UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON D.C. 20549

 
FORM 10-Q

 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended March 23,September 28, 2016
Commission File Number 1-10275

 
BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE 75-1914582
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
   
6820 LBJ FREEWAY, DALLAS, TEXAS 75240
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(972) 980-9917
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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 o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filerx Accelerated filero
Non-accelerated filero(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)Smaller reporting companyo
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  o    No  x
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
ClassOutstanding at April 25,October 31, 2016
Common Stock, $0.10 par value55,711,82749,656,312 shares


BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
INDEX
 
 Page
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
March 23,
2016
 June 24,
2015
September 28,
2016
 June 29,
2016
ASSETS      
Current Assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents$68,985
 $55,121
$34,155
 $31,446
Accounts receivable, net40,759
 46,588
39,035
 43,944
Inventories24,352
 23,035
24,978
 25,104
Restaurant supplies44,873
 43,968
45,295
 45,455
Prepaid expenses17,120
 18,512
30,990
 30,825
Income taxes receivable635
 0
Total current assets196,724
 187,224
174,453
 176,774
Property and Equipment, at Cost:      
Land147,576
 147,763
149,094
 147,626
Buildings and leasehold improvements1,620,592
 1,546,957
1,639,356
 1,626,924
Furniture and equipment655,855
 618,084
676,818
 663,472
Construction-in-progress18,914
 15,001
16,190
 23,965
2,442,937
 2,327,805
2,481,458
 2,461,987
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization(1,389,913) (1,295,761)(1,453,350) (1,418,835)
Net property and equipment1,053,024
 1,032,044
1,028,108
 1,043,152
Other Assets:      
Goodwill163,872
 132,381
163,933
 164,007
Deferred income taxes11,990
 33,137
Deferred income taxes, net29,972
 27,003
Intangibles, net30,973
 16,642
29,692
 30,225
Other32,605
 34,445
32,368
 28,299
Total other assets239,440
 216,605
255,965
 249,534
Total assets$1,489,188
 $1,435,873
$1,458,526
 $1,469,460
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT      
Current Liabilities:      
Current installments of long-term debt$3,605
 $3,439
$3,848
 $3,563
Accounts payable94,848
 92,947
93,576
 95,414
Gift card liability128,959
 114,726
120,725
 122,329
Accrued payroll73,541
 82,915
66,247
 70,999
Other accrued liabilities121,338
 111,197
133,550
 121,324
Income taxes payable0
 13,251
7,675
 18,814
Total current liabilities422,291
 418,475
425,621
 432,443
Long-term debt, less current installments1,174,660
 970,825
1,441,979
 1,110,693
Other liabilities135,899
 125,033
141,991
 139,423
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10)
 

 
Shareholders’ Deficit:      
Common stock—250,000,000 authorized shares; $0.10 par value; 176,246,649 shares issued and 55,761,731 shares outstanding at March 23, 2016, and 176,246,649 shares issued and 60,585,608 shares outstanding at June 24, 201517,625
 17,625
Common stock—250,000,000 authorized shares; $0.10 par value; 176,246,649 shares issued and 50,136,232 shares outstanding at September 28, 2016, and 176,246,649 shares issued and 55,420,656 shares outstanding at June 29, 201617,625
 17,625
Additional paid-in capital492,524
 490,111
434,097
 495,110
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(11,924) (8,630)(12,075) (11,594)
Retained earnings2,513,801
 2,431,683
2,562,444
 2,558,193
3,012,026
 2,930,789
3,002,091
 3,059,334
Less treasury stock, at cost (120,484,918 shares at March 23, 2016 and 115,661,041 shares at June 24, 2015)(3,255,688) (3,009,249)
Less treasury stock, at cost (126,110,417 shares at September 28, 2016 and 120,825,993 shares at June 29, 2016)(3,553,156) (3,272,433)
Total shareholders’ deficit(243,662) (78,460)(551,065) (213,099)
Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit$1,489,188
 $1,435,873
$1,458,526
 $1,469,460
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Thirteen Week Periods Ended Thirty-Nine Week Periods EndedThirteen Week Periods Ended
March 23,
2016
 March 25,
2015
 March 23,
2016
 March 25,
2015
September 28,
2016
 September 23,
2015
Revenues:          
Company sales$805,145
 $761,736
 $2,311,298
 $2,166,368
$737,410
 $740,481
Franchise and other revenues19,494
 22,479
 64,510
 71,763
21,082
 22,078
Total revenues824,639
 784,215
 2,375,808
 2,238,131
758,492
 762,559
Operating costs and expenses:          
Company restaurants (excluding depreciation and amortization)          
Cost of sales215,362
 203,960
 615,764
 582,507
192,302
 196,603
Restaurant labor262,701
 240,105
 756,874
 695,114
250,570
 246,577
Restaurant expenses187,216
 173,611
 567,049
 528,047
196,643
 189,173
Company restaurant expenses665,279
 617,676
 1,939,687
 1,805,668
639,515
 632,353
Depreciation and amortization39,050
 36,599
 117,335
 108,213
38,886
 39,171
General and administrative30,170
 35,194
 95,190
 100,488
32,537
 33,111
Other gains and charges3,864
 (8,477) 5,454
 747
6,078
 1,677
Total operating costs and expenses738,363
 680,992
 2,157,666
 2,015,116
717,016
 706,312
Operating income86,276
 103,223
 218,142
 223,015
41,476
 56,247
Interest expense8,403
 7,361
 24,077
 21,709
8,809
 7,767
Other, net(277) (454) (1,110) (1,568)(299) (273)
Income before provision for income taxes78,150
 96,316
 195,175
 202,874
32,966
 48,753
Provision for income taxes20,648
 30,889
 56,772
 63,403
9,733
 15,546
Net income$57,502
 $65,427
 $138,403
 $139,471
$23,233
 $33,207
          
Basic net income per share$1.01
 $1.04
 $2.36
 $2.19
$0.42
 $0.55
          
Diluted net income per share$1.00
 $1.02
 $2.33
 $2.14
$0.42
 $0.54
          
Basic weighted average shares outstanding56,673
 62,891
 58,699
 63,719
54,844
 60,225
          
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding57,407
 64,091
 59,505
 65,108
55,576
 61,208
          
Other comprehensive loss:          
Foreign currency translation adjustment$(29) $(2,847) $(3,294) $(7,183)$(481) $(2,805)
Other comprehensive loss(29) (2,847) (3,294) (7,183)(481) (2,805)
Comprehensive income$57,473
 $62,580
 $135,109
 $132,288
$22,752
 $30,402
          
Dividends per share$0.32
 $0.28
 $0.96
 $0.84
$0.34
 $0.32

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Thirty-Nine Week Periods EndedThirteen Week Periods Ended
March 23,
2016
 March 25,
2015
September 28,
2016
 September 23,
2015
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:      
Net income$138,403
 $139,471
$23,233
 $33,207
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Depreciation and amortization117,335
 108,213
38,886
 39,171
Stock-based compensation12,095
 11,587
4,034
 4,189
Deferred income taxes36,535
 21,884
(2,968) 1,375
Restructure charges and other impairments5,937
 8,402
5,150
 574
Net (gain) loss on disposal of assets(633) 3,819
Net loss (gain) on disposal of assets481
 (1,233)
Undistributed earnings on equity investments(522) (283)(186) (173)
Other1,390
 215
490
 435
Changes in assets and liabilities:      
Accounts receivable4,713
 7,450
8,261
 6,904
Inventories785
 (563)20
 22
Prepaid expenses and other1,167
 8,154
Intangibles and other assets(566) (3,197)
Restaurant supplies(784) (138)
Prepaid expenses(216) (676)
Intangibles17
 (86)
Other assets(351) (440)
Accounts payable(6,560) (1,693)1,392
 (12,175)
Accrued liabilities2,539
 (24,334)
Gift card liability(1,604) (8,644)
Accrued payroll(4,748) (22,404)
Other accrued liabilities6,017
 9,908
Current income taxes(14,182) (8,080)(11,672) (7,427)
Other liabilities1,145
 3,862
768
 3,497
Net cash provided by operating activities299,581
 274,907
66,220
 45,886
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:      
Payments for property and equipment(76,090) (107,108)(27,111) (23,731)
Payment for business acquisition, net of cash acquired(105,577) 0
0
 (105,577)
Proceeds from sale of assets4,256
 1,950
0
 2,756
Net cash used in investing activities(177,411) (105,158)(27,111) (126,552)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:      
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt350,000
 0
Purchases of treasury stock(349,963) (51,061)
Payments on revolving credit facility(83,000) 0
Borrowings on revolving credit facility256,500
 442,750
70,000
 155,500
Purchases of treasury stock(266,157) (217,019)
Payments of dividends(56,192) (53,248)(18,298) (18,076)
Payments on revolving credit facility(50,000) (177,000)
Payments for debt issuance costs(9,183) 0
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation5,365
 16,920
1,538
 4,752
Proceeds from issuances of treasury stock4,725
 14,965
3,396
 1,306
Payments on long-term debt(2,547) (188,758)(890) (849)
Payments for deferred financing costs0
 (2,501)
Net cash used in financing activities(108,306) (163,891)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities(36,400) 91,572
Net change in cash and cash equivalents13,864
 5,858
2,709
 10,906
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period55,121
 57,685
31,446
 55,121
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$68,985
 $63,543
$34,155
 $66,027
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
References to “Brinker,” the "Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” in this Form 10-Q are references to Brinker International, Inc. and its subsidiaries and any predecessor companies of Brinker International, Inc.
Our consolidated financial statements as of March 23,September 28, 2016 and June 24, 201529, 2016 and for the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended March 23,September 28, 2016 and March 25,September 23, 2015 have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). We are principally engaged in the ownership, operation, development, and franchising of the Chili’s® Grill & Bar (“Chili’s”) and Maggiano’s Little Italy® (“Maggiano’s”) restaurant brands. At March 23,September 28, 2016, we owned, operated or franchised 1,6471,652 restaurants in the United States and 30 countries and two territories outside of the United States.
The foreign currency translation adjustment included in comprehensive income on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income represents the unrealized impact of translating the financial statements of theour Canadian restaurants and theour Mexican joint venture from their respective functional currencies to U.S. dollars. This amount is not included in net income and would only be realized upon disposition of the businesses. The accumulated other comprehensive loss is presented on the consolidated balance sheets. We reinvest foreign earnings, therefore, United States deferred income taxes have not been provided on foreign earnings.
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and costs and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
In NovemberApril 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Deferred Taxes (Topic 740), whichDebt Issuance Costs. This update requires deferred tax assets and liabilities tothat debt issuance costs be classified as noncurrent onpresented in the balance sheet. Prior tosheet as a direct deduction from the issuance of the standard, deferred tax assets and liabilities were required to be separately classified into a current amount and a noncurrent amount on the balance sheet. The standardassociated debt liability. This update is effective for annual and interim periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is permitted. We elected2015, which required us to early adopt this guidance asthese provisions in the first quarter of March 23, 2016 and to apply the guidance retrospectively.fiscal 2017. Accordingly, we reclassified the debt issuance cost balances associated with the 2.60% notes and 3.88% notes of $1.0 million and $2.2 million, respectively, from other assets to long-term debt, less current deferred tax asset balance of $2.5 million to noncurrentinstallments on the consolidated balance sheet as of June 24, 2015. Because the application of this guidance affects classification only, the29, 2016. The reclassification did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement. This update provides guidance to companies that purchase cloud computing services to determine whether or not the arrangement includes a software license and the related accounting treatment. This update is effective for annual and interim periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, which required us to adopt these provisions in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. We adopted the guidance prospectively and the adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
The information furnished herein reflects all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals and adjustments) which are, in our opinion, necessary to fairly state the interim operating results, financial position and cash flows for the respective periods. However, these operating results are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been omitted pursuant to SEC rules and regulations. The notes to the consolidated financial statements (unaudited) should be read in conjunction with the notes to the consolidated financial statements contained in the June 24, 201529, 2016 Form 10-K. We believe the disclosures are sufficient for interim financial reporting purposes.

