Brinker International and OTB Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of San Francisco-based Golden Gate Capital, closed the previously announced sale of On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina.  On The Border is a full-service, casual dining Mexican restaurant brand with 162 restaurants.  Gross proceeds for the transaction total $180 million, which will be adjusted for deal costs and customary closing fees.

Brinker expects to record a gain on the transaction and will generate additional fees from transitional support services provided to On The Border for up to one year. Proceeds from the sale will be used to repurchase shares.

“The closing of the On The Border transaction marks another achievement in our long-term plan as discussed at our March investor conference and emphasizes Brinker’s commitment to return value to shareholders,” said Doug Brooks, President and CEO of Brinker International.

“This is an exciting day for On The Border, its team members and Golden Gate Capital. This is a great brand with great potential,” said Josh Olshansky, a Managing Director at Golden Gate Capital. “We are enthusiastic about the Company’s significant growth opportunities and we are very pleased to partner with the On The Border team to continue the success of this market leading brand.”

Golden Gate also announced today the appointments of Stephen Clark as Chief Executive Officer and Christopher Morris as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Clark is an experienced restaurant executive with an excellent track-record leading casual dining and Mexican restaurant brands. Mr. Clark previously served as CEO at Bertucci’s, Taco Bueno, and Taco Cabana, where his leadership generated strong same-restaurant sales and profit growth. Mr. Morris joins On The Border with over fourteen years of restaurant industry experience. For the past six years, he served as CFO of Chuck E. Cheese’s, a publicly traded family dining and entertainment chain with over 500 locations.

“Steve and Chris are seasoned and successful restaurant executives,” said Mr. Olshansky. “They bring a unique set of experiences and leadership that will further position the company for success and long-term growth.”

“I am delighted and honored to join the On The Border family and serve as steward of this strong leader in Mexican Casual Dining,” said Stephen Clark. “I look forward to working closely with the team to help the company further build upon its many strengths through excellent execution and innovation.”

Brinker International, Inc. entered into a $400 million unsecured, senior credit facility consisting of a $200 million revolver and a $200 million term loan.  Execution of the new credit facility is a milestone in Brinker’s Plan to Win, which further solidifies the company’s financial position and allows for investment in future initiatives highlighted during its recent Investor Conference.

After aggressively reducing debt by $190 million during fiscal year 2010, Brinker had $200 million outstanding on an original $400 million term loan and zero outstanding on the previous revolver prior to entering into the new credit facility. As of today’s date, Brinker will have an unfunded revolver and $200 million outstanding on the term loan which will expire in June 2015. Due to replacing existing credit facilities prior to expiration, the company will be required to expense approximately $1.7 million of deferred financing fees in the fourth quarter.

“Our ability to close this transaction with an investment grade structure and market-leading five-year facility is a testament to the strength of Brinker’s brands, balance sheet, considerable cash flow and strong banking relationships,” said Marie Perry, Vice President of Investor Relations and Treasurer for Brinker International.

The combined facility replaced the company’s existing term loan and revolver which were to expire in October 2010 and February 2012, respectively. The five year tenor extends Brinker’s debt maturity profile and allows the credit facility to expire beyond the maturity of the company’s 5.75 percent notes in May 2014.

Brinker International Inc. is one of the world’s leading casual dining restaurant companies. Founded in 1975 and based in Dallas, Texas, Brinker currently owns, operates, or franchises 1,700 restaurants under the names Chili’s Grill & Bar, On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina and Maggiano’s Little Italy. Brinker also holds a minority investment in Romano’s Macaroni Grill.

Management of Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT), will participate in two upcoming investment conferences.  The dates and times of the presentations are as follows:

• June 7  – 8:30 a.m. Eastern (Goldman Sachs Lodging, Gaming, Restaurant and Leisure Conference 2010 to be held in New York)
• June 8 – 10:30 a.m. Eastern (Bank of America Merrill Lynch Smidcap Conference to be held in Boston)

A simulcast of each presentation will be available on the company’s Web site – www.brinker.com.  An online replay of each presentation will be available for at least two weeks following each presentation.  To access the live simulcast of the presentation, please go to the company’s Web site at least 15 minutes prior to the presentation to download and install any necessary audio software.

