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 4, 2009

 

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 Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

On March 4, 2009, Brinker International, Inc. (the “Registrant”) issued a press release announcing that, effective immediately, Dave Orenstein has stepped down as Senior Vice President and President of On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina.  Todd Diener, 51, has been appointed effective immediately as Executive Vice President and President of Chili’s Grill & Bar and On The Border Mexican Restaurant & Cantina.  Mr. Diener has served as Executive Vice President and Chili’s Grill & Bar President, having been elected to this position in June 2005, having previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since June 2003, Senior Vice President and Chili’s Grill & Bar President since May 1998, and Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Chili’s since July 1996. Mr. Diener joined the Company as a Chili’s Manager Trainee in 1981 and was promoted to General Manager in 1983, Area Director in 1985, and Regional Director in 1987. Mr. Diener became Regional Vice President in 1989, a position he held until July 1996.

 

The Registrant also announced effective immediately that Wyman Roberts, 49, has been appointed as Senior Vice President, President of Maggiano’s Little Italy and Chief Marketing Officer for Registrant.  Mr. Roberts has served as Senior Vice President and Maggiano’s Little Italy President, having been elected to this position in August 2005. Mr. Roberts previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for NBC’s Universal Parks & Resorts from December 2000 until August 2005. Mr. Roberts was previously employed by Darden Restaurants, Inc. for 16 years where he most recently served as Executive Vice President, Marketing.

 

A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99 hereto.

 

Section 9 —	Financial Statements and Exhibits.
Item 9.01.	Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)    Exhibits.

 

99 Press Release, dated March 4, 2009

 

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 5, 2009	By:	/s/ Douglas H. Brooks
		Douglas H. Brooks, Chairman of the Board
		President and Chief Executive Officer

 

2

Exhibit 99

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Stacey Sullivan (800) 775-7290

 

BRINKER INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES

 

DALLAS, March 4, 2009 — Brinker International (NYSE: EAT) announced organizational changes designed to maximize leadership talent and create additional synergies across its portfolio of brands.

 

Todd Diener will serve as President of both the Chili’s Grill & Bar and On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina brands. During his 27 year tenure, Diener has served in a number of leadership roles of increasing responsibility, including being named President of Chili’s in 1998. In his expanded role, Diener will oversee operations for both Chili’s and On The Border.

 

In addition to his continuing role as President of Maggiano’s Little Italy, Wyman Roberts has been named Chief Marketing Officer for Brinker International. As CMO, Roberts will lead marketing and culinary activities for all three Brinker brands. Prior to joining Brinker International in 2005, Roberts served in marketing executive roles for Universal Parks & Resorts and Darden Restaurants, Inc.

 

“These changes will help us streamline organizational efficiencies and elevate the guest experience across all brands,” said Doug Brooks, President and Chief Executive Officer of Brinker International. “Todd and Wyman are tremendous leaders with vast experience in the operations, marketing and culinary fields. They are uniquely qualified to lead change at Brinker as we strive to be the globally dominant casual dining restaurant portfolio company.”

 

As a result of these changes, Dave Orenstein has resigned as President of On The Border. “Over the past two decades, Dave made many contributions to the On The Border brand and to Brinker. We thank him for his service and wish him well in his future endeavors,” Brooks said.

 

About Brinker International
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 more than 1,700 restaurants in 27 countries and employs more than 100,000. Brinker restaurant brands include Chili’s® Grill & Bar, On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina® and Maggiano’s Little Italy®. Brinker also holds a minority investment in Romano’s Macaroni Grill®. 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 http://www.brinker.com.

 

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