Chili's is betting that what's old is new again.The casual dining chain is rolling out a nostalgic restaurant redesign across the country, bringing back signature red booths, quirky artwork and other throwback touches that helped define the brand for decades.The makeover is expected to reach every U.S.Chili's restaurant over time.
The company plans to remodel about 10% of its roughly 1,200 domestic locations each year until all restaurants have been refreshed, a Chili's representative told Fox News Digital.CHILI'S GOES VIRAL AFTER ROASTING FAST-FOOD PRICES: 'WHY LET THEM PLAY YOU LIKE THIS?'The redesign comes after the chain spent the past several years investing in food quality and service.Now, the focus has shifted to the dining experience itself."The guiding idea behind the project was simple: 'Make Chili's More Chili's,'" according to a company fact sheet.Chili's is getting a nostalgic makeover.
(Chili's)The updated design draws inspiration from the brand's original Greenville Avenue restaurant in Dallas, as well as the colorful look that became synonymous with Chili's during the 1990s.Before launching the redesign nationwide, Chili's tested several versions at four Dallas-area restaurants.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTERThose locations were selected because of their proximity to Chili's restaurant support center, allowing team members to visit frequently and gather real-time customer feedback.Lessons from those prototype restaurants helped shape the final design package now being introduced across the country, a company representative said.Chili's has tested out remodeled restaurants in the Dallas area and will eventually roll out the retro look throughout the country.
(Callaghan O'Hare/Bloomberg via Getty Images)The first remodeled restaurants outside the test market reopened July 1 in Fayetteville, Arkansas; Monrovia, California; Kennesaw, Georgia; Lake Charles, Louisiana; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Greensboro, North Carolina; Cookeville, Te...