Brinker International either owns, operates, franchises, or is involved in the ownership of more than 1,700 restaurants under the names Chili’s Grill & Bar, Maggiano’s Little Italy, and On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina.  Brinker also holds a minority investment in Romano’s Macaroni Grill.

Brinker International, Inc., parent company of Maggiano’s Little Italy® will host a send-off party for a Make-A-Wish Foundation® recipient with its first Make-A-Wish Day Friday, May 21 at its Dallas headquarters.

Flying a jolly roger and donning eye patches, team members at the restaurant support center are shelling out their doubloon to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Anthony, who wishes to take a voyage to San Antonio and visit Sea World, Fiesta Texas and the San Antonio Zoo, will be surprised when Brinker team members announce his wish has been granted and confetti is launched through the air.

This event will help culminate Maggiano’s Little Italy “Eat-A-Dish for Make-A-Wish” campaign, which has been raising support to grant wishes since April 15 in restaurants nationwide. The in-restaurant program runs through May 26 benefitting the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

“For the past seven years, Maggiano’s has had the privilege of helping grant wishes for children through the kindness and dedication of our guests, restaurants, and teammates,” said Steve Provost, President of Maggiano’s Little Italy. “This new event, which will be held each May during our Eat-A-Dish for Make-A-Wish campaign, gives us an opportunity to come together, have fun and witness the power of sharing a wish.”

Anthony’s elaborate send-off party would not be possible without the Dallas Children’s Theater, whose set designers will help transform the lawn in front of the Brinker headquarters into a pirate’s playground of which Anthony will be the captain. Events such as this, along with the annual Eat-A-Dish for Make-A-Wish campaign, are examples of how Maggiano’s continually supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation throughout the year.

Maggiano’s Little Italy specializes in Italian-American cuisine served in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Maggiano’s menu features both classic and contemporary recipes — authentic pastas, signature salads, prime steaks, fresh seafood, regular chef specials and specialty desserts. Maggiano’s 45 locations worldwide offer lunch and dinner, delivery, carryout service and banquet spaces for special occasions. Maggiano’s is owned and operated by Brinker International, Inc., one of the world’s leading casual dining restaurant companies, with more than 1,700 restaurants in 29 countries and two territories.

Other Brinker restaurant brands include Chili’s® Grill & Bar and On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina®. Brinker also holds a minority investment in Romano’s Macaroni Grill®.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Founded in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 65 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 188,000 wishes in the United States since its inception.

Restaurant dealmaking is heating up again with the start of a consumer spending recovery and greater access to capital that has whetted private equity firms’ appetite after a two-year fast.

CKE Restaurants Inc (CKR.N), the owner of Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr fast-food chains, last week accepted a $694 million bid from Apollo Management APOLO.UL and terminated a lower-priced offer from Thomas H. Lee Partners.

That deal followed the sale of Brinker International Inc’s (EAT.N) On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina to an affiliate of Golden Gate Capital and Papa Murphy’s sale to private equity firm Lee Equity Partners.

California Pizza Kitchen (CPKI.O), a full-service chain known for its Barbecue Chicken pizza and other offbeat creations, has put itself up for sale.

“I don’t think I want to open the champagne just yet, but it’s a confident sign,” said Donna Hitscherich, senior lecturer at Columbia Business School.

An important part of the shift is that new deals focus on healthy businesses, rather than the distressed and bankrupt companies that sought buyers in prior years.

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Brinker International Inc.’s fiscal third-quarter earnings rose, but same-restaurant sales at the company’s flagship Chili’s Grill & Bar fell as it’s trying to wean customers off discounts.

