Chili's Grill & Bar Introduces Lighter Choices Menu Featuring Delicious, Lighter Entrees With the Same Bold Chili's Taste

Dallas, TX  (RestaurantNews.com)  Chili’s® Grill & Bar introduces a new Lighter Choices menu with seven bold entrees that, in addition to being delicious, also happen to nutritious and flavorful. The Lighter Choice items are featured on HealthyDiningFinder.com and meet HealthyDiningFinder’s nutrition criteria: not more than 750 calories, 25 grams fat and 8 grams saturated fat.

Seven menu items complete the Lighter Choices menu – three of which are new – and satisfy the needs from health-conscious guests, while maintaining the bold, Southwestern flavors they’ve come to expect from Chili’s entrees. Chili’s listened to guest feedback about providing healthier options on the menus.

The new Lighter Choices section, featured prominently on the menu, includes a Quick Response (QR) code linking to online nutritional information. With the use of their smartphone, guests scan the code located on the menu to access the calories, fat and saturated fat for each Lighter Choice item in an easy-to-read mobile friendly format. The use of the QR code is an added convenience for guests to retrieve the nutritional information they need to make healthier decisions about their meal selections.

“Guests at Chili’s tell us they want options to meet their lifestyle and dining occasion needs at both lunch and dinner,” said Edithann Ramey, senior director of marketing for Chili’s Grill & Bar. “Our new Lighter Choice menu gives them options lower in fat, saturated fat and calories while still delivering on our Chili’s signature bold flavors.”

Chili’s Lighter Choices entrees are (*denotes new menu item):

• *Grilled Chicken Salad – grilled chicken with cheese, tomatoes, black beans, corn relish and honey-lime vinaigrette served atop field greens (420 calories);
• Lighter Choice Santa Fe Chicken Wrap – with corn, tortilla strips, avocado and tomatoes. Served with steamed broccoli, and a side of low-fat ranch (680 calories);
• Lighter Choice Grilled Chicken Sandwich – with tomato, lettuce and non-fat honey mustard dressing on a wheat bun. Served with steamed broccoli (610 calories);
• *Lighter Choice 6 ounce Classic Sirloin – 100 percent USDA Choice sirloin with carne asada rub and pico de gallo. Served with steamed broccoli (260 calories);
• Margarita Grilled Chicken – classic Margarita-flavored grilled chicken with hints of lime and citrus, served with rice, black beans, tortilla strips and house-made pico de gallo (550 calories);
• *Sweet & Spicy Chicken – Habanero and sweet orange glaze brushed over grilled chicken with onions and peppers. Served with rice and steamed broccoli (670 calories);
• Lighter Choice Grilled Salmon with Garlic & Herbs – served with rice and steamed broccoli (480 calories).

Chili’s Grill & Bar is the flagship brand of Dallas-based Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT), 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 31 countries and two territories. Brinker’s wholly-owned restaurant brands include Chili’s® Grill & Bar, and Maggiano’s Little Italy®. Brinker also holds a minority investment in Romano’s Macaroni Grill®. Follow news about Chili’s on Facebook at www.facebook.com/chilis, @Chilis on Twitter and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/chilis. For more information, please visit www.chilis.com.

Engaged To Be Married? Say 'I Do' To Maggiano's Bliss List Contest

Dallas, TX  (RestaurantNews.com)  New Year’s Eve proposals and upcoming Valentine’s Day engagements will have wedding bells ringing soon for couples across the country. Maggiano’s Little Italy®, a popular venue for weddings, rehearsal dinners, showers and bridal luncheons, wants to make one lucky couple’s special moment even more memorable by awarding them a Sandals® Resorts vacation during the brand’s first ever “Bliss List” contest. Weddings are a time of celebration and in the spirit of Maggiano’s tradition of connecting with friends and family, the brand is offering another incentive to the list of prizes. In addition to the grand prize, entrants qualify to win private, wedding events hosted at one of Maggiano’s 44 nationwide locations.

Love is in the air and before they meet at the altar, engaged couples nationwide are encouraged to capture their blissful moments by providing a photo and an essay of 250-words or less, listing the top five things they’d like to experience together during their marriage. The couples’ experiences can range from people they would like to meet, places they want to visit, skills they want to develop together, and the like.

Happy couples have until February 29, 2012 to display their love and affection and submit entries to the “Bliss List” contest site. Maggiano’s will select finalists from the list of submissions and judge the essays based on a number of criteria, including unique experience ideas, as well as creative descriptions and photography. Once confirmed, Maggiano’s will post the finalists’ stories online where everyone is encouraged to solicit votes for their favorite couple.

