DALLAS, July 22 TX-Brinker-appeal
DALLAS, July 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Brinker International, Inc.
(NYSE: EAT) announced today that a California Court of Appeal has issued an
opinion in Brinker Restaurant Corp. v. Superior Court of San Diego County
which included rulings favorable to the company related to meal and rest
breaks. In its opinion, the Court found that Brinker had the obligation to
"make available" meal and rest breaks to its employees, but did not have the
obligation to "ensure" that they were taken. In doing so, the Court ruled that
the case cannot proceed as a class action.
"We are pleased that the Court of Appeal ruled that the trial court should
not have certified a class in this case, and agrees with Brinker's
understanding of the legal standards for providing meal and rest breaks,"
stated Roger Thomson, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Brinker
International. "We look forward to the case's return to the trial court for
action on the remaining individual issues."
About Brinker International
Brinker International, Inc. is one of the world's leading casual dining
restaurant companies, serving more than 1 million guests daily. Founded in
1975 and based in Dallas, Texas, Brinker owns or franchises more than 1,800
restaurants in 24 countries and employs more than 120,000. Brinker restaurant
brands include Chili's Grill & Bar, Romano's Macaroni Grill(R), On The Border
Mexican Grill & Cantina(R) and Maggiano's Little Italy. The company was named
one of FORTUNE Magazine's Most Admired Companies in 2006 and was honored by
the magazine as one of the Top 50 Employers for Minorities and the Top 50
Employers for Women. For more information visit http://www.brinker.com.
SOURCE Brinker International, Inc.