2. ACQUISITION OF CHILI'S RESTAURANTS

On June 25, 2015, we completed the stock acquisition of Pepper Dining Holding Corp. ("Pepper Dining"), a franchisee of 103 Chili's Grill & Bar restaurants primarily located in the Northeast and Southeast United States. The purchase price of $106.5 million, excluding cash and customary working capital adjustments of $0.9 million, was funded with borrowings from our existing credit facility. The results of operations of these restaurants are included in our consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. The assets and liabilities of the restaurants were recorded at their preliminary respective fair values as of the date of acquisition.

During the third quarter
The acquisition of fiscal 2016, we finalized the valuation of the acquired assets and liabilities associated with the Pepper Dining acquisition. The final fair value analysis resulted in a reductionthe recognition of the recorded amount for property$31.9 million of goodwill and equipment of approximately $6.0 million on the consolidated balance sheet. The fair value reduction associated with property and equipment also resulted in a decrease of approximately $2.4 million in the deferred income tax liability associated with the assets. The change in these amounts resulted in a corresponding net increase to goodwill of approximately $3.4 million. We do not expect any further adjustments to the Pepper Dining purchase price allocation.


The final allocation of the purchase price is as follows (in thousands):
Current assets including cash and cash equivalents (1)
$6,331
Property and equipment64,532
Goodwill31,912
Reacquired franchise rights (2)
10,400
Deferred income taxes15,388
Favorable leases5,496
Total assets acquired134,059
Current liabilities17,800
Unfavorable leases8,846
Total liabilities assumed26,646
Net assets acquired (1)
$107,413

(1)
The net assets acquired includes cash and cash equivalents of $1.8 million.
(2)
The reacquired franchise rights have an amortization period of 12 years.

Wewe expect $12.8 million of the goodwill balance to be deductible for tax purposes. The portion of the purchase price attributable to goodwill represents the benefits expected as a result of the acquisition, including sales and unit growth opportunities. The acquired restaurants generated approximately $65.4 million and $189.4 million of revenue for the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended March 23, 2016 and are expected to generate approximately $2.5 million of average annual revenue per restaurant in fiscal 2016, partially offset by the loss of average annual royalty revenues of approximately $104,000 per restaurant. Pro-forma financial information of the combined entities is not presented due to the immaterial impact of the financial results of the acquired restaurants on our consolidated financial statements.
3. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earningsnet income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the reporting periods. Diluted earningsnet income per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. For the calculation of diluted earningsnet income per share, the basic weighted average number of shares is increased by the dilutive effect of stock options and restricted share awards determined using the treasury stock method. Stock options and restricted share awards with an anti-dilutive effect are not included in the diluted earningsnet income per share calculation.
Basic weighted average shares outstanding is reconciled to diluted weighted average shares outstanding as follows (in thousands):
Thirteen Week Periods Ended Thirty-Nine Week Periods EndedThirteen Week Periods Ended
March 23, 2016 March 25, 2015 March 23, 2016 March 25, 2015September 28, 2016 September 23, 2015
Basic weighted average shares outstanding56,673
 62,891
 58,699
 63,719
54,844
 60,225
Dilutive stock options297
 525
 337
 617
246
 400
Dilutive restricted shares437
 675
 469
 772
486
 583
734
 1,200
 806
 1,389
732
 983
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding57,407
 64,091
 59,505
 65,108
55,576
 61,208
          
Awards excluded due to anti-dilutive effect on earnings per share561
 19
 533
 234
Awards excluded due to anti-dilutive effect on diluted net income per share1,027
 357

4. LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):

March 23,
2016
 June 24,
2015
September 28,
2016
 June 29,
2016
Revolving credit facility$590,250
 $383,750
$517,250
 $530,250
5.00% notes350,000
 0
3.88% notes299,788
 299,766
300,000
 300,000
2.60% notes249,925
 249,899
250,000
 250,000
Capital lease obligations38,302
 40,849
37,788
 37,532
1,178,265
 974,264
Total long-term debt1,455,038
 1,117,782
Less unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts(9,211) (3,526)
Total long-term debt less unamortized debt issuance costs and discounts1,445,827
 1,114,256
Less current installments(3,605) (3,439)(3,848) (3,563)
$1,174,660
 $970,825
$1,441,979
 $1,110,693
During the first ninetwo months of fiscal 2016, $256.52017, $70.0 million was drawn from the $750 million revolving credit facility primarily to fund the acquisition of Pepper Dining andshare repurchases for share repurchases. Wewhich we repaid a total of $50.0$20.0 million. On September 13, 2016, we amended the revolving credit agreement to increase the borrowing capacity from $750 million into $1 billion. We capitalized debt issuance costs of $4.0 million associated with the second and third quarters.
The maturity dateamendment of the $750 million revolving credit facility which is included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet as of September 28, 2016. Subsequent to the amendment, we repaid an additional $13.0 million.
On September 23, 2016, we completed the private offering of $350 million of our 5.0% senior notes due October 2024. We received proceeds of $350.0 million prior to debt issuance costs of $5.9 million and utilized the proceeds to fund a $300 million accelerated share repurchase agreement and to repay $50 million on the amended $1 billion revolving credit facility. See Note 8 for additional disclosures related to the accelerated share repurchase agreement. The notes require semi-annual interest payments beginning on April 1, 2017.

Under the amended $1 billion revolving credit facility, the maturity date for $890.0 million of the facility is extended from March 12, 2020 to September 12, 2021 and the remaining $110.0 million remains due on March 12, 2020. The amended revolving credit facility bears interest of LIBOR plus an applicable margin, which is a function of our credit rating and debt to cash flow ratio, but is subject to a maximum of LIBOR plus 2.00%. Based on our current credit rating, we are paying interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 1.38% for a total of 1.90%. One month LIBOR at March 23,September 28, 2016 was approximately 0.43%0.52%. As of March 23,September 28, 2016, $159.8$482.8 million of credit is available under the revolving credit facility.
Our debt agreements contain various financial covenants that, among other things, require the maintenance of certain leverage and fixed charge coverage ratios. The financial covenants were not significantly changed as a result of the new and amended debt agreements. We are currently in compliance with all financial covenants.

5. OTHER GAINS AND CHARGES

Other gains and charges consist of the following (in thousands):
 
 Thirteen Week Periods Ended Thirty-Nine Week Periods Ended
 March 23,
2016
 March 25,
2015
 March 23,
2016
 March 25,
2015
Restaurant impairment charges$3,413
 $0
 $3,937
 $747
(Gain) Loss on the sale of assets, net(1,096) 0
 (2,858) 1,093
Impairment of investment1,000
 0
 1,000
 0
Acquisition costs120
 0
 700
 0
Restaurant closure charges89
 76
 89
 1,457
Litigation0
 (8,553) (2,032) (2,753)
Severance0
 0
 2,368
 0
Impairment of liquor licenses0
 0
 0
 175
Other338
 0
 2,250
 28
 $3,864
 $(8,477) $5,454
 $747
 Thirteen Week Periods Ended
 September 28,
2016
 September 23,
2015
Restaurant closure charges$2,506
 $0
Information technology restructuring2,491
 0
Severance293
 2,159
Gain on the sale of assets, net0
 (1,762)
Acquisition costs0
 580
Other788
 700
 $6,078
 $1,677
Fiscal 2017
During the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2017, we recorded restaurant closure charges of $2.5 million primarily related to lease termination charges for restaurants closed during the quarter. Additionally, we incurred $2.5 million of professional fees and severance associated with the information technology restructuring.
Fiscal 2016
During the first quarter of fiscal 2016, we recorded impairment charges of $3.4 million related to two underperforming restaurants identified for closure by management and $1.0 million related to a cost method investment. See note 7 for fair value disclosures.
We were a plaintiff in a class action lawsuit against US Foods styled as In re U.S. Foodservice, Inc. Pricing Litigation. A settlement agreement was fully executed by all parties in September 2015, and we received approximately $2.0 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2016 in settlement of this litigation.
During the first nine months of fiscal 2016, we incurred expenses of $1.2 million to reserve for royalties, rents and other outstanding amounts related to a bankrupt franchisee. We also recorded impairment charges of $0.5 million primarily related to

a capital lease asset that is subleased to a franchisee and an undeveloped parcel of land that we own for the excess of the carrying amounts over the fair values. See note 7 for fair value disclosures. We incurred $2.4$2.2 million in severance and other benefits related to organizational changes. Additionally, we recorded $0.7 million of transaction costs related to the acquisition of Pepper Dining and a $2.9$1.8 million gain on the sale of several properties.
We were a plaintiff in the antitrust litigation against Visa and MasterCard styled as Progressive Casualty Insurance Co., et al. v. Visa, Inc., et al. A settlement agreement was fully executed by all parties in January 2015, and we received approximately $8.6 million per the terms of this agreement in the third quarter of fiscal 2015. During the second quarter of fiscal 2015, the class action lawsuit styled as Hohnbaum, et al. v. Brinker Restaurant Corp., et al. was finalized resulting in an additional charge of approximately $5.8 million to adjust our previous estimate of the final settlement amount.
During the first nine months of fiscal 2015, we recorded restaurant impairment charges of $0.7 million related to underperforming restaurants that either continue to operate or are scheduled to close and $0.2 million for the excess of the carrying amount of a transferable liquor license over the fair value. We also recorded a $1.1 million charge primarily related to the sale of two company owned restaurants located in Mexico and restaurant closure charges of $1.5 million primarily related to lease termination charges.property.

