DALLAS, Sept. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The fall season is quickly approaching and that can only mean one thing...college football is near! What better way to enjoy the sights and sounds of collegiate gridiron, than to enjoy it while tailgating with Chili's(R) Grill & Bar 2009 Tailgate Tour!

Beginning this weekend, Sept. 12 through Dec. 5, the Chili's Tailgate Tour team will visit 15 premier college football match-ups nationwide; giving fans the chance to win a trip and tickets to postseason football games. Additional prizes will be available for fans who incorporate Chili's menu items or the famous chili pepper logo into their pre-game set-up. Fans also have the opportunity to win college merchandise, and other great prizes including Chili's gift cards.

"Chili's is amped up to be a part of some of the most anticipated college football games during our Tailgate Tour this year," said Krista Gibson, senior vice president of brand strategy for Chili's Grill & Bar. "We're expanding our reach and including several new interactive ways to engage our guests to enjoy the best of two worlds - kicked up Chili's favorites and college football!"

New to the Tour this year, Chili's will have a tent set up in the fan fest areas at each game where tailgaters can enter to win the grand prize drawing. Each week, the Tailgate Tour team will be onsite taking pictures of fans who "Pepper In Some Fun" with Chili's To Go at their tailgate to post on the contest Web site.

Before heading over to the stadiums, Chili's encourages guests to stop in and order some of its popular menu items including Big Mouth(R) Bites, Triple Dipper(TM) or pick up several Party Platters. Available To Go, these and other favorites are sharable and surefire ways to get any tailgate started.

One grand prize winner, selected at random from onsite and online contestants, will receive the following:

    --  two tickets to the postseason game of their choosing
    --  roundtrip airfare for two
    --  hotel accommodations; and

    --  ground transportation to and from the airport and the game

The Tailgate team will reach out to every college campus on the Tour schedule and connect with students through their college newspapers and social media sites, as well as promote the event in participating Chili's locations.

For those unable to attend games on Chili's Tailgate Tour schedule; don't worry! College football enthusiasts nationwide can still enter to win at www.pepperinsomefun.com/tailgate.

For a list of the selected games, contest rules and to view pictures of Chili's game activities, log on to www.pepperinsomefun.com/tailgate. Additionally, check out the Tailgate Tour team on game days by following them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Chilis) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/ilovechilis).

Chili's Grill & Bar is the flagship brand of Dallas-based Brinker International (NYSE: EAT), a recognized leader in casual dining. Chili's offers a fun, energetic atmosphere and a distinct, fresh mix of grilled American favorites at more than 1,400 locations in 29 countries and two territories. Other Brinker brands include Maggiano's Little Italy(R) and On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina(R). Brinker also holds a minority investment in Romano's Macaroni Grill(R). For more information, please visit www.chilis.com.

SOURCE Chili's Grill & Bar

Chili's Grill & Bar Media Relations
1-800-775-7290