{"id":1820300,"date":"2026-09-22T10:46:33","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T08:46:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lexpress-franchise.com\/en-us\/news\/chilis-clears-its-growth-runway-brinker-targets-30-new-restaurants-a-year-by-2029\/"},"modified":"2026-09-22T09:59:47","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T07:59:47","slug":"chilis-clears-its-growth-runway-brinker-targets-30-new-restaurants-a-year-by-2029","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lexpress-franchise.com\/en-us\/news\/chilis-clears-its-growth-runway-brinker-targets-30-new-restaurants-a-year-by-2029\/","title":{"rendered":"Chili&#8217;s Clears Its Growth Runway: Brinker Targets 30 New Restaurants a Year by 2029"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-bold-font-weight wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-weight:700\"><strong>Four years after launching its turnaround under CEO Kevin Hochman, Brinker International presented investors and analysts on September 17 with a concrete unit-growth roadmap: 30 new Chili&#8217;s restaurants per year by fiscal 2029, supported by a pipeline of 46 deals in progress and a portfolio that has posted 71% same-store sales growth over five years. <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/lexpress-franchise.com\/en-us\/our-franchises\/restaurants\/\">Franchise restaurant<\/a> development is part of the plan alongside corporate-owned restaurant construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For much of the past decade, <strong>Chili&#8217;s<\/strong> focused on stabilization rather than growth. The brand closed hundreds of underperforming locations between <strong>2018 and 2022<\/strong>, reducing its domestic footprint to roughly <strong>1,200 restaurants<\/strong>. What followed was a methodical operational rebuild: menu simplification, value positioning, and more than <strong>$100 million<\/strong> in deferred maintenance addressed across the estate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The results have been measurable. By fiscal year 2026, same-store sales had risen <strong>71%<\/strong> over five years, a performance that outpaced most peers in the casual dining sector. The question at Brinker&#8217;s September 17 Investor Day was whether the <a href=\"https:\/\/lexpress-franchise.com\/en-us\/our-franchises\/\">franchise brand<\/a> could now translate that recovery into a sustained growth phase.<\/p>\n\n\n        <div class=\"lf-gut-franchise-slider-wrapper\" data-slider-id=\"lf-gut-franchise-slider-6ab2570ccd4b6\">\n            <div class=\"lf-gut-franchise-slider swiper\">\n                <div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n                                            <div class=\"swiper-slide lf-gut-franchise-card\">\n                            <div class=\"lf-gut-franchise-image-wrapper\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lexpress-franchise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/hands-binoculars.png\" class=\"lf-gut-franchise-image\" alt=\"Chili\u2019s Grill &#038; Bar\">\n                                                                    <div class=\"lf-gut-franchise-logo-center\">\n                                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lexpress-franchise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/red-chili-pepper-logo.png\" alt=\"Logo\">\n                                    <\/div>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"lf-gut-franchise-content\">\n                                <div class=\"lf-gut-franchise-title-content\">\n                                    <div>\n                                        <a class=\"lf-gut-franchise-header-link\" href=\"https:\/\/lexpress-franchise.com\/en-us\/franchise\/chilis-grill-bar\/\">\n                                            <p class=\"lf-gut-franchise-title\">Chili\u2019s Grill &#038; Bar<\/p>\n                                        <\/a>\n                                        <p class=\"lf-gut-franchise-tag-line\">Chili\u2019s. More Life Happens Here.<\/p>\n                                    <\/div>\n                                    <ul class=\"lf-gut-franchise-info-list\">\n                                        <li data-field=\"category\">\n                                            <span class=\"lf-gut-icon\"><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\"?> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M12.5852 21.9314H4.92807C3.01378 21.9314 2.05664 20.9355 2.05664 18.9438V10.9771C2.05664 8.98542 3.01378 7.98957 4.92807 7.98957M12.5852 21.9314C10.6709 21.9314 9.71378 20.9355 9.71378 18.9438M12.5852 21.9314H18.3281C20.2424 21.9314 21.1995 20.9355 21.1995 18.9438V5.00205C21.1995 3.01037 20.2424 2.01453 18.3281 2.01453H12.5852C10.6709 2.01453 9.71378 3.01037 9.71378 5.00205M4.92807 7.98957H9.71378M4.92807 7.98957V5.99789C4.92807 4.90247 5.7895 4.00621 6.84235 4.00621H9.81905C9.74248 4.30496 9.71378 4.63359 9.71378 5.00205M9.71378 7.98957V18.9438M9.71378 7.98957V5.00205M9.71378 18.9438V5.00205M13.5424 7.98957V12.9688M17.3709 7.98957V12.9688M5.88521 12.9688V16.9521M16.4138 16.9521H14.4995C13.9731 16.9521 13.5424 17.4003 13.5424 17.948V21.9314H17.3709V17.948C17.3709 17.4003 16.9402 16.9521 16.4138 16.9521Z\" stroke=\"#E53B12\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke-miterlimit=\"10\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span>Restaurant                                        <\/li>\n                                        <li data-field=\"locations\">\n                                            <span class=\"lf-gut-icon\"><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\"?> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"19\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 19 22\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M9.62821 12.2473C11.2775 12.2473 12.6145 10.8563 12.6145 9.14032C12.6145 7.42435 11.2775 6.03329 9.62821 6.03329C7.97893 6.03329 6.64192 7.42435 6.64192 9.14032C6.64192 10.8563 7.97893 12.2473 9.62821 12.2473Z\" stroke=\"#E53B12\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"><\/path><path d=\"M1.60735 7.32788C3.49292 -1.29611 15.7731 -1.28615 17.6491 7.33784C18.7498 12.3967 15.7252 16.6788 13.0739 19.3278C11.1501 21.2597 8.10635 21.2597 6.17292 19.3278C3.53121 16.6788 0.506638 12.3868 1.60735 7.32788Z\" stroke=\"#E53B12\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span>Not disclosed                                        <\/li>\n                                        <li data-field=\"contribution\">\n                                            <span class=\"lf-gut-icon\"><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\"?> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"25\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 25\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M2.05664 9.19308H21.1995M5.88521 17.1598H7.7995M10.1924 17.1598H14.0209M6.30635 4.21387H16.9402C20.3476 4.21387 21.1995 5.09021 21.1995 8.58561V16.7615C21.1995 20.2569 20.3476 21.1332 16.9498 21.1332H6.30635C2.9085 21.1432 2.05664 20.2668 2.05664 16.7714V8.58561C2.05664 5.09021 2.9085 4.21387 6.30635 4.21387Z\" stroke=\"#E53B12\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span>Liquid capital: $Not disclosed                                        <\/li>\n                                                                            <\/ul>\n                                <\/div>\n                                <a class=\"lf-gut-franchise-button\" rel=\"follow\" href=\"https:\/\/lexpress-franchise.com\/en-us\/franchise\/chilis-grill-bar\/?demandedocumentation=1&#038;utm_source=media&#038;utm_campaign=cta-slider&#038;utm_medium=https:\/\/lexpress-franchise.com\/en-us\/?p=1820300\">I want more info<\/a>\n                            <\/div>\n                        <\/div>\n                                                        <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"lf-gut-franchise-slider-nav\">\n                <div class=\"swiper-button-prev\"><\/div>\n                <div class=\"swiper-button-next\"><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        \n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1\">Thirty New Restaurants a Year by Fiscal 2029<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brinker outlined a target of <strong>2% to 3%<\/strong> annual net unit growth, which at the current system size translates to roughly 20 to 30 new openings per year. The pace is set to accelerate: the company has approved <strong>15 restaurants<\/strong> for fiscal 2028 and another <strong>15 for fiscal 2029<\/strong>, with <strong>46 additional deals in progress<\/strong> at the time of the presentation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For fiscal 2026, plans call for six new corporate locations in the United States and two to four domestic franchise restaurants, alongside <strong>24 to 28 international openings<\/strong>, for a combined worldwide total of approximately <strong>32 to 38 new Chili&#8217;s<\/strong> during the fiscal year.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"lc-gut-blog-post-author-quote\" style=\"--color: #e74c3c; \"><div class=\"lc-gut-blog-post-author-quote__content\"><div class=\"lc-gut-blog-post-author-quote__quote-wrapper\"><div class=\"lc-gut-blog-post-author-quote__svg-wrapper\"><svg class=\"lc-gut-blog-post-author-quote__svg\" width=\"56\" height=\"40\" viewBox=\"0 0 56 40\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M40.6 16.52H46.06C51.38 17.64 55.3 21.14 55.3 27.58C55.3 34.72 49.84 39.2 42.98 39.2C34.72 39.2 29.54 32.62 29.54 23.24C29.54 9.52 38.64 0.699999 55.58 0V5.04C46.62 6.3 41.3 9.52 40.6 16.52ZM10.92 16.52H16.52C21.84 17.64 25.76 21.14 25.76 27.58C25.76 34.72 20.3 39.2 13.44 39.2C5.18 39.2 0 32.62 0 23.24C0 9.52 9.1 0.699999 26.04 0V5.04C17.08 6.3 11.76 9.52 10.92 16.52Z\" fill=\"#e74c3c\"\/><\/svg><\/div><blockquote class=\"lc-gut-blog-post-author-quote__text\">Over the past four years, we&#8217;ve worked hard to transform Chili&#8217;s into a stronger business. As we enter the next phase of growth, we know what works: serving great food at an incredible value, delivering excellent hospitality, and creating experiences that keep guests coming back. We will continue to invest in those areas while adding additional investment for remodeling our estate and building more new Chili&#8217;s.