Brinker International Names Chief Marketing & Innovation Officer of Chili’s

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Brinker International, Inc. has promoted Steve Provost to executive vice president and chief marketing and innovation officer of Chili’s® Grill & Bar. He previously served as president of the Maggiano’s brand.

“In looking for the right leader for our Chili’s culinary and marketing teams, we were fortunate to reach within Brinker’s talented senior leadership team,” says Kelli Valade, executive vice president and president of Chili’s. “I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside Steve for the past 8 years.”

Provost joined the Brinker family in 2009 as senior vice president of marketing for Maggiano’s Little Italy® and later that year transitioned to serve as brand president. In the past 8 years, Maggiano’s drove 23 consecutive quarters of sales growth, opened new, more efficient restaurants, more than doubled profitability and increased financial returns to the highest level in the brand’s history. In its 25th year, Maggiano’s continues to be recognized for its differentiated dining experience.

Prior to Brinker, Provost held various marketing positions as executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Quiznos®, senior vice president of franchising and vice president of marketing for Kentucky Fried Chicken®, and chief marketing and innovation officer for Long John Silver’s and A&W brands.

As Provost transitions, the Maggiano’s brand will be co-led by Vice Presidents Genifer Gray and Larry Konecny, who have been promoted to chief operations officer and vice president and chief concept officer, respectively. Gray and Konecny have progressed through various leadership positions with the brand over the past 15 years, most recently leading the development and successful launch of the biggest menu change in the brand’s 25-year history.

Dallas-based Brinker International, Inc. is one of the world’s leading casual dining restaurant companies. Founded in 1975, Brinker has approximately 1,658 restaurants under the names Chili’s® Grill & Bar (1,606 restaurants) and Maggiano’s Little Italy® (52 restaurants).

SOURCE: Brinker International, Inc.

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