Chili’s Announces Expansion Plans for Dozens of U.S. Locations
Brinker International, the parent company of Chili’s Grill & Bar, announced plans to open between 20 and 30 new restaurants annually through fiscal 2029 as part of a broader growth strategy. The expansion follows five consecutive years of sales growth at existing locations, with same-store sales increasing by 71% over that period. Weekly customer visits have also risen from about 3,400 to 4,200 per restaurant since fiscal 2023. Chili’s is expanding beyond traditional markets into states like California, Texas, Florida, the Carolinas, Georgia, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Ohio. The chain aims to increase its presence in underpenetrated regions such as Washington state and Ohio where it currently lags behind competitors. A “small town strategy” will also see Chili’s target locations outside major metropolitan areas. The growth is attributed to improvements in value offerings, food quality, service enhancements like the return of bussers and handheld ordering devices, and a successful marketing campaign titled 'Better Than Fast Food.' The company plans to invest heavily in remodeling existing restaurants with a retro 1990s design while also opening new locations at an average cost of $5 million each.
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Topics: real estate strategy restaurant expansion sales growth