Brinker International Inc. said Monday it has named Ian Baines senior vice president of strategic innovation for the company and its flagship brand Chili's Grill & Bar and promoted Carin Stutz to president of global business development.
Baines most recently was president and chief executive of the 67-unit Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill of Orlando, Fla. A spokesman for Smokey Bones said Baines' duties would be divided among the senior executive team while the company, a division of Sun Capital Partners, seeks a replacement.
Stutz succeeds John Reale, who resigned from Dallas-based Brinker in November. She joined Brinker in June 2009 as senior vice president and chief operating officer of global business development and later added the title of senior vice president of strategic operations for both global and domestic business. Prior to Brinker, Stutz served as executive vice president of operations for Applebee’s International Inc.
Baines’ appointment marks his return to Brinker, where he previously served as the regional vice president of operations for Romano’s Macaroni Grill, in which Brinker retains a minority interest, and as vice president of operations for the formerly Brinker-owned concept Big Bowl Asian.
In his new position, Baines will oversee Brinker’s kitchen and menu initiatives and remodeling efforts at more than 800 corporate domestic Chili's units.
“Both Ian and Carin's leadership and contributions speak volumes to the successes each have had throughout their careers and we feel that their fresh ideas will bring a beneficial perspective to our organization,” Doug Brooks, Brinker’s president and chief executive, said in a statement.
Brinker operates or franchises more than 1,500 restaurants, including the Maggiano’s Little Italy brand.
Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].