Popular Tex-Mex chain unveils menu change customers will love

Going out for dinner and drinks is an experience people look forward to all the time. But if you're going to spend your hard-earned money on restaurant food and cocktails, it needs to be worth it.

Money is tight for a lot of people these days. We can thank rampant inflation for that.

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Granted, living costs aren't rising at as quick a pace as they were a few years ago. But food prices in particular are still elevated. This extends to grocery stores as well as restaurants.

Related: Iconic restaurant closing after successful 10-year run

In March, the cost of food away from homes — meaning restaurants — was up 3.8% year over year, per the Consumer Price Index. So if it's been getting harder to find room in your budget for dining out, that's understandable.

And if you are going to pay a premium for a meal you don't have to cook yourself, or one you can enjoy socially with friends, then it really needs to count.

Restaurants must pivot to meet customers' needs

Lingering inflation isn't just making life tougher for consumers. It's also been hurting restaurants.

In recent years, we've seen a number of major restaurant chains close their doors as a result of sluggish sales.

Related: Struggling restaurant chain’s decision will disappoint fans

Red Lobster, a beloved chain, filed for bankruptcy in May of 2024 after years of financial challenges. The seafood giant tried to lure customers in with its endless shrimp deal, but ultimately, that led to losses.

TGI Fridays, another popular chain, filed for bankruptcy in November of 2024. The chain had faced ongoing challenges since the days of the pandemic and had never managed to fully recover from the events of 2020.

Because consumers have been forced to limit their restaurant spending, dining chains have been forced to make more of an effort to earn their business.

For some, that's meant looking at serious menu overhauls. For others, it's meant offering promotions to get more people in the door.

Chili's makes a savvy move with its latest cocktail offering

Despite the challenges restaurant chains face today, Chili's is managing to thrive. Its parent company, Brinker International, announced that Chili's saw an uptick in foot traffic at a time when many dining chains are struggling to get customers.

"Chili's delivered another positive quarter in our turnaround with +31% same store sales driven by +21% traffic," said Kevin Hochman, President & CEO of Brinker International. "Our continued progress on the fundamentals of great food, great service in a fun, friendly atmosphere is clearly winning with guests."

Related: Iconic restaurant closing its doors after 42 years

Part of the reason Chili's has managed to succeed is that the chain makes an effort to keep its menu interesting. And one area where it really shines is its cocktail offerings.

Each month, Chili's introduces a new margarita to its lineup of fun cocktails. Not only do guests get to enjoy exciting new flavors, but the Margarita of the Month comes at a very appealing and inflation-friendly $6 price point.

In May, Chili's will be serving its Radical Rita. The concoction is made with Lunazul Blanco Tequila, Monin Dragonfruit, a house-made sour mix, and a blue curaçao float. It also comes with a '90s-inspired swizzle stick — a throwback to that unquestionably rad decade.

And to add an extra layer of fun, diners can use their swizzle sticks to change the color of their margaritas.

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To promote May's margarita offering, Chili's turned to '90s TV icon Tiffani Thiessen of "Saved by the Bell" fame.

“Everyone knows me from my days on America’s favorite ’90s sitcom, but what they might not know is that I also love a great margarita," said Thiessen in a promo. “Chili’s really knows how to tap into the spirit of such an iconic decade — one I’m especially fond of — with their Radical Rita.”

All told, the Radical Rita has the makings of a fantastic cocktail to try. And there's a good chance it will be instrumental in helping Chili's ride its recent wave of success.