Latest news with #Chilis
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
America crowns new favorite restaurant chain as LongHorn Steakhouse dethroned by bitter rival
Texas Roadhouse has been named America's favorite restaurant — beating the likes of Chili's, Olive Garden and its big steakhouse rival. It has beaten longtime rival LongHorn Steakhouse to claim the top spot on the closely watched American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) for sit-down restaurants. The two steakhouses, which both scored 84 on the 2024 list, are now separated by a single point — with Texas Roadhouse notching 84 and LongHorn falling just behind at 83. Olive Garden was third with 81, and Applebee's and Cracker were fourth with 80. Outback Steakhouse, the third major US steakhouse chain, also cracked the top 10 despite a lower satisfaction score of 79, tied with Red Lobster. Chili's was eighth, along with IHOP and Red Robin, with 78. Both Texas and LongHorn had a bumper 2024 as they benefited from inflation-weary Americans seeking out good value meals. They both offer a steak, potatoes and vegetables for $20 to $25. Despite a rocky start to 2025 — including a sluggish 2.9 percent sales gain and weather-related closures — Texas Roadhouse, actually founded in Indiana, has maintained its value positioning in the face of inflation and tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. LongHorn experienced a 4.3% increase in customer traffic and operates over 500 restaurants worldwide Texas Roadhouse, which was founded nearly 30 years ago, now operates 655 restaurants across the United States. LongHorn, owned by Darden Restaurants, has grown into a global steakhouse empire with more than 500 locations worldwide since opening its first restaurant 44 years ago. Their success comes as many competitors falter. Both chains have overtaken Outback Steakhouse in sales In terms of sales, both have overtaken Outback Steakhouse — a dramatic shift for a brand that once dominated the casual steakhouse scene, fueled by the late-1980s Australian craze sparked by Crocodile Dundee. Sales have also fallen at Olive Garden, Starbucks, and TGI Friday's. Last year, Olive Garden also lost its position as the top-grossing US restaurant brand — a spot it had held for seven consecutive years — to Texas Roadhouse. The Italian-inspired chain — famous for its bottomless breadsticks and carb-heavy comfort food, also faced internal turmoil, including employee walkouts over new uniform policies. Meanwhile, Applebee's has been in a prolonged period of contraction, shuttering roughly 300 restaurants between 2016 and 2023 amid rebranding efforts and broader financial challenges. Texas Roadhouse is focusing on offering various low-priced entrees Red Lobster, ranking number eight on the list, closed hundreds of restaurants last year after filing for bankruptcy and exited last September after being purchased by asset manager Fortress. Chili's pulled off ' the best comeback of all time,' and landed in a three-way tie with IHOP and the struggling Red Robin chain. Its next entries, The Cheesecake Factory and Buffalo Wild Wings have had slight dips in sales this year, but not big enough to put them at risk of bankruptcy. Denny's concludes the list with a score of 75, which came after shuttering dozens of restaurants and implementing an egg surcharge. The ACSI rankings, considered a key benchmark of consumer sentiment across major industries, are closely monitored by investors and analysts for signs of shifting brand loyalty and operational performance.
