Brinker International
An American multinational restaurant company that owns and operates Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Brinker International is an American multinational hospitality company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Its principal restaurant businesses are Chili's Grill & Bar, a large casual-dining chain centered on burgers, steaks, fajitas, Tex-Mex-inspired dishes, beverages, and social dining, and Maggiano's Little Italy, an Italian-American full-service restaurant concept. Brinker operates a mix of company-owned and franchised restaurants, with its business concentrated in the United States and additional locations in international markets. The company traces its origins to the first Chili's Grill & Bar opened by Larry Lavine in Dallas in 1975. The business adopted the name Chili's Inc. in 1976 and was sold to restaurant executive Norman E. Brinker in 1983. Under Brinker ownership, the company expanded Chili's, entered the public markets in 1984, and developed a broader multi-brand restaurant portfolio. The corporate name became Brinker International in 1991, reflecting its wider operating and franchising ambitions. Brinker's portfolio expanded through acquisitions and divestitures. It acquired Maggiano's from Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises in 1995, adding an Italian-American dining concept with a different service model and customer occasion from Chili's. The company also developed or owned other chains, including Romano's Macaroni Grill, Corner Bakery Cafe, and On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, but later sold or separated those businesses. Romano's Macaroni Grill was sold to an affiliate of Golden Gate Capital in 2008, and On the Border was sold to another Golden Gate Capital affiliate in 2010. Corner Bakery Cafe had been divested in 2005. In the 2010s and early 2020s, Brinker emphasized the Chili's and Maggiano's brands while increasing its control of the Chili's system through acquisitions of franchised restaurants. It purchased 103 franchised Chili's restaurants in 2015, 116 additional Midwestern Chili's restaurants in 2019, and 23 more in 2021. These transactions increased the proportion of the network directly operated by the company and gave Brinker greater control over execution, technology, pricing, marketing, and restaurant-level initiatives. Leadership has included Norman Brinker, who stepped down as chairman in 2000, and Wyman Roberts, who served as Brinker president and chief executive officer from 2013 until his retirement in June 2022. Kevin Hochman succeeded Roberts as president and CEO. The company also changed chief financial officers in 2024 when Joe Taylor retired and Mika Ware became CFO. Brinker remains focused on restaurant operations, franchising, brand marketing, menu development, digital ordering, and the management of company-owned locations. Its public identity is primarily associated with Chili's, while Maggiano's provides a more occasion-oriented Italian-American dining proposition. The company has also participated in workforce-development initiatives, including joining the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's SkillBridge program in 2022 to support service members transitioning into restaurant-management careers.
History
Brinker International developed from the Chili's restaurant business founded by Larry Lavine in Dallas in 1975. The first Chili's Grill & Bar established the informal, full-service restaurant format that became the foundation of the company. In 1976, the business changed its name to Chili's Inc. It was sold to Norman E. Brinker in 1983, and the company entered the public markets the following year. The company broadened its restaurant portfolio during the late 1980s and 1990s. Romano's Macaroni Grill opened its first restaurant in Leon Springs, Texas, in 1988. Chili's Inc. changed its corporate name to Brinker International in 1991. In 1992, it entered an agreement with Pac-Am Food Concepts to support expansion of the Chili's brand in Far Eastern markets. Brinker acquired Maggiano's Little Italy from Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises in August 1995, adding a more formal Italian-American dining concept to its portfolio. Norman Brinker stepped down as company chairman in 2000. During the following decade, Brinker simplified its holdings through a series of divestitures. Corner Bakery Cafe was sold in 2005. In December 2008, Mac Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of Golden Gate Capital, acquired a majority interest in Romano's Macaroni Grill for $131.5 million. In June 2010, Brinker sold On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina to OTB Acquisition LLC, another Golden Gate Capital affiliate. These transactions left Chili's and Maggiano's as the company's central restaurant brands. Brinker later increased its direct ownership of Chili's locations. In 2015, it bought 103 franchised