India gets its first Chili's unitIndia gets its first Chili's unit

Ron Ruggless

DALLAS Brinker International Inc. said it has opened its first Chili's Grill & Bar in India, which marks the multiconcept restaurant company's 200th location outside the United States.

The restaurant in Bangalore, India, was developed by the Jawad Business Group, which also owns Chili’s units in Bahrain and Maggiano’s locations in Saudi Arabia. The restaurant is part of a five-year, 15-unit agreement with Jawad.

Brinker said it plans to have 500 restaurants open outside the United States by 2014.

“Our plan is aggressive, about 50 restaurants a year, and we see a world of opportunity out there for us,” said John Reale, Brinker's president of global business development. “Comp sales are strong internationally, and our competitive advantage is a portfolio of brands our franchisees can grow with, including Chili's, Maggiano's, and On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina.”

Reale said the Jawad partnership is ideal. “Jawad Business Group is a strong, longtime business partner of ours in the Middle East,” he said, adding that it “underscores their desire to grow with not just one, but all three Brinker brands."

The menu at the 126-seat Chili’s in Bangalore was developed especially for India. More than 80 percent of the menu offerings can be prepared vegetarian.

“Chili's-Bangalore will offer guests a unique dining experience with bold, kicked up flavors,” Reale said. “From the tandoori chicken sandwich to the Paneer Bites to the Bombay Burger, guests will find local flavors they enjoy infused with the brand’s Southwestern heritage.”

Dallas-based Brinker owns and franchises more than 1,700 restaurants in 28 nations and two U.S. territories.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].