The ratings on Dallas-based Brinker International Inc. reflect the company's solid position in the casual-dining industry, good track record as a restaurant operator, and satisfactory financial profile. Its participation in the competitive restaurant industry and current economic conditions which are hurting the casual-dining sector partially offset these strengths. Brinker is the second-largest company in the casual-dining sector, based on sales, after Darden Restaurants Inc. The growth of its Chili's, On The Border, and Maggiano's 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. Like other casual-dining operators, Brinker's sales trends have been weak in all its concepts for the past