6. ACCRUED AND OTHER LIABILITIES
Other accrued liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
 
March 23,
2016
 June 24,
2015
September 28,
2016
 June 29,
2016
Sales tax$23,338
 $20,308
$19,823
 $26,280
Insurance24,009
 22,658
21,862
 19,976
Property tax12,492
 14,224
20,316
 15,762
Dividends17,843
 16,961
18,631
 17,760
Other43,656
 37,046
52,918
 41,546
$121,338
 $111,197
$133,550
 $121,324

Other liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
 
March 23,
2016
 June 24,
2015
September 28,
2016
 June 29,
2016
Straight-line rent$56,153
 $56,345
$56,537
 $56,896
Insurance36,178
 30,988
39,853
 38,433
Landlord contributions25,291
 24,785
25,884
 24,681
Unfavorable leases6,864
 663
6,167
 6,521
Unrecognized tax benefits3,903
 5,144
5,955
 5,811
Other7,510
 7,108
7,595
 7,081
$135,899
 $125,033
$141,991
 $139,423


7. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. In determining fair value, the accounting standards establish a three level hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value, as follows:
Level 1 – inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 – inputs are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities.
Level 3 – inputs are unobservable and reflect our own assumptions.

(a)Non-Financial Assets Measured on a Non-Recurring Basis

We review the carrying amounts of property and equipment, reacquired franchise rights and transferable liquor licenses semi-annually or when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amountfair value may not be recoverable. Ifexceed the carrying amount is not recoverable, weamount. We record an impairment charge for the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value.

We determine No impairment charges were recorded in the fair value of property and equipment based on discounted projected future cash flows of the restaurants over their remaining service life using a risk adjusted discount rate that is commensurate with the risk inherent in our current business model. Based on our semi-annual review during the second quarterfirst quarters of fiscal 2016, long-lived assets with a carrying value of $106,000, primarily related to underperforming restaurants previously impaired, were determined to have no fair value resulting in an impairment charge of $106,000. During the third quarter of2017 and fiscal 2016, two restaurants were identified for closure by management with a combined carrying value of $3.4 million. We determined these restaurants have no fair value resulting in an impairment charge of $3.4 million. During fiscal 2015, long-lived assets with a carrying value of $747,000, primarily related to two underperforming restaurants, were determined to have no fair value resulting in an impairment charge of $747,000.

We determine the fair value of transferable liquor licenses based on prices in the open market for licenses in the same or similar jurisdictions. Based on our semi-annual review during the second quarter of fiscal 2016, we determined there was no impairment. During fiscal 2015, one transferable liquor license with a carrying value of $225,000 was written down to the fair value of $50,000 resulting in an impairment charge of $175,000.2016.

We review the carrying amountsamount of goodwill and reacquired franchise rights annually or when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amountfair value may not be recoverable. Ifexceed the carrying amount is not recoverable, weamount. We record an impairment charge for the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value. We determined that there was noNo impairment of goodwill during our annual testcharges were recorded in the second quarterfirst quarters of fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 as the fair value of our reporting units was substantially in excess of the carrying values. We also determined that there was no impairment of reacquired franchise rights during our annual test in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015. No indicators of impairment were identified through the end of the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2016.

During fiscal 2016, we recorded an impairment charge of $187,000 related to a parcel of undeveloped land that we own. The land had a carrying value of $937,000 and was written down to the fair value of $750,000. The fair value was based on the sales price of comparable properties. Additionally, we recorded an impairment charge of $231,000 related to a capital lease asset that is subleased to a franchise. The capital lease asset had a carrying value of $338,000 and was written down to the fair value of $107,000. The fair value of the capital lease asset is based on discounted projected future cash flows from the sublease. During the third quarter of fiscal 2016, we recorded an impairment charge of $1.0 million related to a cost method investment which we determined to have no fair value.

All impairment charges were included in other gains and charges in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the periods presented.

The following table presents fair values for those assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis at March 23, 2016 and March 25, 2015 (in thousands):
 Fair Value Measurements Using
 (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Total
Long-lived assets held for use:       
At March 23, 2016$0
 $0
 $0
 $0
At March 25, 2015$0
 $0
 $0
 $0
Liquor licenses:       
At March 23, 2016$0
 $0
 $0
 $0
At March 25, 2015$0
 $50
 $0
 $50
Other long-lived assets:       
At March 23, 2016$0
 $750
 $107
 $857
At March 25, 2015$0
 $0
 $0
 $0

2017.
 
(b)Other Financial Instruments
Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and long-term debt. The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their carrying amounts because of the short maturity of these items. The carrying amount of debt outstanding related to the amended revolving credit facility approximates fair value as the interest rate on this instrument approximates current market rates (Level 2). The fair values of the 2.60% notes, 3.88% notes and 3.88%5.00% notes are based on quoted market prices and are considered Level 2 fair value measurements.
The carrying amounts, which are net of unamortized debt issuance costs, and fair values of the 2.60% notes, 3.88% notes and 3.88%5.00% notes are as follows (in thousands):
March 23, 2016 June 24, 2015September 28, 2016 June 29, 2016
Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair ValueCarrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value
2.60% Notes$249,925
 $251,018
 $249,899
 $250,583
$249,062
 $250,790
 $248,918
 $252,445
3.88% Notes$299,788
 $292,773
 $299,766
 $290,706
$297,645
 $285,528
 $297,556
 $302,655
5.00% Notes$344,082
 $354,081
 $0
 $0



8. SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
In August 2015,2016, our Board of Directors authorized a $250.0150.0 million increase to our existing share repurchase program resulting in total authorizations of $4,185.0 million.$4.3 billion. In September 2016, we entered into a $300.0 million accelerated share repurchase agreement ("ASR Agreement") with Bank of America, N.A. (“BofA”). Pursuant to the terms of the ASR Agreement, we paid BofA $300.0 million in cash, and on September 26, 2016, we received an initial delivery of approximately 4.6 million shares of common stock. Additional shares may be received prior to and/or at final settlement, based generally on the average of the daily volume-weighted average prices of the Company’s common stock during the term of the ASR Agreement, less a discount. Final settlement of the ASR Agreement will occur no later than March 31, 2017, although the settlement may be accelerated at BofA’s option. We also repurchased approximately 5.41.0 million additional shares of our common stock for $266.2a total of 5.6 million shares repurchased during the first three quartersquarter of fiscal 2016, including2017 for $350.0 million. The repurchased shares included shares purchased as part of our share repurchase program and shares repurchased to satisfy team member tax withholding obligations on the vesting of restricted shares. As of March 23,September 28, 2016, approximately $351.6$135.8 million was available under our share repurchase authorizations. Our stock repurchase plan has been and will be used to return capital to shareholders and to minimize the dilutive impact of stock options and other share-based awards. We evaluate potential share repurchases under our plan based on several factors, including our cash position, share price, operational liquidity, proceeds from divestitures, borrowings, and planned investment and financing needs. RepurchasedThe accelerated share repurchase transaction qualifies for equity accounting treatment. Shares that have been paid for but not yet delivered are reflected as a reduction of additional paid-in capital while other repurchased common stock is reflected as an increase in treasury stock within shareholders’ deficit.
During the first three quartersquarter of fiscal 2016,2017, we granted approximately 283,000481,000 stock options with a weighted average exercise price per share of $54.02$54.33 and a weighted average fair value per share of $11.01,$9.65, and approximately 308,000214,000 restricted share awards with a weighted average fair value per share of $49.47.$54.33. Additionally, during the first three quartersquarter of fiscal 20162017, approximately 173,000127,000 stock options were exercised resulting in cash proceeds of approximately $4.7$3.4 million. We received an excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation of approximately $5.4$1.0 million, net of a $0.5 million tax deficiency, during the first three quartersquarter primarily as a result of the vesting and distribution of restricted stock grants and performance shares and stock option exercises. The excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation represents the additional income tax benefit received resulting from the increase in the fair value of awards from the time of grant to the exercise date.
During the first three quartersquarter of fiscal 2016,2017, we paid dividends of $56.2$18.3 million to common stock shareholders, compared to $53.2$18.1 million in the prior year. Additionally, our Board of Directors approved a 14%6.25% increase in the quarterly dividend from

$0.280.32 to $0.320.34 per share effective with the dividend declared in August 2015. We also declared a quarterly dividend2016 of $17.8$18.6 million in February 2016 which was paid on March 24,September 29, 2016. The dividend accrual was included in other accrued liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet as of March 23,September 28, 2016.

9. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid for income taxes and interest in the first three quartersquarter of fiscal 20162017 and 20152016 are as follows (in thousands):
 
March 23,
2016
 March 25,
2015
September 28,
2016
 September 23,
2015
Income taxes, net of refunds$28,877
 $30,329
$21,992
 $15,266
Interest, net of amounts capitalized16,842
 15,230
2,781
 2,280
 
Non-cash investing and financing activities for the first three quartersquarter of fiscal 20162017 and 20152016 are as follows (in thousands):
 
March 23,
2016
 March 25,
2015
September 28,
2016
 September 23,
2015
Retirement of fully depreciated assets$16,109
 $32,061
$2,844
 $3,757
Dividends declared but not paid18,334
 18,294
18,982
 19,288
Accrued capital expenditures7,803
 3,357
3,664
 3,010
 
10. CONTINGENCIES
In connection with the sale of restaurants to franchisees and brand divestitures, we have, in certain cases, guaranteed lease payments. As of March 23,September 28, 2016 and June 24, 2015,29, 2016, we have outstanding lease guarantees or are secondarily liable for $78.8$79.9 million and $98.9$72.9 million, respectively. These amounts represent the maximum potential liability of future payments under

the guarantees. These leases have been assigned to the buyers and expire at the end of the respective lease terms, which range from fiscal 20162017 through fiscal 2025.2027. In the event of default, the indemnity and default clauses in our assignment agreements govern our ability to pursue and recover damages incurred. No material liabilities have been recorded as of March 23,September 28, 2016. Our secondary liability position was reduced by approximately $19.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 related to the Pepper Dining acquisition. See Note 2 for additional disclosures related to the acquisition.
We provide letters of credit to various insurers to collateralize obligations for outstanding claims. As of March 23,September 28, 2016, we had $25.3$28.1 million in undrawn standby letters of credit outstanding. All standby letters of credit are renewable annually.
Evaluating contingencies related to litigation is a complex process involving subjective judgment on the potential outcome of future events, and the ultimate resolution of litigated claims may differ from our current analysis. Accordingly, we review the adequacy of accruals and disclosures pertaining to litigated matters each quarter in consultation with legal counsel, and we assess the probability and range of possible losses associated with contingencies for potential accrual in the consolidated financial statements.
We are engaged in various legal proceedings and have certain unresolved claims pending. Reserves have been established based on our best estimates of our potential liability in certain of these matters. Based upon consultation with legal counsel, Managementmanagement 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 our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
11. SEGMENT INFORMATION

Our operating segments are Chili's and Maggiano's. The Chili’s segment includes the results of our company-owned Chili’s restaurants in the U.S. and Canada as well as the results from our domestic and international franchise business. The Maggiano’s segment includes the results of our company-owned Maggiano’s restaurants.

Company sales are derived principally from the sales of food and beverages. Franchise and other revenues primarily includes royalties, development fees, franchise fees, banquet service charge income, gift card breakage and discounts, tabletop device revenue, Chili's retail food product royalties and delivery fee income. We do not rely on any major customers as a source of sales, and the customers and long-lived assets of our operating segments are predominantly in the U.S. There were no material transactions amongst our operating segments.

Our chief operating decision maker uses operating income as the measure for assessing performance of our segments. Operating income includes revenues and expenses directly attributable to segment-level results of operations. Operational expenses include food and beverage costs, restaurant labor costs and restaurant expenses. The following tables reconcile our segment results to our consolidated results reported in accordance with GAAP (in thousands):
  Thirteen Week Period Ended September 28, 2016
  Chili's Maggiano's Other Consolidated
Company sales $648,643
 $88,767
 $0
 $737,410
Franchise and other revenues 16,915
 4,167
 0
 21,082
Total revenues 665,558
 92,934
 0
 758,492
         
Operational expenses (a) 555,570
 83,585
 360
 639,515
Depreciation and amortization 32,601
 3,886
 2,399
 38,886
General and administrative 9,930
 1,524
 21,083
 32,537
Other gains and charges 1,926
 734
 3,418
 6,078
Total operating costs and expenses 600,027
 89,729
 27,260
 717,016
         
Operating income $65,531
 $3,205
 $(27,260) $41,476
         
Segment assets $1,194,678
 $166,937
 $96,911
 1,458,526
Equity method investment 10,275
 0
 0
 10,275
Payments for property and equipment 18,829
 4,896
 3,386
 27,111

(a)Operational expenses includes cost of sales, restaurant labor and restaurant expenses.

  Thirteen Week Period Ended September 23, 2015
  Chili's Maggiano's Other Consolidated
Company sales $653,051
 $87,430
 $0
 $740,481
Franchise and other revenues 17,602
 4,476
 0
 22,078
Total revenues 670,653
 91,906
 0
 762,559
         
Operational expenses (a) 548,766
 83,141
 446
 632,353
Depreciation and amortization 33,131
 3,634
 2,406
 39,171
General and administrative 9,419
 1,813
 21,879
 33,111
Other gains and charges (942) 173
 2,446
 1,677
Total operating costs and expenses 590,374
 88,761
 27,177
 706,312
         
Operating income $80,279
 $3,145
 $(27,177) $56,247
         
Segment assets $1,248,541
 $161,168
 $135,715
 $1,545,424
Equity method investment 10,756
 0
 0
 10,756
Payments for property and equipment 15,972
 4,568
 3,191
 23,731

(a)Operational expenses includes cost of sales, restaurant labor and restaurant expenses.

Reconciliation of operating income to income before provision for income taxes:
    Thirteen Week Periods Ended
    Sept. 28, 2016 Sept. 23, 2015
Operating income   $41,476
 $56,247
Less interest expense   (8,809) (7,767)
Plus other, net   299
 273
Income before provision for income taxes   $32,966
 $48,753

12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Subsequent to the end of the quarter, an additional $20.0 million was repaidand pursuant to the ASR Agreement, we received 483,423 shares of our common stock from BofA on the revolver. Additionally, we repurchased approximately 67,000 shares for $3.0 million.October 31, 2016 scheduled interim delivery date.


12.13. EFFECT OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (Topic 230). This update provides clarification regarding how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. This update addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. This update is effective for annual and interim periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, which will require us to adopt these provisions in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The update will be applied on a retrospective basis. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (Topic 718). This update was issued as part of the FASB’s simplification initiative and affects all entities that issue share-based payment awards to their employees. The amendments in this update cover such areas as the recognition of excess tax benefits and deficiencies, the classification of those excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows, an accounting policy election for forfeitures, the

amount an employer can withhold to cover income taxes and still qualify for equity classification and the classification of those taxes paid on the statement of cash flows. This update is effective for annual and interim periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, which will require us to adopt these provisions in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. This update will be applied either prospectively, retrospectively or using a cumulative effect transition method, depending on the area covered in this update. We have not yet determined the effect of this update on our ongoing financial reporting.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This update requires a lessee to recognize on the balance sheet a liability to make lease payments and a corresponding right-of-use asset. The update also requires additional disclosures about the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This update is effective for annual and interim periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, which will require us to adopt these provisions in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. This update will be applied on a modified retrospective basis. We have not yet determined the effect of this update on our ongoing financial reporting.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This update requires that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the associated debt liability. This update is effective for annual and interim periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, which will require us to adopt these provisions in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. This update will be applied on a retrospective basis. The adoption of this update will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Our current balance of debt issuance costs was approximately $3.5 million at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2016.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement. This update provides guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license and the related accounting treatment. This update is effective for annual and interim periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, which will require us to adopt these provisions in the first quarter of fiscal 2017.  Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. This update may be applied prospectively for all arrangements entered into or materially modified after the effective date or on a retrospective basis. We do not expect the adoption of this update to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The FASB has subsequently amended this update by issuing additional ASU's that provide clarification and further guidance around areas identified as potential implementation issues. These updates provide a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. These updates also require additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 delaying the effective date of adoption. These updates are now effective for annual and interim periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, which will require us to adopt these provisions in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Early application in fiscal 2018 is permitted. These updates permit the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We do not believe the standard will impact our recognition of revenue from company-owned restaurants or our recognition of royalty fees from franchisees. We are continuing to evaluate the impact the adoption of this standard will have on the recognition of other less significant revenue transactions.





Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth selected operating data as a percentage of total revenues (unless otherwise noted) for the periods indicated. All information is derived from the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income:
 
Thirteen Week Periods Ended Thirty-Nine Week Periods EndedThirteen Week Periods Ended
March 23,
2016
 March 25,
2015
 March 23,
2016
 March 25,
2015
September 28,
2016
 September 23,
2015
Revenues:          
Company sales97.6% 97.1 % 97.3% 96.8 %97.2% 97.1%
Franchise and other revenues2.4% 2.9 % 2.7% 3.2 %2.8% 2.9%
Total revenues100.0% 100.0 % 100.0% 100.0 %100.0% 100.0%
Operating costs and expenses:          
Company restaurants (excluding depreciation and amortization)          
Cost of sales (1)
26.7% 26.8 % 26.7% 26.9 %26.1% 26.6%
Restaurant labor (1)
32.6% 31.5 % 32.7% 32.1 %34.0% 33.3%
Restaurant expenses (1)
23.3% 22.8 % 24.5% 24.4 %26.6% 25.5%
Company restaurant expenses (1)
82.6% 81.1 % 83.9% 83.4 %86.7% 85.4%
Depreciation and amortization4.7% 4.7 % 4.9% 4.8 %5.1% 5.1%
General and administrative3.7% 4.5 % 4.0% 4.5 %4.3% 4.3%
Other gains and charges0.5% (1.1)% 0.2% 0.0 %0.8% 0.2%
Total operating costs and expenses89.5% 86.8 % 90.8% 90.0 %94.5% 92.6%
Operating income10.5% 13.2 % 9.2% 10.0 %5.5% 7.4%
Interest expense1.0% 1.0 % 1.0% 1.0 %1.2% 1.0%
Other, net0.0% (0.1)% 0.0% (0.1)%0.0% 0.0%
Income before provision for income taxes9.5% 12.3 % 8.2% 9.1 %4.3% 6.4%
Provision for income taxes2.5% 4.0 % 2.4% 2.9 %1.2% 2.0%
Net income7.0% 8.3 % 5.8% 6.2 %3.1% 4.4%

(1) 
As a percentage of company sales.

The following table details the number of restaurant openings during the thirdrespective first quarter, total restaurants open at the end of the thirdfirst quarter, and total projected openings in fiscal 2016:2017:
 
 Third Quarter Openings Year-to-Date Openings Total Open at End Of Third Quarter 
Projected
Openings
 Fiscal 2016 Fiscal 2015 Fiscal 2016 Fiscal 2015 Fiscal 2016 Fiscal 2015 Fiscal 2016
Company-owned restaurants:             
Chili's domestic (1)
0 2 8 6 933 827 11-13
Chili's international0 0 0 1 13 13 0
Maggiano's0 0 2 3 51 49 2
Total company-owned0 2 10 10 997 889 13-15
Franchise restaurants:             
Chili's domestic (1)
4 1 7 5 325 435 8-10
Chili's international7 2 24 17 325 305 25-30
Total franchise11 3 31 22 650 740 33-40
Total restaurants:             
Chili's domestic4 3 15 11 1,258 1,262 19-23
Chili's international7 2 24 18 338 318 25-30
Maggiano's0 0 2 3 51 49 2
Grand total11 5 41 32 1,647 1,629 46-55

(1)
Chili's domestic company-owned restaurants total open at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2016 includes an increase of 103 Chili's restaurants acquired from a franchisee with a corresponding decrease to Chili's domestic franchise restaurants.

