Norman Brinker

June 3, 1931. Restaurant entrepreneur, born at Denver, CO. Lauded as “the most influential person in the restaurant industry” by Nation’s Restaurant News. Innovator of casual-dining concept of full-service for middle-class customers. Mainstreamed the salad bar. Created Steak & Ale (1966), conceived Bennigan’s (1978) and grew Chili’s from 28 restaurants to 1,000-location chain from 1984–2001 under Brinker International, which also includes Maggiano’s Little Italy and On the Border Mexican Grill. Initial funder and board member of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, created by wife and named for her sister in 1982. Died June 9, 2009, at Colorado Springs, CO.

See more events for Jun 3, 2011.