DALLAS, March 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Brinker
International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT), today announced Steve Provost has been named executive vice
president and chief marketing and innovation officer of Chili's®
Grill & Bar. In this role, Provost will lead the brand's
consumer insights, culinary innovation and marketing teams.
"In looking for the right leader for our Chili's culinary and
marketing teams, we were fortunate to reach within Brinker's
talented senior leadership team," said Kelli Valade, executive vice president and
president of Chili's. "I've had the pleasure of working alongside
Steve for the past eight years. His tenure as a BrinkerHead,
coupled with his thorough understanding, experience and love of
marketing, made it an easy decision for him to lead our Chili's
marketing and innovation efforts."
Provost joined the Brinker family in 2009 as senior vice
president of marketing for Maggiano's Little Italy® and later that
year transitioned to serve as brand president. In the past eight
years, Maggiano's drove 23 consecutive quarters of sales growth,
opened new, more efficient restaurants, more than doubled
profitability and increased financial returns to the highest level
in the brand's history. In its 25th year, Maggiano's continues to
be recognized for its differentiated dining experience with awards
like America's top five favorite chain restaurant and America's
favorite place for special occasions from Technomic and the number
one most allergy-friendly large chain from AllergyEats.
Prior to Brinker, Provost held various marketing positions as
executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Quiznos®,
senior vice president of franchising and vice president of
marketing for Kentucky Fried Chicken® and chief marketing and
innovation officer for Long John Silver's and A&W brands.
As Provost transitions, the Maggiano's brand will be co-led by
Vice Presidents, Genifer Gray and
Larry Konecny, who have been
promoted to chief operations officer and vice president and chief
concept officer, respectively. Gray and Konecny have progressed
through various leadership positions with the brand over the past
15 years, most recently leading the development and successful
launch of the biggest menu change in the brand's 25-year
history.
Brinker International, Inc. is one of the world's leading casual
dining restaurant companies. Founded in 1975 and based in
Dallas, Texas, as of the fiscal
second quarter ended Dec. 28, 2016,
Brinker owned, operated or franchised 1,658 restaurants under the
names Chili's® Grill & Bar (1,606 restaurants) and Maggiano's
Little Italy® (52 restaurants).
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SOURCE Brinker International, Inc.