H.R. No. 548 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, Members of the Texas Restaurant Association are gathering at the State Capitol on February 22, 2011, and this occasion provides a welcome opportunity to recognize the Brinker International restaurant company for its Texas success story; and WHEREAS, Headquartered in Dallas, the company can trace its origin back to the mid-1970s when the first Chili's Grill & Bar was established at the corner of Greenville Avenue and Meadow Road by entrepreneur Larry Lavine; Chili's was soon attracting long lines around the building and down the block, and within eight years, 25 restaurants had been opened in six states; Norman Brinker, already a force in the American restaurant business, joined the company as chairman and CEO in 1983; and WHEREAS, The company changed its name to Brinker International in 1991 to reflect its expansion, and Brinker now owns more than 1,500 restaurants in 31 countries and 2 territories; in addition to Chili's, the corporation's family of restaurant brands includes Maggiano's Little Italy and Romano's Macaroni Grill; Brinker employs more than 100,000 people and serves more than one million diners every day; operations are directed by chairman, president, and CEO Douglas H. Brooks; and WHEREAS, Brinker International has long been a valuable member of the Texas business community, and it is a pleasure to recognize the company and to pay tribute to its many Texas employees; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby honor the officers, board members, and employees of Brinker International on the occasion of Texas Restaurant Association Day at the State Capitol and extend to all sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Brinker International as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Carter ______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 548 was adopted by the House on February 22, 2011, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House