Chili's restaurants. It acquired 116 Midwestern Chili's restaurants in 2019 and purchased another 23 in 2021. The acquisitions expanded the company-operated network and gave Brinker more direct influence over restaurant standards, labor practices, menu implementation, guest experience, technology, and marketing. Wyman Roberts became president and chief executive officer of Brinker International in January 2013 after serving in senior leadership roles connected with Chili's and Maggiano's. He retired in June 2022 and was succeeded by Kevin Hochman. In 2022, Brinker also joined the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's SkillBridge program, a partnership with the Department of Defense designed to help transitioning service members prepare for restaurant-management apprenticeships. In 2024, chief financial officer Joe Taylor retired and Mika Ware succeeded him. The company has also faced litigation. A California lawsuit filed in 2004 alleged that a Brinker subsidiary violated meal- and rest-break laws by failing to provide employees with legally compliant periods. The case became a certified class action in 2006. In 2012, the California Supreme Court held that employers must provide uninterrupted 30-minute meal breaks but are not required to police employees to ensure that no work occurs during those breaks. The matter was settled in 2014. Separately, in 2024, the Beastie Boys sued Brinker over alleged unauthorized use of the song “Sabotage” in Chili's social-media advertising. Today, Brinker is principally a restaurant operator and franchisor built around Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy. Its strategy combines company-owned restaurants, franchised locations, brand-level marketing, menu and service development, and off-premises channels such as takeout and delivery. The company remains publicly traded under the ticker EAT.
- 2024
Chief financial officer changes
[1]Mika Ware succeeded Joe Taylor as chief financial officer following Taylor's retirement.
- 2022
SkillBridge workforce partnership begins
[1]Brinker joined the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's SkillBridge program.
- 2022
Kevin Hochman becomes chief executive
[1]Kevin Hochman succeeded Wyman Roberts as president and chief executive officer after Roberts retired.
- 2021
Additional Chili's locations acquired
[1]Brinker purchased 23 additional Chili's restaurants.
- 2019
Midwestern Chili's acquisition
[1]Brinker acquired 116 Midwestern Chili's restaurants.
- 2015
Brinker buys 103 franchised Chili's restaurants
[1]The company acquired 103 franchised Chili's locations, increasing its company-operated restaurant base.
- 2010
On the Border is sold
[1]Brinker sold On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina to an affiliate of Golden Gate Capital.
- 2008
Romano's Macaroni Grill majority interest is sold
[1]An affiliate of Golden Gate Capital purchased a majority interest in Romano's Macaroni Grill.
- 2005
Corner Bakery Cafe is divested
[1]Brinker sold the Corner Bakery Cafe brand.
- 1995
Maggiano's is acquired
[1]Brinker acquired Maggiano's from Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises.
Products and positioning
Multi-brand casual dining and full-service restaurant hospitality
Casual dining restaurant chain · 1975
Chili's Grill & Bar
Chili's is Brinker’s flagship casual-dining brand. Its restaurants generally combine full table service with a social bar-and-grill atmosphere. The menu is associated with burgers, steaks, fajitas, Tex-Mex-inspired dishes, appetizers, desserts, alcoholic beverages, and other American-style restaurant fare. The brand operates through company-owned and franchised restaurants and also serves guests through takeout and delivery channels.
Italian-American full-service restaurant chain
Maggiano's Little Italy
Maggiano's Little Italy is Brinker’s Italian-American restaurant concept. It offers full-service dining oriented toward family meals, celebrations, group occasions, and traditional Italian-American dishes. The concept complements Chili's by targeting a more occasion-driven dining experience and a menu centered on pasta, Italian-American entrees, shared dishes, desserts, and beverages.
Italian-American restaurant chain · 1988
Romano's Macaroni Grill
Romano's Macaroni Grill was a former Brinker restaurant brand focused on Italian-American full-service dining. Its first restaurant opened in Leon Springs, Texas, in 1988. Brinker sold a majority interest in the chain to an affiliate of Golden Gate Capital in 2008, so it is no longer a core Brinker-owned offering.
Mexican-inspired restaurant chain
On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina
On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina was a former Brinker-owned restaurant chain offering Mexican-inspired food and a cantina-style dining experience. Brinker sold the business to OTB Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of Golden Gate Capital, in 2010.