Daily Mail
06-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
The new 'zebra-striping' trend that's changing your favorite restaurants' menus
Young Americans are going wild for the 'zebra-striping' trend, and restaurants and bars are having to adapt their menus. Popular among Gen Z, the trend involves alternating between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages - hence the name inspired by the black and white pattern of a zebra's stripes. Chains like Applebee's and Buffalo Wild Wings are known for offering can't-miss drink deals, and Chili's has been dubbed by some as America's margarita king. However, an abundance of beer and cocktails has slowly become a thing of the past in the eyes of restaurant goers. About 48 percent of alcohol drinkers are actively choosing to drink less, according to IWSR, a global leader in beverage alcohol data. And a study conducted by Restaurant Business' sister brand Technomic showed that among guests who had recently ordered a drink from a bar, 30 percent reported they'd also ordered a non-alcoholic alternative. Restaurants are taking note. Mentions of mocktails on menus are up 37.4 percent since 2019, including a 9.6 percent jump last year alone, according to Technomic. Participants ages 18 to 34 were the ones who were most interested in drinks with zero alcohol, but older consumers were not far behind them. Drinkers may occasionally enjoy Bloody Marys or Mimosas during brunch. Daytime hours are usually when people can find diners paring their alcohol with regular drinks. 'Gen Z and younger millennials are most likely to engage in both alcohol and non-alcohol bar drinks during the same restaurant occasion — to a significant degree — and mocktails/alcohol-free cocktails are the top items paired with beverage alcohol,' said Robert Byrne, senior director, consumer research at Technomic. 'Everything is expensive in the current inflationary environment, but that is likely a small part of the reason behind the trend.' 'I would suggest it is a combination of increased interest in moderation as an important component of an overall healthy lifestyle and experience-seeking behavior,' Byrne added. Barry Thomas, senior global thought leader for Kantar, believes cultural shifts leaning towards a 'sober-curious mindset' is the biggest reason for the change. 'In my generation, Gen X, you'd often say you were going out for a night to forget. Well, not Gen Z. It's about having a night to remember,' Thomas told The Food Institute. Places famous for drink deals like On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina and Hooters filed for bankruptcy this year. However, significant menu shakeups could increase their chances of restaurants' survival. Gen Z restaurant goers may appreciate a new drinks menu that include various non-alcoholic beverages. Mocktails, designed to mimic alcoholic drinks, can help provide a shakeup to a menu suitable for guests looking to enjoy their night. Businesses can also offer different brunch, lunch, and happy hour deals at certain times during the day, with a twist. A possible drink special restaurants can offer would require guests to purchase a mocktail or hand-pressed juice to get an alcoholic beverage for 50 percent off. Both of those beverages could also be paired with food, making it easier for customers to be aware of their surroundings. Diners can also skip the restaurant and mix alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages on flights. According to Byrne, travelers who pair beer and non-alcoholic beer together can have a unique experience while capitalizing on the current trend.
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Surprising restaurant chain claims the title as America's margarita king
Chili's holds the title of America's margarita king after pulling off ' the best comeback of all time.' Margaritas are the top-selling cocktail in the US, and Chili's sells more than any other restaurant brand nationwide. Last year alone, it sold more than 25 million margaritas. Chief marketing officer (CMO) George Felix revealed its iconic margaritas are an important part of the restaurant chain while speaking with Marketing Dive. The beverages also inspired Chili's to walk on the creative side and create a rom-com short film with Lifetime titled 'I'll Be Home for National Margarita Day.' The movie, starring Taye Diggs and Maria Menounos, premiered less than a week before National Margarita Day in February. Chili's also celebrated its fan-favorite Presidente Margarita by releasing a music video as part of its 'Ride the Dente' campaign with Spire Motorsports. The chain is a frequent Talladega Superspeedway sponsor, and it brought a margarita shaker-shaped mechanical bull to a NASCAR event last month. 'It's fun to see the NASCAR audience really get to experience the true meaning of Ride the 'Dente,' Felix said. 'We think that reaching the NASCAR audience with the country music approach seemed like a great fit.' The CMO hinted the brand is currently thinking of ideas for next year's National Margarita Day, and hopes the Lifetime partnership 'spurs more celebrations of a really important holiday.' Until then, Chili's is busy advertising its Radical 'Rita, a limited-time beverage, and May's margarita of the month. The brand recruited 90s icon Tiffani Thiessen to help promote the newest margarita, available for $6 at participating locations until Saturday. Thiessen rose to fame for her role as Kelly Kapowski on Saved by the Bell. 'Everyone knows me from my days on America's favorite '90s sitcom, but what they might not know is that I also love a great margarita — and some of my favorite early memories with my husband were made at Chili's,' she said. 'Chili's really knows how to tap into the spirit of such an iconic decade — one I'm especially fond of — with their Radical 'Rita.' Chili's named its new Radical 'Rita this month's margarita of the month. The drink will be available for $6 until May 31 With May wrapping up, Chili's is expected to name its newest margarita of the month shortly. Chili's margarita boom comes after its stunning earnings hike. The restaurant chain has seen a surge in customers since last year and not followed in the footsteps of competition that's filed for bankruptcy. Chili's is also one of many companies that offer music and free Wi-Fi in restaurants, two things experts claim are fueling the chain's comeback. Its competitors have not been so lucky. Applebee's shuttered nearly 100 locations between 2023 and 2024, with 35 being closed last year. TGI Fridays has been getting slaughtered financially and now has less than 100 US restaurants after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November. These restaurants, along with recent filers Hooters and On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, are known for offering fan-favorite drink deals year-round similar to Chili's.
