DALLAS, July 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT), has named Kelli Valade Chief Operating Officer for Chili's Grill & Bar and On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina. In this role, Valade will oversee operations for more than 1,400 Chili's and On The Border restaurants nationwide.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090707/DA42905)

"Kelli's leadership skills, strategic vision and strong focus on results make her well suited for this latest challenge. Her guidance and drive for success will be instrumental in delivering the flawless execution and outstanding hospitality our guests have come to expect at our restaurants," said Todd Diener, President of Chili's and On The Border.

Valade has been with Brinker International for 13 years, holding various positions, including Director of Human Resources for On The Border, Vice President for Emerging Brands & Corporate HR, and her most recent role as Senior Vice President of Chili's and On The Border PeopleWorks and Brinker Shared Services.

Prior to joining Brinker, Valade worked for the Specialty Concepts Division of Carlson Restaurants Worldwide. She also previously worked as a Training and Recruiting Consultant for Dallas based American Service Management Resources.

Active in several industry organizations, Valade holds a seat on the founders board of the Multi-Cultural Food Service Hospitality Alliance. She is also a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and Women's Foodservice Forum. Valade holds a Bachelors degree in Sociology from Binghamton University in Upstate New York and an MBA from Syracuse University.

Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT), is one of the world's leading casual dining restaurant companies, serving more than 1 million guests daily. Founded in 1975 and based in Dallas, Texas, Brinker owns or franchises nearly 1,700 restaurants in 28 countries and two territories and employs more than 125,000. Brinker restaurant brands include Chili's Grill & Bar(R), On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina(R), and Maggiano's Little Italy(R). Brinker also holds a minority investment in Romano's Macaroni Grill(R). The company was named one of FORTUNE Magazine's Most Admired Food Service Companies in 2009 and was honored by the magazine as one of the Top 50 Employers for Minorities and the Top 50 Employers for Women. For more information, visit www.brinker.com.

SOURCE Brinker International, Inc.
07/07/2009
/CONTACT: Media Relations of Brinker International, Inc., 1-800-775-7290/