May 6, 2005 06:00 America/Denver
Romano's Macaroni Grill to Open in Hawaii Through Five-Unit
Franchise Agreement
DALLAS, May 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Brinker International, Inc.
(NYSE:EAT) , has entered into a franchise development agreement with
veteran restaurateur Randy Schoch that will bring five Romano's
Macaroni Grill to Hawaii, beginning with a November 2005 opening at
Ala Moana Center in Honolulu.
Schoch is principal of Phoenix-based Desert Island Restaurants,
which owns Thaifoon - Taste of Asia, a four-unit Asian casual
restaurant with locations in the Phoenix, Orange County and Salt
Lake City markets. The group also is a franchisee of Ruth's Chris
Steak House, with three locations in Hawaii.
Schoch has established Hawaiian Macaroni, LLC, to develop and
operate the Romano's Macaroni Grill franchises in Hawaii.
"I'm looking forward to introducing Hawaiians to the culinary and
service excellence that has made Macaroni Grill one of America's
favorite casual dining destinations," said Schoch, a longtime Hawaii
resident. "I have no doubt that guests on the islands will embrace
the brand as enthusiastically as they have on the mainland over the
past 17 years."
In signing the five-unit agreement, Schoch becomes the third
domestic franchise partner for Macaroni Grill. Waterloo Restaurant
Ventures, a Portland, Ore.-based franchisee, is developing Macaroni
Grill in the Pacific Northwest, with three restaurants open in
Portland and Seattle and another five planned. And in November 2004,
HMSHost opened its first Macaroni Grill franchise at Orlando
International Airport.
"Randy's extensive and successful track record operating high
quality restaurants and his knowledge of the market make him
precisely the right franchisee to bring our brand to Hawaii," said
Jean Birch, President of Romano's Macaroni Grill. "We're delighted
to have him as a partner in the continued growth of our brand."
Romano's Macaroni Grill is a leading casual Italian restaurant with
more than 230 locations in 40 states and five countries. Macaroni
Grill is part of Dallas-based Brinker International, Inc., which
owns, operates, franchises, or is involved in the ownership of more
than 1,500 restaurants in 24 countries. Other Brinker brands include
Chili's Grill & Bar, On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina,
Maggiano's Little Italy, Corner Bakery Cafe and Rockfish Seafood
Grill.
Source: Brinker International, Inc.
CONTACT: Chris Barnes, +1-972-770-4959, or Louis Adams,
+1-972-770-4967,
both of Brinker International, Inc.
Web site: http://www.brinker.com/
