CEO Reveals Chili's Most Popular Burger Changed and Nobody Spotted the Difference

(NEXSTAR) — Chili's modified its best-selling burger in a minor way that resulted in significant cost savings for the company, according to the restaurant chain's lead executive.

CEO Kevin Hochman revealed the change in a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal As he explained how Chili's is defying industry norms, attracting more guests, and contemplating growth while rivals shut down stores,

Hochman mentioned that a crucial aspect of the company’s plan involves focusing on financial performance. They have modified their menu to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs as a result.

A modification was made to Chili's signature burger, the Oldimer Cheeseburger. This suggestion originated from the kitchen crew, who presented their innovation to the executive leaders during a gathering. According to Hochman, the chefs placed two almost indistinguishable burgers before each leader, challenging them to discern what set them apart.

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"One executive said, 'The burger tastes different.' Another remarked, 'The cheese seems different.' Yet another noted, 'The buns are toasted differently.' None of us were correct," he shared with The Wall Street Journal.

Actually, the sole distinction was the pickle topping on the burger.

The pickles from Chili’s might not have stood out for their flavor, but they certainly were bothersome when trying to remove them from their jar.

It was similar to a 5-gallon container that resembled a painter's bucket and featured a specific instrument for prying open the pickle jars.

"Freeing" the jug of pickles, as Hochman put it, required at least a minute and frequently led to a messy kitchen. Opting for a standard pickle jar with a simple twist-off lid could save Chili's chefs valuable time and reduce frustration. The CEO added that this change would also significantly cut costs for the corporation.

They mentioned, 'By the way, this is more than $500,000 less expensive compared to the liberated pickles,'" he stated.

The pickle swap is merely one of several initiatives that Chili's has introduced to enhance profitability, according to Hochman. These efforts seem to be successful. Chili's recently announced higher year-over-year customer visits and revenue. earnings report .

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