The couple who receives the most votes at the end of the voting period on March 30, 2012, will win a grand prize 5-day, 4-night stay at a Luxury Included® Sandals Resorts in the Caribbean, with airfare included. Second and third place winners will receive a $3,500 and $1,500 credit toward a banquet event at Maggiano’s, respectively.

Banquet spaces at Maggiano’s 44 nationwide locations are the ideal venues to host wedding events – from engagement parties, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, receptions, or day-after brunches – and feature several wedding packages to accommodate groups of all sizes. Happily engaged couples can expect generous made-from-scratch Italian specialties, wine selections from Chateau St. Jean, favors for each of their guests, and of course, Maggiano’s hospitable service. Contact (877) 350-3721 to speak to Maggiano’s banquet sales manager for the nearest restaurant and package information.

For additional information about the “Bliss List” including official contest rules, please visit http://blisslist.maggianos.com. To inquire about hosting a wedding event at Maggiano’s, check out http://weddings.maggianos.com for banquet package details.

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 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. (NYSE: EAT), one of the world’s leading casual dining restaurant companies, serving more than one million guests daily. Brinker owns or franchises more than 1,500 restaurants in 32 countries and two territories. In addition to Maggiano’s, Brinker owns and operates Chili’s^® Grill & Bar and holds a minority investment in Romano’s Macaroni Grill^®. For more information, visit www.maggianos.com.

This year, however, as shoppers bob and weave from store to store based on deals, some big chain restaurants fear they’ll choose their lunch and dinner outings the same way. National chains such as Brinker International that over sees Chili’s Grill & Bar and DineEquity’s Applebee’s and IHOP are using more discounts and advertising than in past years. It’s a fight of epic proportion for that cost-cutting consumer dollar.

Continue reading . . .

Brinker International Awards Top Honor to 19-Year Chili's Veteran Rob Morris, General Manager of Chili's in Searcy, Arkansas

Dallas, TX  (RestaurantNews.com)  For his commitment to operational excellence and making people feel special, Brinker International, Inc., (NYSE: EAT) parent company of Chili’s® Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy®, named Rob Morris, General Manager of Chili’s in Searcy, Ark., as the company-wide general manager of the year.

In its sixth year of existence, the Brinker GM of the Year award is a nationwide, cross-brand honor that is a part of the company’s 5-Star Challenge program, designed to reward top performing managers for profitability in their restaurants. Results are tracked and communicated each quarter, and at the end of each fiscal year, managers whose results are in the top five percent from Chili’s and Maggiano’s become members of the 5-Star Chairman’s Club. All members of the Chairman’s Club receive bonuses such as cash, vacation trips and are eligible for the GM of the Year award.

Morris was selected for this honor based on key results, including outstanding performance and profit achievements, guest and team member engagement scores, as well as demonstrated commitment to his surrounding community. As the winner, he receives the coveted Norman Brinker Cup – a crystal trophy named in honor of the late restaurant industry icon and company namesake, Norman Brinker – to display in the restaurant, a one-year lease on a new Lexus and $25,000. Additionally, all team members at his restaurant in Searcy will enjoy a special party and a cash bonus.

“Rob has been a part of our Chili’s family for 19 years and his contributions have helped drive our company’s success,” said Wyman Roberts, president of Chili’s Grill & Bar. “He embraces and exemplifies what it means to be a true leader for the brand and personifies everything we envision an outstanding general manager to be.”

An Arkansas native, Morris has been the general manager of the Searcy Chili’s since it opened in 2006. He effectively achieved profitable results even amid operating in an untraditional location with the absence of a bar area, all while faced with unpredictable economic times. In addition to running a highly-successful restaurant, he still has time to lead volunteer efforts for Chili’s. His restaurant is involved with numerous local and national charities, from supporting local schools and tornado relief efforts to Special Olympics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, March of Dimes and more.

The runner up for this year’s award is Rachael Paul, managing partner of Maggiano’s in Nashville, Tenn. She has been with the company five years, first joining the Nashville team in 2006 as Maitre D’ and was promoted to managing partner earlier this year. In addition to representing The Maggiano’s Way, the brand’s cultural principles, she produced positive results for the restaurant; including doubling her team’s engagement scores by listening to their feedback and fostering new directives to help them enhance the guests’ experiences. Paul is also a pillar in her community, supporting several service organizations, such as Tin Pan South, which benefits local Nashville songwriters and artists, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation®.

