Solid position in casual dining; Good track record as a restaurant operator; Solid balance sheet and credit protection measures; and Consistently strong cash flow. Participates in a highly competitive industry. The ratings on Dallas, Texas-based Brinker International reflect the company's solid position in the casual dining industry, good track record as a restaurant operator, and satisfactory financial profile. Brinker is the second-largest company in the casual dining sector, based on sales, after Darden Restaurants Inc. The growth of its Chili's, Macaroni Grill, and On The Border concepts into well-established chains reflects the company's ability to develop, commercialize, and operate diverse restaurant formats. Brinker's management depth and well-developed system infrastructure have been instrumental in this success. The company has posted consistently
