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Associated Press
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Chili's® Announces the Grand Opening of Chili's Scranton Branch
The grill & bar's newest location is destined to become a Lackawanna County hotspot featuring throwbacks to iconic 2000s TV moments and the return of the legendary menu item, the Awesome Blossom® DALLAS, March 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 20 years after cementing a spot in pop culture history thanks to a beloved group of employees at a fictitious Pennsylvania paper company, Chili's® Grill & Bar is opening its doors to the Chili's 'Scranton Branch' on April 7. The brand-new, permanent restaurant 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 location to include the fan-favorite Awesome Blossom® on menus. 'For decades, Chili's has inserted itself in culture – introducing the now-famous Baby Back Ribs jingle, and most recently unleashing Triple Dipper cheese pulls on TikTok,' said George Felix, Chili's Chief Marketing Officer. 'But we've also seen the brand come to life on screen through the years, and that includes being tied to Scranton despite never having a location there. That changes this year with our newest restaurant. A moment this big was way more than a pop-up could pay off, so we created Chili's Scranton Branch to feel like a familiar home to fans complete with the perfect throwback menu item in the Awesome Blossom, and we can't wait for them to join us.' Scranton super fans will see this isn't a normal Chili's restaurant the moment they walk in the door and spot a giant Chili's Scranton Branch chalk art mural created by the original Chili's artist from the early 2000s. 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. To kick off the celebration, Chili's invited a few famous 'locals' to introduce Chili's Scranton Branch to the world in multiple ads that will run online and on social media. One, in the style of a classic local TV commercial, features Melora Hardin, Andy Buckley and Amy Pietz and offers a glimpse at the location's unique décor, culminating with Hardin being serenaded to Chili's unmistakable Baby Back Ribs jingle in the Awesome Blossom-laden booth that happens to be a perfect time capsule of 2005. Now available exclusively at Chili's Scranton Branch, the beloved Awesome Blossom is a deep-fried onion cut into a blossom shape with easy to pull petals and Chili's Buffalo Ranch dipping sauce. Removed from menus in 2008, it's now back and what better representative could there be than Scranton's poker champion and local band drummer, Brian Baumgartner. Baumgartner spotlights the impeccably named appetizer that fans can buy to their heart's content as long as they're at Chili's Scranton Branch, of course. '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,' Baumgartner said. '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.' Joining Baumgartner in the Electric City was a known casual Friday and Solitaire enthusiast, Kate Flannery, who took on the role of promoting the Scranton Marg, the $5 party in a glass that will be offered nationwide one day only on April 7 to celebrate the grand opening of Chili's Scranton Branch. Flannery goes on camera in a quest to make sure she's never without a Scranton Marg. '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,' Flannery said. '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.' The Scranton Marg won't be the only way fans can join the fun. Chili's Scranton Branch merch goes live starting April 7 with a pair of t-shirts to celebrate the opening. One will be available through a social media giveaway and both will be available to all at To learn more about Chili's Scranton Branch, please visit About Chili's® Grill & Bar Hi, welcome to Chili's! We are a leader in the casual dining industry and the flagship brand of Dallas-based Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT). We are known for our Big Mouth Burgers®, Chicken Crispers®, full-on sizzling fajitas, and hand-shaken margaritas. We take our food seriously – but not ourselves – because dining out should feel like a celebration even if there is nothing to celebrate. Our passion is making everyone feel special, and every day, our ChiliHeads make it their job to spread #ChilisLove across almost 1,600 restaurants in 29 countries and 2 territories. And Chili's cares. We host local Give Back Events to support kids, education, and hunger and have raised more than $110 million benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital through generous guest donations. Find more information about us at follow us on X or Instagram, like us on Facebook, or join us on TikTok.
