Monday - Friday, 6:00 - 7:00 PM ET
Brinker International
CEO Kevin Hochman said Thursday Chili's is winning over consumers by keeping prices low.
The $10.99 offering has become a cornerstone of Chili's value strategy, giving customers an entrée, bottomless non-alcoholic drink and unlimited chips and salsa. That approach continues to pay off, according to Hochman, who took over Brinker in 2022 and ushered in a remarkable comeback for the chain. Following years of sluggish growth after the Great Recession, Brinker shares have soared nearly 700% since Hochman took over as CEO. In the company's latest earnings, Chili's reported another 5.6% increase in same-store sales in its latest quarter, while Brinker issued a strong forecast for fiscal 2027.
Rather than relying heavily on price increases to drive sales, Hochman said Chili's has focused on bringing more customers through its doors. Some of those customers opt for the $10.99 meal, he explained, while others spend more on premium food and drinks.
