MEMPHIS, Tenn., Sept. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chili's(R) Grill & Bar announced today its restaurants across the country will donate 100 percent of all profits Monday, Sept. 28 to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital(R) as part of its month-long Create-A-Pepper to Fight Childhood Cancer campaign. To date, Chili's has raised more than $25 million for St. Jude, reaching the halfway point to its 10-year goal of $50 million. Once completed, Chili's contribution will be the largest donation from a single partner campaign in St. Jude history.

"We are thankful to have enthusiastic and generous partners like Chili's," said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., chief executive officer of ALSAC, the fundraising organization of St. Jude. "Even during tough economic times, Chili's honors its commitment to donate 100 percent of one day's profit to support St. Jude. Every dollar donated by Chili's guests helps St. Jude continue our efforts in finding the cures and providing the treatments that will save children's lives."

Chili's has raised funds for St. Jude since the Create-A-Pepper campaign developed into a national program in 2004. The promotion grew out of a local effort that began in 2002, when seven Memphis-area Chili's raised $14,000 with nothing more than crayons and chili pepper coloring sheets.

"Chili's is dedicated to helping St. Jude save lives," said Todd Diener, president of Chili's Grill & Bar. "We know family budgets are tight due to the tough economy, but we are confident guests will eat at Chili's Sept. 28 to not only enjoy a delicious meal, but also to support St. Jude. The Chili's family looks forward to Donate Our Profits Day every year as people from all over the country give back and help us continue supporting the groundbreaking research and lifesaving care St. Jude provides."

Held at participating Chili's restaurants nationwide, Create-A-Pepper honors National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. For Chili's, Sept. 28 concludes a month of intense fundraising that actively enlists Chili's team members, restaurant guests and the community in addition to St. Jude patients, supporters and staff.

Chili's has been inviting the public to contribute in multiple ways:

    --  Make a donation to St. Jude and receive a Create-A-Pepper coloring sheet
        to design which will be displayed at restaurants during the month.
    --  Purchase Create-A-Pepper T-shirts that can be customized with permanent
        markers.
    --  Buy a customized Create-A-Pepper key that can be cut for use at home or
        the office.

    --  Visit www.createapepper.com to make an online donation.

For more information, to purchase Create-A-Pepper T-shirts and keys, to make an online donation to the campaign or to create an e-pepper, visit www.createapepper.com.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family's inability to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. For more information, please visit www.stjude.org.

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

Jessica Lukens
of ALSAC/St. Jude
+1-901-578-2266
jessica.lukens@stjude.org
or Stacey Sullivan
of Chili's Grill & Bar
1-800-775-7290
stacey.sullivan@brinker.com