NBC News
06-03-2025
- Business
- NBC News
Applebee's owner Dine Brands to lean on value, marketing to reverse sales declines
Dine Brands hopes to boost sales this year with a wider swath of value meals and buzzier advertising after a rough 2024 for Applebee's and IHOP. 'We had a soft year in 2024, which disappoints us, but we're focused on improving that in 2025,' Dine Brands CEO John Peyton told CNBC. 'We've got to have compelling messages and compelling promotions and compelling reasons to drive traffic into the restaurants.' Dine on Wednesday reported fourth-quarter U.S. same-store sales dropped 4.7% at Applebee's and 2.8% at IHOP, ending the year with four straight quarters of domestic same-store sales declines for its two flagship brands. Shares of Dine have fallen 50% over the last 12 months, dragging its market cap down to $386 million. The company's down year followed three years of strong growth for the company, driven by pent-up demand as diners returned to IHOP and Applebee's after the pandemic. But like many restaurant companies, Dine saw a pullback last year from customers who make less than $75,000. After several years paying higher prices for groceries, rent, gas and other necessities, consumers opted to stay home to cook their meals or visit other chains that offered better deals or flashy promotions. The slowdown in restaurant spending led a slew of casual-dining restaurant chains to file for bankruptcy over the last 12 months. Familiar names like Red Lobster and TGI Friday's sought bankruptcy protection to reorganize their struggling businesses and offload their worst-performing restaurants. Most recently, On the Border filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Tuesday. Applebee's promotions have failed to cut through much of the noise from the so-called value wars that have ignited across the restaurant industry, at chains from McDonald's to Bloomin' Brands' Outback Steakhouse. Even a triad of recent pop-culture moments last year couldn't boost its profile: a pivotal cameo in the tennis drama film 'Challengers,' an Applebee's-motivated meltdown on 'Survivor' and a shoutout from football legend Peyton Manning during Netflix's roast of his former rival Tom Brady. 'You've got most of the restaurant companies are advertising value, and they're advertising full meal deals, and so it's harder to break through with a message when there are so many similar messages out there,' Dine's Peyton said. But it's not impossible to break out from the pack. Chili's, which is owned by Brinker International, won over diners with its viral Triple Dipper and $10.99 burger combo after spending months turning around its business. In its most recent quarter, Brinker reported same-store sales growth of 27.4%. Thanks to its dramatic comeback, the company has become the rare casual-dining darling of investors. Brinker's stock has soared over the last year, nearly tripling its value in the same period and raising its market cap to $6.29 billion. For now, the star of Applebee's value promotions, the two for $25 deal, routinely accounts for roughly a fifth of the chain's tickets, according to Peyton. But Applebee's is looking to add to its value offerings later this spring or in the early summer with options that appeal to larger groups or to customers who don't want to order with their dining partner. Dine is also trying to improve its social media presence. 'At both IHOP and Applebee's, we know we need to do better there. We know we need to be more relevant. We know that we have to be part of the conversation and the culture,' Peyton said. A new president for Applebee's could help with that goal. Peyton is currently pulling double duty serving as interim president for the chain after Tony Moralejo stepped down effective Tuesday. Peyton said the company is looking for a replacement 'with a great marketing background' who understands how to connect with younger customers, on top of being a great leader with an understanding of franchising and some restaurant experience. (Yum Brands' Lawrence Kim joined Dine as IHOP's president in early January, succeeding Jay Johns.) Looking to 2025, Dine is trying to communicate better with its customers and use its menu innovation to attract younger diners, according to Peyton. But Dine's confidence in its ability to attract customers seems shaky. For 2025, the company is projecting Applebee's same-store sales to range between a 2% decline and a 1% increase and IHOP's same-store sales to range between a 1% decrease and a 2% gain.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
I ate at the first Applebee's and IHOP hybrid restaurant in the US. Its plan to attract younger diners could just work.
