Form 8-K

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): June 7, 2005

BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State of Incorporation)

1-10275
(Commission File
Number)

74-1914582
(IRS Employment
Identification No.)

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:

____     Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425).

____      Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12).

____      Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
              240.14d-2(b)).

____      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 Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.

                   (b) Todd E. Diener has been elected by the Board of Directors of Brinker International, Inc. (the "Company") to the position of Executive Vice President and Chili's Grill & Bar President effective June 7, 2005.  Mr. Diener, 48, has served as Chili's Grill & Bar President on an interim basis since February 21, 2005.  Mr. Diener previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from June 2003 to June 2005, Senior Vice President and Chili's Grill & Bar President from May 1998 to June 2003, and Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Chili's from July 1996 to May 1998.  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.

Section 8 - Other Events

Item 8.01.  Other Events

                   On June 9, 2005, Mark F. Tormey, Senior Vice President and Maggiano's Little Italy President announced his intention to resign from the Company.  Mr. Tormey will continue to serve as President of the Company's Maggiano's Little Italy restaurant concept until his successor is identified.

Section 9 - Financial Statement and Exhibits.

 Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

                   (c)  Exhibits.

                   99 Press Release, dated June 7, 2005.

 

SIGNATURE

                 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: June 9, 2005

By:  /s/ Roger F. Thomson                                    

     Roger F. Thomson, Executive Vice President,

     Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel

       and Secretary
Exhibit 99

EXHIBIT 99

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          
Contacts:  Louis Adams/Chris Barnes, Media Relations            Lynn Schweinfurth, Investor Relations
                (972) 770-4967/(972) 770-4959                                   (972) 770-7228

 

BRINKER INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCES TODD DIENER
WILL RETURN TO PRESIDENT'S ROLE AT CHILI'S GRILL & BAR

DALLAS (June 7, 2005) -- Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE EAT), announced today that Todd Diener will reassume the president's role at Chili's Grill & Bar.  Diener, a 23-year veteran of the company, had been serving as interim president of the brand, as well as Brinker's Chief Operating Officer.  He previously was Chili's president from 1998 to 2003.

"Todd's track record in managing our flagship brand is unparalleled," said Doug Brooks, Brinker President and CEO.  "In our search to fill the position, it became evident that the most uniquely qualified candidate was already within our organization.  We're very fortunate that Todd himself, after stepping back into the role on an interim basis, expressed a desire to return to the brand full-time. His leadership, as well as that of the management teams in place on the other brands within our portfolio, gives me great confidence in both the immediate and long-term future of this company," added Brooks.

"I look forward to once again working full-time with the outstanding team in place at Chili's," said Diener.  "The strategic initiatives they have implemented have laid a solid foundation on which we can continue to grow the brand and add meaningful value to our shareholders."

The company has no plans to fill the COO position.

Brinker International either owns, operates, franchises, or is involved in the ownership of 1,582 restaurants under the names Chili's Grill & Bar, Romano's Macaroni Grill, On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, Maggiano's Little Italy, Corner Bakery Cafe, and Rockfish Seafood Grill.  

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