Brinker International CEO Kevin Hochman sits down with Jim Cramer

Watch on YouTube ↗  |  August 14, 2026 at 00:03  |  8:53  |  CNBC
Speakers
Jim Cramer — Host, Mad Money
Kevin Hochman — President and CEO, Brinker International

Summary

Jim Cramer interviews Brinker International CEO Kevin Hochman after a strong quarter for Chili's parent EAT. They discuss Chili's multi-year comparable sales strength, value pricing led by the 10.99 meal, marketing, alcohol leadership, and throughput improvements. Cramer also makes a management-led bullish case for Starbucks under Brian Nichol. The main market implications are constructive for Brinker/EAT and Starbucks.

  • Brinker reported solid results; EAT rose over 11% after earnings and is up 66% year to date.
  • Chili's comparable sales rose 5.6% against a prior-year plus 20% comp.
  • Management issued a strong fiscal 2027 forecast and plans more aggressive new locations.
  • Kevin Hochman credited the 10.99 value platform, barbell margarita lineup, and faster throughput.
  • Cramer views Chili's low-price positioning as a market-share winning strategy.
  • Cramer also argues Brian Nichol's management record supports Starbucks.
  • Broader commentary suggests post-COVID dining out demand remains strong.
Ideas
Jim Cramer Host, Mad Money 0:10
Brinker's value pricing drives share gains
Chili's is producing rare multi-year same-store sales momentum: plus 6% rolling over a plus 20% prior year, a three-year stack of plus 50% and a five-year stack over 70%, with sustainable traffic growth, all-time-low ticket times and the number one restaurant alcohol brand in the US; this supports continued Brinker growth and shareholder returns.
EAT HIGH
Jim Cramer Host, Mad Money 6:26
Bet on Brian Nichol at Starbucks
Cramer argues investors should bet the jockey, not the horse, and Brian Nichol is that jockey; Nichol turned around Chipotle and is now applying the same operational playbook at Starbucks, making Starbucks a management-led long idea.
SBUX HIGH
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This CNBC video, published August 14, 2026, features Jim Cramer discussing EAT, SBUX. 2 trade ideas extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.

Speakers: Jim Cramer  · Tickers: EAT, SBUX