“Rachael lives and breathes all that is The Maggiano’s Way,” said Steve Provost, president of Maggiano’s Little Italy. “She has an extraordinary ability to be successful in all she does – whether it’s leading her team, making our guests feel special, or being a beacon in her community. In five short years in Nashville, she’s become an integral part of the Maggiano’s team. Rachael is indeed a rising star.”

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 1,500 restaurants in 32 countries and two territories. Brinker restaurant brands include Chili’s® Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy®. Brinker also holds a minority stake in Romano’s Macaroni Grill®. For more information, visit www.brinker.com.

Restaurant News Bites: 2012 Menu Trends, Breakfast, Restaurant Domain Names

The National Restaurant Association has released its report on the trends that will shape menus the most in 2012. The top trends include seafood and meat from local sources, healthier meal options for children, allergy conscious foods and sustainability as a main theme. As consumers are becoming more concerned about the ingredients in each dish, chefs are changing to accommodate them.

New information from Technomic shows that dining out for breakfast is on the rise. Breakfast sales generate about $42 billion in sales each year and this number is growing. Any restaurant that can provide a fast and convenient way to fuel up in the morning can join in on this growing trend and improve their profits.

A plan by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers to roll out a new domain name system is being strongly opposed by the National Restaurant Association. If approved, the new plan could cost restaurants huge amounts of money as they would be forced to apply for and register new domain names in order to protect their trademarks and brands.

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Cosi, Inc. has appointed Carin Stutz as their newest Chief Executive Officer. Stutz resigned her position as President of Global Business Development for Brinker International to take the position with Cosi. While at Brinker, she oversaw operations and franchise development for 240 Chili’s and Maggiano’s restaurants worldwide.  She has also held executive positions with Applebee’s International, Wendy’s International, Sodexo and NutriSystem.

P.F. Chang’s is testing a new prototype in Irving, California. The restaurant in the Irving Spectrum Center was recently renovated to give it a unique look. The menu now focuses primarily on small plates and specialty Asian dishes and has a wider selection of wines, drinks and loose leafed brewed tea.  The new store will serve as testing ground for new beverages and dishes which may see national rollouts.

Starbucks released a mobile payment program about a year ago which allows customers to pay for purchases with their smart phone. Since that release, over 26 million transactions have taken place in the 9,000 U.S. locations. Nearly $2.5 billion dollars were loaded onto the payment app for use during 2011.

Domino’s Pizza processed over 1 million orders in the week following Thanksgiving this year through its mobile and web ordering apps. The company has been accepting mobile and web orders for four years and generates about 30% of all orders.

Burger King is bringing the new Coca-Cola Freestyle machine to its restaurants around the country. The Freestyle offers over 100 unique drink combinations.  Burger King will be the largest franchise system in America to offer the fountains in all company owned restaurants.

Brinker International Executive Steps Down to Accept CEO and President Role at Cosi, Inc.

Dallas, TX  (RestaurantNews.com)  Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT) today announced Carin Stutz, President of Global Business Development, has resigned her position to step into the role of Chief Executive Officer and President of Cosi, Inc. (NASDAQ: COSI).

“During her tenure with Brinker, Carin built upon her solid operations and franchising background as she rose through the leadership ranks for our Global Business Development team,” said Doug Brooks, President and Chief Executive Officer of Brinker International. “Carin’s expertise helped our global team build a strategic road map which we’ll continue to follow to meet our aggressive international expansion goals.”

“Her track record of successes prepared her well for this next step in her career journey, and we wish Carin all the best in her new role,” continued Brooks.

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 1,500 restaurants in 32 countries and two territories. Brinker restaurant brands include Chili’s® Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy®. Brinker also holds a minority stake in Romano’s Macaroni Grill®. For more information, visit www.brinker.com.

Cosi, Inc. Names Carin Stutz Chief Executive Officer

Deerfield, IL  (RestaurantNews.com)  Cosi, Inc. (NASDAQ: COSI), the premium convenience restaurant company, today announced the appointment of Carin L. Stutz as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer and President beginning January 1.   She also will join the Cosi Board of Directors.

“Carin is a proven leader with deep operational, marketing and business development experience,” said Michael O’Donnell, CEO of Ruth’s Hospitality Group and a member of the Cosi board and search committee. “She is a respected leader with a track record of innovative strategic brand building, and an impressive record of accomplishment, having held leadership positions at several of our industry’s leading companies. Her energetic leadership and broad perspective will drive our company forward.”

