Brinker International Inc., parent of Chili’s Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy, has named 7-Eleven chief executive Joseph M. DePinto to its board.
Doug Brooks, Brinker's president, chief executive and chairman, said DePinto “brings with him vast knowledge of the operations-driven hospitality and retail industry.”
He also cited DePinto’s experience growing a brand globally — 7-Eleven has 38,400 corporate, franchised and licensed convenience stores worldwide, about 8,200 of which are in North America. Brinker executives said earlier this year that it plans to expand Chili’s casual-dining footprint abroad.
DePinto becomes Brinker’s ninth board member after James Oesterreicher, the retired chairman of J.C. Penney Co., left Brinker’s board last October.
DePinto has served in executive roles at GameStop Corp. and Thornton Oil and held several positions at KFC, Brinker said. He also serves on the boards of 7-Eleven and OfficeMax Inc.
Brinker operates or franchises more than 1,500 restaurants in 30 countries and two territories. It also holds a minority investment in Romano's Macaroni Grill.
Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].