Norman Brinker, a pioneer in casual dining, died Tuesday morning while vacationing in Colorado Springs, Colo.
The chairman emeritus of Brinker International Inc., parent to the Chili's Grill & Bar chain, was 78. He died of pneumonia complications after inhaling a piece of food last week. Services are scheduled for Sunday and Monday in Dallas.
Brinker created such casual-dining concepts as Steak & Ale in 1966 and Bennigan's in the 1970s and changed the way America ate.
Douglas H. Brooks, chairman of Brinker International Inc., said, "He was a guy who built all these restaurants and restaurant companies, but I think his legacy will be more about the people that he touched, the people that he nurtured, the people that he developed, the people that he encouraged. That's what Norman Brinker will be remembered most for.
"He had this amazing to ability to be a successful businessman, but because he was an athlete he wanted to win," Brooks said. "Being successful was important, but his personality was aggressive. The other side of him was this sweet, wonderful, caring human being. He was the best I ever knew of balancing both of those within the same body."
Brinker, who started his restaurant career with Jack in the Box restaurants when it had just seven units, later opened his own Brink's coffee shop in Dallas and then opened Steak & Ale in February 1966. The casual-dining concept, with such innovations as a salad bar and college students as servers, went public in 1971 with 28 units.
In 1976, Steak & Ale, then with 109 restaurants, merged with The Pillsbury Co. and Brinker became an executive vice president and board member of Pillsbury. He also was instrumental in developing the Bennigan's concept.
In 1982, Brinker was named president of the Pillsbury Restaurant Group, overseeing Burger King, Steak & Ale, Bennigan's and Poppin Fresh restaurants.
He left Pillsbury in 1983 to invest in Chili's Inc., growing the chain from 28 units. The name was changed to Brinker International Inc. in 1991, and the company now has more than 1,700 restaurants under the Chili's, On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina and Maggiano's Little Italy brands.
Brooks said Brinker's success was based on "integrity and with honor."
"He was respected as much by the people who worked for him as much as the people who competed against him," Brooks said. "He treated everyone with respect, from the dishwasher on up. He understood how the little things turned into the big things."
Brinker was a lifetime equestrian, participating in the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki as part of the U.S. equestrian team. He also competed in 1954 with the U.S. modern pentathlon team in the world championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Apolo accident in January 1993 left Brinker in a coma for three weeks, but he recovered to return to work on May 1 of that year. He retired from Brinker International in 2001, but retained the title of chairman emeritus.
He received numerous awards throughout his career, including one from the Horatio Alger Association and the Nation's Restaurant News Operator of the Year honor in 1982 and the Pioneer Award in 1992.
Dawn Sweeney, president and chief executive of the National Restaurant Association, said in a statement: "Today the restaurant industry mourns the loss of a true industry icon. Norman Brinker was not only a successful restaurateur and businessman, he was a mentor that so many industry leaders have looked to throughout their careers for guidance and leadership.
"His first job was as a busboy, and he rose to become one of the most well-known restaurant CEOs in the industry's history. Norman truly embodied the entrepreneurial spirit, and his innovations in casual dining in many ways changed the way America eats out today.
In a 2007 interview, Brinker talked about his skills that made him successful. "I care about people," he said. "I want them to do better and to extend their abilities. I'm determined in my mind to help them do the best they can do. And want them to have fun. I've always tried to make work like play and play like hell.
"Mentors care about people," Brinker continued. "They want see them succeed and get ahead. If they choose to leave, you don't have to like it but you wish them well. You have long-standing relationships with people. I look back at people in my restaurants and many of them remain good friends."
The people he worked with, Brinker added, were honest and smart. He quipped, with his hearty chuckle: "Remember: Sinners can repent, but stupidity is forever."
As for his position as a pioneer in the industry, Brinker said: "I think my legacy is attracting quality people and having them go on and do things on their own or as a group. Training and teaching them how to do it."
Other industry leaders have a similar role to nurture their successors, Brinker said. "There is a real responsibility there to keep on mentoring their followers," he said. "That’s the only way we can keep things going. All of us want things to be bigger and better and in a direction where people can have fun."
Amemorial service for Brinker has been scheduled for Monday, June 15, at the 2,300-seat Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St., in Dallas. A viewing will be held from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 14, at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 W. Northwest Highway, in Dallas.
If you would like to share favorite memories of Norman Brinker, send them along with your contact information to Ron Ruggless at [email protected].
