Brinker International Announces Favorable Reaction To California Supreme Court Decision

DALLAS, April 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Brinker International announced today that the California Supreme Court has issued an opinion in Brinker Restaurant Corp. et al v. The Superior Court for the State of California for the County of San Diego. The decision resolves the legal standards to be applied to California meal period and rest break class actions.

"Brinker is very pleased with the California Supreme Court's ruling," said Roger Thomson, executive vice president and general counsel of Brinker International.

"We're glad to finally have resolution on the proper legal standards for meal period and rest breaks in our California restaurants. At Brinker, we pride ourselves on creating a positive work environment for our team members. Policies, including those for meal period and rest breaks, are and will continue to be, reflective of that commitment."

"The California Supreme Court effectively truncates the Hohnbaum class action lawsuit and allows Brinker and our team members to focus on what we do best – providing food, service and warm hospitality to more than 1 million guests a day," added Thomson.

"Today the California Supreme Court defined key aspects of California's meal and rest period laws – especially, that employers need not force their employees to take meal periods they would prefer to skip," said Rex Heinke, Partner at Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld and Brinker's lead attorney before the California Supreme Court. 

"The Court's definitive resolution of these critical issues offers clear and much-needed guidance not only to Brinker and their team members, but to hundreds of thousands of employers and employees statewide," said Heinke. "It has been a pleasure to represent Brinker in this historic case, and we are delighted with the California Supreme Court's decision, which will benefit all California employers and employees."

Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT), 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 1,500 restaurants in 32 countries and two territories. Brinker restaurant brands include Chili's® Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy®. Brinker also holds a minority stake in Romano's Macaroni Grill®. For more information, visit www.brinker.com.

 

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