DALLAS, Nov. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of
Directors for Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT), announced
today Wyman Roberts will become CEO
and President of Brinker International, effective January 1, 2013. Doug
Brooks, 60, will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board
through December 2013 to ensure a
successful transition of leadership. In addition to his new
responsibilities, Roberts will also retain his current role as
President of Chili's® Grill & Bar.
"The Board of Directors has worked closely with Doug for an
extended period of time on this transition and unanimously
supported Wyman's selection as his successor," said Joe DePinto, lead director. "Brinker has been
extremely fortunate to have been led by Doug, who skillfully guided
the company through challenging times, augmenting what was already
a strong culture and turning it into a competitive advantage. Doug
leaves his current role as CEO and President with the company on
solid footing in an upward trajectory. And in the style of his
mentor and company namesake Norman
Brinker, Doug surrounded himself with the best and
brightest—Wyman Roberts epitomizes that. We have tremendous
confidence in Wyman and the leadership team's ability to continue
executing our strategic vision and positioning Brinker for
continued success."
"I have had the privilege of working closely with Wyman since he
joined Brinker seven years ago and have been impressed with his
wisdom, insight and tenacity," said Brooks. "I could not be more
confident that with his business acumen, vision and wealth of
experience, he is the leader to guide Brinker forward in the coming
years and continue the momentum currently being enjoyed by both
Chili's and Maggiano's. The company is in great hands."
Brinker International is the parent company of restaurant brands
Chili's Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy®.
During Brinker's most recent fiscal year, the company reported
sales for the system up 2.6%. Brinker brands are enjoying
consecutive positive same restaurant sales runs—with Chili's at six
consecutive quarters of positive same restaurant sales and both
Maggiano's and the International business at 11. Additionally at
the end of fiscal 2012, Brinker's stock was at an all-time high, up
900% from its low in December
2008.
During Brooks' 35-year tenure with the company, Brinker has
grown from three restaurants in a single state to one of the most
successful restaurant companies in the world, with 1,585
restaurants serving more than 1 million guests daily and generating
$2.8 billion in annual
revenue.
Brooks' service in the role as Chairman of the Board is
anticipated to conclude on December 31,
2013. He will continue to serve on the board of directors
for Southwest Airlines, Romano's Macaroni Grill, Limbs for Life
Foundation and Kenny Can Foundation; and on the professional
advisory board of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Roberts was named President of Chili's Grill & Bar in 2009,
and has since been responsible for a dramatic re-energizing of
almost every aspect of one of America's iconic restaurant brands.
As President, he currently oversees all aspects of global and
domestic restaurant operations, marketing, franchising, culinary
and beverage, and PeopleWorks for the Chili's brand.
Prior to his current role, Roberts served as Brinker's Chief
Marketing Officer since 2009 and President of the Maggiano's Little
Italy brand from 2005 to 2009. While leading Maggiano's, Wyman
established structured guiding principles and a brand identity,
creating a strong foundation for the positive momentum Maggiano's
is enjoying currently as the brand prepares to return to
growth.
Before joining Brinker, Roberts served as Executive Vice
President and Chief Marketing Officer for NBC's Universal Parks
& Resorts. He is also a 17-year veteran of Darden Restaurants,
Inc., where he held numerous senior level positions including
Executive Vice President of Marketing for the Red Lobster
brand.
Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT), is one of the world's
leading casual dining restaurant companies, serving more than one
million guests daily. Founded in 1975 and based in Dallas, Texas, Brinker owns or franchises
1,585 restaurants under the names Chili's® Grill & Bar (1,540
restaurants) and Maggiano's Little Italy® (45
restaurants). Brinker also holds a minority investment in Romano's
Macaroni Grill®. For more information, visit
www.brinker.com.
SOURCE Brinker International, Inc.