Brinker franchisee buying 76 Chili's restaurants

LOS ANGELES, May 31 (Reuters) - Brinker International Inc. (EAT.N) said on Thursday that franchisee ERJ Dining will buy 76 existing Chili's Grill & Bar restaurants and develop 49 new locations in the U.S. Midwest, according to a new agreement. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The deal is slated to close by the end of calendar 2007 and would make Louisville, Kentucky-based ERJ, which currently operates 25 Chili's restaurants and has four additional restaurants in development, one of the largest Chili's franchisees in the country.

((Reporting by Lisa Baertlein; Reuters Messaging: lisa.baertlein.reuters.com@reuters.net; mail to:lisa.baertlein.reuters.com@reuters.net; +1 213 955 6742)) Keywords: BRINKER CHILIS/

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