Industry Veteran Steve Provost Will Retire
After Nearly Four Decades
DALLAS, July 20,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Brinker International, Inc.
(NYSE: EAT) today announced Steve
Provost, executive vice president and president of its
Italian casual dining brand, Maggiano's Little Italy®,
will retire at the end of August
2023.
"Steve is a one-of-a-kind, humble and courageous leader with an
incredible presence and knack for storytelling that will be
missed," said Kevin Hochman,
president and CEO, Brinker
International and president of Chili's® Grill
& Bar. "He is leaving the brand in a stronger position, having
continued the legacy of making both Guests and Teammates feel
special, and I am grateful for his leadership and the wonderful
foundation he and the team built."
Provost joined Brinker in 2009 as senior vice president of
marketing and brand strategy, Maggiano's, and later that year
became brand president, leading strategy and overseeing growth and
development, operations, marketing, culinary and PeopleWorks.
During his eight-year tenure as president, Maggiano's drove 21
consecutive quarters of same restaurant sales growth. He was
promoted to executive vice president and chief marketing officer of
Chili's in 2017 where he launched the brand's everyday value
platform, brought back the famous Baby Back Ribs jingle and
invested in digital marketing. In 2018, Provost took on a new role
as chief concept officer, leading supply chain management, driving
strategic growth and culinary innovation – and conceiving and
launching Brinker's first virtual brand, It's Just Wings. In 2020, he resumed his role as
Maggiano's president, helping lead the brand out of COVID-19 with
stronger sales and profits than
pre-pandemic.
Prior to joining Brinker, Provost served in leadership roles in
marketing, operations, franchise and concept development for
multiple brands, including Quizno's, PepsiCo and Yum! Brands.
"My first restaurant job was as a 16-year-old dishwasher in
Montpelier, Vt. Decades later, I
have been fortunate to end my restaurant career with a company that
embodies the Norman Brinker spirit of hospitality and servant
leadership," Provost said. "To travel the country helping bus
tables and wash dishes at a restaurant chain as beloved as
Maggiano's is an honor for anyone who loves restaurants as much as
I do. This journey has been the ultimate privilege."
The company will conduct an external search for a president who
will work with the team to protect what makes Maggiano's special,
modernize the brand for today's consumer needs and accelerate its
growth.
About Brinker
Brinker International, Inc. is one
of the world's leading casual dining restaurant companies and home
of Chili's® Grill & Bar, Maggiano's Little
Italy® and a virtual brand: It's Just
Wings®. Founded in 1975 in Dallas, Texas, we've ventured far from home, but
stayed true to our roots. Brinker owns, operates or franchises more
than 1,600 restaurants in 30 countries and two U.S. territories.
Our passion is making people feel special, and we hope you feel
that passion each time you visit one of our restaurants or invite
us into your home through takeout or delivery. Learn more about
Brinker and its brands at brinker.com.
About Maggiano's Little Italy
Maggiano's Little Italy
specializes in Italian-American cuisine served in a warm and
friendly atmosphere. Maggiano's menu features both classic and
contemporary recipes – authentic pastas, signature salads, steaks,
fresh seafood, regular chef specials and specialty desserts.
Maggiano's 52 restaurants nationwide offer lunch and dinner as well
as delivery, carryout services and banquet spaces for special
occasions. Follow news about Maggiano's
on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest.
For additional information, including the restaurant nearest you,
please visit maggianos.com.
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SOURCE Brinker International Payroll Company, L.P.