Chili’s is struggling as it tries to transition from a discount-reliant bar-and-grill chain to a casual-dining restaurant that can attract customers on the strength of items like its signature ribs and new items like tacos.

The restaurant is becoming more of a focal component for Brinker, especially after the company last month agreed to sell its On the Border chain to a private-equity firm for $180 million.

For the fiscal third quarter ended March 24, Chili’s same-restaurant sales fell 5%, highlighting the brand’s struggles. In addition, the costs of the restaurant’s new fare are weighing on margins. Chili’s remaining promotions—like an entree and appetizer for $9.99—are designed to attract customers and get them to try a revamped menu.

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Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT), will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss third quarter fiscal 2010 results on Tuesday, April 20, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (9:00 a.m. Central Time).

This call is being webcast by CCBN and can be accessed at Brinker International’s web site at www.brinker.com.

The webcast is also being distributed over CCBN’s Investor Distribution Network to both institutional and individual investors. Individual investors can listen to the call through CCBN’s individual investor center at www.companyboardroom.com or by visiting any of the investor sites in CCBN’s Individual Investor Network. Institutional investors can access the call via CCBN’s password-protected event management site, StreetEvents (www.streetevents.com).

Brinker International either owns, operates, franchises, or is involved in the ownership of restaurants under the names Chili’s Grill & Bar, On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, and Maggiano’s Little Italy.

Brinker International Inc. will spend $100 million to improve the kitchen technology at its Chili’s Grill & Bar chain, one of several “transformational changes we are going to make to our business,” chief executive Doug Brooks said Friday.

Brooks updated analysts on the future of the Dallas-based company, one day after announcing plans to slim down from three chains to two. Brinker plans to sell On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina to an affiliate of San Francisco-based Golden Gate Capital.

Also Friday, Brinker, which also owns Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurants, raised its profit outlook, boosted its dividend by 27 percent and added $250 million to its stock buyback authorization.

For the 2010 fiscal year, which ends in June, the company estimates profits before special items will be $1.40 to $1.44 a share. That’s down 3 percent to flat compared with fiscal 2009. But it’s higher than the previous guidance of $1.15 to $1.30 a share.

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Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT) today estimates earnings per diluted share, before special items, of $0.41 to $0.44 for the company’s third quarter ended Mar. 24, 2010 as compared to earnings per diluted share, before special items, of $0.45 for the third quarter of fiscal 2009. On a GAAP basis, earnings per diluted share are estimated to be $0.38 to $0.41 for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to $0.34 for the third quarter of fiscal 2009. Comparable restaurant sales are estimated to decline between 3.5 to 4.5 percent for the third quarter. For the third quarter of fiscal 2010, special items of approximately ($0.03) per diluted share consist primarily of lease termination charges related to the company’s decision in the second quarter of fiscal 2010 to close underperforming restaurants. For the third quarter of fiscal 2009, special items of ($0.11) per diluted share were primarily related to lease termination charges and severance.  

For the third quarter of fiscal 2010, earnings before special items were impacted by costs related to the rollout of the new menu at Chili’s, significant weather events and lower than expected tax expense. The costs associated with implementing the new Chili’s menu lowered earnings by approximately $5.0 million before tax, weather negatively impacted comparable restaurant sales by approximately 100 basis points, mostly in the month of February, and the resolution of certain tax positions resulted in a positive impact of approximately $3.0 million to tax expense. Excluding the impact of weather, the company experienced an improvement of approximately 150 basis points in March comparable restaurant sales as compared to January and February combined.

Brinker previously announced that it has entered into a purchase agreement with OTB Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of Golden Gate Capital, to sell its On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina® brand. The company expects the transaction to close by the end of fiscal 2010 and anticipates recording a gain upon completion of the transaction. Due to the pending sale, the results of On The Border will be presented as discontinued operations in the company’s financial statements beginning with the third quarter fiscal 2010 Form 10-Q filing. Brinker has agreed to provide transitional corporate support services to On The Border through the end of fiscal 2011 which will generate additional fees to offset the internal cost of providing the services.    

