Article: Fitch Downgrades Brinker International's IDR to 'BBB'; On Rating Watch Negative.

NEW YORK -- Fitch Ratings has downgraded the following ratings for Brinker International (Brinker):

--Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to 'BBB' from 'BBB+';

--Senior unsecured notes to 'BBB' from 'BBB+';

--Bank credit facility to 'BBB' from 'BBB+'.

Fitch has also placed Brinker on Rating Watch Negative. Approximately $503 million of senior unsecured debt is affected by this rating.

On Aug. 29, 2006, Brinker announced a plan to commence a modified Dutch tender offer for up to 11.7 million shares, or 14% of its outstanding shares, for a maximum aggregate purchase price of $450 million. At the same time, Brinker announced a new $400 ...

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