50 Facts About Chili’s (Restaurant)

The Beginnings of Chili's

Chili's has a rich history that began with a spark of inspiration and a unique vision for casual dining. Let's explore the early days of this iconic restaurant.

1. Founding Inspiration: Larry Lavine founded Chili's after being inspired by a chili cook-off in Terlingua, Texas, in 1967. This event ignited his passion for Tex-Mex cuisine.
2. First Location: The first Chili's opened in a converted post office in Dallas, Texas. This humble beginning marked the start of a culinary journey that would transform the dining scene.
3. Menu Evolution: Initially, the menu featured chili, six hamburgers, tacos, and three drinks. Over time, it expanded to include fajitas, baby back ribs, and margaritas.
4. Rapid Growth: Within eight years, Chili's grew to 18 locations, showcasing its popularity and appeal.

Signature Dishes and Unique Marketing

Chili's is known for its signature dishes and innovative marketing strategies that have left a lasting impression on customers.

5. Signature Dishes: Introduced in 1986, the baby back ribs became a staple, known for their tender, flavorful meat.
6. Fajita Effect: The "fajita effect" describes how the sight, smell, and sound of sizzling fajitas lead to a surge in orders. This strategy was highlighted in Chili's first TV commercial.
7. NSYNC Commercial: In 2002, *NSYNC starred in a Chili's commercial, attracting fans of the boy band to the restaurant.
8. Austin Powers Shoutout: The film Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me featured a scene where Fat Bastard sang the Chili's jingle, cementing the brand's place in pop culture.

Global Expansion and Community Involvement

Chili's has not only expanded globally but also made significant contributions to the community.

9. Global Expansion: The first international location opened on Germany's Ramstein Air Force Base in 2004. Today, Chili's operates in 32 countries and 49 U.S. states.
10. Donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital: Chili's has donated $60 million to St. Jude’s, the largest contribution by a corporation in the hospital’s history.
11. First Sit-Down Franchise on an Active Air Force Base: In 2003, Chili's became the first sit-down franchise on an active Air Force base, opening at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan.

Menu Innovations and Customer Favorites

Chili's continually updates its menu to keep it fresh and exciting for customers.

12. Menu Changes: The menu changes frequently, with new items introduced seasonally to keep it appealing.
13. Popular Menu Items: The Southwest Pairings, including enchiladas, tacos, and quesadillas, are particularly popular among diners.
14. Freshly Made Ranch: Chili's ranch dressing is made from scratch in-house, using a secret recipe that includes buttermilk.
15. Secrets to Their Ribs: The baby back ribs are pre-cooked in a pressure cooker for juiciness, then finished on the grill for a crunchy exterior.

Behind the Scenes at Chili's

A look behind the scenes reveals some interesting facts about Chili's operations and employee practices.

16. Frozen Food Usage: While some items are frozen, condiments like salsa and guacamole are made from scratch in the kitchen.
17. Strong Drinks: Known for strong alcoholic beverages, bartenders do not water down drinks, making it a popular spot for cocktails.
18. Cleanliness: Most locations are generally clean, with employees taking pride in maintaining a tidy environment.
19. Tableside Tablets: Introduced in 2014, tableside tablets led to a 20% spike in dessert sales and quicker service.

Fun Facts and Cultural Impact

Chili's has made a significant cultural impact and has some fun traditions and facts worth noting.

20. Sizzling Fajitas: Cooks use 'sizzle sauce' (a mix of soy sauce and oil) to create the signature sizzle and steam before serving fajitas.
21. Margarita Effect: Chili's sells 13 swimming pools' worth of margaritas each year, with 135,000 gallons of Presidente Margaritas consumed annually.
22. Unique Traditions: An upside-down photo is hung in the dining room, a tradition that started with the first location.
23. Historical Significance: Chili's was one of the first restaurants to serve margaritas in Texas after the "Liquor by the Drink" law passed in 1971.

Employee Insights and Training

Chili's values its employees and provides comprehensive training to ensure quality service.

