# Outback Steakhouse sales grow but holiday season expected to be quieter

> Outback Steakhouse reports 1.9% same-store sales growth but forecasts a quieter holiday season due to pricing and calendar shifts.
- Title: Outback Steakhouse sales grow but holiday season expected to…
- Summary: Outback Steakhouse reports 1.9% same-store sales growth but forecasts a quieter holiday season due to pricing and calendar shifts.
- Keywords: outback steakhouse, bloomin brands, same-store sales, holiday season, price hikes, customer satisfaction, traffic decline, Nation's Restaurant News
- Source: Nation's Restaurant News — https://nrn.com/casual-dining/outback-makes-progress-but-foresees-quieter-holiday-season
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: outback steakhouse, bloomin brands, same-store sales, holiday season, price hikes, customer satisfaction, traffic decline, food, business
## Outback sales growth
Outback Steakhouse reported 1.9% same-store sales growth year over year in the third quarter.
## Customer satisfaction improves
Customer satisfaction scores improved for the fifth consecutive quarter, including plus 3 for service, atmosphere, and intent to return.
## Traffic declines
Traffic declined 1.5% year over year in the third quarter.
## Holiday season forecast
Outback expects 0% to 1% same-store sales growth in the fourth quarter due to calendar shifts and pricing decisions.
## Halloween and Christmas shifts
Halloween fell on a Saturday and Christmas falls on a Friday this year, reducing operating days in the quarter.
## Limited promotions
Outback will not run holiday promotions that drove business but were 'overmixed' last year.
## Pricing strategy
CEO Mike Spanos stated prices will be about 4% higher in the quarter but no additional price hikes will be made.
## Full-year expectations
Outback narrowed full-year same-store sales growth expectations to 1% to 1.5% from 1% to 2%.
## Profitability impact
Turnaround investments cost profits, with adjusted restaurant-level margins declining 0.2% to 9.3%.
## Digital marketing shift
Outback plans to double digital advertising mix to 60% by year-end, with the rest dedicated to linear TV.
## Other brands performance
Carrabba’s Italian Grill saw 0.6% sales growth and 2.9% traffic decline, Bonefish Grill rose 5.3% sales and 0.8% traffic decline.
## Financial results
Total revenue grew 1.7% to $944.3 million, net income was a $1.7 million loss, compared to $45.9 million loss a year ago.
## Stock impact
Bloomin' stock dropped 4% on Friday morning following the earnings report.
## Key takeaway

Outback Steakhouse saw 1.9% same-store sales growth in Q3 but expects 0-1% growth in Q4 due to calendar shifts and limited promotions.