An American fast-food chain that closed its final UK establishment 17 years ago is preparing to reenter the British market.
Chili’s Grill & Bar, a prominent Tex-Mex chain from the US, has disclosed intentions to launch a flagship venue in the UK within the next 12 to 18 months, marking a new attempt to establish a presence in the country.
Although Chili’s had previously operated in the UK during the 1990s with nine restaurants in various locations such as Cambridge, Reading, and London’s Canary Wharf, all sites were shut down by 2009, leading to the brand’s disappearance from the UK. The upcoming relaunch signifies a determined effort to reintroduce the brand after an absence of over a decade.
In a strategic move, Chili’s is partnering with The Franchising Centre to facilitate its comeback in the UK market after an extended hiatus.
As part of an ambitious expansion plan, the company is contemplating opening up to 100 restaurants across major cities and suburban areas, in contrast to its earlier endeavors in the UK. The Express reported on this more extensive initiative.
John Overdijking, a franchise recruitment specialist at The Franchise Centre, expressed optimism about Chili’s potential in the UK, estimating the possibility of having ’85 to 100 restaurants nationwide.’
He highlighted that while Chili’s is renowned for its full-service restaurants, the brand offers various formats, including full-service restaurants (3,000-3,500 square feet), standard casual dining (2,500-3,500 square feet), and fast-casual (1,500-2,500 square feet). This flexibility opens up opportunities for compact urban sites, travel hubs, and unconventional locations in the future, although the initial focus will lean towards full-service establishments.
Established in Texas in 1975 by Larry Lavine and currently under the ownership of Brinker International, Chili’s is famous for its Tex-Mex cuisine and as the setting for the Dundies awards ceremony in the American version of The Office.
The menu at Chili’s reflects its Tex-Mex roots, offering a diverse range of dishes from crispy chicken and full racks of ribs to fajitas, burgers, salads, soups, and, of course, generous portions of chili.