Brinker International company history timeline

1975

March 13, 1975 - Larry Lavine opens the first Chili’s® Grill & Bar in Dallas, Texas on the corner of Greenville Ave. and Meadow Rd.

1976

18, 1976 - Chili’s opens its second location in Houston, Texas after remodeling a flower shop on Richmond Ave.

When S & A was sold to the Pillsbury Company in 1976, Brinker became an executive at Pillsbury, in charge of that company's restaurant group, which now had four chains, including Burger King and Pillsbury's Poppin' Fresh Restaurants.

1978

1978 - Doug, who is now the longest tenured Brinker team member, also served as the Chairman, President and CEO of Brinker International.

1981

Another Brinker veteran succeeded Brooks as CEO. Todd Diener joined C hili's in 1981 as a manager trainee.

1982

In 1982, the Regas family had opened the first of its Grady's Goodtimes outlets, which served primarily beef, seafood, salads, and sandwiches.

1983

1983 - Norman Brinker, known as the father of the restaurant industry, buys Chili’s (23 restaurant across six states) and takes on the task of transforming Chili’s “Hamburger Hippies” into future restaurant industry leaders.

1984

1984 - Chili’s hits the airwaves with its first TV commercial introducing Fajitas.

1986

May 3, 1986 - Chili’s inaugural 10K run is hosted in Dallas, Texas to benefit several local charities including Texas Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital.

1988

Texas restaurateur Phil Romano had opened the prototype restaurant in 1988 in a location north of San Antonio, Texas.

1989

22, 1989 - Chili’s, Inc. acquires Romano’s Macaroni Grill®.

1991

11, 1991 - Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Inc. opens the first Maggiano’s Little Italy® in Chicago, Illinois on the corner of Clark Street and Grand Avenue.

1993

In the midst of its aggressive plans to expand all four of its principal restaurant chains, the company encountered an unexpected obstacle on January 21, 1993, when Norman Brinker suffered a serious head injury while playing polo.

Despite an initially unfavorable prognosis, Brinker made a rapid recovery and returned to resume his positions of chairperson and CEO in May 1993.

Despite an initially unfavorable prognosis, Brinker made a rapid recovery and returned to resume his positions of chairperson and chief executive officer in May 1993.

Oppel, Richard A., Jr., “A Return Performance,” Dallas Morning News, May 5, 1993.

Chaudhry, Rajan, “Ron McDougall’s Winning Ways,” Restaurants & Institutions, July 1, 1993.

1994

1994 - Chili’s introduces the President Margarita® as first top-tier margarita.

1994 - Brinker acquires On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina®.

1995

The success of Cozymel's in Texas led to the announcement in May 1995 of the opening of an additional 12 locations nationwide.

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1975
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Brinker International may also be known as or be related to Brinker International, Brinker International Inc, Brinker International Inc. and Brinker International, Inc.