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): December 19, 2008

 

BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

6820 LBJ Freeway

Dallas, Texas 75240

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code  972-980-9917

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o            Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425).

 

o            Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12).

 

o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)).

 

o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)).

 

 

 

Section 8 – Other Events.

 

Item 8.01.  Other Events.

 

On December 19, 2008, Brinker International, Inc. (“Registrant”) issued a Press Release announcing that Registrant and Mac Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of San Francisco-based Golden Gate Capital, closed the previously announced transaction for the sale of a majority interest in Romano’s Macaroni Grill.  A copy of this Press Release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.

 

Section 9 – Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)     Exhibits.

 

99              Press Release, dated December 19, 2008.

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

	BRINKER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Date: December 22, 2008	By:	/s/ Douglas H. Brooks
		Douglas H. Brooks, Chairman of the Board
		President and Chief Executive Officer

 

2