Posted on 09/08/2017 12:20:14 PM PDT by BenLurkin
Chili’s, a restaurant chain that’s part of Brinker International Inc. EAT, +3.68% , said Friday that on Sept. 18, menus nationwide will be reduced to 75 items, down from 125 appetizers, entrees, cocktails and more, the total reached in January. The chain launched in 1975 with a 25-item menu that included burgers, beer and margaritas. The new, reduced menu will give the chain the room to focus on its core menu of burgers, ribs and fajitas, the company said.
“Over the years, like many bar and grill chains, Chili’s chased consumer trends, expanded the menu and tried to be all things to all guests, therefore compromising execution and resulting in a fuzzy food reputation,” Chili’s said in a statement.
The restaurant industry has been in a slump, most recently recording its sixth consecutive quarter of traffic declines according to data from The NPD Group. Traffic at casual dining restaurants is down 3% for the year ending June 2017.
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Experts also agree that the menu reduction is a way to cut costs and reduce food waste.
“With large variability in the cost of various proteins and the difficulty of raising prices to your customers in this low-inflation environment, it makes sense for restaurant groups to refocus their menus on higher margin, more popular items,” said Greg Wank, partner and leader of Anchin, Block & Anchin’s food and beverage industry practice.
(Excerpt) Read more at marketwatch.com ...
McDonald’s started off with less than 10 items
Burgers near $12 bucks?
No thanks;I’ll go elsewhere or make my own.
The REASON (government-caused economic suppression) is not a good thing although the RESULTS may be a good thing.
I’ll take low inflation over high inflation any day of the week.
Is that you, Tom Brady? ;-P
So you want guacamole with your Obamacare?
The original Chili’s was started by someone from my high school. It was cheap and great!
I wish the would bring back the soft tacos and their Chili Pie.
It’s like they forgot that it was known for having great Chili!
I’d go $12 for a specialty burger meal if the combination of food and atmosphere were decent. Chili’s isn’t.
Perhaps they can encourage their customers to talk about race.
I think Taco Bell had five, not counting the soft drinks. 19¢ when I worked there.
I swear their policy is to dump every spice they have on every item... That’ll make it good!!!
Not a fan.
(psst.. sometimes fries only need some salt)
If I remember correctly Chilis owner loved the obamas.
40% less cases of ptomaine?..................
Chili’s no longer makes good food. No reason to eat there.
Every time we go to Chili’s, the floor is dirty, the tables are greasy and the wait staff are insolent...................
If you’ve ever watched ‘Restaurant Rescue’, one of the frequent problems in failing restaurants is offering an extensive menu with none of the items on that menu done well (using frozen food & reheat/throw in fryer, using canned food, etc.). A few items on the menu that are high quality, fresh ingredients, cooked to perfection & nicely presented on the plate are the way to make money & attract customers (along with great service & a clean, appealing eating environment).
Bigger menus almost always result in lower quality. There’s a reason most top end restaurants have one sheet menus (often times just one side of one sheet). Decide what your restaurant is going to be good at, do that, don’t do other things.
Sounds like most restaurants these days.
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