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): March 17, 2008

 

BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

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)).

 

 

Section 5 – Corporate Governance and Management

 

Item 5.02.   Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers

 

On March 17, 2008, Brinker International, Inc. (the “Registrant”) announced that Ms. Harriet Edelman has been added to the Board of Directors of Registrant.  As of this date, Ms. Edelman has not been assigned to any of the Committees of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 9 – Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

Item 9.01.   Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)    Exhibits.

 

99     Press Release, dated March 17, 2008.

 

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: March 19, 2008	By:	/s/ Douglas H. Brooks
		Douglas H. Brooks, Chairman of the Board
		President and Chief Executive Officer

 

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EXHIBIT 99

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE		CONTACT:   Media Relations
		Brinker International
		(800) 775-7290

 

BRINKER INTERNATIONAL WELCOMES HARRIET EDELMAN

TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

DALLAS, March 17, 2008 — Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT), a recognized leader in casual dining, announced election of Harriet Edelman to its board of directors.

 

Edelman, 52, spent more than 25 years at Avon Products, Inc., where she most recently served as senior vice president and chief information officer. She was responsible for Avon’s information technology strategy and global operations. During her time at Avon, Edelman held leadership positions in marketing, supply chain management, sales, customer service, planning and information technology, with U.S. and international responsibilities.

 

Edelman holds a master’s of business administration from Fordham University’s Graduate School of Business and a bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University.

 

She has served as a board member for both the The Hershey Company and the Blair Corporation.

 

“Harriet Edelman is a leader with global experience that will be invaluable to our board of directors,” said Doug Brooks, President, CEO and Chairman of the Board for Brinker International. “We look forward to the strategic, results-driven perspective she will bring to our restaurant portfolio.”

 

Brinker International, Inc. 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, Brinker owns or franchises more than 1,850 restaurants in 25 countries and employs more than 120,000. Brinker restaurant brands include Chili’s Grill & Bar, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina and Maggiano’s Little Italy. In 2006, the company was named one of FORTUNE Magazine’s Most Admired Companies. Additionally, Brinker 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 http://www.brinker.com.

 

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