Bridgeman will head up the new venture,Louisville-based ERJ Dining, which signed an agreementwith Chili's franchisor, Dallas-based BrinkerInternational Inc. ERJ Dining will focus onLouisville, Lexington and Paducah markets, says TroyHanke, a spokesman for Bridgeman. The agreement callsfor the development of 18 restaurants and theacquisition of four existing Kentucky Chili'slocations in the Louisville and Lexington markets.

"There are about 40 Applebee's (Restaurants) in theterritory, so Chili's has vastly under-penetrated,"Hanke tells GSR. "We are looking to developunder-penetrated markets, and we've always thoughtthat Chili's is a strong brand that would do wellhere."

Hanke expects that the first few new restaurants willbreak ground later this year and early 2006. "Noletters of intent have been signed," he says, addingthat the ERJ Dining is just now scouting outdevelopment sites. Greg Cloud will direct Chili'soperations for ERJ Dining. Cloud previously spent morethan a decade managing Applebee's operations inLouisville for franchisee Whit-Mart Inc.