<\/blockquote><\/div><div class=\"lc-gut-blog-post-author-quote__author\"><div class=\"lc-gut-blog-post-author-quote__author-details\"><p class=\"lc-gut-blog-post-author-quote__author-pre-text\">A QUOTE FROM<\/p><p class=\"lc-gut-blog-post-author-quote__author-name\">Kevin Hochman<\/p><p class=\"lc-gut-blog-post-author-quote__author-title\">CEO, Brinker International<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2\">Franchise Development Back in the Mix After Years of Contraction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brinker&#8217;s growth strategy carves out a role for <a href=\"https:\/\/lexpress-franchise.com\/en-us\/articles\/franchise-franchisee-franchisor-roles-responsibilities\/\">franchisees<\/a> alongside its corporate construction program. The company recently acquired <strong>10 franchised locations in Alabama<\/strong> and has identified five additional sites in the state, a sign that Brinker is actively managing its franchised territory rather than simply adding new units. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the same time, the brand has opened its development rights <strong>across all 50 states<\/strong>, allowing franchisees to build in markets previously controlled by corporate, including smaller communities and infill sites at the edges of growing metro areas. Analysts at Mizuho maintained a price target of <strong>$275<\/strong> on Brinker stock following the Investor Day presentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3\">Longer-Term Targets and the Remodeling Commitment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beyond unit count, Brinker introduced fiscal 2029 targets covering revenue growth of <strong>4% to 6%<\/strong> annually and double-digit annual earnings-per-share growth. The company also indicated plans for <strong>3% to 5%<\/strong> annual share repurchases, subject to board approval. A remodeling program runs parallel to the new construction pipeline: with deferred maintenance now largely addressed, Brinker said it can redirect capital toward upgrades designed to drive incremental sales. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The company did not disclose the <strong>per-unit investment required<\/strong> for the remodels, or the <strong>franchise fee terms<\/strong> attached to new development agreements signed under the current growth program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, financial, or professional advice. Laws and regulations vary by state and individual circumstances and may change over time. Readers should consult a qualified attorney, tax professional, or other licensed professional regarding their specific situation. Nothing herein creates an attorney-client relationship.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Four years after launching its turnaround under CEO Kevin Hochman, Brinker International presented investors and analysts on September 17 with a concrete unit-growth roadmap: 30 new Chili&#8217;s restaurants per year by fiscal 2029, supported by a pipeline of 46 deals in progress and a portfolio that has posted 71% same-store sales growth over five years. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":788,"featured_media":1820337,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_titles_title":"Chili's Plans 30 New Restaurants a Year by 2029: Brinker","_seopress_titles_desc":"Brinker plans 30 new Chili\u2019s annually by FY2029, with 46 deals underway and franchise development back on the table.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":0,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","_seopress_news_disabled":"","_seopress_video_disabled":"","_seopress_video":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas_manual":[],"_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable_all":"","_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas":[],"content-type":"","_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"1783346,1804379,1798251,1803713,1806323,1818557","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3594],"tags":[],"type-de-post":[2066],"class_list":["post-1820300","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-franchise-networks","type-de-post-articles-actualite"],"acf":[],"permalink_manager":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lexpress-franchise.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1820300","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lexpress-franchise.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lexpress-franchise.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lexpress-franchise.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/788"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lexpress-franchise.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1820300"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/lexpress-franchise.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1820300\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1820339,"href":"https:\/\/lexpress-franchise.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1820300\/revisions\/1820339"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lexpress-franchise.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1820337"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lexpress-franchise.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1820300"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lexpress-franchise.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1820300"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lexpress-franchise.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1820300"},{"taxonomy":"type-de-post","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lexpress-franchise.com\/en-us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/type-de-post?post=1820300"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}