2021 (the "Debentures") and received proceeds totaling approximately $250 million prior to debt issuance costs.  The Debentures became redeemable at the Company's option beginning on October 10, 2004.  On December 22, 2004, the Company exercised its right to redeem all of the Debentures.  Holders had the option to convert the Debentures into shares of the Company's common stock or receive cash until the close of business on January 20, 2005.  Holders chose to convert a total of $10.8 million of the accreted debenture value into 308,092 shares of the Company's common stock and the remaining accreted debenture value of $262.7 million was redeemed for cash on January 24, 2005.

In May 2004, the Company issued $300.0 million in the aggregate principal amount at maturity of 5.75% Notes due 2014 (the "Unregistered Notes").  The Unregistered Notes were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. served as the joint book-running managers for the offering.  The Unregistered Notes were offered and sold only to "qualified institutional buyers" (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), and, outside the United States, to non-U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act.  The Unregistered Notes are


redeemable at the Company's option at any time, in whole or in part.  The proceeds of the offering were and will be used for general corporate purposes, including the repurchase of the Company's common stock pursuant to its share repurchase program.

In September 2004, the Company completed an exchange offer (the "Exchange Offer") in the aggregate principal amount of $300.0 million pursuant to which all of the holders of the Unregistered Notes exchanged the Unregistered Notes for new 5.75% notes due 2014 (the "Registered Notes").  The Registered Notes are on substantially the same terms as the Unregistered Notes except that the Registered Notes have been registered under the Securities Act and are freely tradeable.  The Company did not receive any new proceeds from the issuance of the Registered Notes.

Except as described in the immediately preceding paragraphs, during the three-year period ended on August 18, 2005, the Company issued no securities which were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Shares repurchased during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005 are as follows (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

 


Total Number of
Shares
Purchased(a)



Average Price
Paid per Share

Maximum Dollar Value
that May Yet be
Purchased Under the
Program

March 31, 2005 through May 4, 2005

           92,000

$33.69

$ 129,327

May 5, 2005 through June 1, 2005

         122,000

$34.50

$ 125,113

June 2, 2005 through June 29, 2005

                    -

                 -

$ 125,113


        Total

         214,000

        $34.15

 

(a)     All of the shares purchased during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005 were purchased as part of the publicly announced program described in "Liquidity and Capital Resources" contained within "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" which is incorporated by reference from the 2005 Annual Report to Shareholders and is presented on pages F-6 through F-7 of Exhibit 13 to this report.

Item 6.    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

"Selected Financial Data" is incorporated herein by reference from the 2005 Annual Report to Shareholders and is presented on page F-1 of Exhibit 13 to this report.

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                    CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" is incorporated herein by reference from the 2005 Annual Report to Shareholders and is presented on pages F-2 through F‑9 of Exhibit 13 to this report.

Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.


"Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" contained within "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" is incorporated herein by reference from the 2005 Annual Report to Shareholders and is presented on page F-6 of Exhibit 13 to this report.

Item 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

Reference is made to the Index to Financial Statements attached hereto on page 18 for a listing of all financial statements incorporated by reference from the 2005 Annual Report to Shareholders attached as part of Exhibit 13 to this report.

Item 9.    CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
                       ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

None.

Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Based on their evaluation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [the "Exchange Act"]), as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective for the purpose of ensuring that material information required to be in this Annual Report on Form 10-K is accumulated and made known to them by others to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.   

Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

"Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting" and the attestation report of the independent registered public accounting firm of KPMG, LLP on internal control over financial reporting are incorporated herein by reference from the 2005 Annual Report to Shareholders and is presented on pages F-31 of Exhibit 13 to this report.

Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the Company's fourth quarter ended June 29, 2005, that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting. 

Item 9B.  OTHER INFORMATION.

None.

PART III

Item 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.

"Election of Directors - Information About Nominees", "Governance Of The Company", "Executive Officers", and "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance" in the Company's Proxy Statement to be dated on or about September 9, 2005, for the annual meeting of shareholders on October 20, 2005, are incorporated herein by reference.


The Company has adopted a code of ethics that applies to all members of Board of Directors and employees of the Company, including, the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions.  The Company has posted a copy of the code on the Company's internet website at the internet address: http://www.brinker.com/corp_gov/ethical_business_ policy.asp.  Copies of the code may be obtained free of charge from the Company's website at the above internet address.

Item 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

"Executive Compensation" and "Report of the Compensation Committee" in the Company's Proxy Statement to be dated on or about September 9, 2005, for the annual meeting of shareholders on October 20, 2005, are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
                        AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

"Election of Directors - Stock Ownership of Directors", "Executive Compensation - Equity Compensation Plan Information", and "Stock Ownership of Certain Persons" in the Company's Proxy Statement to be dated on or about September 9, 2005, for the annual meeting of shareholders on October 20, 2005, are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.

"Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation" in the Company's Proxy Statement to be dated on or about September 9, 2005, for the annual meeting of shareholders on October 20, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

 "Ratification of Independent Auditors" in the Company's Proxy Statement to be dated on or about September 9, 2005, for the annual meeting of shareholders on October 20, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference.

