Bloomin' Brands (BLMN) Q2 2026: how to test the consumer questions investors asked

Bloomin' Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLMN), the parent of Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, reported second-quarter 2026 results on Wednesday, Aug 5, 2026. Investors asked four consumer questions. A fund can answer each with a Neon Blue study well before the next earnings call.

How can a fund test whether Outback guests keep trading up to the new steak lineup?

To test whether Outback guests keep trading up to the new steak lineup and add-ons, a fund can run a Neon Blue tier-choice study on recent Outback steak buyers, cut by income and occasion. Neon Blue returns steak-tier shares, add-on attach and average ticket and basket size by segment.

From the call. Outback's new steak lineup, launched the prior November, remains central to the turnaround, and management said mix is better than originally forecast as guests trade up to premium cuts and combos. U.S. comparable sales were up 230 basis points with traffic down 190 basis points. Management didn't say which guest groups are doing the trading up.

The study

• Audience. US adults 21 and older who ate steak at Outback in the past 6 months. Split by usual cut (entry steak vs premium), cut by household income and occasion (weekday dinner vs celebration).
• Questions to field.
  1. The last time you ordered steak at Outback, which best fits? [An entry-priced steak / A premium cut / A steak combo or add-on / Not sure]
  2. Why did you pick that? [Taste / Price / A deal / Celebration / Server suggestion]
  3. How likely are you to order a higher-priced cut next time? [0 to 10]
  4. Which add-on would most raise your check? [A premium side / A steak upgrade / An appetizer / A dessert / Nothing]
  5. What would make you trade up at Outback? Tell us in your own words.
• What comes back. Tier-choice and add-on shares by income and occasion. Example layout below. It works as a pre-earnings consumer check.
• Time to answer. Well before the next earnings call.

Run this study free as your first Neon Blue study

Example output layout (illustrative, not a real result)

The shape of a Neon Blue steak trade-up output. Cells are blank on purpose. Nothing here is data about Outback guests.

How can a fund test whether Outback's Aussie 3-Course still anchors affordability?

To test whether Outback's Aussie 3-Course still anchors affordability while steak quality ads run, a fund can run a Neon Blue value study on recent Outback guests, comparing 3-Course buyers with full-price steak buyers. Neon Blue returns promotion sensitivity and whether the deal brings new visits or only lower checks.

From the call. Brand communication will showcase steak quality with a balance of brand equity and the affordability of the Aussie 3-Course offer. Management is focusing on the dine-in experience over third-party delivery convenience. Management didn't say how dependent traffic is on the 3-Course price point.

The study

• Audience. US adults 21 and older who ate at Outback in the past 6 months. Split into Aussie 3-Course buyers and guests who ordered off the regular steak menu, cut by household income.
• Questions to field (dollar steps are test levels you set).
  1. On your last Outback visit, did you order the Aussie 3-Course? [Yes / No / Not sure]
  2. If the 3-Course cost $2 more, what would you do? [Still order it / Order a single entree / Go less often / Go somewhere else]
  3. Which brings you to Outback more often? [Steak quality / Aussie 3-Course deal / Service / Atmosphere / A digital offer]
  4. How likely are you to visit Outback in the next 30 days? [0 to 10]
  5. What makes Outback feel affordable to you? Tell us in your own words.
• What comes back. Deal dependence and visit intent by segment.
• Time to answer. Well before the next earnings call.

Run this study free as your first Neon Blue study

How can a fund test whether Outback's new service model raises return intent?

To test whether Outback's new service model raises return intent, a fund can run a Neon Blue experience study on recent dine-in guests, asking about wait, server attention and tabletop ordering. Neon Blue returns visit frequency intent and ranked service drivers.

From the call. Outback moved away from a 1-server-to-6-table peak station ratio to raise guest interaction, and teams use tabletop data to close service gaps. Food quality and service metrics have improved for four consecutive quarters. Management didn't say how much of the traffic gap versus industry is still service versus food.