 First Quarter Openings Total Open at End Of First Quarter 
Projected
Openings
 Fiscal 2017 Fiscal 2016 Fiscal 2017 Fiscal 2016 Fiscal 2017
Company-owned restaurants:         
Chili's domestic2 4 936 933 5-6
Chili's international0 0 13 13 1
Maggiano's1 0 51 49 2
Total company-owned3 4 1,000 995 8-9
Franchise restaurants:         
Chili's domestic1 1 317 327 5-8
Chili's international4 6 335 310 35-40
Total franchise5 7 652 637 40-48
Total restaurants:         
Chili's domestic3 5 1,253 1,260 10-14
Chili's international4 6 348 323 36-41
Maggiano's1 0 51 49 2
Grand total8 11 1,652 1,632 48-57
At March 23,September 28, 2016, we owned the land and buildings for 191 of the 9971,000 company-owned restaurants. The net book valuesvalue of the land totaled $143.2 million and the buildings totaled $103.6 million associated with these restaurants totaled approximately $141.7 million and $108.2 million, respectively.restaurants.


GENERAL
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader understand Brinker International, Inc., our operations, and our current operating environment. For an understanding of the significant factors that influenced our performance during the quarters ended March 23,September 28, 2016 and March 25,September 23, 2015, the MD&A should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this quarterly report.

OVERVIEW
We are principally engaged in the ownership, operation, development, and franchising of the Chili’s Grill & Bar (“Chili’s”) and Maggiano’s Little Italy (“Maggiano’s”) restaurant brands. At March 23,September 28, 2016, we owned, operated, or franchised 1,6471,652 restaurants.
We are committed to strategies and initiatives that are centered on long-term sales and profit growth, enhancing the guest experience and team member engagement. These strategies are intended to differentiate our brands from the competition, reduce the costs associated with managing our restaurants and establish a strong presence for our brands in key markets around the world.
Growing sales and traffic continues to be a challenge with increasing competition and heavy discounting in the casual dining industry along with recent economic pressures in certainresulting from low oil producing states.prices and increasing health care costs. U.S. economic growth has been steady in recent years, but wage growth in the higher paying sectors has been slow. This wage pressure has challenged both casual dining restaurant operators and consumers as discretionary income available for restaurant visits has been limited. In response to these economic factors, we have developed both short and long-term strategies that we believe are appropriate for all operating conditions and will provide a solid foundation for future earnings growth going forward.growth.
We have completed a number of significant initiatives in recent years which we believe will help us drive profitable sales and traffic growth and to improve the guest experience in our restaurants. Investments in restaurant reimages, new kitchen equipment and operations software have improved the relevance of our brands and the efficiency of our restaurants. We believe that these initiatives have positively impacted the customerguest perception of our restaurants in both the dining room and bar areas and provide us with a great foundation for continued success. We plan to build on this foundation with new initiatives designed to further leverage technology in a manner that we believe will enhance the guest experience and drive sales.
We have also differentiated theThe Chili’s brand by leveraginghas leveraged technology initiatives to create a digital guest experience that we believe will help us engage our guests more effectively and drive traffic.effectively. All domestic Chili’s restaurants with the exception of airport and college locations are now outfitted with tabletop devices, which gives us one of the largest networknetworks of tabletop devices in the country. OurThe Ziosk branded tabletop device is a multi-functional device which provides entertainment, ordering, guest survey and pay-at-the-table capabilities, andas well as loyalty program and entertainment functionality. We also plan to leverage our tabletop devices to enable our recently announced partnership with Plenti, a consumer rewards program includingcomprised of a coalition of major national brands. We believe the integration of the My Chili’s Rewards program intowith Plenti will allow us to drive sales and profits.profits by allowing us to create more relevant and customized incentives for our guests. We are also investing in a new online ordering system that expands our current capabilities and gives our guests greater control of their experience. We plan to launch the Plenti and online ordering platforms in earlythe second quarter of fiscal 2017. We have also launched No Wait, a newOur Nowait application which allows our hosts to provide more accurate wait times when a guest arrives during peak shifts and to send themprovides a text message to guests when their table is ready. Guests can also add themselves to the wait list via the Chili’s mobile app which we believe willapp. This technology allows us to better control the optimization of our seating capacity and to reduce restaurant wait times. The application also enables our hosts to optimize available seating to increase the efficiency oftimes in our restaurants.
We continually evaluate our menu at Chili's to identify opportunities to improve quality, freshness and value by introducing new items and improving existing favorites. Our Fresh Mex platform introduced last year has been successful and includes Fresh Mex Bowls, Mixbowls, mix and Match Fajitas,match fajitas, tableside guacamole and Tableside Guacamole. We leveraged this success by launching our new Top-Shelf Taco category including Pork Carnitas, Ranchero Chicken and Prime Rib tacos.Tacos. Our Texas themed Fresh Tex platform features ribs, steaks and burgers, and our traditional burger menu now features Craft Burgerscraft burgers with fresh potato buns and house made garlic pickles. Our steak platform introduced in the third quarter represents a solid value and resulted in a strong preference with our guests.
We plan to focus on enhancingrefreshed our value proposition to drive sales and traffic as we move intoin the fourthfirst quarter with aour new "3 for Me™" limited time offer for a baby back rib entrée featuring new rib flavors, friesclassic burger, salad and amini molten dessert at a $10.99 price point.for just $10.00. We are also promoting happy hour offerings with margaritas and awill fully launch our new line of craft beers featuring regional and national favorites.favorites in the second quarter of fiscal 2017. We continually seek opportunities to reinforce value and create interest for the Chili's brand with new and varied offerings to further enhance sales and drive incremental traffic. We are committed to offering a compelling everyday menu that provides items our customersguests prefer at a solid value.
We expect that improvements at Chili's will have the most significant impact on the business; however, our results will also benefit through additional contributions from Maggiano's and our global business. Maggiano's opened two restaurantsone restaurant this year based on thequarter, a new prototype which excludes banquet space.with a flexible dining area that may be used for banquets or opened up for general seating. This new

prototype allows the brand to enter new markets for which the existingprior model was not suited.suited, but still accommodate smaller banquets. Maggiano's is committed to delivering high quality food and a dining experience in line

with our brandthis brand's heritage. We willplan to continue to strengthen thethis brand’s business model with kitchen efficiency and inventory controls that we believe will continue to enhance profitability.
We capitalized on an opportunity to further expand our domestic business by acquiring a franchisee which owned 103 Chili’s restaurants primarily located in the Northeast and Southeast United States. We believe this acquisition fits well within our capital allocation strategy and will enable us to grow our sales and profits in fiscal 2016. Our global Chili's business continues to grow with locations in 30 countries and two U.S. territories.territories outside of the United States. Our international franchisees are on trackopened 4 new restaurants this quarter with plans to open 25-3035-40 new restaurants this year.
REVENUES
Total revenues for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2016 increased2017 decreased to $824.6$758.5 million, a 5.2% increase0.5% decrease from the $784.2$762.6 million generated for the same quarter of fiscal 20152016 driven by a 5.7% increase in company sales. Total revenues for the thirty-nine week period ended March 23, 2016 were $2,375.8 million, a 6.2% increase from the $2,238.1 million generated for the same period in fiscal 2015 driven by a 6.7% increase0.4% decrease in company sales. The increasedecrease in company sales for the thirdfirst quarter and year-to-date periods was driven by a decline in comparable restaurant sales, partially offset by an increase in restaurant capacity resulting from the acquisition of Pepper Dining, partially offset by negative comparable restaurant sales (see table below).
Thirteen Week Period Ended March 23, 2016Thirteen Week Period Ended September 28, 2016
Comparable
Sales
 
Price
Increase
 
Mix
Shift
 Traffic Capacity
Comparable
Sales (1)
 
Price
Increase
 
Mix
Shift (2)
 Traffic Capacity
Company-owned(3.6)% 1.2% (0.5)% (4.3)% 12.3%(1.3)% 1.4% 1.2 % (3.9)% 0.7%
Chili’s (1)
(4.1)% 1.1% (0.3)% (4.9)% 12.8%(1.4)% 1.2% 1.5 % (4.1)% 0.6%
Maggiano’s0.2 % 1.5% (2.4)% 1.1 % 4.1%(0.6)% 2.3% (1.3)% (1.6)% 3.0%
Chili's Franchise (2)(3)
(1.7)%        (0.6)%        
U.S.(2.2)%        (1.6)%        
International(0.7)%        0.9 %        
Chili's Domestic (3)(4)
(3.6)%        (1.3)%        
System-wide (4)(5)
(3.1)%        (1.1)%        
 
Thirteen Week Period Ended March 25, 2015Thirteen Week Period Ended September 23, 2015
Comparable
Sales
 
Price
Increase (5)
 
Mix
Shift (5)
 Traffic (5) Capacity
Comparable
Sales (1)
 
Price
Increase (6)
 
Mix
Shift (2)(6)
 Traffic (6) Capacity
Company-owned1.7% 1.0% 1.2 % (0.5)% 1.0%(1.6)% 1.6% (1.5)% (1.7)% 12.2%
Chili’s1.9% 0.8% 1.5 % (0.4)% 0.5%(1.6)% 1.4% (1.6)% (1.4)% 12.6%
Maggiano’s0.1% 2.4% (1.2)% (1.1)% 8.9%(1.7)% 2.8% (0.9)% (3.6)% 4.1%
Chili's Franchise (2)(3)
2.5%        2.2 %        
U.S.3.1%        0.8 %        
International1.2%        4.8 %        
Chili's Domestic (3)(4)
2.2%        (1.1)%        
System-wide (4)(5)
2.0%        (0.5)%        