Earnings per diluted share, before special items and On The Border, are estimated to be $0.36 to $0.39 for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to earnings per diluted share, before special items and On The Border, of $0.40 for the third quarter of fiscal 2009. Comparable restaurant sales excluding On The Border are estimated to decline between 3.5 to 4.5 percent for the third quarter.

Fiscal 2010 Outlook

For the full-year fiscal 2010, the company estimates earnings per diluted share, before special items,  to range from a three percent decline to flat compared to fiscal 2009, or $1.40 to $1.44 as compared to $1.44 in the prior year, before special items and excluding Macaroni Grill. Current expectations of fiscal 2010 earnings per diluted share, before special items, are higher than the previous guidance of a range of $1.15 to $1.30 presented in connection with the release of the company’s fourth quarter fiscal 2009 results. The revised outlook is based on a projected decrease in comparable restaurant sales of approximately one to two percent for fiscal 2010. This compares to the company’s previous estimate of a decrease of two to four percent. Fiscal 2010 includes a 53rd week versus 52 weeks in fiscal 2009.

Earnings per diluted share, before special items and On The Border, are projected to range from a six to three percent decline compared to fiscal 2009, before special items and excluding On The Border and Macaroni Grill, or $1.20 to $1.24 for fiscal 2010 compared to $1.28 in the prior year. Excluding On The Border, comparable restaurant sales are expected to decline one to two percent for the fiscal year.

The company believes that providing fiscal 2010 earnings per diluted share guidance excluding other gains and charges and On The Border from its financial results provides a clearer perspective for investors into the company’s ongoing operating performance.  

Capital Allocation

The company remains committed to returning capital to shareholders through the payment of quarterly dividends and ongoing share repurchases while maintaining an investment grade rating. Effective with the fourth quarter fiscal 2010 payment, the company will increase the quarterly dividend by 27 percent from $0.11 to $0.14 per share. Brinker will use a 40 percent dividend payout ratio as a guideline to provide additional return to shareholders. The fourth quarter dividend will be paid on July 1, 2010 to shareholders of record as of June 17, 2010. Brinker’s Board of Directors has also authorized an additional $250 million of share repurchases, which brings the total available authorization to $310 million. Management will repurchase shares with the proceeds stemming from the On The Border divestiture as well as with excess free cash flow over time as the business results permit.

Forward Calendar

• Third quarter earnings release, prior to market open on April 20, 2010.
• Third quarter conference call, via a live webcast at 9 a.m. on April 20, 2010.
• SEC Form 10-Q for third quarter fiscal 2010 filing on or before May 3, 2010.

About Brinker International

Brinker, International Inc. is one of the world’s leading casual dining restaurant companies. Founded in 1975 and based in Dallas, Texas, Brinker currently owns, operates, or franchises 1704 restaurants under the names Chili’s® Grill & Bar (1,499 restaurants), On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina® (160 restaurants) and Maggiano’s Little Italy® (45 restaurants). Brinker also holds a minority investment in Romano’s Macaroni Grill®.

Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT) has entered into a purchase agreement with OTB Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of Golden Gate Capital, to sell its On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina brand. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Brinker expects the transaction to close by the end of fiscal 2010, subject to the completion of customary closing procedures. Brinker anticipates recording a gain upon completion of the transaction.

Brinker has agreed to provide transitional corporate support services to On The Border through the end of fiscal 2011, which will generate additional fees to offset the internal cost of providing the services. Moelis & Company LLC, is acting as Brinker’s exclusive financial advisor in connection with this transaction.

“On The Border is well positioned to build on its current success and we are confident it will be a great addition to the Golden Gate portfolio,” said Doug Brooks, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Brinker International. “This decision enhances long term value for our shareholders and we believe that On The Border will continue to thrive under new ownership.”