24. Microwave Usage: While some items like soups and hot desserts are microwaved, most dishes are prepared using traditional cooking methods.
25. Employee Training: Many cooks are trained from scratch, with some having no prior cooking experience aside from basic home economics.
26. Menu Item Popularity: The Southwest Pairings, especially quesadillas, are the most popular menu items.
27. Signature Ribs Recipe: The ribs are baked for 2 1/2 hours at 275°F, then finished on a hot grill and slathered with sauce until charred.

Marketing and Community Engagement

Chili's has employed innovative marketing strategies and actively engages with the community.

28. Fajita Madness: When fajitas first debuted, customers lined up around the block. The company even printed T-shirts celebrating "Fajita Madness".
29. Schlitz Beer: Initially, Chili's only served Schlitz beer, the only brewery that would supply the restaurant on credit.
30. Chili's Jingle: The baby back ribs jingle was 2004's number one song most likely to get stuck in your head, according to Advertising Age.
31. Guy Bommarito’s Jingle: Guy Bommarito wrote the jingle in a last-ditch effort to keep Chili’s from firing his company. He wrote it in about five minutes.
32. Wolf Johnson’s Bass Line: The bass line for the jingle was sung by Wolf Johnson, who passed away in 2012.

Legacy and Cultural Significance

Chili's has left a lasting legacy and continues to be a significant part of American dining culture.

33. Chili’s Original Chili Recipe: The original chili recipe created by Larry Lavine still exists today, with only minor adjustments over the years.
34. Chili’s in Popular Culture: The brand has appeared in various media forms, including films and TV shows, making it a staple in popular culture.
35. Chili’s Expansion Strategy: The brand has focused on opening locations in military bases and high foot traffic areas.
36. Chili’s Community Involvement: Actively involved in community service, particularly with St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
37. Chili’s Menu Adaptation: The menu now offers options for those with dietary restrictions, including allergies and vegetarians.
38. Chili’s Affordable Prices: The brand’s commitment to offering high-quality food at reasonable prices has been key to its success.
39. Chili’s Marketing Strategies: Innovative and effective marketing strategies have attracted and retained customers.
40. Chili’s Employee Feedback: Employee insights have helped shape operations, menu items, and customer preferences.

Customer Loyalty and Menu Rotation

Chili's has built a loyal customer base and keeps the menu fresh with seasonal rotations.

41. Chili’s Customer Loyalty: A strong loyalty program offers rewards and promotions that encourage repeat business.
42. Chili’s Menu Item Rotation: Seasonal rotations ensure customers always have something new to try.
43. Chili’s Employee Training Programs: Comprehensive training covers basic cooking skills to customer service techniques.
44. Chili’s Kitchen Operations: Designed for efficiency and quality, using pressure cookers for ribs and microwaves for soups and desserts.
45. Chili’s Cleanliness Standards: High cleanliness standards are maintained through regular cleaning schedules and employee training.

Customer Service and Marketing Campaigns

Chili's emphasizes excellent customer service and has run several successful marketing campaigns.

46. Chili’s Customer Service: Excellent service includes attentive waitstaff, quick service, and friendly interactions.
47. Chili’s Marketing Campaigns: Memorable commercials, social media promotions, and limited-time offers attract new customers and retain existing ones.
48. Chili’s Community Engagement: Participates in local events, supports charitable causes, and donates to organizations like St. Jude’s.
49. Chili’s Menu Innovation: Continuously innovates its menu to meet changing customer preferences, like the Southwest Pairings and Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie.
50. Chili’s Legacy: More than just a restaurant, Chili's has become an integral part of American dining culture, offering a unique experience that combines delicious food with a welcoming atmosphere.

Chili's: A Flavorful Legacy

Chili's has come a long way from its first location in a converted post office in Dallas, Texas. With over 1,200 locations worldwide, it’s clear that the brand has struck a chord with diners. Known for its baby back ribs, sizzling fajitas, and strong margaritas, Chili's offers a unique dining experience that blends Tex-Mex flavors with a casual, welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant's commitment to community involvement, like its significant donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, showcases its dedication beyond just serving food. Innovations like tableside tablets and freshly made ranch dressing keep the menu fresh and exciting. Whether you're a fan of their famous jingle or just love a good burger, Chili's continues to be a beloved spot for families and friends to gather and enjoy a meal. Here's to many more years of flavorful memories!