The Dallas-based brand, which operates more than 1,600 restaurants in 30 countries, is seeking franchise partners to launch into the UK market.
Founded in 1975, Chili’s serves more than 1 million customer worldwide every day with an all-day menu of Southwestern, Texas-inspired burgers, fried chicken, and seafood.
The restaurants offer ‘immersive, energetic’ environments inspired by classic American dining, with a menu that appeals to a broad demographic, according to an announcement on The Franchising Centre.
Popular dishes include the Sizzling Fajitas, Big Mouth Burgers, and Baby Back Ribs.
The brand also says adaptability is built into its model and allows investors to effectively tailor menus and service models to their local markets.
Franchisees will benefit from a proven business model, a global support team, flexible outlet design options, menu flexibility, annual innovation and branding development, and a robust tech platform, Chili’s adds.
An announcement on Which Franchise states: “Despite COVID challenges, Chili’s results exceeded expectations. Chili’s outperformed the casual dining industry in both sales (+8.8%%) and customer counts (+15.5%). We opened 17 new restaurants (10 US and 2 International) and 1000+ owned and operated It’s Just Wings virtual brand locations.”
American interest in the UK remains high
Chili’s is among a number of US brands to spot an opportunity across the pond, and follows in the footsteps of recent entrants Carl’s Jr, which made its debut in England last year, and Chick-fil-A. The latter opens its second company-owned restaurant in the UK in Kingston today (5 March).
Other US brands announcing that they will cross the pond in recent months include seafood chain Captain D’s, Chuck E. Cheese, and Jersey Mike’s.
The most hotly anticipated US QSR launch over here, however, is that of Raising Cane’s, which will make its UK debut with a central London venue opening later this year.