 Thirty-Nine Week Period Ended March 23, 2016
 
Comparable
Sales
 
Price
Increase
 
Mix
Shift
 Traffic Capacity
Company-owned(2.7)% 1.1% (0.5)% (3.3)% 12.3%
Chili’s (1)
(2.9)% 1.0% (0.4)% (3.5)% 12.8%
Maggiano’s(1.1)% 2.1% (1.4)% (1.8)% 3.4%
Chili's Franchise (2)
0.4 %        
U.S.(0.6)%        
International2.2 %        
Chili's Domestic (3)
(1.7)%        
System-wide (4)
(1.8)%        

 Thirty-Nine Week Period Ended March 25, 2015
 
Comparable
Sales
 
Price
Increase (5)
 
Mix
Shift (5)
 Traffic (5) Capacity
Company-owned2.6 % 1.2% 0.8 % 0.6% 0.9%
Chili’s2.8 % 1.1% 1.1 % 0.6% 0.5%
Maggiano’s1.1 % 2.1% (1.4)% 0.4% 8.2%
Chili's Franchise (2)
2.2 %        
U.S.3.2 %        
International(0.1)%        
Chili's Domestic (3)
2.9 %        
System-wide (4)
2.4 %        

(1)Chili's company-owned comparableComparable restaurant sales includes 103 Chili'sall restaurants acquired from a franchiseethat have been in the first quarter of fiscal 2016.operation for more than 18 months.
(2)Mix shift is calculated as the year-over-year percentage change in company sales resulting from the change in menu items ordered by guests.
(3)Revenues generated by franchisees are not included in revenues on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income; however, we generate royalty revenue and advertising fees based on franchise sales, where applicable. We believe including franchise comparable restaurant sales provides investors information regarding brand performance that is relevant to current operations and may impact future restaurant development.
(3)(4)Domestic comparable restaurant sales percentages are derived from sales generated by company-owned and franchise operated Chili's restaurants in the United States.
(4)(5)System-wide comparable restaurant sales are derived from sales generated by company-owned Chili’s and Maggiano’s restaurants in addition to the sales generated at franchise operated restaurants.
(5)(6)Reclassifications have been made between pricing impact, mix-shift and traffic in the prior year periods to conform with current year classification.
Chili’s company sales increased 6.1%decreased 0.7% to $703.5$648.6 million in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20162017 from $662.9$653.1 million in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2015. For the year-to-date period, Chili's company2016. The decrease was primarily due to a decline in comparable restaurant sales, increased 7.6% to $2,007.6 million in fiscal 2016 from $1,865.0 million in fiscal 2015. The increases were primarily driven by higher restaurant capacity, partially offset by decreasesan increase in restaurant capacity. Chili's comparable restaurant sales. Chili's company-owned sales decreased 1.4% for the first quarter of fiscal 2017. Company-owned

restaurant capacity increased 12.8%0.6% for the thirdfirst quarter and year-to-date periods of fiscal 2016 (as measured by sales weeks) compared to the prior year periodsperiod due to the acquisition of 103 Chili's restaurants on June 25, 2015 from a franchisee and to three net restaurant openings since the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2015. Comparable restaurant sales decreased 4.1% and 2.9% for the third quarter and year-to-date periods of fiscal 2016, respectively.2016.
Maggiano’s company sales increased 2.8%1.5% to $101.6$88.8 million in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20162017 from $98.8$87.4 million in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2015. For the year-to-date period, Maggiano's company sales increased 0.8% to $303.7 million in fiscal 2016 from $301.4 million in fiscal 2015.2016. The increases wereincrease was primarily driven by increased restaurant capacity.capacity, partially offset by a decline in comparable restaurant sales. Maggiano's capacity increased 4.1% and 3.4% for the third quarter and year-to-date periods of fiscal 2016, respectively,3.0% (as measured by sales weeks) compared to the prior year periodsperiod due to two net restaurant openings since the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2015.2016. Comparable restaurant sales increased 0.2%decreased 0.6% for the thirdfirst quarter but decreased 1.1% for the year-to-date period of fiscal 2016.2017.
Franchise and other revenues decreased 13.3%4.5% to $19.5$21.1 million in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20162017 compared to $22.5$22.1 million in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2015. For the year-to-date period, franchise and other revenues decreased 10.1% to $64.5 million in fiscal 2016 from $71.8 million in fiscal 2015. The decreases were driven primarily by a decline in royalty revenues resulting from the acquisition of 103 Chili's restaurants from a former franchisee.2016. Our franchisees generated approximately $346 million and $1,013$331 million in sales for the thirdfirst quarter and year-to-date periods of fiscal 2016, respectively.2017.
COSTS AND EXPENSES
Cost of sales, as a percent of company sales, decreased to 26.7%26.1% for the thirdfirst quarter and year-to-date period of fiscal 20162017 from 26.8% and 26.9%26.6% for the respective prior year periods.period. Cost of sales, as a percent of company sales, was positively impacted by increased menu pricing and favorable commodity pricing related to poultry and burger meat, cheese, and seafood, partially offset by unfavorable menu item mix and commodity pricing primarily related to steak, produce and chicken.




avocados.
Restaurant labor, as a percent of company sales, increased to 32.6%34.0% for the thirdfirst quarter and 32.7%of fiscal 2017 from 33.3% for the year-to-date period of fiscal 2016 from 31.5% and 32.1% for the respective prior year periodsperiod primarily due to increased wage rates, health insurance expenses and sales deleverage, partially offset by lower incentive bonus.rates.
Restaurant expenses, as a percent of company sales, increased to 23.3%26.6% for the thirdfirst quarter and 24.5%of fiscal 2017 from 25.5% for the year-to-date period of fiscal 2016 from 22.8% and 24.4% for the respective prior year periodsperiod primarily due to sales deleveragehigher advertising and higher repairs and maintenance and rent expenses, partially offset by lower advertisingworkers' compensation insurance expenses.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $2.5decreased $0.3 million for the thirdfirst quarter and $9.1 million forof fiscal 2017 compared to the year-to-datesame period of the prior year primarily due to an increase in fully depreciated assets and restaurant closures, partially offset by depreciation on acquired restaurants, asset replacements and new restaurant openings, partially offset by an increase in fully depreciated assets.openings.
General and administrative expense decreased approximately $5.0$0.6 million for the thirdfirst quarter and $5.3 million for the year-to-date period of fiscal 20162017 compared to the respectivesame period in the prior year periods primarily due to lower performance-based compensation,payroll and legal expenses, partially offset by higher performance-based compensation.
In the first quarter of fiscal 2017, other gains and charges were $6.1 million. We recorded restaurant closure charges of $2.5 million primarily related to lease termination charges for restaurants closed during the quarter. Additionally, we incurred $2.5 million of accountingprofessional fees and severance associated with information technology support fees received from Pepper Dining subsequent to the acquisition.
restructuring. In the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2016, other gains and charges were $3.9 million. We recorded impairment$1.7 million consisting primarily of severance charges of $3.4 million related to two underperforming restaurants identified for closure by management and $1.0 million related to a cost method investment. We were a plaintiff in a class action lawsuit against US Foods styled as In re U.S. Foodservice, Inc. Pricing Litigation. A settlement agreement was fully executed by all parties in September 2015, and we received approximately $2.0 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2016 in settlement of this litigation. During the first nine months of fiscal 2016, we incurred expenses of $1.2 million to reserve for royalties, rents and other outstanding amounts related to a bankrupt franchisee. We also recorded impairment charges of $0.5 million primarily related to a capital lease asset that is subleased to a franchisee and an undeveloped parcel of land that we own for the excess of the carrying amounts over the fair values. We incurred $2.4 million in severance and other benefits related to organizational changes. Additionally, we recorded $0.7 million of transaction costs, related to the acquisition of Pepper Dining andpartially offset by a $2.9 million gain on the sale of several properties.
In the third quarter of fiscal 2015, other gains and charges were a benefit of $8.5 million. We were a plaintiff in the antitrust litigation against Visa and MasterCard styled as Progressive Casualty Insurance Co., et al. v. Visa, Inc., et al. A settlement agreement was fully executed by all parties in January 2015, and we received approximately $8.6 million per the terms of this agreement. During the second quarter of fiscal 2015, the class action lawsuit styled as Hohnbaum, et al. v. Brinker Restaurant Corp., et al. was finalized resulting in an additional charge of approximately $5.8 million to adjust our previous estimate of the final settlement amount. During the first nine months of fiscal 2015, we recorded restaurant impairment charges of $0.7 million related to underperforming restaurants that either continue to operate or are scheduled to close and $0.2 million for the excess of the carrying amount of a transferable liquor license over the fair value. We also recorded a $1.1 million charge primarily related to the sale of two company owned restaurants located in Mexico and restaurant closure charges of $1.5 million primarily related to lease termination charges.property.
Interest expense increased approximately $1.0 million for the thirdfirst quarter and $2.4 million for the year-to-date period of fiscal 20162017 compared to the respective prior year periodsperiod primarily due to higher average borrowing balances, partially offset by lower interest rates.balances.

INCOME TAXES
The effective income tax rate decreased to 26.4% and 29.1%29.5% for the thirdfirst quarter and year-to-date periods of fiscal 20162017 compared to 32.1% and 31.3%31.9% in the prior year comparable periods. The effective income tax rate decreasedperiod primarily due to lower profits and the benefits associated with the releaseextension of the valuation allowance for certain stateWork Opportunity Tax Credit ("WOTC"). The extension of the WOTC legislation was not enacted until December 2015, and as a result, was not considered in our estimated tax net operating losses andprovision until the resolutionsecond quarter of certain tax positions.fiscal 2016.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash Flows
Cash Flow from Operating Activities
During the first ninethree months of fiscal 2016,2017, net cash flow provided by operating activities was $299.6$66.2 million compared to $274.9$45.9 million in the prior year. Fiscal 2015 cash flow from operations was negatively impacted by the payment of the Hohnbaum legal settlement. FiscalFirst quarter fiscal 2016 cash from operations was negatively impacted by the settlement of liabilities assumed as part of the acquisition of Pepper Dining. Excluding the impact of these two items,the acquisition, cash flow from operations was relatively consistent year overincreased due to a lower pay-out of performance-based compensation, partially offset by decreased earnings in the current year.

