Chi-Chi's

Chi-Chi's was a popular Mexican restaurant chain from 1975 to 2004. It ceased to exist within the United States following a 2003 Hepatitis A outbreak that began at one of its locations in suburban Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Chi-Chi's is still in operation in Belgium, Luxembourg, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Indonesia and Canada. A division of Chi-Chi's operates under the name Tumbleweed Restaurants in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. Chi-Chi's also marketed a line of grocery foods (later purchased by Hormel) with an emphasis on salsa.

Founding

Chi-Chi's was founded in 1975 in Richfield, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis by restaurateur Marno McDermott and former Green Bay Packers player Max McGee. From 1977 to 1986, the chain was run by former KFC executive Shelly Frank. When Frank came on, the chain moved its headquarters to Frank's hometown of Louisville.

As of March 1995, the chain had grown to 210 locations.

Management and marketing

In 2001, Chi-Chi's applied for a trademark on the word "Salsafication" but was denied by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.The company's slogans were "A celebration of food" and, later, "Life Always Needs a Little Salsa."<ref...
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