Stutz (55) joins Cosi from full-service restaurant leader Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT) where she was President of Global Business Development, leading all aspects of franchise development and operations for 240 Chili’s and Maggiano’s restaurants around the globe.  Prior to joining Brinker, Stutz was Executive Vice President of Operations for Applebee’s International, Inc.  She oversaw more than 1,900 company-owned and franchise restaurants in 49 states. Prior to Applebee’s, she was the Pacific Division Vice President for Wendy’s International; served as Regional Operations Vice President for Sodexo, U.S.A., and was Vice President of Corporate Operations for NutriSystem, Inc.

Stutz holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Illinois University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Mid America Nazarene University.  She is the Chair of the Women’s Foodservice Forum, a leading organization in the food service industry dedicated to developing gender-diverse leadership talent.

“I am thrilled at the opportunity to lead this talented management team and help build a great future for the Cosi brand, our employees, franchise owners, and all who invest in our success,” said Stutz.  ”My mission is to energize the Cosi brand and the guest experience.”

In conjunction with the appointment of the new CEO, the company announced that Board of Directors member Stephen F. Edwards assumes the role of Executive Chair on January 1.  Edwards will work with the company’s management team to refine the long-term strategic plan, explore opportunities to raise capital and communicate with various external constituencies, and will serve as a liaison between management and the Board.  “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Mark Demilio for his leadership as interim CEO through this transition and look forward to continuing to work with him as a member of the Board of Directors,” said Edwards.

About Cosi, Inc.

Cosi® (http://www.getcosi.com) is a national fast-casual restaurant chain that has developed featured foods built around a secret, generations-old recipe for crackly crust flatbread. This artisan bread is freshly baked in front of customers throughout the day in open flame stone hearth ovens prominently located in each of the restaurants. Cosi’s warm and urbane atmosphere is geared towards its sophisticated, upscale, urban and suburban guests. There are currently 80 Company-owned and 57 franchise restaurants operating in seventeen states, the District of Columbia and the United Arab Emirates. The Cosi®vision is to become America’s favorite fast-casual restaurant by providing customers authentic, innovative, savory food.

The Cosi®menu features unique sandwiches, freshly tossed salads, melts, soups, flatbread pizzas, Squagels(R), breakfast wraps and other breakfast products, S’mores, snacks and other desserts, and a wide range of coffee and coffee-based drinks and other specialty beverages. Cosi®restaurants are designed to be welcoming and comfortable with an eclectic environment. Cosi’s sights, sounds, and spaces create a tasteful, relaxed ambience that provides a fresh and new dining experience.

“Cosi”, “(Sun & Moon Design)” and related marks are registered trademarks of Cosi, Inc. in the U.S.A. and certain other countries. Copyright Copyright 2011 Cosi, Inc. All rights reserved.

“SAFE HARBOR” STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995. This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements under the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements about future events and expectations and not statements of historical fact. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “objective,” “seek,” “plan,” “strive,” or similar words, or negatives of these words, identify forward-looking statements. We qualify any forward-looking statements entirely by these cautionary factors. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future economic performance, taking into account the information currently available to management. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or financial condition to differ materially from the expectations of future results, performance or financial condition we express or imply in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could contribute to these differences include, but are not limited to: the cost of our principal food products and supply and delivery shortages or interruptions; labor shortages or increased labor costs; changes in demographic trends and consumer tastes and preferences, including changes resulting from concerns over nutritional or safety aspects of beef, poultry, produce, or other foods or the effects of food-borne illnesses, such as E. Coli, “mad cow disease” and avian influenza or “bird flu”; competition in our markets, both in our business and in locating suitable restaurant sites; our operation and execution in new and existing markets; expansion into new markets including foreign markets; our ability to attract and retain qualified franchisees and our franchisees’ ability to open restaurants on a timely basis; our ability to locate suitable restaurant sites in new and existing markets and negotiate acceptable lease terms; the rate of our internal growth and our ability to generate increased revenue from our existing restaurants; our ability to generate positive cash flow from existing and new restaurants; fluctuations in our quarterly results due to seasonality; increased government regulation and our ability to secure required governmental approvals and permits; our ability to create customer awareness of our restaurants in new markets; the reliability of our customer and market studies; cost effective and timely planning, design and build-out of restaurants; our ability to recruit, train and retain qualified corporate and restaurant personnel and management; market saturation due to new restaurant openings; inadequate protection of our intellectual property; our ability to obtain capital and financing; adverse weather conditions which impact customer traffic at our restaurants; and, adverse economic conditions. Further information regarding factors that could affect our results and the statements made herein are included in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Additional information is available on the company’s website at http://www.getcosi.com in the investor relations section.

