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): August 2, 2005

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

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)  On August 2, 2005, Wyman Roberts was elected to fill the position of Senior Vice President and Maggiano's Little Italy President, effective August 11, 2005.  Mr. Roberts, 46, previously served as Executive President and Chief Marketing Officer for NBC's Universal Parks & Resorts from December 2000 until August 2005.  Mr. Roberts was previously employed by Darden Restaurants, Inc. for 16 years, where he most recently served as Executive Vice President, Marketing.

Section 9 - Financial Statement and Exhibits.

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

                   (c)  Exhibits.

                   99 Press Release, dated August 2, 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: August 8, 2005	By:    /s/ Roger F. Thomson
	Roger F. Thomson, Executive Vice President,
	Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel
	and Secretary

EXHIBIT 99

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                     Contact:          Louis Adams, Chris Barnes
                                                                                           (972) 770-4967, (972) 770-4959

BRINKER INTERNATIONAL NAMES WYMAN ROBERTS

PRESIDENT OF MAGGIANO'S LITTLE ITALY

DALLAS, (Aug. 2, 2005) - Brinker International, Inc., (NYSE: EAT) today announced that it has named Wyman Roberts president of its Maggiano's Little Italy concept.

Roberts previously served as executive vice president and chief marketing officer for NBC's Universal Parks & Resorts. He is also a 16-year veteran of Darden Restaurants, Inc., where he held numerous positions, including executive vice president of marketing for Red Lobster.

"Wyman's experience in establishing brand identities makes him ideally suited to lead the Maggiano's team as it continues to bring its distinct style of service and culinary offerings to new markets," said Doug Brooks, chairman and chief executive officer of Brinker. "His extensive knowledge of casual dining and hospitality will be a tremendous asset to our company."

Roberts replaces Mark Tormey, who helped launch Maggiano's in 1991 and had served as the concept's president since its inception. As announced in June, Tormey made the decision to step down to spend more time with his family in Chicago. He has remained with the company during the search and will assist with the brand's leadership transition.

Maggiano's offers a full menu of Southern Italian recipes and specializes in serving dining occasions of all sizes, from intimate dinners and family gatherings to large banquet parties, in an atmosphere reminiscent of a pre-World War II New York Italian restaurant. The brand currently operates 33 locations in 18 states.

Dallas-based Brinker International is a recognized leader in the casual dining industry. The company owns, franchises or is involved in the ownership of 1,588 restaurants. In addition to Maggiano's, Brinker's portfolio includes Chili's Grill & Bar, Romano's Macaroni Grill, On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, Corner Bakery Cafe and Rockfish Seafood Grill.

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