I attended the opening of the first Applebee's and IHOP dual-branded restaurant in Seguin, Texas. It's the first restaurant of its kind in the United States, though the concept has worked abroad. Dine Brands CEO John Peyton said the restaurant will hopefully attract younger customers. Chain restaurants are betting big on value and choice to attract younger customers amid declining sales across the casual dining industry. The latest example is the opening of the first dual-branded Applebee's and IHOP restaurant in the US. The first-of-its-kind restaurant, which opened on February 18, is located off the side of a major highway in Seguin, Texas, about halfway between San Antonio and Austin. It's rare for chain restaurants to try something completely new. New menu items often come and go as mere trends, and with many chains focusing on nostalgia instead of rebranding, they're sticking with what has already proven successful rather than taking a risk on a new restaurant concept. Chili's popular Triple Dipper, for example, went viral last year and accounted for 14% of the chain's total sales in the second quarter, but it has actually been a menu staple for years — although it recently got a refresh with spicier flavors for its chicken tenders and extra-cheesy fried mozzarella. But from the moment I walked into the newly designed Applebee's-IHOP restaurant, I could tell this experience would be completely different from any visit I'd had at either chain before. The new restaurant concept is poised to appeal to a younger audience, a priority for Dine Brands, the parent company of Applebee's and IHOP. CEO John Peyton told Business Insider that Gen Z's tastes were a key consideration before introducing the Applebee's-IHOP hybrid in the US. "They love spicy, they love to share, they love to sample, they like to have choice. And so all of those things are important inspirations for how we think about designing our menus and new ideas," Peyton told BI ahead of the restaurant's grand opening. "Guests never had the opportunity to have two people at dinner have an omelet and two people have a Bourbon steak, or mix and match," he continued. "That new level of choices you can make here is exactly what we think our younger guests are looking for." Here's what it was like to eat at the hybrid Applebee's-IHOP restaurant. The first Applebee's and IHOP dual-branded restaurant opened in Seguin, Texas, in February. This is the first Applebee's-IHOP restaurant concept in the US, with both brands operating in the same space, dining room, and kitchen. There are 13 dual-branded restaurant locations across Canada, Mexico, Honduras, and the Middle East. Peyton told Business Insider the restaurant concept improves customers' experience. "For our guests, it enables a lot more choice," he said. "We already see overseas, they're ordering from both sides of the menu. The other thing it does for our guests is we've created items on this menu that are only available at the dual-branded restaurants." The company said it plans to open 14 more dual-branded locations in the US in the next year, both by updating existing single-branded IHOP and Applebee's locations and building completely new locations that reflect the new Applebee's-IHOP brand. Inside, there were homages to both brands throughout the dining room. Peyton said this location was previously just an IHOP, but it has been renovated to suit both brands. In addition to a large dining room with booth and table seating, there's also a bar area with screens for sports games like you'd find in an Applebee's. A large greenery-covered wall in the back showed off both brands' logos. The design of the restaurant was clean and modern, something I personally have rarely experienced at chains like Applebee's or TGI Fridays, which tend to have a moodier, more classic bar-and-grill feel with dim overhead lighting and deeper colors like red throughout. Dine Brands partnered with the Ramzi Hakim Group, led by vice president Danny Hakim, as the franchisee for the first Applebee's-IHOP restaurant. "These are the new looks for both IHOP and Applebee's," Danny Hakim told BI. "We are very excited to release these looks across the board." Nation's Restaurant News reported that the Hakim group has been operating IHOP franchises in the San Antonio area since 1991. Over the years, the group has expanded to 37 IHOP locations and recently added nine Applebee's restaurants to its portfolio. The group plans to open five more dual-branded restaurants this year. "They're great innovators and they know that this is a test-and-learn restaurant," Peyton told BI. "This is No. 1 in the US, and we're both aligned in the fact that the next one we build might not look and feel exactly like this one. We're going to learn together and make changes together." There's just one menu, which includes favorite dishes from both chains as well as items exclusive to the dual-branded restaurant. The menu includes popular