The study

• Audience. US adults 21 and older who dined in at Outback in the past 3 months. Cut by party size and by whether they used a tabletop device.
• Questions to field.
  1. On your last Outback dine-in, how was server attention? [Too little / About right / Too much / Not sure]
  2. Compared with a year ago, was the visit [Better / About the same / Worse]?
  3. Which would most make you return in the next 30 days? [Faster seating / More server time / Better steak / A 3-Course deal / Remodeled dining room]
  4. How likely are you to recommend Outback for a sit-down steak dinner? [0 to 10]
  5. What almost made you choose another steakhouse instead? Tell us in your own words.
• What comes back. Return intent and ranked experience drivers by party size. Useful as a consumer channel check.
• Time to answer. Well before the next earnings call.

Run this study free as your first Neon Blue study

How can a fund test whether Carrabba's dine-in focus keeps winning occasions?

To test whether Carrabba's dine-in focus keeps winning occasions, a fund can run a Neon Blue occasion study on recent Carrabba's guests and Italian casual diners who skipped it. Neon Blue returns occasion choice and brand-switching reasons.

From the call. Carrabba's posted its sixth consecutive quarter of positive comps, driven by focus on the in-restaurant experience. Fleming's and Bonefish also posted positive comps in the quarter. Management didn't size how much Carrabba's growth is new guests versus higher check.

The study

• Audience. US adults 21 and older who ate Italian casual dining in the past 3 months. Split into recent Carrabba's guests and non-guests, cut by occasion (weeknight vs weekend).
• Questions to field.
  1. Have you eaten at Carrabba's in the past 3 months? [Yes / No]
  2. The last time you wanted Italian out, where did you go? [Carrabba's / Another chain / A local restaurant / Delivery only]
  3. How likely are you to dine in at Carrabba's in the next 30 days? [0 to 10]
  4. Which matters more for that visit? [Pasta and chicken dishes / Atmosphere / Value / Service / A deal]
  5. What would make Carrabba's your default Italian night out? Tell us in your own words.
• What comes back. Occasion intent and switching reasons by segment.
• Time to answer. Well before the next earnings call.

Run this study free as your first Neon Blue study

How Neon Blue runs consumer studies for funds

Neon Blue runs studies on simulated audiences grounded in real people's data. A fund brings a question tied to one variable in its model and gets the answer back by segment. See consumer research for funds.

• Scoped to the variable. Each study is built around the audience and questions behind one model line. Neon Blue answers the consumer question, never the call on the stock.
• Simulated, and kept separate. Simulated answers are kept separate from real responses. Bring your own audience data, or add live follow-ups through the AI interviewer.
• Private. Client questions stay private and are never used for training. Neon Blue has completed a SOC 2 Type II audit.
• Cost. A consumer study costs a fraction of a round of expert calls, and the first study is free.

Run your first study free

What to watch before Bloomin' Brands' Q3 2026 call

• Outback asset refresh. A multiyear refresh aims to renovate nearly all Outback locations by 2028, improving ambiance. Test: dine-in intent after a remodel versus a non-refreshed store.
• Digital marketing mix. Marketing is shifting toward digital while balancing steak equity and Aussie 3-Course affordability. Test: which message pulls a next visit.
• Bonefish strength. Bonefish comps were up 8.1% in the quarter. Test: whether fish and specialty occasions sustain traffic.

FAQ

What consumer questions came out of Bloomin' Brands' Q2 2026 earnings call?

Whether Outback guests keep trading up to the new steak lineup, whether Aussie 3-Course still anchors affordability, whether the new service model raises return intent, and whether Carrabba's dine-in focus keeps winning occasions. Each can be tested with a Neon Blue study.

How can I test Outback steak trade-up before Bloomin' Brands reports Q3 2026?

Run a Neon Blue tier-choice study on recent Outback steak buyers, cut by income and occasion. You see who picks entry versus premium cuts, which add-ons attach, and why.

How long does a Neon Blue study take?

A Neon Blue study comes back well before the next earnings call.

Does Neon Blue give a view on BLMN stock?

No. Neon Blue answers the consumer question behind a variable in your model. It doesn't make stock calls.

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