Take a look back at NRN.com’s most popular stories for 2009. The 20 most-read headlines of the year tackle several subjects, from the impact of the recession to an outlook for 2010’s dining trends. Other heavy-hitters included new menu items, value offerings and the ad campaigns that had everyone talking.

Click here for a video tribute to Brinker from NRN’s Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators Conference, or MUFSO.

To help celebrate Brinker’s legacy NRN also announced the creation of a new industry award, "The Norman," which will be presented annually to an industry leader who follows the well known mentoring and leadership traits that Brinker embodied.