Chili's Grill & Bar Spreads Good Tidings and 'HoliDaily' Cheer

Dallas, TX  (RestaurantNews.com)  The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is quickly approaching and Chili’s® Grill & Bar wants to make this time as ‘merry and bright’ as possible through their HoliDaily promotion. Beginning Black Friday (Nov. 25) through Christmas Eve (Dec. 24), Chili’s will offer daily specials – ranging from free appetizers and desserts, to free kids’ meals – designed to ease the strain on guests’ wallets during the holidays.

The coupon-based HoliDaily specials will be promoted through various channels, including a designated section on Chili’s website and to followers on the brand’s Facebook and Twitter pages. Chili’s Email Club members will receive a message alerting them of each week’s offers. Guests have the option to either print off the daily coupons or display them to their server on a smartphone.

In addition to the HoliDaily specials, Chili’s also offers savings on gift card purchases. Now through Wednesday, Dec. 28, guests who purchase $100 or more in gift cards will receive 10 percent off their entire gift card purchase. Chili’s gift cards can be purchased at participating restaurants nationwide as well as online. Choose from four specially designed holiday cards, including a gingerbread-scented card, or guests may customize their own online with an uploaded image and personalized greeting. Guests who order gift card values of $50 or more online will automatically qualify for free shipping. To order a gift card online, log onto Chili’s website and click on “Gift Cards.”

“The holidays are one of the most exciting and busiest times of the year for our guests, their families and friends,” said Edithann Ramey, senior marketing director for Chili’s Grill & Bar. “Whether it’s taking a break from shopping or crossing to-dos off their errands list, Chili’s HoliDaily and gift card offerings are a present to our guests as way to make their lives easier throughout the holiday season.”

Chili’s Grill & Bar is the flagship brand of Dallas-based Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT), 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 32 countries and two territories. Brinker’s wholly-owned restaurant brands include Chili’s® Grill & Bar, and Maggiano’s Little Italy®. Brinker also holds a minority investment in Romano’s Macaroni Grill®. Follow news about Chili’s on Facebook at www.facebook.com/chilis, @Chilis on Twitter and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/chilis. For more information, please visit www.chilis.com.

Maggiano's Little Italy Introduces New Happy Hour Menu

Maggiano’s Little Italy is introducing a new beverage menu, giving guests more options and better value than ever before. With premium offerings at an affordable price, the brand has crafted a happy hour inspired by the Italian-American roots of gathering, sharing and celebrating with friends and family.

Available Monday through Friday from 3–6 p.m. at participating restaurants, the premium happy hour features delectable offerings between $3 and $6:

• At $3, draft beers including Peroni, Stella Artois, Bud Light and, new to Maggiano’s draft selection, Newcastle Brown Ale;
• At $4, made-from-scratch signature flatbreads such as Margherita, Pepperoni and Arugula, Italian Sausage and Chicken and Roasted Pepper;
• At $5, wines by the glass, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot;
• At $6, new signature Classic Cocktails made with fresh juices and premium spirits: Cosmopolitan made with SKYY Infusion Citrus; Lemon Drop made with ABSOLUT CITRON; Pomegranate Martini made with ABSOLUT BERRY ACAI; Primo Margarita made with Patron Silver; Mulberry Street made with Maker’s Mark; and Mojitos made with Bacardi Rum.

“With new energy and revitalization behind our beverage menu, we’re giving our guests another reason to join us and celebrate the company of friends and family with our happy hour,” said Steve Provost, president of Maggiano’s Little Italy. “In addition to including more choices by-the-glass, the entire wine list has been updated. From California Cabernets to Italian Prosecco, and from full-bodied choices to sweet and blush options, our robust offerings have something for everyone.”

The new and extended menu offers more than 40 wines by the glass, including a wider selection of varietals, providing more options to please the palate so guests can find the perfect glass of wine for each course of their meal. The new beverage menu has also added both red and white Sangria in pitchers, further encouraging the Italian-American tradition of family-style dining.

