EAT Brinker International Inc

DALLAS, Sept. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Brinker International, Inc., (NYSE:EAT), has reached an agreement with Alsea S.A. de C.V. and Grupo Alimentos y Diversion for 14 new Chili's Grill & Bar locations in Mexico City and surrounding areas. Alsea, which operates more than 660 Domino's Pizza, Burger King, Starbuck's and Popeye's Chicken outlets in Mexico and Brazil, recently acquired a 60 percent stake in Grupo Alimentos y Diversion, or Grupo ALDI, which operates 10 existing Chili's franchised restaurants in and around Mexico City. Grupo ALDI will remain active in the Chili's operations. "Our involvement in Grupo ALDI gives us a well-established presence in the casual segment in Mexico, with a brand that already has tremendous equity in this market," said Alberto Torrado, CEO of Alsea. "With an insatiable and growing appetite for casual dining in Mexico, we're looking forward to working with Grupo ALDI and Brinker to seize the opportunity that exists for Chili's here." The Alsea/Grupo ALDI development territory includes the Mexico City Federal District, and the surrounding states of Mexico, Morelos, Puebla, Hidalgo and Queretaro. "We congratulate Alsea and Grupo ALDI on their new relationship and are very pleased with their commitment to further develop Chili's," said Bill Simon, senior vice president of global business development for Brinker. "With our plans for aggressive growth of the Chili's concept worldwide, we are very fortunate to have solid, experienced franchise partners driving the brand to new heights in Mexico." The Alsea/Grupo ALDI partnership is one of two Chili's franchisees in Mexico. The other franchisee, Delicias Gastronomicas, operates 16 Chili's locations in Monterrey, Guadalajara, Chihuahua and Cancun and is planning four additional locations. 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 and Corner Bakery Cafe. DATASOURCE: Brinker International, Inc. CONTACT: Louis Adams, +1-972-770-4967, or Chris Barnes, +1-972-770-4959, both of Brinker International, Inc. Web site: http://www.brinker.com/

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