dishes from both Applebee's and IHOP menus, plus five dishes available only at the hybrid restaurant. Breakfast is served all day and night, and the restaurant itself operates from 5 a.m. until 1 a.m. every day, so restaurants that convert from a single-brand concept gain more hours in the morning and at night to serve customers. "IHOP owns the morning, and Applebee's owns dinner," Peyton said. "It was an IHOP franchisee who was busy in the morning and quiet at night. This activates the restaurant all day long. Their economics are so much better." I was surprised by the affordable prices on the menu, from egg dishes to appetizers. The chain's omelets were all priced under $15, and the build-your-own omelet started at $10.29, which I thought was an affordable price point. The chain's sirloin steak and eggs, which includes an 8-ounce steak, three eggs, and two pancakes, cost $19.99, which I thought was reasonable. Peyton said that winning over cost-conscious customers is something every chain is thinking about, and also this year's biggest challenge. "The casual dining customer is really managing their wallet closely," he said. "Applebee's and IHOP are working really hard to be relevant to our guests at a time when we know they're thinking a lot about their wallet." For many chains, that fight for value-conscious customers is an uphill battle. Applebee's year-over-year same-restaurant sales declined 5.9% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same quarter the year before, while IHOP's declined 2.1%. Peyton said that the word value "is thrown around a lot," but could be key to winning over customers and boosting revenue. "It's important that we don't lose sight of the fact that value's got a very specific definition for us, which is great food, a really generous portion, and great service at an accessible price," he said, adding that "we have to focus on those four things to yield to our guests more than ever in 2025." I started my meal with a mimosa. One of the biggest draws of this new restaurant concept is a full bar menu, which includes brunch cocktails like mimosas, a bloody mary, and espresso martinis, plus all the classic cocktails and brews you'd expect to find at an Applebee's. The Good Morning Mimosa, made with IHOP orange juice and Barefoot Bubbly Brut Cuvée, cost $8.99. It was light and fresh, and the perfect start to the morning. I also tried the chain's Ultimate Breakfast Burger, which is exclusive to this restaurant concept. Applebee's is known for its burgers, while IHOP does breakfast. Therefore, it made sense for both chains to combine for an elevated breakfast burger. The burger, which cost $13.99, reminded me of a classic New York deli favorite: a bacon, egg, and cheese with a hash brown sandwiched into it. The burger was moist and cooked perfectly medium-rare, while the hash browns added a salty, savory flavor. I thought the egg added even more moisture to this sandwich, as did the bright and tangy poblano hollandaise sauce. The bacon was crispy and added a deep smoky flavor, balanced by a soft, fluffy bun. I would definitely order this again. It was a standard breakfast sandwich kicked up a notch — paired with seasoned fries, this burger set me up for the day. The concept of exclusive menu items that can only be ordered at dual-branded Applebee's-IHOP restaurants could easily appeal to Gen Z customers, who love limited-time offers and menu hacks. I finished my meal on a sweet — and affordable — note. The strawberry waffle sundae, which includes two Belgian waffle pieces, glazed strawberries, vanilla ice cream, and whipped cream, cost $2.99. The sundae had the ideal amount of sweetness. The waffles' crispy texture was balanced by the sweet and flavorful vanilla ice cream, and the strawberries added a tart bite to the dish. I couldn't help but be impressed by the meal and the overall restaurant concept. While the first restaurant may be located in a small Texas city, I could see this concept working well in larger metropolitan areas with a younger, more brunch-obsessed crowd. Brunch, which can sometimes be seen as an upscale meal, needs to be accessible when people are tightening their budgets. As a member of Gen Z myself, I was sold on the concept. I was impressed by the restaurant's affordable pricing and extensive menu selection. With options ranging from burgers and eggs Benedict to omelets and steak dinners, there was something to satisfy any craving. I look forward to seeing the chain expand with new locations in the coming year. Read the original article on Business Insider
Axios
21-02-2025
- Business
- Axios
Dallas-based Chili's is attracting younger diners