“Sangria is our number one selling cocktail, so it made perfect sense to serve this refreshing beverage by the pitcher to encourage sharing of food and drinks among family and friends, continuing our family-style heritage,” added Provost.

The new premium happy hour is available in the dining room, bar and lounge at participating restaurants. Also available are alcohol-free beverages, including flavored lemonade and Italian soda; coffee and tea; after dinner drinks; dessert wines and ports; aperitifs; and frozen Bellini cocktails.

Monday is Donate Profits Day, when Chili’s will donate 100 percent of profits to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. As part of the eighth annual Create-A-Pepper to Fight Childhood Cancer campaign, every September during National Childhood Cancer Awareness month, Chili’s raises funds for the hospital to benefit its mission of finding cures for children with cancer and other deadly childhood diseases.

Since the inception of the Create-A-Pepper campaign in 2002, more than $35 million has been donated to St. Jude by Chili’s guests and team members, bringing the brand even closer to accomplishing its $50 million, 10-year commitment to the pediatric research hospital. Once completed, Chili’s contribution will be the largest donation from a single partner campaign in St. Jude history.

“Donate Profits Day truly demonstrates the generosity of Chili’s team members and guests,” said Richard Shadyac Jr., CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising organization of St. Jude. “This is such a great way to support the St. Jude mission of finding cures and saving children here in the U.S. and around the world – not only can guests enjoy a delicious meal, but they can help St. Jude in the fight against childhood cancer.”

In addition to dining at Chili’s Monday, guests may also contribute to the campaign in numerous ways including:

• Making a donation to St. Jude and receiving a signature chili pepper coloring sheet;
• Buying a Create-A-Pepper HOPE slap band for only $4*;
• Purchasing a Create-A-Pepper T-shirt for $12*;
• Sending a virtual gift through www.stjude.org/chilisgifts. A virtual gift graphic will automatically post to guests’ Facebook wall when they donate.

Chili’s is also utilizing social and digital methods including email, Facebook and Twitter to provide guests more ways to donate and stay informed during the Create-A-Pepper campaign. Guests can:

• Sign up for Chili’s Email Club to receive exclusive offers, insider information about the campaign;
• Become a fan and donate on Facebook through the specialized Create-A-Pepper tab on Chili’s Facebook page;
• Receive a calendar reminder to dine in-restaurants on Donate Profits Day;
• Stay informed about the Create-A-Pepper campaign by following the brand on Twitter @Chilis. Additionally, by using the campaign hashtag, #CreateAPepper, Chili’s Twitter followers can show their support and see how others are spreading hope for St. Jude!

“ChiliHeads across the country believe in ‘giving back til it hurts,’ and Donate Profits Day is an ideal way to wrap-up our annual Create-A-Pepper to Fight Childhood Cancer campaign for the patients at St. Jude,” said Wyman Roberts, president of Chili’s Grill & Bar. “It’s one day when we come together with our guests to make a difference in the lives of so many children. Please join us, Monday, Sept. 26 – whether dining in or ordering to go – to help find a cure for childhood cancer.”

To learn more or make an online donation to the campaign, visit www.createapepper.com.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering research and treatment of children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The hospital’s research has helped push overall survival rates for childhood cancer from less than 20 percent when the institution opened to almost 80 percent today. It is the first and only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children, and no family ever pays St. Jude for care. For more information, go to www.stjude.org and follow St. Jude on www.facebook.com/stjude and www.twitter.com/stjude.

Chili’s Grill & Bar is the flagship brand of Dallas-based Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT), 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 32 countries and two territories. Brinker’s wholly-owned restaurant brands include Chili’s Grill & Bar, and Maggiano’s Little Italy. Brinker also holds a minority investment in Romano’s Macaroni Grill. Follow news about Chili’s on Facebook at www.facebook.com/chilis, @Chilis on Twitter and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/chilis. For more information, please visit www.chilis.com.

Each September during National Childhood Cancer Awareness month, Chili’s Grill & Bar hosts a nationwide fundraiser for longtime charitable partner, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in an effort to raise $50 million in 10 years to support the St. Jude mission of finding cures and saving children. Throughout the Create-A-Pepper to Fight Childhood Cancer campaign, guests at locations nationwide and in Puerto Rico can help support the lifesaving work of St. Jude through several in-restaurant, digital and interactive promotions. For additional information about the campaign, please visit www.createapepper.com.

*at least 45 percent of the purchase price of each slap band and T-shirt sold will be donated to St. Jude.