Is Brinker Stock a Buy or Sell After Its CFO Sold 5,000 Shares?

Michaela M. Ware, Chief Financial Officer of Brinker International (NYSE:EAT), executed an open-market sale of 5,000 directly-held shares at a weighted average price of $162.40 per share on Feb. 5, 2026, according to the SEC Form 4 filing.
|
Metric |
Value |
|---|---|
|
Shares sold (direct) |
5,000 |
|
Transaction value |
~$812,000.0 |
|
Post-transaction shares (direct) |
19,923 |
|
Post-transaction shares (indirect) |
3,259 |
|
Post-transaction value (direct ownership) |
~$3.2 million |
Transaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average purchase price ($162.40); post-transaction value based on Feb. 5, 2026 market close ($160.64).
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How significant was this sale relative to Ms. Ware’s historical trading activity?
This 5,000-share sale is comparable to Ms. Ware’s historical median for open-market sales (5,356 shares in the recent period), suggesting the transaction is consistent with her established disposition pattern. -
What impact does this trade have on Ms. Ware’s ownership position?
The transaction reduced Ms. Ware’s direct holdings by 17.74%, leaving her with 19,923 directly held shares and maintaining 3,259 shares indirectly through her 401(k) plan. -
Was there any indirect or derivative involvement in this transaction?
No; the trade was executed solely from direct holdings, with no indirect transfers or stock option exercises reported in this filing. -
How does the sale align with available share capacity?
Ms. Ware’s direct holdings have declined substantially over the past year, which explains the smaller absolute trade size as a function of remaining share capacity rather than a shift in disposition strategy.
|
Metric |
Value |
|---|---|
|
Price (as of market close Feb. 5, 2026) |
$160.64 |
|
Revenue (TTM) |
$5.7 billion |
|
Net income (TTM) |
$454.1 million |
|
1-year price change |
0.63% |
* 1-year price change calculated using Feb. 5, 2026 as the reference date.
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Brinker International operates and franchises casual dining restaurants, primarily under the Chili’s Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy brands, generating revenue through food and beverage sales.
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Its business model centers on direct restaurant operations and franchising, with income streams from company-owned outlets and franchise fees.
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The company serves a broad consumer base seeking casual dining experiences in the United States and select international markets.
Brinker International is a leading operator in the casual dining segment, with a substantial presence through its Chili’s and Maggiano’s restaurant brands. The company leverages a dual approach of company-owned and franchised locations to maximize market reach and operational flexibility. Scale, brand recognition, and a diversified revenue model support its competitive positioning in the restaurant industry.



