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): January 3, 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)).

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Section 5 - Corporate Governance and Management

 Item 5.02.  Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.

                   (b)  John C. Miller, Senior Vice President of Brinker International, Inc. (the "Company") and President of the Company's Romano's Macaroni Grill restaurant concept, resigned from the Company effective January 3, 2005.

                   Jean Birch has been elected to fill the position of Senior Vice President and Romano's Macaroni Grill President effective January 3, 2005.  Mrs. Birch, 45, joined the Company as Senior Vice President and Corner Bakery Cafe President in August 2003.  Mrs. Birch was previously employed by YUM! Brands, Inc. for 12 years.  During that time she served as Vice President of Operations for Taco Bell from October 2001 through August 2003, Senior Director of Concept Development for Pizza Hut from July 2000 to October 2001, and Director of Operations for Pizza Hut from January 1999 to July 2000.

Section 9 - Financial Statement and Exhibits.

 Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

                   (c)  Exhibits.

                   99 Press Release, dated January 3, 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: January 4, 2005	By:       /s/ Douglas H. Brooks
	Douglas H. Brooks, Chairman of the Board,
	President and Chief Executive Officer

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

 

DALLAS (Jan. 3, 2005)  Brinker International (NYSE: EAT) has named Jean Birch president of Romano's Macaroni Grill.  Birch succeeds John Miller who resigned the position today.

Birch joined Brinker in 2003 as president of the company's Corner Bakery Cafe concept after 12 years with YUM Brands where she held various positions including Vice President of Operations for Taco Bell and Senior Director of Concept Development for Pizza Hut.  Birch has also served as National Leadership Conference Chair of the Women's Foodservice Forum.

"Jean's operations knowledge and experience have helped Corner Bakery Cafe set a solid foundation for the future," said Todd Diener, Brinker's Chief Operating Officer.  "As Macaroni Grill continues to grow and solidify its position in the casual Italian segment, her leadership style will be a tremendous asset for the brand and our company as a whole."

John Miller, who had served as president of the brand since 1997, held several leadership positions with Brinker during his 17-year career including president of On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina.

"Under John's leadership, Macaroni Grill established itself as one of the country's favorite restaurants," said Diener.  "He was dedicated to not only serving the guests in our restaurants, but instilling a culture of quality service, culinary excellence and community involvement for the employees on his team.  We wish him continued success."

Brinker has also named John Reale Chief Operating Officer for Macaroni Grill.  He previously served as Regional Vice President for the concept's Western U.S. operations.  With more than 27 years of restaurant experience, Reale has held positions with Carlson Restaurants as Vice President of International Business and Ground Round as Regional Director of Operations.

Romano's Macaroni Grill, which operates more than 220 restaurants in 40 states and five countries, is part of Brinker International.  Based in Dallas, Brinker owns, operates, franchises, or is involved in the ownership of more than 1,500 restaurants in 24 countries. Other Brinker brands include Chili's Grill & Bar, On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, Maggiano's Little Italy, Corner Bakery Cafe, Big Bowl Asian Kitchen, and Rockfish Seafood Grill.