Brinker franchises 5 more Chili’s to Canadian operatorBrinker franchises 5 more Chili’s to Canadian operator

DALLAS Brinker International Inc. said it has franchised five Chili’s Grill & Bar units in the Toronto area to Top Down Enterprises Inc., an operator of Chili’s restaurants elsewhere in Canada.

Under the terms of the agreement, TDE will open the five restaurants in the Toronto suburbs, which includes the towns of Brampton, Hamilton, Kitchener, Mississauga, Richmond Hill and Oakville. All of the restaurants are expected to be up and running by 2013.

Top Down’s current Chili’s units are located in Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Brinker’s other casual-dining brands include On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina and Maggiano’s Little Italy. It earlier divulged plans to sell its Romano’s Macaroni Grill brand.