Brinker International, Inc. (or simply Brinker) is an American multinational hospitality industry company that owns Chili's and Maggiano's Little Italy restaurant chains. Founded in 1975 and based in Dallas, Texas, Brinker currently owns, operates, or franchises 1,672 restaurants under the names Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy worldwide.[4][1]
 | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Predecessor |
|
| Founded | 1991 |
| Founder |
|
| Headquarters | Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
Number of locations | 1,672 restaurants (2019) |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | |
| Services | Foodservice |
| Revenue |  US$2.905 billion (2015)[1] |
| US$311.20 million (2015)[1] | |
| US$196.69 million (2015)[1] | |
| Total assets | US$2.688 billion (2020)[1] |
| Total equity |  -US$78.46 million (2015)[1] |
Number of employees | 62,200 (2020) |
| Subsidiaries | |
| Website | brinker |
| Footnotes / references [2][3] | |
History
edit
Larry Lavine opened the first Chili's Grill & Bar in Dallas, Texas.[5] The company was renamed Chili's Inc. in 1976.
Chili's Inc. was sold to Norman E. Brinker in 1983, and took the company public a year later.[5] The first Romano's Macaroni Grill opened in Leon Springs, Texas, in 1988.[6][7]
In 1991, Chili's Inc. became Brinker International, Inc.[8] In 1992, the company entered into an agreement with Pac-Am Food Concepts to expand the Chili's brand to the Far East.[9]
In 2000, Norman Brinker stepped down as company chairman; he died in June 2009.[10]
In November 2012, Brinker announced the election of Wyman Roberts as CEO and President of Brinker International, and President of Chili's Grill & Bar, effective January 1, 2013.[11] He served in this role until his retirement in June 2022 and was succeeded by Kevin Hochman.[12] Roberts' Brinker tenure includes his role as President of Chili's since 2009. Previously, Roberts also served as Brinker's Chief Marketing Officer and President of the Maggiano's Little Italy brand.[4]
In May 2022, Brinker International announced it joined the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAED)’s SkillBridge program. The program, in partnership with the Department of Defense, “helps transitioning service members prepare for a Department of Labor-approved restaurant management apprenticeship program.”[13]
In June 2024, CFO Joe Taylor retired and was succeeded by Mika Ware.[14][15]
Acquisitions & sales
editBrinker acquired Maggiano's from Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises in August 1995.[16]
The company sold off the Corner Bakery Cafe brand in 2005.[17]
In December 2008, Mac Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of Golden Gate Capital, purchased a majority interest in Romano's Macaroni Grill for $131.5 million.[3][18][19]
In June 2010, Brinker sells On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina to OTB Acquisition LLC, also an affiliate of Golden Gate Capital.[3][20]
In 2015, the company purchased 103 franchised Chilli’s restaurants for a reported $106.5 million.[21] In 2019, Brinker acquired 116 Midwestern Chili's restaurants and purchased 23 more in 2021.[22]
Lawsuits
editIn 2004, a lawsuit was filed against Brinker Restaurant Corp, a subsidiary of Brinker International, alleging the company violated laws governing meal breaks by failing to provide meal and rest periods to its employees. In 2006, the case was certified a class action lawsuit.[23]
An appeal was filed by Brinker in 2008, and the case made its way to the California Supreme Court in 2012.[24][23] It was ruled that California employers are required to provide uninterrupted 30-minute meal breaks, but are not obligated to ensure that no work is being done during those breaks.[25] In 2014, the case was resolved for a settlement payment of $56.5 million.[26]
In July 2024, American rap rock group the Beastie Boys filed a lawsuit against Brinker International for copyright infringement, claiming that the group's 1994 song "Sabotage" had been illegally used to promote the restaurant chain Chili's, which is owned by Brinker, in advertisements on social media starting around November 2022.[27]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f "Brinker International, Form 10-K, Annual Report, 2015" (PDF). secdatabase.com. Retrieved June 12, 2016.
- ^ Brinker International, Inc. (June 29, 2011). "FY 2011 10-K". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Retrieved April 17, 2012.
- ^ a b c Brinker International, Inc. (June 29, 2011). "2011 Annual Report to Shareholders". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Retrieved April 17, 2012.
- ^ a b "Brinker International, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date Feb 8, 2013" (PDF). secdatabase.com. Retrieved Feb 13, 2013.
- ^ a b "For Investors, Corporate Profile". Brinker International, Inc. 2011. Retrieved April 17, 2012.
- ^ Allen, Paula. "Phil Romano's 1980s dinner club and former North Side water park spark readers' memories". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
- ^ Daniels, Lauren Drewes. "Houston-based Ignite Restaurant Group Buys Romano's Macaroni Grill". Dallas Observer. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
- ^ "Chili's & Maggiano's Trademarks - Gerben IP". www.gerbenlaw.com. 2022-02-24. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
- ^ "Brinker to operate Chili's restaurants in 10 Asian countries - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
- ^ "News & Announcements". Horatio Alger. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
- ^ "Roberts to president ceo of Brinker in 2013 | Bakingbusiness.com | November 08, 2012 11:22 | Baking Business". www.bakingbusiness.com. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ "Brinker International CEO, president Wyman Roberts to retire in June". Nation's Restaurant News. 2022-05-16. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ "Chili's Grill & Bar becomes first restaurant to partner in innovative management training program for Military Servicemembers | National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation". Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ Innovates, Dallas; Murray, Lance (2024-03-09). "Brinker International CFO Joe Taylor to Retire; New CFO and CIO Named Amid Executive Leadership Transition". Dallas Innovates. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
- ^ Canham-Clyne, Aneurin (27 February 2024). "Brinker appoints new CIO, CFO". Restaurant Dive. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
- ^ "Our Story". Maggiano's Little Italy. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
- ^ "Brinker Selling Corner Bakery Cafe Chain for $70M". benefitspro.com. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
- ^ "Brinker Sells Majority Interest in Macaroni Grill". www.seafoodsource.com. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
- ^ "Brinker to sell majority stake in Macaroni Grill". Nation's Restaurant News. 2008-08-18. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ Staff (2010-04-01). "Brinker Sells On The Border Brand". franchisetimes.com. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
- ^ "Brinker International acquires Chili's franchisee in $106.5M deal". Restaurant Business. 25 June 2015. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
- ^ Ifasso, Plamedie (3 September 2021). "Brinker International completes acquisition of 23 franchised Chili's restaurants". Dallas Business Journal. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
- ^ a b "Brinker wins appeal vs. Calif. class-action ruling". Nation's Restaurant News. 2008-08-04. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ "Calif. high court to review pro-Brinker ruling quashing class action". Nation's Restaurant News. 2008-10-23. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
- ^ "California Supreme Court Issues Employer-Friendly Decision On Employee Breaks and Class Status". The National Law Review. Much Shelist, P.C. 2012-06-03. Archived from the original on 2012-06-05. Retrieved 2020-01-02.
- ^ "BRINKER CASE SETTLES FOR $56 MILLION « Law Offices of Timothy Bowles | Top Employment Law Firm in Los Angeles". tbowleslaw.com. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
- ^ Millman, Ethan (2024-07-11). "Beastie Boys Sue Chili's Owner for Using 1994 Hit Song 'Sabotage' in Advertisements". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2024-07-12. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
External links
edit- Business data for Brinker International:
- Official website
- Brinker International SEC Filings