Marketing leadership shift at Brinker (NYSE: EAT) boosts C-suite pay
Filing Impact
Filing Sentiment
Form Type
8-K
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Brinker International promoted George Felix to Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, expanding his role to oversee marketing for both Chili’s Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy. His compensation includes a $600,000 base salary, a target bonus of 75% of salary, and expected annual equity awards valued at $750,000 in RSUs and performance-based RSUs.
The Board also increased compensation for Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Mika Ware, setting her salary at $675,000, with a 75% target bonus and expected annual equity awards valued at $900,000. The company highlights Felix’s marketing impact since 2022, noting Brinker’s market capitalization grew from $1.3 billion to $6.25 billion as of March 2, 2026 during his tenure.
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
Current Report
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 26, 2026
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SECTION 5 - CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
On February 26, 2026, Brinker International, Inc. (the “Company”) promoted George Felix, to the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. In this role, Mr. Felix will provide leadership and oversee strategy and execution of marketing programs and initiatives at both Chili’s Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy. Mr. Felix previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the Company with responsibility for the Chili’s brand since July 2022. In his expanded role as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. Felix will earn an annual base salary of $600,000. He will be entitled to participate in the Company’s annual Bonus Plan with a target bonus of 75% of his base salary, and will be eligible for grants of equity-based awards under the Company’s Stock Option and Incentive Plan (“SOIP”), with his annual award expected to be a value of $750,000 granted in a mix of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance-based RSUs.
On February 26, 2026, the Board of Directors of the Company also approved a compensation increase for Mika Ware, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, to reward her high performance and to bring her total compensation closer to the median for her role among the Company’s compensation peer group. Ms. Ware will earn a salary of $675,000 and continue to be entitled to participate in the Company’s annual Bonus Plan with a target bonus of 75% of her base salary. She will also be eligible for grants of equity-based awards under the Company’s SOIP, with her annual award expected to be a value of $900,000 granted in a mix of RSUs and performance-based RSUs.
Ms. Ware and Mr. Felix will continue to be eligible for other benefits to which executive officers are entitled, as described in the Company’s most recent proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 3, 2025.
There are no family relationships between either Mr. Felix or Ms. Ware and any director or executive officer of the Company, and Mr. Felix and Ms. Ware have no direct or indirect material interest in any transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
A copy of the Press Release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
SECTION 9 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. | ||||
(d) Exhibits.
99.1 Press Release dated March 2, 2026
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation | |||||||||||
| Dated: March 2, 2026 | By: | /s/ KEVIN D. HOCHMAN | |||||||||
| Kevin D. Hochman, | |||||||||||
| Chief Executive Officer and President | |||||||||||
| and President of Chili’s Grill & Bar & Maggiano’s Little Italy | |||||||||||
| (Principal Executive Officer) | |||||||||||
EXHIBIT 99.1
Brinker International Promotes George Felix to EVP, Chief Marketing Officer
Felix to apply category-leading discipline and marketing vision to both Chili’s and Maggiano’s
DALLAS, March 2, 2026 — Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT) today announced the promotion of George Felix to Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, overseeing marketing for both Chili's® Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy.®
Felix joined Brinker in 2022 as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Chili’s, with a successful track record of making legacy brands exciting again. His vision, strategy and leadership brought creative and authentic marketing to Chili’s that helped return the brand to category leadership in both sales and traffic growth – resulting in Brinker International’s market capitalization increasing from $1.3 billion at the start of his tenure to $6.25 billion as of March 2, 2026. He also partnered with Chili’s operations to help simplify and improve execution so that food and service at Chili’s is as good in the restaurants as it looks in advertising.
In his expanded role, Felix will continue to lead marketing at Chili’s and will now bring that same strategic vision to Maggiano’s. As part of the “Back to Maggiano’s” strategy, he will focus on clarifying the brand’s positioning and improving execution to drive stronger performance. Felix will help Maggiano’s to deliver Italian-American favorites abundantly served with warm and attentive service that makes our guests feel like family.
“George has proven that when you deeply understand your guests and stay relentlessly focused on what makes a brand special, extraordinary results follow. His leadership has shaped the entire guest experience and delivered sustainable results by making Chili’s more relevant than ever,” said Brinker CEO and President Kevin Hochman. “Elevating him to lead marketing for both brands reflects our confidence in his ability to apply a proven playbook to Maggiano’s and accelerate performance.”
Felix has received accolades across the industry, including being named one of Fast Company’s 2025 CMOs of the Year, Ad Age 2025 CMO of the Year, ADWEEK 2024 Marketing Vanguard award winner, among others.
Felix will continue reporting to Brinker CEO and President Kevin Hochman.
About Brinker International, Inc.: (NYSE: EAT) is one of the world’s leading casual dining restaurant companies and proud home to two beloved brands: Chili’s® Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy®. Brinker has grown to own, operate or franchise more than 1,600 restaurants across 31 countries and two U.S. territories – serving bold flavors, handcrafted drinks, and genuine hospitality along the way. Brinker is proud to have been named the top workplace in Dallas-Fort Worth by both the Dallas Business Journal and The Dallas Morning News in 2025, and CEO Kevin Hochman was awarded the 2025 IFMA Gold Plate Award and named a Barron’s 2025 Top 25 CEO in the world. Brinker brands continue to earn national recognition as well with Chili’s being honored in 2025 with placements on the Fast Company Brands that Matter and Inc. Best in Business lists and named Ad Age Brand of the Year among other honors. The purpose is simple: to make everyone feel special – whether it’s a celebration over sizzling fajitas or a casual night enjoying Italian favorites with family. Learn more about our brands, our culture, and our people at brinker.com and on LinkedIn.
FAQ
What executive changes did Brinker International (EAT) announce?
Brinker International promoted George Felix to Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer overseeing Chili’s and Maggiano’s, and increased compensation for Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Mika Ware, aligning her pay more closely with the median of the company’s compensation peer group for her role.
What is George Felix’s new compensation package at Brinker International (EAT)?
George Felix will receive a $600,000 base salary, a target bonus equal to 75% of salary, and annual equity-based awards under the Stock Option and Incentive Plan expected to total $750,000 in a mix of restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units.
How did Brinker International (EAT) adjust CFO Mika Ware’s compensation?
Mika Ware’s salary was set at $675,000, with a target bonus of 75% of her base salary. She is also eligible for annual equity awards under the Stock Option and Incentive Plan expected to total $900,000 in restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units.
What results does Brinker International attribute to George Felix’s marketing leadership?
Brinker cites George Felix’s marketing strategy for helping return Chili’s to category leadership in sales and traffic growth and notes the company’s market capitalization increased from $1.3 billion at the start of his tenure to $6.25 billion as of March 2, 2026.
Do George Felix or Mika Ware have related-party relationships at Brinker International (EAT)?
The company states there are no family relationships between George Felix or Mika Ware and any director or executive officer, and that they have no direct or indirect material interest in transactions requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
What benefits remain available to Brinker International (EAT) executives Felix and Ware?
Both executives remain eligible for the same general benefits offered to Brinker’s executive officers, as described in the company’s most recent proxy statement filed with the SEC on October 3, 2025, in addition to their salaries, bonuses, and equity-based awards.
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Brinker Intl Inc