EAT

Brinker International, Inc.

A restaurant company behind the Chili's Grill & Bar chain, whose first location opened in Dallas in 1975 selling big, no-frills burgers. The brand was bought in 1983 by Norman Brinker, a legend of the casual-dining world, and the firm was renamed Brinker International in 1991 to signal its growth into other concepts like Maggiano's Little Italy. Fun fact: the company's name comes from Brinker, not from any food—and its founder Larry Lavine started Chili's to serve affordable, hearty American and Tex-Mex fare.