PART IV

Item 15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

(a)    (1) Financial Statements.

Reference is made to the Index to Financial Statements attached hereto on page 18 for a listing of all financial statements attached as Exhibit 13 to this report.

(a)    (2) Financial Statement Schedules.

None.

(a)    (3) Exhibits.

Reference is made to the Exhibit Index preceding the exhibits attached hereto on page E-1 for a list of all exhibits filed as a part of this report.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

 

By:   /s/ Charles M. Sonsteby                              

     Charles M. Sonsteby, Executive Vice

     President and Chief Financial Officer

Dated: September 9, 2005


 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on September 9, 2005.

Name

Title


  /s/ Douglas H. Brooks                       
Douglas H. Brooks


Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief
Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)


  /s/ Charles M. Sonsteby                    
Charles M. Sonsteby


Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


                                                           
Dan W. Cook, III



Director


  /s/ Robert M. Gates                          
Robert M. Gates



Director


  /s/ Marvin J. Girouard                       
Marvin J. Girouard



Director


  /s/ Ronald Kirk                                 
Ronald Kirk



Director


  /s/ George R. Mrkonic                      
George R. Mrkonic



Director


  /s/ Erle Nye                                      
Erle Nye



Director


  /s/ James E. Oesterreicher                 
James E. Oesterreicher



Director


  /s/ Rosendo G. Parra                        
Rosendo G. Parra



Director


  /s/ Cece Smith                                  
Cece Smith



Director


 

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The following is a listing of the financial statements which are attached hereto as part of Exhibit 13.

Page

 

Selected Financial Data

F-1


Management's Discussion and Analysis of
    Financial Condition and Results of Operations


F-2


Consolidated Statements of Income - Fiscal Years
    Ended June 29, 2005, June 30, 2004, and June 25, 2003


F-10


Consolidated Balance Sheets - June 29, 2005 and June 30, 2004


F-11


Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - Fiscal
    Years Ended June 29, 2005, June 30, 2004, and June 25, 2003


F-12


Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Fiscal Years
    Ended June 29, 2005, June 30, 2004, and June 25, 2003


F-13


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


F-14

 

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

F-28

 

Management's Responsibility for Consolidated Financial Statements

F-31

 

Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

F-31

All schedules are omitted as the required information is inapplicable or the information is presented in the financial statements or related notes.


 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit

  3(a)

Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended.   (1)

  3(b)

Bylaws of the Registrant.   (2)

  4(a)

Form of 5.75% Note due 2014.   (3)

  4(b)

Indenture between the Registrant and Citibank, N.A., as Trustee. (2)

  4(c)

Registration Rights Agreement by and among the Registrant, Citigroup Global Marketing, Inc., and J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc., as representatives of the initial named purchasers of the Notes. (2)

10(a)

Registrant's 1991 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors and Consultants.   (4)

10(b)

Registrant's 1992 Incentive Stock Option Plan.   (4)

10(c)

Registrant's Stock Option and Incentive Plan.   (5)

10(d)

Registrant's 1999 Stock Option and Incentive Plan for Non-Employee Directors and Consultants.   (6)

10(e)

Transition Agreement dated June 5, 2003, by and among Registrant, Brinker International Payroll Company, L.P. and Mr. Ronald A. McDougall.   (7)

10(f)

Consulting Agreement dated August 26, 2004, by and between Registrant and Mr. Ronald A. McDougall.   (8)

13

2005 Annual Report to Shareholders.   (9)

21

Subsidiaries of the Registrant.   (10)

23

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.   (10)

31(a)

Certification by Douglas H. Brooks, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant, pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a - 14(a) or 17 CFR 240.15d - 14(a).   (10)

31(b)

Certification by Charles M. Sonsteby, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant, pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a - 14(a) or 17 CFR 240.15d - 14(a).   (10)

32(a)

Certification by Douglas H. Brooks, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.   (10)

32(b)

Certification by Charles M. Sonsteby, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.   (10)

99(a)

Proxy Statement of Registrant.  (11)

_____________________________

(1)

Filed as an exhibit to annual report on Form 10-K for year ended June 28, 1995, and incorporated herein by reference.



(2)

Filed as an exhibit to registration statement on Form S-4 filed June 25, 2004, SEC File No. 333-116879, and incorporated herein by reference.

(3)

Included in exhibit 4(d) to annual report on Form 10-K for year ended June 30, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference. 

(4)

Filed as an exhibit to annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 25, 1997, and incorporated herein by reference.

(5)

Filed as Appendix A to Proxy Statement of Registrant, to be filed on or about September 9, 2005.

(6) Filed as Appendix B to Proxy Statement of Registrant, to be filed on or about September 9, 2005.
   

(7)

Filed as an exhibit to annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 25, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference.

(8)

Filed as an exhibit to annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference.

(9)

Portions filed herewith, to the extent indicated herein.

(10) Filed herewith.
   

(11)

To be filed on or about September 9, 2005.