EAT Brinker International Inc

Chili's to Add 18 Restaurants in Kentucky Through Agreement With ERJ Dining; Development Plans Will Target Louisville, Lexington and Paducah Markets DALLAS, Jan. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Brinker International, Inc., (NYSE:EAT) has reached a franchising and development agreement with ERJ Dining that will bring 18 new Chili's Grill & Bar restaurants to the state of Kentucky. As part of the agreement, the franchisee has also acquired the four existing Kentucky Chili's locations in the Louisville and Lexington markets. Based in Louisville, ERJ Dining is a new venture that includes Ulysses "Junior" Bridgeman, who is also one of the country's largest Wendy's franchisees. ERJ will focus on the Louisville, Lexington and Paducah markets for Chili's development. "Chili's is one of the world's most popular casual dining restaurant brands, and there is tremendous growth potential for the concept in Kentucky," said Bridgeman, who played 12 seasons in the NBA prior to launching his Wendy's franchise in 1989. "Our team is looking forward to contributing to the brand's continued growth and success by bringing the Chili's dining experience to new guests throughout the Bluegrass State." Greg Cloud will direct Chili's operations for ERJ. Cloud previously spent more than a decade managing Applebee's operations in Louisville for franchisee Whit-Mart, Inc. ERJ is one of three recently added Chili's franchisees to have acquired existing Chili's locations as part of multi-unit development agreements. Last year, Brinker sold nine company restaurants to Valenti Management, Inc., which will develop 20 new locations in Mississippi and Alabama, and sold four Chili's locations to Strang Hospitality, which has plans to develop up to 25 restaurants in Ohio and Pennsylvania. "Franchise partners like ERJ are complementing our robust company restaurant development by accelerating our expansion in a number of under- penetrated markets where we know the brand will do well," said Wilson Craft, President of Chili's. "ERJ shares our dedication to outstanding service and operations excellence, and they have a great team with extensive local market knowledge to make Chili's successful as they develop the brand in Kentucky." Chili's Grill & Bar offers a fun, energetic atmosphere and a distinct, fresh mix of grilled American favorites in more than 1,000 locations in 24 countries. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2005, Chili's is owned and franchised by Dallas-based Brinker International, a recognized leader in casual dining. Other Brinker restaurant concepts include Romano's Macaroni Grill, Maggiano's Little Italy, On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, Corner Bakery Cafe, Big Bowl Asian Kitchen and Rockfish Seafood Grill. DATASOURCE: Brinker International, Inc. CONTACT: Chris Barnes, +1-972-770-4959, or Louis Adams, +1-972-770-4967, both of Brinker International, Inc. Web site: http://www.brinker.com/

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