No April Fools': Chili's is opening a 'Scranton Branch' that celebrates 'The Office'
No April Fools': Chili's is opening a 'Scranton Branch' that celebrates 'The Office'
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Steve Carell teams up with nonprofit to surprise high school seniors
A nonprofit org, Alice's Kids, set up a special announcement for high school seniors who were affected by the Eaton Fire, delivered by Steve Carell.
Do you feel God in this Chili's?
The restaurant chain announced on March 26 its plans to open a Chili's "Scranton Branch" that will "pay homage to some of Chili's most notable on-screen moments, with throwback nods and decor," in addition to being the only Chili's restaurant to have the Awesome Blossom on its menu, according to a news release.
A Chili's spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY Tuesday that this is not an April Fools' joke.
The restaurant, set to open on April 7, will feature a giant Chili's Scranton Branch chalk art mural created by the original Chili's artist from the early 2000s, according to the news release, and will also include other throwback elements include "vintage artwork, Chili's iconic tile tables, and a perfectly recreated business lunch booth photo opp to snap the perfect 2005 frame."
"Seeing Chili's Scranton Branch was like stepping into a time machine, especially if that time machine could also spit out the greatest appetizer of all time, the Awesome Blossom," Brian Baumgartner, who played the role of Kevin Malone in the popular sitcom, said in the news release.
"Scranton is a city I'm very protective of, and working with Chili's to open this location was a natural fit. The Chili's team pulled out all the stops in creating this restaurant, and I'll be stopping in for an Awesome Blossom every time I come visit," Baumgartner said.
What is an Awesome Blossom and a Scranton Marg?
The Awesome Blossom is a deep-fried onion cut into a blossom shape with "easy to pull petals" and served with Chili's Buffalo Ranch dipping sauce, according to the chain.
The item was removed from menus in 2008 and will be available exclusively at the Chili's Scranton Branch.
The company is also offering customers a Scranton Marg, a "$5 party in a glass" that will be offered at Chili's locations nationwide on April 7 to celebrate the grand opening of the Scranton branch.
"I'm the daughter of a bar owner and I've had enough margaritas through the years that I'm getting picky about them, and the Scranton Marg is a really good one," Kate Flannery, who portrayed Meredith Palmer on the show, said in the news release.
"For fans who come to Scranton, Chili's Scranton Branch has everything you need in one place, and for those who can't make it on opening day, find the $5 Scranton Marg wherever your closest Chili's is," Flannery added.
New Chili's commercial featuring famous 'locals'
To promote the opening of the Scranton Branch restaurant, Chili's released a video on its YouTube channel on March 26 featuring some famous "locals."
Andy Buckley and Melora Hardin, who played David Wallace and Jan Levinson in the sitcom, star in the ad, filmed in the style of a classic local TV commercial and highlighting the location's unique decor.
The ad ends with Hardin being serenaded to the famous Chili's Baby Back Ribs jingle.
You can watch the full ad in the embedded video below.
This story has been updated to add new information.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.
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