“On The Border is a strong leader in Mexican Casual Dining,” said Joshua Olshansky, a Managing Director at Golden Gate Capital. “We are enthusiastic about the Company’s significant growth opportunities and we are very pleased to partner with the On The Border team to continue the success of the brand.”

Golden Gate Capital is a San Francisco-based private equity firm. Over the last five years, Golden Gate has completed over 20 acquisitions in the specialty retail and restaurant sectors with combined annual revenue in excess of $4 billion, including such well known brands as Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Express, Eddie Bauer, and J.Jill.

About Brinker International

Brinker, International Inc. is one of the world’s leading casual dining restaurant companies. Founded in 1975 and based in Dallas, Texas, Brinker currently owns, operates, or franchises 1704 restaurants under the names Chili’s(R) Grill & Bar (1,499 restaurants), On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina(R) (160 restaurants) and Maggiano’s Little Italy(R) (45 restaurants). Brinker also holds a minority investment in Romano’s Macaroni Grill(R).

About On The Border Grill & Cantina

On The Border is a full-service, casual dining Mexican restaurant brand with 160 restaurants. The menu offers a wide variety of Mexican favorites, with a focus on fresh, signature and value-oriented Mexican items. The menu includes fresh new salads like the Citrus Chipotle Chicken Salad; a new, signature OTB Fresh Grill; a Fajita Grill with new, customizable, top-quality fajitas; and a refreshed OTB Taco Stand introducing indulgent items like Taco Melts and fresh classics like Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos. The menu is complemented by a full offering of beverages like the Perfect Patron margarita, the fresh, Shaken Margarita and the new Sangria. On The Border offers full bar service, in-restaurant dining and signature patio dining in all locations. On The Border also offers the convenience of a To-Go menu and To-Go entrance to expedite take-out service. In addition to To-Go, On The Border offers catering service, from simple drop-off delivery to full-service event planning. For more information, visit http://www.ontheborder.com.

About Golden Gate Capital

Golden Gate Capital is a San Francisco-based private equity investment firm with approximately $8 billion of assets under management. Golden Gate is dedicated to partnering with world class management teams and targets investments in situations where there is a demonstrable opportunity to significantly enhance a company’s value. The principals of Golden Gate Capital have a long and successful history of investing across a wide range of industries and transaction types. For more information, visit http://www.goldengatecap.com.

Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT), will be hosting its 2010 Analyst Meeting in Dallas on Friday, March 26, 2010 beginning at 8:30 a.m. CDT.    

A simulcast of the presentation will be available on the company’s web site – www.brinker.com.  An online replay of the presentation will be available until May 26, 2010.  To access the live simulcast of the presentation, please go to the company’s Web site at least 15 minutes prior to the presentation to download and install any necessary audio software.

The subjects to be covered may include forward-looking information.  Questions may be posed to management by attendees at the meeting, and in response, the company may disclose additional information.

At the end of the second quarter fiscal year 2010, Brinker International either owned, operated, or franchised 1,712 restaurants under the names Chili’s® Grill & Bar, On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina® and Maggiano’s Little Italy®.  Brinker also holds a minority investment in Romano’s Macaroni Grill®.

Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT), parent company of  Chili’s® Grill & Bar, On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina® and Maggiano’s Little Italy®, congratulates two of its national charitable partners, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® and Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, for being ranked among the most trusted nonprofits in America. Make-A-Wish Foundation®, a third Brinker charitable partner, was named to the Top 10 list of brands to which Americans are most likely to donate.

Each year, Brinker brands rally to raise funds and awareness for their selected national charitable partners. In September, as part of the Create-A-Pepper to Fight Childhood Cancer campaign, Chili’s encourages guests to color the signature Chili’s pepper for a donation of $1 or more to St. Jude. The brand also donates 100 percent of profits the last Monday of the month, all in part to reach Chili’s 10-year, $50 million commitment to St. Jude.

