Brinker names new Chilis franchise in Southeast

<p>Brinker International said Tuesday it has reached a franchise-development agreement with Bonnaroo Restaurant Group to open up to 15 new Chilis Grill & Bar casual restaurants in South Carolina and Georgia.</p><p>Wilson Craft, president of Chilis, said Bonnaroo is among the first Chilis franchise partners to target smaller cities and towns. He said Chilis is looking to expand beyond suburbs to towns outside metropolitan areas.</p><p>Bonnaroo, based in Athens, Ga., is led by Greg Cyrier, a 20-year restaurant industry veteran and former Brinker manager.</p><p>Dallas-based Brinker operates more than 900 Chilis locations and Romanos Macaroni Grill, On The Border Mexican restaurants and other eateries.</p><p>Brinker shares were up 9 cents to $37.92 in midday trading on the New York Stock Exchange.</p>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/3/175136