Norman Brinker, the man who changed America’s definition of casual dining out, died on vacation Tuesday. The chairman emeritus of Brinker International Inc. and its retired chief executive was 78. 
Brinker was with his wife, Toni, in Colorado Springs celebrating his birthday last Wednesday when he aspirated food. He succumbed to aspirated pneumonia early Tuesday morning.
“Through his teachings and guidance, and leadership, Norman changed the whole restaurant industry,” said retired Dean Foods Inc. vice chairman Pete Schenkel, one of Brinker’s closest friends. “He was a real entrepreneur, a very caring person and someone you were always glad to see because he had a smile on his face.”
At one time or another, virtually every major food chain in the country has been led by a former employee of Brinker, said Doug Brooks, chief executive of Brinker International. Just two examples: Outback Steakhouse and Houston’s were founded by Brinker protégés.
Brinker, who started out as a busboy in Southern California, moved to Dallas in the early 1960s with his first wife, tennis great Maureen Connolly Brinker, who died in 1969.
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