Decked out in pink from floor to ceiling during its Fiesta for the Cure campaign, On The Border sponsors restaurant events and gathers donations throughout October to help raise funds for Susan G. Komen. Maggiano’s touts chef-created dishes guests can purchase, with a portion of the proceeds going directly to its charitable partner Make-A-Wish, during the Eat-A-Dish for Make-A-Wish campaign each May.

In the recently released 2010 Harris Poll EquiTrend® survey conducted by Harris Interactive, St. Jude, one of the world’s premier pediatric cancer research centers, located in Memphis, Tenn., was ranked as the most-trusted nonprofit brand. Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a global leader in the support of breast cancer research headquartered in Dallas, Texas, took second place in the survey. The two charities also ranked highest in the brand equity category, with Komen finishing first and St. Jude finishing second.

“As a valued partner in our Chili’s Create-A-Pepper to Fight Childhood Cancer Campaign, St. Jude and its commitment to lifesaving work continue to inspire and motivate us. This national recognition demonstrates that St. Jude has a similar impact on the general public,” said Kelli Valade, SVP and COO of Chili’s Grill & Bar and On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina. “Susan G. Komen and Make-A-Wish included, we applaud all three of our national Brinker charitable partners and the great work they do.”

Partnerships such as those with St. Jude, Susan G. Komen and Make-A-Wish stem from Brinker International’s commitment—both at the corporate level and within each of its brands—to giving back to those who need support. Giving back to the communities where its employees live and work is one of Brinker International’s core values, as reflected in its employee-established Brinker Family Fund (BFF). This fund, a 501(c)3 organization that provides support to team members and their families in times of need, is completely funded, managed and distributed by Brinker team members.

About Brinker International

Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT), is one of the world’s leading casual dining restaurant companies, serving more than 1 million guests daily. Founded in 1975 and based in Dallas, Texas, Brinker owns or franchises more than 1,700 restaurants in 29 countries and two territories, and employs more than 125,000. Brinker restaurant brands include Chili’s® Grill & Bar, On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina® and Maggiano’s Little Italy®. Brinker also holds a minority investment in Romano’s Macaroni Grill®. The company was named one of FORTUNE Magazine’s Most Admired Food Service Companies in 2009 and was honored by the magazine as one of the Top 50 Employers for Minorities and the Top 50 Employers for Women. For more information, visit http://www.brinker.com.

Mamma Mia! Maggiano’s Little Italy® introduces their “Menu For Two” – a fixed-price, chef-inspired, three-course menu all for just $40. Available now at participating nationwide locations, Maggiano’s invites guests to select from a list of signature appetizers or salads and four new entrees. Then top off the great meal with a choice of daily handmade desserts.

Start the meal by sharing one half-size portion of Maggiano’s appetizers: Crispy Zucchini Fritte, Tomato Bruschetta or Stuffed Mushrooms. Want a lighter fare? Try two side salads like the Chopped, Caesar or Maggiano’s salad.

For the main course, each person chooses their own entree. Making its debut on Maggiano’s menu is a Balsamic-Glazed Salmon baked on cedar paper and served with a Mediterranean orzo with pine nuts. Also featured is the Braised Veal Pasta, savory pieces of slow-braised veal tossed with tender, fresh-herb pasta, mushrooms, spinach and topped with garlic and herb cheese. Other highlights include guest favorites of Chicken Romano with Angel Hair Pasta, Shrimp Scampi with Angel Hair Pasta and Chicken & Mushroom Lasagna.

For dessert, Maggiano’s Menu For Two showcases an assortment of decadent options. Pick one regular serving size dessert to share, or four delectable mini-desserts including Tiramisu, Crème Brulee, Apple Crostada, Chocolate Zuccotto Cake, New York Style Cheesecake or try the Dessert of the Day.

“In these hard economic times, it’s not easy to afford a meal out, but this chef-inspired menu showcases the very best Maggiano’s has to offer and at an affordable price,” said Edithann Ramey, director of marketing for Maggiano’s Little Italy. “This menu is so delicious and so perfectly priced, that you can join us for any day of the week.”

