Brinker retired as chairman of Dallas-based Brinker International in 2000. The company now has 1,700 restaurants in 27 countries, including the On the Border and Maggiano's chains. Brinker started with a coffee shop in Dallas in the 1960s. He developed the concept for Steak & Ale casual restaurants, with its popular salad bars. He also developed the Bennigan's chain. He bought Chili's and expanded it, taking his company public in 1983.
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