Cash Flow usedUsed in Investing Activities
 
Thirty-Nine Week Periods EndedThirteen Week Periods Ended
March 23,
2016
 March 25,
2015
September 28,
2016
 September 23,
2015
Net cash used in investing activities (in thousands):      
Payments for property and equipment(27,111) (23,731)
Payment for business acquisition, net of cash acquired$(105,577) $0
0
 (105,577)
Payments for property and equipment(76,090) (107,108)
Proceeds from sale of assets4,256
 1,950
0
 2,756
$(177,411) $(105,158)$(27,111) $(126,552)
Capital expenditures increased to approximately $27.1 million for the first three months of fiscal 2017 compared to $23.7 million for the prior year primarily due to new restaurant construction.
On June 25, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Pepper Dining, a franchisee of 103 Chili's Grill & Bar restaurants, for $105.6 million.
Capital expenditures decreased to approximately $76.1 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2016 compared to $107.1 million for the prior year primarily due to decreased spending on the Chili's reimage program in fiscal 2016 compared to the prior year, partially offset by increased normal asset replacement and new restaurant construction for Chili's. The reimage program was substantially completed in fiscal 2015; however, we began reimaging the restaurants acquired from Pepper Dining in fiscal 2016.
Cash Flow Used in(Used in) Provided by Financing Activities
 
Thirty-Nine Week Periods EndedThirteen Week Periods Ended
March 23,
2016
 March 25,
2015
September 28,
2016
 September 23,
2015
Net cash used in financing activities (in thousands):   
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (in thousands):   
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt$350,000
 $0
Purchases of treasury stock$(266,157) $(217,019)(349,963) (51,061)
Borrowings on revolving credit facility256,500
 442,750
70,000
 155,500
Payments of dividends(56,192) (53,248)(18,298) (18,076)
Payments on revolving credit facility(50,000) (177,000)(83,000) 0
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation5,365
 16,920
1,538
 4,752
Proceeds from issuances of treasury stock4,725
 14,965
3,396
 1,306
Payments on long-term debt(2,547) (188,758)(890) (849)
Payments for deferred financing costs0
 (2,501)
Payments for debt issuance costs(9,183) 0
$(108,306) $(163,891)$(36,400) $91,572
Net cash used in financing activities for the first ninethree months of fiscal 2016 decreased2017 increased to $108.3$36.4 million from $163.9net cash provided by financing activities of $91.6 million in the prior year primarily due to an increase in net borrowing activity, partially offset by an increaseincreases in spending on share repurchases and decreasesnet payment activity on the revolver, payment of debt issuance costs, and a decrease in excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation, partially offset by proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and an increase in proceeds from issuance of treasury stockstock.
In September 2016, we entered into a $300.0 million accelerated share repurchase agreement ("ASR Agreement") with Bank of America, N.A. (“BofA”). Pursuant to the terms of the ASR Agreement, we paid BofA $300.0 million in cash, and excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation.
We repurchasedon September 26, 2016, we received an initial delivery of approximately 5.44.6 million shares of ourcommon stock. Additional shares may be received at final settlement and/or on a monthly basis prior to final settlement, based generally on the average of the daily volume-weighted average prices of the Company’s common stock during the term of the ASR Agreement, less a discount. Final settlement of the ASR Agreement will occur no later than March 31, 2017, although the settlement may be accelerated at BofA’s option. We also repurchased approximately 1.0 million additional shares of common stock for $266.2a total of 5.6 million inshares repurchased during the first nine monthsquarter of fiscal 2016 including2017 for $350.0 million. The repurchased shares included shares purchased as part of our share repurchase program and shares repurchased to satisfy team member

tax withholding obligations on the vesting of restricted shares. Subsequent to the end of the quarter, and pursuant to the ASR Agreement, we repurchased approximately 67,000received 483,423 shares of our common stock from BofA on the October 31, 2016 scheduled interim delivery date. The initial shares received pursuant to the ASR Agreement had no material impact on diluted earnings per share for $3.0 million.the first quarter of fiscal 2017 due to the timing of the

initial delivery, but will have a beneficial impact on diluted earnings per share for the remaining quarter and year-to-date periods of fiscal 2017.
During the first ninetwo months of fiscal 2016, $256.52017, $70.0 million was drawn from the $750 million revolving credit facility primarily to fund the acquisition of Pepper Dining andshare repurchases for share repurchases. Wewhich we repaid a total of $50.0$20.0 million. On September 13, 2016, we amended the revolving credit agreement to increase the borrowing capacity from $750 million to $1 billion. We capitalized debt issuance costs of $4.0 million associated with the amendment of the revolving credit facility which is included in other assets in the second and third quarters.consolidated balance sheet as of September 28, 2016. Subsequent to the end of the quarter,amendment, we repaid an additional $20.0$13.0 million.
On September 23, 2016, we completed the private offering of $350 million was repaidof our 5.0% senior notes due October 2024. We received proceeds of $350.0 million prior to debt issuance costs of $5.9 million and utilized the proceeds to fund a $300 million accelerated share repurchase agreement and to repay $50 million on the $750 millionamended $1 billion revolving credit facility. The notes require semi-annual interest payments beginning on April 1, 2017.
The maturity date ofUnder the $750 millionamended $1 billion revolving credit facility, the maturity date for $890.0 million of the facility is extended from March 12, 2020 to September 12, 2021 and the remaining $110.0 million remains due on March 12, 2020. The amended revolving credit facility bears interest of LIBOR plus an applicable margin, which is a function of our credit rating and debt to cash flow ratio, but is subject to a maximum of LIBOR plus 2.00%. Based on our current credit rating, we are paying interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 1.38% for a total of 1.90%. One month LIBOR at March 23,September 28, 2016 was approximately 0.43%0.52%. As of March 23,September 28, 2016, $159.8$482.8 million of credit is available under the revolving credit facility. As of March 23,September 28, 2016, we were in compliance with all financial debt covenants.
As of March 23,September 28, 2016, our credit rating by bothFitch Ratings ("Fitch") and Standard and Poor’s (“S&P”) was BB+ (non-investment grade) and our Corporate Family Rating by Moody's was Ba1 (non-investment grade), all with a stable outlook. In August 2016, Fitch Ratings ("Fitch") wasdowngraded Brinker from BBB- (investment grade) to BB+ (non-investment grade) with a stable outlook and in September confirmed the rating. In September 2016, S&P downgraded Brinker's corporate credit rating from BBB- (investment grade) to BB+ (non-investment grade) with a stable outlook and Moody's downgraded Brinker's Corporate Family Rating from Baa3 (investment grade) to Ba1 (non-investment grade) with a stable outlook. On August 25, 2015, Moody’s upgraded our senior unsecured notes from Ba2 (non-investment grade) to Baa3 (investment grade) with a stable outlook. In addition, Moody’s withdrew our Ba1 (non-investment grade) corporate family rating. Our goal is to retain ourmaintain strong free cash flow to support leverage that we believe is appropriate to allow ongoing investment grade rating from S&P, Fitchin the business and Moody’s.return of capital to shareholders.
We paid dividends of $56.2$18.3 million to common stock shareholders in the first three quartersquarter of fiscal 20162017 compared to $53.2$18.1 million in dividends paid in the same period of fiscal 2015.2016. Additionally, our Board of Directors approved a 14%6.25% increase in the quarterly dividend from $0.28$0.32 to $0.32$0.34 per share effective with the dividend declared in August 2015. We also declared a quarterly dividend2016 of $17.8$18.6 million in February 2016 which was paid on March 24,September 29, 2016. We will continue to target a 40 percent dividend payout ratio to provide additional return to shareholders through dividend payments.
In August 2015,2016, our Board of Directors authorized a $250.0$150.0 million increase to our existing share repurchase program.program resulting in total authorizations of $4.3 billion. As of March 23,September 28, 2016,, approximately $351.6$135.8 million was available under our share repurchase authorizations. Our stock repurchase plan has been and will be used to return capital to shareholders and to minimize the dilutive impact of stock options and other share-based awards. Repurchased common stock is reflected as an increase in treasury stock within shareholders’ deficit.
During the first ninethree months of fiscal 2016,2017, approximately 173,000127,000 stock options were exercised resulting in cash proceeds of $4.7$3.4 million. We received an excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation of $5.4approximately $1.0 million, net of a $0.5 million tax deficiency, during the first ninethree months of fiscal 2017, primarily as a result of the normally scheduled vesting and distribution of restricted stock grants and performance shares and stock option exercises. The excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation represents the additional income tax benefit received resulting from the increase in the fair value of awards from the time of grant to the exercise date.


Cash Flow Outlook
We believe that our various sources of capital, including future cash flow from operating activities and availability under our existing credit facility are adequate to finance operations and the repayment of current debt obligations for the foreseeable future. We are not aware of any other event or trend that would potentially affect our liquidity. In the event such a trend develops, we believe that there are sufficient funds available under our credit facility and from our internal cash generating capabilities to adequately manage our ongoing business. We periodically evaluate ways to monetize the value of our owned real estate and should alternatives become available that are more cost effective than our financing options currently available, we will consider execution of those alternatives.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (Topic 230). This update provides clarification regarding how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. This update addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. This update is effective for annual and interim periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, which will require us to adopt these provisions in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The update will be applied on a retrospective basis. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (Topic 718). This update was issued as part of the FASB’s simplification initiative and affects all entities that issue share-based payment awards to their employees. The amendments in this update cover such areas as the recognition of excess tax benefits and deficiencies, the classification of those excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows, an accounting policy election for forfeitures, the amount an employer can withhold to cover income taxes and still qualify for equity classification and the classification of those taxes paid on the statement of cash flows. This update is effective for annual and interim periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, which will require us to adopt these provisions in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. This update will be applied either prospectively, retrospectively or using a cumulative effect transition method, depending on the area covered in this update. We have not yet determined the effect of this update on our ongoing financial reporting.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This update requires a lessee to recognize on the balance sheet a liability to make lease payments and a corresponding right-of-use asset. The update also requires additional

disclosures about the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This update is effective for annual and interim periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, which will require us to adopt these provisions in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. This update will be applied on a modified retrospective basis. We have not yet determined the effect of this update on our ongoing financial reporting.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes (Topic 740), which requires deferred tax assets and liabilities to be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. Prior to the issuance of the standard, deferred tax assets and liabilities were required to be separately classified into a current amount and a noncurrent amount on the balance sheet. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is permitted. We elected to early adopt this guidance as of March 23, 2016 and to apply the guidance retrospectively. Accordingly, we reclassified the current deferred tax asset balance of $2.5 million to noncurrent on the consolidated balance sheet as of June 24, 2015. Because the application of this guidance affects classification only, the reclassification did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This update requires that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the associated debt liability. This update is effective for annual and interim periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, which will require us to adopt these provisions in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. This update will be applied on a retrospective basis. The adoption of this update will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Our current balance of debt issuance costs was approximately $3.5 million at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2016.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement. This update provides guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license and the related accounting treatment. This update is effective for annual and interim periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, which will require us to adopt these provisions in the first quarter of fiscal 2017.  Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. This update may be applied prospectively for all arrangements entered into or materially modified after the effective date or on a retrospective basis. We do not expect the adoption of this update to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The FASB has subsequently amended this update by issuing additional ASU's that provide clarification and further guidance around areas identified as potential implementation issues. These updates provide a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. These updates also require additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 delaying the effective date of adoption. These updates are now effective for annual and interim periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, which will require us to adopt these provisions in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Early application in fiscal 2018 is permitted. These updates permit the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We do not believe the standard will impact our recognition of revenue from company-owned restaurants or our recognition of royalty fees from franchisees. We are continuing to evaluate the impact the adoption of this standard will have on the recognition of other less significant revenue transactions.

