Brinker Serves 14% Dividend Bump

Brinker International (NYSE:EAT) revealed a 14% hike in its quarterly dividend on Monday, sending the parent of restaurant chain Chilis jumping more than 2%.

The Dallas-based restaurant owner announced its board of directors approved plans to boost its dividend to 16 cents a share, up from 14 cents previously.

The move from Brinker, which also owns Maggianos Little Italy restaurants, represents a show of confidence despite serious economic fears hitting Wall Street.

Brinker said the new dividend will be payable on September 29 to shareholders of record as of September 9.

Shares of Brinker rose 1.86% to $22.98 Monday morning, putting them on track to add to their 2011 gain of more than 8%.