Chili's is one of the hottest restaurants in America. Why it matters: The Dallas-founded casual dining restaurant is booming at a time when many other major restaurant and fast food chains are struggling. Chili's reported a 31% increase in sales in the last quarter of 2024, driven by a nearly 20% increase in foot traffic. Driving the news: The restaurant partnered with Lifetime to release a 15-minute romantic film this week ahead of National Margarita Day. The sappy Lifetime original is just the latest in the chain's social media marketing strategy. The big picture: Chili's memes have taken over social media as the company aims marketing at younger generations. The goal is simple: become relevant again. The restaurant airs commercials during major sporting events and uses social media to highlight its deals, like the 3 for Me entree combo and the Triple Dipper appetizer platter. Case in point: You might still remember the baby back ribs jingle from the '90s. What they're saying: The increasing foot traffic shows the restaurant's marketing schemes are working, Brinker International CEO Kevin Hochman told CNBC. "We don't think this is the end; we think this is just the beginning of the Chili's turnaround," Hochman said. What they did: In addition to reintroducing Chili's to younger generations, the chain revamped recipes, streamlined operations — like shifting to a single breading option for Chicken Crispers — trimmed menus and updated dining rooms, per CNN. Zoom in: Chili's is definitely a Dallas restaurant. It first opened on Greenville Avenue in 1975. Restaurateur Norman Brinker, known for Jack in the Box and Bennigan's, bought Chili's in 1983. The next year, fajitas were added to the menu. The company claims to have taught Americans how to correctly pronounce the word. By the mid-'90s, Chili's was the No. 1 seller of margaritas. Under Brinker International, the chain has opened more than 1,200 restaurants nationwide. Zoom out: Other casual dining chains haven't been as successful. Dallas-based TGI Friday's filed for bankruptcy in November. And there are no longer Red Lobster locations in North Texas after the final ones closed last year amid the chain's financial struggles. The bottom line: As dining out becomes more expensive, Chili's increasing sales revenue shows diners are drawn to affordable food and a consistent restaurant experience.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Chili's Stock Outperforms Apple and Tesla — What Other ‘TikTok Stocks' Are Worth a Second Look?
As chains like Red Lobster and TGI Fridays close restaurants across the U.S., Chili's seems to be thriving. After the casual dining restaurant's Triple Dipper platter went viral, the parent company's stock jumped 325%, according to Find Out: Read Next: 5 Subtly Genius Moves All Wealthy People Make With Their Money Monitoring social media trends for the next big thing, especially amongst young consumers, may help you create a diversified portfolio of stocks, especially for short- and mid-term investments. What other stocks — and TikTok trends — should you keep an eye on? Vonetta Logan, a tastylive trading host, said she's noticed wholesale club Costco trending on TikTok with a lot of positive sentiment. 'I haven't seen favorability for a brand like this in a while,' she said, noting that her 'for you page' is overflowing with Costco deals and product roundups. Costco stock is up more than 20% in the past six months. Learn More: Victoria's Secret stock started to climb in October 2024 after the Fashion Show returned for the first time in five years. TikTok influencers began to replicate and modernize VS runway model makeup in the early 2000s. Victoria's Secret TikTok account now has 5.5 million followers, up from 1.8 million in September 2024, according to statistics from Similarly, the stock is up from the low $20s in September 2024 to $32 in February 2025, reaching its 52-week high in December 2024, which is understandable given that it was the holiday season. The experts at are calling Victoria's Secret a 'buy.' With a captivating Super Bowl ad that showcases woman athletes and more than 7.2 million TikTok followers (up from 5.2 million in November 2024, according to Nike's success is closely linked to understanding what its market wants and delivering. The athletic company is having a moment with inspirational content like the 'You can't win. So win.' commercial. And the stock market is getting as hyped up as Nike fans. The stock has been up since the Friday before the Super Bowl, but it still has room for growth from its 52-week high. gives the stock a consensus rating of 'buy.' TikTok trends move quickly. It's important to focus on a company's fundamentals and evaluate your risk tolerance before buying into a brand just because its social media marketing is turning heads. A diversified portfolio is your best hedge against market fluctuations. More From GOBankingRates4 Unusual Ways To Make Extra Money That Actually Work How Much Would I Save if I Cut My Credit Card Interest to Low APR for a Year? How Middle-Class Earners Are Quietly Becoming Millionaires -- and How You Can, Too This article originally appeared on Chili's Stock Outperforms Apple and Tesla — What Other 'TikTok Stocks' Are Worth a Second Look?