Menu for Two is offered for a limited time and is available only when dining in at Maggiano’s for lunch or dinner. Guests may join Maggiano’s e-mail list to receive coupons, announcements about special promotions and events and much more, at www.maggianos.com.

About Maggiano’s Little Italy

Maggiano’s Little Italy specializes in Italian-American cuisine served in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Maggiano’s menu features both classic and contemporary recipes – authentic pastas, signature salads, prime steaks, fresh seafood, regular chef specials and specialty desserts. Maggiano’s 44 nationwide locations offer lunch or dinner, carryout service, delivery and banquet spaces for special occasions. Maggiano’s is one of three restaurant brands in the portfolio of Dallas-based Brinker International (NYSE: EAT), one of the world’s largest casual dining companies, with more than 1,700 restaurants in 29 countries and two territories. Other Brinker restaurant brands include Chili’s® Grill & Bar and On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina®. Brinker also holds a minority investment in Romano’s Macaroni Grill®. For more information, visit www.maggianos.com.

Maggiano’s Little Italy(R) officially welcomes Austin residents and Hill Country visitors today with its grand opening at The Domain. This is the first Maggiano’s Little Italy to open in Austin and fifth location in Texas, bringing the total number of Maggiano’s restaurants to 45 locations worldwide.

The new Maggiano’s is boosting the economic climate in Travis County by adding more than 165 employment opportunities, including full- and part-time and more than 10 managerial positions.

Maggiano’s Little Italy offers made-from-scratch, classic dishes inspired by Italian-American recipes, prepared with a contemporary twist by Maggiano’s Austin executive chef Matt Nicholson. The warm, nostalgic atmosphere is reminiscent of the golden age of Little Italy. Dining spaces set in richly polished mahogany wood are accented by leather banquettes draped with red-checkered tablecloths. The family portraits adorning the walls invite guests to become part of the Maggiano’s family.

In partnership with Chef Nicholson is managing partner John Gerarde, who will oversee restaurant operations. Gerarde and Nicholson both have impressive resumes of restaurant industry experience and most recently held positions at the Maggiano’s in Dallas and Tampa, Fla., respectively.

“Maggiano’s specializes in authentic Italian-American cuisine, but our passion is making people feel special, and is one of the many reasons I love working for this company,” said Gerarde. “Austin is a thriving area with a laid-back, ‘big city meets small town’ feel and is the perfect location for our neighborhood restaurant. We’re excited to open our doors and invite our friends and neighbors to dine with us for birthdays, anniversaries or any Wednesday night when they don’t feel like cooking.”

Maggiano’s menu is diverse, featuring an array of signature pastas and baked specialties like Rigatoni “D(R)” and Mom’s Lasagna or the popular “family-style” endless three-course meal, where guests can choose from 15 appetizers, four salads, 18 pastas, 15 entrees and nine desserts. Maggiano’s Austin will also introduce the “Today and Tomorrow” offering, where guests choose from a selection of handmade pastas and baked specialties and go home with a free carryout order to enjoy tomorrow. Their second selection will be packaged and ready to go at the end of their meal.

Understanding the importance of guests’ special dietary needs, Maggiano’s talented culinary team will also be able to customize dishes to accommodate those with food allergens, such as wheat, rye or nuts.

The 17,200-square foot facility features seating for 600 guests and boasts three private banquet rooms accommodating an additional 220 people for special events such as wedding receptions, business meetings and luncheons. Hosting a meeting or gathering in a home or separate venue? Whether guests are hosting a small, intimate dinner at home or a larger event for families or coworkers, Maggiano’s offers delivery of its freshest Italian-American favorites with set-up included.

Located at 10910 Domain Drive in The Domain shopping center, Maggiano’s offers lunch, dinner, carryout, delivery and spacious banquet spaces for any occasion. The bar and dining areas are open from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday – Thursday; 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon – 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Ample parking, including complimentary valet, is available. For more information or to make a reservation, call Maggiano’s Little Italy at (512) 501-7870 or visit www.maggianos.com.

