Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:BLMN) reported fourth-quarter results on Wednesday that topped earnings expectations but came in slightly below revenue forecasts, sending shares modestly higher in after-hours trading.
The casual dining operator posted adjusted earnings per share of $0.26, exceeding the analyst consensus estimate of $0.24. Following the announcement, the company’s shares gained 2.21% in extended trading.
Quarterly revenue totaled $975.2 million, missing expectations of $981.9 million and rising just 0.3% from $972.0 million in the same period a year earlier. On a comparable basis, revenue increased 0.5% year over year.
Bloomin’ Brands reported a GAAP loss per share of -$0.14 for the quarter, compared with earnings of $0.12 per share in the prior-year period. The decline was primarily driven by a $28.2 million goodwill impairment charge tied to the Bonefish Grill reporting unit, along with additional asset impairment costs.
“Our fourth quarter results reflect our continued focus on disciplined execution and food quality to deliver a consistently great guest experience,” said Chief Executive Officer Mike Spanos. “Through these efforts, Outback achieved its first quarter of positive traffic since Q4 2021.”
U.S. comparable restaurant sales were broadly flat overall. Outback Steakhouse recorded a 0.6% decline, while Carrabba’s Italian Grill grew 1.6%. Bonefish Grill slipped 0.1%, and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse posted a 0.1% increase.
Looking ahead to fiscal 2026, Bloomin’ Brands guided adjusted EPS in a range of $0.75 to $0.90, implying a midpoint of $0.83, slightly below analyst expectations of $0.86. The company forecasts U.S. comparable restaurant sales growth between 0.5% and 2.5%, alongside commodity inflation of 4.5% to 5.5%.
For the first quarter of 2026, management expects adjusted EPS of $0.57 to $0.62, with the midpoint of $0.60 coming in above the consensus estimate of $0.56.