BUZZ — Brinker rises as Jefferies upgrades to 'buy', says Chili's comeback is complete

* Shares of Brinker International, owner of casual-dining chain Chili, rise more than 3% to $209.21 premarket * Jefferies upgrades stock to "buy" from "hold"; hikes PT to $255 from $230, implying a 26% upside to stock's last close * Says Chili's comeback is complete - sales per restaurant rose to over $5 million from $3 million in 3 to 4 years * Expects growth from menu updates, busier restaurants, new locations, remodels and share buybacks * Profits could beat expectations, since only 1 in 5 Chili's restaurants has reached the higher margins its top sellers earn - brokerage * 20 of 23 brokerages rate stock "buy" or above, 3 "hold"; median PT is $275 - data compiled * As of last close, stock was up 41% YTD (Reporting by Miraanta Lowrance in Bengaluru) ((miraanta.lowrance@thomsonreuters.com)