About Maggiano’s Little Italy

Maggiano’s Little Italy specializes in Italian-American cuisine served in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Maggiano’s menu features both classic and contemporary recipes – authentic pastas, signature salads, prime steaks, fresh seafood, regular chef specials and specialty desserts. Maggiano’s nationwide locations offer lunch or dinner, carryout service, delivery and banquet spaces for special occasions. Maggiano’s is one of three restaurant brands in the portfolio of Dallas-based Brinker International (NYSE: EAT), one of the world’s largest casual dining companies, with more than 1,700 restaurants in 29 countries and two territories. Other Brinker restaurant brands include Chili’s(R) Grill & Bar and On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina(R). Brinker also holds a minority investment in Romano’s Macaroni Grill(R). For more information, visit www.maggianos.com.

With television networks dedicated to all things food, specialty grocery stores selling the freshest produce and meats, and hundreds of dining options on every corner, today’s diners are smarter and expect the best. Consumers want dishes prepared daily with care, expertise and quality ingredients. Chili’s Grill & Bar is rising to those elevated expectations with the launch of a new menu, introducing 25 new items and revised recipes of guest favorites.

More than 100 blogs are dedicated to barbequing, and a little less than half focus solely on perfecting barbeque ribs – with topics ranging from smoking procedures to sauces. It’s no secret consumers crave them, and it’s no secret that Chili’s has been serving up the best Baby Back Ribs for nearly 25 years. Now, those ribs are even better than ever. Slow-smoked in-house over pecan wood chips for a sweet, smoky flavor, Chili’s new ribs are then triple-basted with savory BBQ sauces until they’re fall-off-the-bone tender.

Ribs aren’t the only category on Chili’s menu where consumers will find elevated recipes and ingredients. Handcrafted sandwiches like the new BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich are kicking up the flavor profile. Fresh-cut spicy cole slaw, caramelized onions and Gouda top pulled pork, served on the guest’s choice of a sesame seed or wheat bun. Perfecting the sandwich is Chili’s own sweet and tangy Shiner Bock BBQ sauce made from Shiner Bock beer. Brewed in Shiner, Texas since 1909, Shiner Bock is a famous Texas native like Chili’s.

“We’re taking the time to make it like our guests would at home – so they don’t have to – by making handcrafted dishes featuring excellent ingredients,” said Wyman Roberts, president of Chili’s Grill & Bar. “Our bold flavors reach new heights with revised recipes, and more than 75 percent of the menu has been transformed giving our guests new options.”

Taking a fresh look on salads, Chili’s is bringing back a guest favorite with a twist. The new Caribbean Salad features fresh pineapple and mandarin oranges, dried cherries and cilantro on a bed of crisp lettuce. These craveable flavors are hand-tossed together and topped with honey-lime dressing.

Chili’s Bottomless Express Lunch speaks to guests looking for more variety at lunch as well as great value. Served with freshly made chips and house-made salsa; guests can pair the house salad with one of Chili’s delicious soups – all bottomless – for only $6.49. Start with Chili’s house salad – now featuring hand-chopped lettuce topped with freshly cut tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers and fire-roasted corn, grilled for a smoky kick. Then pick from any of Chili’s hearty soups, like the new Chicken & Green Chile Soup, loaded with chicken smoked in-house, green chiles, tomatoes and rice and accented with cilantro and avocado slices.

Chili’s Grill & Bar is the flagship brand of Dallas-based Brinker International, Inc., a recognized leader in casual dining. Chili’s offers a fun, energetic atmosphere and a distinct, fresh mix of grilled American favorites at more than 1,500 locations in 29 countries and two territories. Other Brinker brands include Maggiano’s Little Italy and On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina. Brinker also holds a minority investment in Romano’s Macaroni Grill. For more information, please visit http://www.chilis.com.

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