Document




SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 23, 2018

BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
1-10275
 
75-1914582
(State of Incorporation)
 
(Commission File
Number)
 
(IRS Employment
Identification No.)

6820 LBJ Freeway
Dallas, Texas 75240
(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code 972-980-9917

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425).

o    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12).

o    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)).

o    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)).


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o







Item 5 - Corporate Governance and Management.

Item 5.02.   Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangement of Certain Officers

On July 23, 2018, Gerardo I. Lopez provided Brinker International, Inc. (the “Company”) with notice of his retirement from the Company’s Board of Directors, effective immediately.  Mr. Lopez elected to retire due to other commitments and not as the result of any disagreement with the Board of Directors or the Company.

Item 7 - Regulation FD

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure

In a Press Release today, the Company announced that Kelly Baltes has been named as Executive Vice President and President of Maggiano's Little Italy®, effective July 25, 2018.

Item 9 - Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 9.01.    Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)    Exhibits.

99.1     Press Release, dated July 24, 2018.




SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 
BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: July 24, 2018
By:
/s/ Wyman T. Roberts
 
 
Wyman T. Roberts, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 


2



Exhibit
Exhibit 99.1



BRINKER INTERNATIONAL NAMES KELLY C. BALTES PRESIDENT OF MAGGIANO’S LITTLE ITALY


DALLAS, July 24, 2018 -- Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT) today announced that Kelly C. Baltes has been named executive vice president and president of Maggiano’s Little Italy®. In this role, Baltes will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of Maggiano’s restaurants including strategies for future growth of the brand.

Baltes brings more than 30 years of extensive and proven restaurant experience to Brinker, including leadership positions held at Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Red Lobster and Olive Garden. As chairman and chief executive officer of Cheddar’s, Inc., he exemplified inspirational leadership with a commitment to visit every restaurant and meet all management team members in his first 90 days. During his tenure with the brand, he doubled its size, built a leadership team, led the name change to Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen and achieved industry recognition as a Nation’s Restaurant News Golden Chain Award winner. Prior to that, Baltes served as executive vice president of operations for Red Lobster where he led the operational and profitability transformation that put the brand at its top performance in almost a decade.

"When you ask a Guest about their experience at Maggiano’s, they often tell stories of how we made them feel special in the restaurant and go above and beyond to make a celebratory moment even more memorable,” said Wyman Roberts, CEO and President of Brinker International. “I’m excited for Kelly to join our team because his experience and leadership style will be instrumental in the strategic thinking around how we continue to differentiate and perfect the Guest experience at Maggiano’s.”

“It is an honor for me to join the incredible Maggiano’s family. I have been a longtime admirer and guest of Maggiano’s and have a great deal of respect for the culture, hospitality and made-from-scratch Italian-American cuisine,” said Kelly C. Baltes. “I look forward to visiting each restaurant, meeting Teammates and working with the leadership teams for continued success of the brand.”

Brinker International, Inc. is one of the world's leading casual dining restaurant companies. Founded in 1975 and based in Dallas, Texas, as of the fiscal third quarter ended March 28, 2018, Brinker owned, operated or franchised 1,686 restaurants under the names Chili's® Grill & Bar (1,634 restaurants) and Maggiano's Little Italy® (52 restaurants).

For further information: Brinker International, media.requests@brinker.com, 1-800-775-7290.