Introduction

      

Chili’s was founded by Larry Lavine in Dallas, Texas on March 13, 1975. Lavine wanted to create an informal dining restaurant that allowed customers to eat great food at an affordable price. The food was all American with a Tex-Mex influence. By the early 1980s, the brand was becoming successful and had 28 locations in the region. In 1983, he sold the company to Norman E. Brinker of Brinker International Inc. which expanded Chili’s franchise to have 49 US locations and 30 international. Chili’s are now located in five of the seven continents and have more that 1400 restaurant locations.