Bennigan's founder Norman Brinker dies

Most diners probably have never heard of Norman Brinker, who died today at the age of 78, but chances are they have been on a date in one of his restaurants -- or at least one of his restaurant concepts.

The chairman emeritus of Brinker International Inc. (EAT) was one of the pioneers of casual dining. In 1966, he used $10,000 and a $5,000 loan to launch Steak & Ale, a chain that went bankrupt in 2008, one of the first such companies to go bankrupt because of the recession. Another Brinker creation, Bennigan's, was also a casualty of the economic slowdown.