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
There have been no material changes in our quantitative and qualitative market risks sinceset forth in Part II, Item 7A, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the prior reporting period.year ended June 29, 2016.
Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Based on their evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), as of the end of the period covered by this report, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our thirdfirst quarter ended March 23,September 28, 2016,, that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
We wish to caution you that our business and operations are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties.uncertainties, and investing in our securities involves a degree of risk. We have identified certain factors in Part I, Item IA “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 24, 201529, 2016 and below in Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in this report on Form 10-Q, that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical results and from those projected in forward-looking statements contained in this report, in our other filings with the SEC, in our news releases, written or electronic communications, and verbal statements by our representatives. In any such event, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment. We further caution that it is not possible to identify all such factors, and you should not consider the identified factors as a complete list of all risks and uncertainties.
You should be aware that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties may cause our or our industry’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements contained in or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by words like “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “expects,” and other similar expressions that convey uncertainty about future events or outcomes. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
The risks related to our business include:
The effect of competition on our operations and financial results.
TheChanges in consumer preferences may decrease demand for food at our restaurants.
Food safety incidents at our restaurants or in our industry or supply chain may adversely affect customer perception of our brand or industry and result in declines in sales and profits.
Global and domestic economic conditions may negatively impact of the slow global economic growthconsumer discretionary spending and could have a materially negative affect on our financial performance.
Disruptions in the global financial markets may affect our business plan by adversely impacting the availability and financial resultscost of credit.
A decrease in fiscal 2016 and the material affect of a prolonged slow trend in growth on our future results.
The risk inflationcredit ratings may increase our operating expenses.cost of credit.
The large number of company-owned restaurants concentrated in Texas, Florida and California makes us susceptible to changes in economic and other trends in those regions.
The effect of potential changes in governmental regulation on our ability to maintain our existing and future operations and to open new restaurants.
Increased costs and/or reduced revenues from shortages or interruptions in the availability and delivery of food and other supplies.
Increases in energy costs and the impact onThe risk that inflation may increase our profitability.operating expenses.
Our ability to consummate successful strategic transactions that are important to our future growth and profitability.
Our inability to meet our business strategy plan and the impact on our profitability in the future.

Loss of key management personnel could hurt our business and limit our ability to operate and grow successfully.
The impact of the current slow economic growth on our landlords or other tenants in retail centers in which we or our franchisees are located, which in turn could negatively affect our financial results.
The success of our franchisees to our future growth.
The general decrease in sales volumes during winter months.
Unfavorable publicity relating to one or more of our company-owned or franchised restaurants in a particular brand that may taint public perception of the brand.
Failure to recognize, respond to and effectively manage the accelerated impact of social media could adversely impact our business.
Litigation could have a material adverse impact on our business and our financial performance.

Dependence on information technology and any material failure in the operation or security of that technology or our ability to execute a comprehensive business continuity plan could impair our ability to efficiently operate our business.
Failure to protect the integrity and security of individually identifiable data of our guests and teammates and confidential and proprietary information of the company could expose us to litigation and damage our reputation.
Failure to protect our service marks and intellectual property could harm our business.
Outsourcing of certain business processes to third-party vendors that subject us to risk, including disruptions in business and increased costs.
Continuing disruptions in the global financial markets on the availability and cost of credit and consumer spending patterns.
Declines in the market price of our common stock or changes in other circumstances that may indicate an impairment of goodwill possibly adversely affecting our financial position and results of operations.
Changes to estimates related to our property and equipment intangible assets or operating results that are lower than our current estimates at certain restaurant locations, possibly causing us to incur impairment charges on certain long-lived assets.
Identification of a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting may adversely affect our stock price.
Other risk factorsFailure to achieve our target for growth in total return to shareholders may adversely affect our financial performance, includingstock price.
Other risk factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements by affecting, among many things, pricing, consumer spending, and consumer confidence, and operating costs, include, without limitation, changes in economic conditions and financial and credit markets credit availability, increased(including rising interest rates); increases in costs of food commodities, increasedcommodities; increases in fuel costs and availability for our team members, customers and suppliers, increasedsuppliers; increases in utility and energy costs on regional or national levels; increases in health care costs,costs; health epidemics or pandemics or the prospects of these events, consumer perceptions of food safety,events; changes in consumer tastes and behaviors, governmental monetary policies,behaviors; changes in demographic trends,trends; labor shortages and availability of employees,employees; union organization; strikes; terrorist acts,acts; energy shortages and rolling blackouts,blackouts; and weather (including major hurricanes and regional winter storms) and other acts of God.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Information regarding legal proceedings is incorporated by reference from Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements set forth in Part I of this report.
Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
There have been no material changes in the risk factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 24, 2015.29, 2016.
The above risks and other risks described in this report and our other filings with the SEC could have a material impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations. It is not possible to predict or identify all risk factors. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also impair our operations. Therefore, the risks identified are not intended to be a complete discussion of all potential risks or uncertainties.

Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Shares repurchased during the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20162017 are as follows (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):
 
 
Total Number
of  Shares
Purchased (a)
 
Average
Price
Paid per
Share
 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as
Part of
Publicly
Announced
Program
 
Approximate
Dollar Value
that May Yet
be Purchased
Under the
Program
December 24, 2015 through January 27, 20161,635,224
 $47.71
 1,634,224
 $399,554
January 28, 2016 through February 24, 2016995,061
 $48.22
 994,779
 $351,563
February 25, 2016 through March 23, 2016320
 $48.92
 0
 $351,563
 2,630,605
 $47.90
 2,629,003
  
 
Total Number
of  Shares
Purchased (a)(c)
 
Average
Price
Paid per
Share (c)
 
Total Number
of��Shares
Purchased as
Part of
Publicly
Announced
Program (c)
 
Approximate
Dollar Value
that May Yet
be Purchased
Under the
Program (b)(c)
June 30, 2016 through August 3, 2016429,167
 $47.47
 429,167
 $312,578
August 4, 2016 through August 31, 2016403,218
 $50.88
 352,296
 $444,799
September 1, 2016 through September 28, 20164,740,906
 $52.53
 4,739,798
 $135,800
 5,573,291
 $52.02
 5,521,261
  

(a)These amounts include shares purchased as part of our publicly announced programs and shares owned and tendered by team members to satisfy tax withholding obligations on the vesting of restricted share awards, which are not deducted from shares available to be purchased under publicly announced programs. Unless otherwise indicated, shares owned and tendered by team members to satisfy tax withholding obligations were purchased at the average of the high and low prices of the Company’s shares on the date of vesting. During the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2016, 1,6022017, 52,030 shares were tendered by team members at an average price of $47.89.$53.86.
(b)On August 10, 2016, our Board of Directors authorized an additional $150 million in share repurchases.
(c)In September 2016, we entered into a $300 million accelerated share repurchase agreement ("ASR Agreement") with Bank of America, N.A. (“BofA”). Pursuant to the terms of the ASR Agreement, we paid BofA $300 million in cash, which immediately reduced the remaining amount available under our share repurchase program, and received an initial delivery of approximately 4.6 million shares of common stock. Additional shares may be received prior to and/or at final settlement, based generally on the average of the daily volume-weighted average prices of the Company’s common stock during the term of the ASR Agreement, less a discount. Final settlement of the ASR Agreement will occur no later than March 31, 2017, although the settlement may be accelerated at BofA’s option.


Item 6. EXHIBITS
 
10
Second Amendment to Credit Agreement dated September 13, 2016, by and among Registrant and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Brinker Restaurant Corporation, Brinker Florida, Inc., Brinker Texas, Inc., Bank of America, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., U.S. Bank National Association, Regions Bank, Compass Bank, Greenstone Farm Credit Services ACA, SunTrust Bank, and Barclays Bank PLC.

31(a)Certification by Wyman T. Roberts, President and Chief Executive Officer and President and President of Chili’s Grill and Bar of the Registrant, pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a – 14(a) or 17 CFR 240.15d – 14(a).
  
31(b)Certification by Thomas J. Edwards, Jr., 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).
  
32(a)Certification by Wyman T. Roberts, President and Chief Executive Officer and President and President of Chili’s Grill and Bar of the Registrant, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  
32(b)Certification by Thomas J. Edwards, Jr., 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.
  
101.INSXBRL Instance Document
  
101.SCHXBRL Schema Document
  
101.CALXBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
  
101.DEFXBRL Definition Linkbase Document
  
101.LABXBRL Label Linkbase Document
  
101.PREXBRL Presentation Linkbase


SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, we have duly caused this report to be signed on our behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
 
Date: May 2,November 3, 2016By: /s/ Wyman T. Roberts
   Wyman T. Roberts,
   President and Chief Executive Officer and
President and President of Chili’s Grill and Bar
   (Principal Executive Officer)
 
Date: May 2,November 3, 2016By: /s/ Thomas J. Edwards, Jr.
   Thomas J. Edwards, Jr.,
   Executive Vice President and
   Chief Financial Officer
   (Principal Financial Officer)


2726