Bakery-cafe chain
Corner Bakery Cafe
Corner Bakery Cafe was a former Brinker brand in the bakery-cafe segment. Brinker divested the brand in 2005 and it is not part of the company's current principal portfolio.
Controversies
2024
Beastie Boys copyright lawsuit over Chili's advertising
The Beastie Boys filed a copyright-infringement lawsuit against Brinker alleging that Chili's social-media advertising used the group's 1994 song “Sabotage” without authorization. The allegation concerned promotional activity for a Brinker-owned restaurant brand.
2004
California meal- and rest-break litigation
A lawsuit against Brinker Restaurant Corp., a Brinker International subsidiary, alleged that employees were not provided meal and rest periods required under California law. The case was certified as a class action in 2006. In 2012, the California Supreme Court clarified employers' obligations regarding uninterrupted meal breaks, and the litigation was resolved through a settlement in 2014.
Marketing campaigns
- 2022SkillBridge workforce-development partnership
United States
Brinker joined the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's SkillBridge program, developed with the Department of Defense to help transitioning service members prepare for restaurant-management apprenticeships approved by the Department of Labor.
Outcome. The company became a participating employer in the workforce-development initiative.
Brand decisions
2021
Purchase 23 additional Chili's restaurantsM&ABackground
Brinker continued its approach of selectively bringing franchised Chili's locations into the company-operated network.
Action taken
The company purchased 23 additional Chili's restaurants.
Aftermath
The acquisition further increased direct control of Chili's locations.
2019
Acquire 116 Midwestern Chili's restaurantsM&ABackground
Brinker continued consolidating selected franchised Chili's locations.
Action taken
The company acquired 116 Chili's restaurants in the Midwest.
Aftermath
The transaction increased Brinker’s direct operating presence in the region.
2015
Acquire 103 franchised Chili's restaurantsM&ABackground
Brinker sought greater direct control over Chili's restaurant operations and execution.
Action taken
The company purchased 103 franchised Chili's restaurants.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded the company-operated portion of the Chili's system.
2010
Sell On the Border Mexican Grill & CantinaM&ABackground
Brinker continued concentrating its portfolio on Chili's and Maggiano's.
Action taken
Brinker sold On the Border to OTB Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of Golden Gate Capital.
Aftermath
The divestiture further narrowed Brinker’s principal brand portfolio.
2008
Sell majority interest in Romano's Macaroni GrillM&ABackground
Brinker was reducing and restructuring its multi-brand restaurant holdings.
Action taken
Mac Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of Golden Gate Capital, purchased a majority interest in Romano's Macaroni Grill for $131.5 million.
Aftermath
Romano's Macaroni Grill ceased to be controlled in the same way as Brinker’s core brands.
Purchase price for majority interest. $131.5 million (December 2008)
1995
Acquire Maggiano's Little ItalyM&ABackground
Brinker sought to broaden its restaurant portfolio beyond the Chili's casual-dining format.
Action taken
The company acquired Maggiano's from Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises.
Aftermath
Maggiano's became Brinker’s second principal restaurant brand and added an Italian-American full-service concept.
1991
Adopt the Brinker International corporate identityStrategyBackground
The business had expanded beyond the original Chili's identity and was developing a broader restaurant portfolio and international franchising activity.
Action taken
Chili's Inc. changed its corporate name to Brinker International, Inc.
Aftermath
The Brinker name became the corporate umbrella for Chili's and subsequent restaurant concepts.
Recent events
Flytrex expands drone food delivery service to Holly Springs[2]
Reported:
Flytrex announced an expansion of its drone delivery service to Holly Springs, North Carolina, and began delivering food by drone there in partnership with Brinker International. Customers in the Forest Springs neighborhood can order from It’s Just Wings through the Flytrex app.
Brinker International prices public stock offering[3]
Reported:
Brinker International announced that it had priced an underwritten public offering of 7,000,000 common shares at $18.25 per share. The offering was expected to close on or about May 11, 2020, subject to customary closing conditions.
Sources3 sources
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