Chi-Chi’s Announces Plans to Reopen Restaurants 20 Years After the Chain Closed All Locations

Chi-Chi’s is back.

The Mexican restaurant chain had more than 200 locations before closing the doors of its last restaurant in 2004. On Tuesday, December 3rd, news broke that the founder’s son is spearheading an initiative to reopen Chi-Chi’s locations in 2025.

Chi-Chi’s source confirmed to PEOPLE that it will open two restaurants in Minnesota in 2025.

Michael McDermott, whose father, Marno McDermott, opened Chi-Chi’s in 1975 with Green Bay Packers alum Max McGee, has signed a deal with Hormel Foods to open and update Chi-Chi’s, according to a news release.

Interior of Chi-Chi restaurant.

TOLBERT PHOTO / Alamy Stock Photo

Michael plans to follow in his father’s footsteps and continue the same Chi-Chi flavor with a little twist. “We’ve seen the impact our restaurant has had on individuals and families across the country, and we believe there’s a strong opportunity to bring the brand back in a way that resonates with today’s consumers — an updated dining experience with the same great taste and Mexican flavor,” he said in a press release.

As of Wednesday, Dec. 4, there were no other details about the menu or locations of the revamped restaurant.

Michael McDermott.

Chi-Chi’s restaurants

Marno and McGee expanded the restaurant chain to hundreds of locations across the country during the chain’s nearly 30-year run. The press release cited “a series of ownership changes” as the cause of the chain’s closure in 2004.

But just before the chain closed all of its restaurants completely, there was an outbreak of hepatitis A in the Pittsburgh area that was traced to green onions in the restaurant’s free salsa. The epidemic caused 650 cases and four deaths. The incident is the largest outbreak of hepatitis A in the US, according to CNN.

Chi-Chi’s salsa.

Alamy

Over the past 20 years, the brand has continued to diversify its offerings into packaged salsas, tortilla chips and other supermarket products — all of which will still be available when the restaurants open.

Chi-Chi’s isn’t the only beloved restaurant chain that has previously faced financial problems and is looking for a new face today, as Red Lobster recently announced its own round of new updates.

Olive Garden is bringing back 2 fan favorite dishes after a 4 year hiatus

Starting Monday, Dec. 2, customers can stop by the seafood chain for happy hour deals on drinks and food. Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. local time, guests can score $5 off drinks and $2 off select appetizers.

Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy in May and has closed over 100 restaurants since that announcement. However, in September the chain announced it was close to emerging from bankruptcy, according to a press release.

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Source: HIS Education