Norman Brinker

Norman Brinker was born in Denver Colorado and at age 10 moved with his parents to a farm in New Mexico. He graduated from Roswell High School and paid his own way to New Mexico Military Institute where he subsequently won a berth on the United States International Equestrian team.

Brinker entered the United States Navy where he was a member of the 1952 U. S. Olympic Equestrian team that competed in Helsinki, Finland. Two years later, he joined the U. S. Modern Pentathlon team and competed in the world championships in Budapest, Hungary.

After honorably discharged from the Navy, Brinker enrolled in the marketing program at San Diego State University. Brinker graduated with honors in 1957 while working his way through college selling cutlery door-to-door and managing a clothing import business he started.

In 1962 he became a general partner in Jack-in-the-Box Restaurants Brinker relocated to Houston for the company’s expansion in Texas. Brinker left Jack-in-the-Box Restaurants and started a new company, Steak and Ale, which initiated such innovations as a salad bar and quality dining at affordable prices.

In 1976 Steak and Ale merged with The Pillsbury Company and Mr. Brinker became Executive Vice President, Board member and largest individual stockholder in the company.

In 1982 Norm Brinker became Chairman of The Pillsbury Restaurant Group, the world’s second-largest restaurant organization, which included Burger King, with total sales approaching $4 billion.

In 1983 Norm Brinker resigned from the post of Pillsbury’s Chairman and invested in Chili’s, Inc., a Dallas-based restaurant company operating 23 units with $35 million in sales and became the company’s CEO.

During the 80s Chilis had grown to be recognized in many areas of the country and new concepts were emerging. In 1990, Chili’s named Brinker International and would subsequently be called “the mutual fund of casual dining—stemming from a powerful portfolio of outstanding concepts which included Chili’s Grill and Bar, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Corner Bakery Cafe, Big Bowl Asian Kitchen and Rockfish Seafood Grill. A number of the concepts won the “Hot Concept of the Year” awards by Nations Restaurant News.

In 1995, Brinker International had grown to over 1,400 restaurants worldwide with 90,000 employees and system-wide sales exceeding $3 billion annually.

In 2000 Norm Brinker became Chairman Emeritus. His legacy lives on as Brinker International has grown today to nearly 1,500 restaurants with sales of $4 Billion, operating in 49 states and 22 countries.

As an advocate of the free enterprise system and believer in giving back to society Norm Brinker is active in a wide range of community and civic affairs. In addition, he is a strong supporter of the arts having served on the boards of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, and Dallas Civic Open. He also established a philanthropic trust that contributes to higher education and medical research.

Brinker is founder and owner of the Willow Bend Polo and Hunt Club and has traveled throughout the world playing exhibition matches. He is a past Chairman of the United States Polo Association.

Among his numerous recognitions, Norm Brinker has won the Horatio Alger Award, has been named Entrepreneur of the Year by Venture Magazine, inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame, has been named Restaurateur of the Year three times, as well as being recognized as Business Statesman of the Year by Venture Magazine.

Co-author of “On the Brink: The Life and Leadership of Norman Brinker,” and an individual who has overcome extreme adversity, Norm Brinker has been called a “visionary” by the New York Times and a wonderful human being for his philanthropy.