Chili’s has announced a menu change that will be available at restaurants for just the four weeks of December.
Under the chain’s new December menu, the Margarita of the Month will be the Merry Maker Marg.
Why It Matters
Many restaurants have launched seasonal menu items or new deals courtesy of the holiday season.
Limited-time offerings often boost restaurant revenue, even as consumers reel in their spending amid inflation.
“With cash-strapped customers still cutting back on dining out, restaurant chains are looking to different promotions this holiday season to increase foot traffic,” Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek. “With the introduction of a new holiday-themed $6 cocktail, Chili’s is hoping an affordable new menu item will bring more customers through their doors.”
What To Know
The new seasonal margarita comes on the heels of Chili’s Wicked: For Good-themed cocktails, The Good Witch and Witches Brew Marg. The drinks are available throughout November, coinciding with the movie’s release.
The Merry Maker Marg will be available at all restaurants throughout the month of December for $6.
The cocktail is made with Lunazul Blanco Tequila, Cointreau, Monin Blackberry, strawberry puree and house-made sour. It is also served with a reusable Santa ‘stache straw.
Chili’s is also updating its hours due to the upcoming holidays.
On Christmas Eve, Chili’s will only be open until 4 p.m. local time, and all restaurants will remain closed through the entirety of Christmas Day. However, for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, the restaurant will be open for the standard operating hours.
Other chains like Olive Garden have sought to increase relevance with consumers by adding deals such as the Never-Ending Pasta Bowl. The limited-time menu option originally went live on August 25 at $13.99. The deal included unlimited pasta, plus soup, salad, and breadsticks.
What People Are Saying
Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek: “We’ve seen in recent months how similar promotions for other retailers have succeeded in increasing revenue. At the moment, for most Americans, everything comes back to affordability, and if they feel a deal can be had when dining out, they’re more than likely to take it.”
What Happens Next
Similar seasonal promotions have helped restaurants increase revenue, so Chili’s could see a wave of success with the new cocktail on its menu.
