Companies urged to adapt as restaurant franchisee files for bankruptcy: 'Businesses want to make excuses'

Bloomin Brands (BLMN) reported Q3 2026 U.S. comparable restaurant sales growth of 1.9%, with average check up 3.7%. Bonefish saw 5.3% comp sales growth. The company refinanced $1.2B in debt. Q3 adjusted loss per share was $0.17, with traffic down 1.8%. Q4 comp sales guidance is 0% to 1%, with adjusted EPS expected at $0.07 to $0.12. COGS and labor inflation pressured margins. One franchisee filed for bankruptcy, but BLMN has a bid for its 61 restaurants.

Bloomin' Brands (BLMN) reported Q3 2026 results, with U.S. comparable restaurant sales up 1.9% and traffic down 1.8%. Outback Steakhouse saw comp sales up 1.9% and traffic down 1.5%, while Carrabba's, Bonefish, and Fleming's showed mixed results. The company is pursuing a stalking horse purchase agreement for 61 restaurants, expecting the process to take a few months.

Bloomin' Brands reported a 1.9% increase in Outback comparable sales, driven by improved service and food quality. Management raised full-year 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to $0.97-$1.02. The company is investing in digital marketing and restaurant refreshes, while delaying pricing actions to balance inflation and consumer financial conditions. It also refinanced its $1.2 billion credit facility and aims for a 3.0 net leverage target by 2028.

Outback Steakhouse reported 1.9% same-store sales growth in Q3, with improved customer satisfaction but declining traffic. Parent company Bloomin’ Brands expects 0% to 1% growth in Q4 due to calendar shifts and promotional changes. Full-year same-store sales growth forecast was narrowed to 1% to 1.5%. Investments in quality and service impacted margins, but cost controls helped offset some costs. Bloomin’ Brands' total revenue rose 1.7% to $944.3M, with a net loss of $1.7M.

Bloomin' Brands (BLMN) updated its FY2026 EPS guidance to $0.97-$1.02 and expects 1%-1.5% U.S. comparable sales growth. CEO Michael Spanos announced a domestic franchisee's bankruptcy and the company's agreement to acquire 61 restaurants.

Bloomin' Brands (BLMN) reported Q3 earnings, noting pricing strategies offset by cost inflation. CEO Christel highlighted 4.6% cost-of-goods and 3.5% labor inflation. The company raised full-year earnings guidance to $0.97-$1.02 per share. Outback Steakhouse's turnaround includes service improvements and marketing investments. Bloomin' expects to complete 85 Outback refreshes in 2026, with a total cost of $350,000-$400,000 per location.