Diener, Roberts add new titles at BrinkerDiener, Roberts add new titles at Brinker

Ron Ruggless

DALLAS Brinker International Inc. announced several executive changes Wednesday at its casual-dining concepts, including that Todd Diener, president of Chili’s Grill & Bar, would assume the additional role of president of On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina.

Diener succeeds Dave Orenstein, who Brinker said had resigned as president of the 165-unit Mexican chain.

In addition, the company said Wyman Roberts, president of the 44-unit Maggiano’s Little Italy division, would add the additional role of chief marketing officer for Brinker International. He fills a position that has been open since Rebeca Johnson left in February 2008.

The company said Roberts would lead marketing and culinary activities for all three Brinker brands. Prior to joining Brinker International in 2005, Roberts served in executive marketing roles for Universal Parks & Resorts and Darden Restaurants Inc. of Orlando, Fla.

Diener has been with Brinker and its concepts for 27 years. He was named president of Chili’s in 1998. Chili’s has about 1,495 units.

The company said in a statement that the organizational changes were “designed to maximize leadership talent and create additional synergies across its portfolio of brands.”

Doug Brooks, president and chief executive of Brinker, said: “Todd and Wyman are tremendous leaders with vast experience in the operations, marketing and culinary fields. They are uniquely qualified to lead change at Brinker as we strive to be the globally dominant casual-dining restaurant portfolio company.”

Brooks thanked Orenstein for his service, adding, “Over the past two decades, Dave made many contributions to the On The Border brand and to Brinker.”

The executive changes come about a month after Brinker laid off 155 employees, including 55 at its corporate office. Officials said at the time that the reorganization would allow the company to focus on its three core brands. Brinker last December completed the sale of a majority interest in its Romano’s Macaroni Grill chain. In late 2008, Brinker closed 47 restaurants. Thirty-five more restaurants were slated to close by mid-March, the company said in January.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].