As 1975 dawns, Greenville Ave. in Dallas is a sleepy, dusty, two-lane road, with little to attract people looking for a different kind of dining experience.

March 1975

Larry Lavine, a classic entrepreneur and a true “foodie,” converts a former postal station at the corner of Greenville and Meadow Road into a neighborhood burger joint called “Chili’s Grill & Bar.” And that’s where our story begins.

1975 forward

Word spreads quickly about our famous Chili’s gourmet burgers. And how our friendly young staff serves big baskets of fries. Frosty mugs of beer. Frozen Margaritas. Namesake bowls of Red. Soon, long lines appear for lunch and dinner, usually winding around our building and down the block.

Enter the 1980s

Chili’s is now the name in Dallas for casual dining with a twist. We’re known as a funky place to kick back, enjoy great food and drinks, and soak up our off-beat atmosphere. We fill our walls with classic posters and chili cook-off photos. We hang plants and greenery overhead. We fashion lighting out of copper kettles. And we string an odd assortment Texas memorabilia from our ceiling.

1983

We’re now 25 restaurants strong, in six states. Our success catches the eye of Norman Brinker, the driving force behind some of America’s most famous restaurant chains. Norman joins our company that same year as Chairman and CEO.

1984

Under Norman Brinker’s leadership, Chili’s goes public. And the rest, as they say, is history.

1989

Our company expands beyond the Chili’s brand for the first time, adding the Italian classic dishes served by “Romano’s Macaroni Grill,” named for its founder, Phillip J. Romano.

1991

We change our name from Chili’s to Brinker International, Inc., reflecting our expanding influence and dominance in the casual dining marketplace.

1994

We acquire the chain “On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina,” giving Brinker International a link to innovative Mexican fare and spurring the restaurant’s appeal and growth.

1995

We bring “Maggiano’s Little Italy” aboard the Brinker express, adding their Italian American cuisine and signature dishes to the variety of tastes our guests can now enjoy by selecting from four distinct Brinker brands.

Closing out the Millennium

By the end of 1999, what began as a one-restaurant wonder, has now mushroomed into a wondrous worldwide system of great foods, great fun and great growth, all under our own unique Brinker umbrella.

Brinker in the 21st century

Today, our restaurant brands are truly international – we’ve grown to more than 1,800 restaurants in 24 countries on four continents. We’re guided by the steady, strategic hand of Doug Brooks – President, CEO and one of our longest-serving “BrinkerHeads.” And we’re focused more than ever on Serving the world a great taste of life through the Power of Welcome™.