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Chili's and Applebee's shut down neighboring restaurants in the same city on the same day
A Florida community watched as two fast-casual restaurant titans permanently closed on the same day. Residents in Sarasota are going to have to find a new spot for enchiladas and mozzarella sticks: the local Chili's and Applebee's restaurants both closed. Final plates were served at the Chili's on May 19. The restaurant had been open since 1986. 'It was a great place to hang with friends and meet new ones,' Judd McKean, a local resident and self-described bar-fly, told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune about the closure. 'I'll definitely miss the place.' Restaurant-goers who want to grab a bite at the chain can still head to the Chili's location closer to Lake Sarasota. Similarly, the final Applebee's $1 margaritas were also served from the University Parkway location on May 19. Another location is still serving diners in Fruitville. Nationally, Chili's and Applebee's have been on very different sales trajectories. Dine Brands Global, the owner of Applebee's, reported a 2.2 percent sales decline during its latest earnings on Tuesday. The corporation said Applebee's had raked in $1 billion in the first three months of 2025. In an effort to reinvigorate customers, Applebee's has leaned into more deals and better customer rewards. 'We are focused on elevating guests' experience, enhancing the menu by focusing on our core products, and better communicating offers through dynamic marketing,' John Peyton, the company's CEO, said during the company's March earnings call. Meanwhile, Chili's has had a surprising resurgence. Chili's parent company Brinker International made $1.43 billion inn revenue in the latest quarter, and Chili's same-store sales jumped 31.6 percent. Chili's solid performance has largely been attributed to the company's low-cost meals and constant mentions on social media. Chili's has received enormous goodwill on social media, with customers praising the brand's value-packed menu Fast casual chains across the US have been struggling with a toxic mix of higher food prices and lower consumer appetite Chili's is perhaps the red herring in the fast casual dining industry. Several big-name restaurants — including Hooters, Red Lobster, and TGI Fridays — have all shuttered hundreds of restaurants and declared bankruptcy. Restaurants have been dealing with a toxic mix of inflationary pressures on their offerings. Food prices have skyrocketed, leaving the companies with higher costs to run their stores. Meanwhile, middle-class shoppers, the core audience for the chains, have cut back on discretionary spending as they pay higher prices at the grocery store. Combining lower revenues with higher costs to stay alive has given several brands a poison pill. and cut back their year-long forecasts.
Reuters
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Reuters
Beastie Boys, UMG settle lawsuits against Chili's over 'Sabotage' ads
May 22 (Reuters) - Beastie Boys and Universal Music Group ( opens new tab settled lawsuits accusing the parent of Chili's of using the legendary rap trio's 1994 song "Sabotage" without permission in social media ads to promote the restaurant chain. Settlement notices were posted on Wednesday in Manhattan federal court and Dallas federal court, where Beastie Boys and UMG filed their respective cases against Chili's parent Brinker International (EAT.N), opens new tab. Terms were not disclosed. Lawyers for Beastie Boys, UMG and Brinker did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday. "Sabotage" was a single from Beastie Boys' album "Ill Communication." It drew additional notice from its Spike Jonze-directed music video, a parody of 1970s TV police dramas. Beastie Boys objected to a Chili's video that they said included significant portions of "Sabotage" and echoed the actual "Sabotage" video. The video included "three characters wearing obvious 70s-style wigs, fake mustaches, and sunglasses who were intended to evoke the three members of Beastie Boys," according to the complaint. Beastie Boys said they do not license their intellectual property to third parties to advertise products, and late founding member Adam "MCA" Yauch forbade such use in his will. The trio's members also included Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz and Michael "Mike D" Diamond. Founded in 1981 in New York City, Beastie Boys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2012, less than one month before Yauch died. In June 2014, Beastie Boys won a $1.7 million jury verdict, opens new tab against energy drink maker Monster Beverage (MNST.O), opens new tab over a YouTube video that included a remix of its songs, including "Sabotage". As of March 26, Dallas-based Brinker owned, operated or franchised 1,573 Chili's and 53 Maggiano's Little Italy restaurants. The cases are Beastie Boys et al v Brinker International Inc, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 24-05221; and UMG Recordings Inc et al v Brinker International Inc et al, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, No. 24-02535.
