An American fast-food chain that closed its final UK establishment 17 years ago is preparing for a return to the British market.

Chili’s Grill & Bar, a prominent Tex-Mex chain from the US, has revealed intentions to launch a flagship restaurant in the UK within the next 12 to 18 months, marking a fresh attempt to re-enter the market.

Although Chili’s had previously operated in the UK in the 1990s with nine restaurants in cities like Cambridge, Reading, and London’s Canary Wharf, all locations were shut down by 2009, leading to the brand’s disappearance from the UK. The upcoming opening signals a determined effort to reintroduce the brand after an absence of over a decade.

In a strategic move, Chili’s is teaming up with The Franchising Centre to facilitate its grand return to the UK market after an extended hiatus.

As part of an ambitious plan, the company is contemplating the launch of up to 100 restaurants across major cities and suburban areas, a significantly more aggressive expansion compared to its previous presence in the UK, as reported by the Express.

According to John Overdijking, a franchise recruitment expert at The Franchise Centre, there are substantial growth prospects for Chili’s in the UK, with estimates suggesting the chain could establish ’85 to 100 restaurants nationwide.’

He mentioned, “Chili’s is renowned for its full-service dining, with various formats available, 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).”

“The brand’s flexibility opens up opportunities for compact urban locations, travel hubs, and non-traditional sites over time, although the initial focus will be on full-service establishments.”

Established in Texas in 1975 by Larry Lavine and currently under the ownership of Brinker International, Chili’s is well-known for its Tex-Mex cuisine and was famously featured as the setting for the Dundies awards ceremony in the American version of The Office.

Remaining true to its Tex-Mex roots, the menu offers a variety of dishes such as crispy chicken, ribs, fajitas, burgers, salads, soups, and, notably, a range of chili-based dishes.