On National Tequila Day, raise a glass to Chili’s Grill & Bar. The restaurant chain sold its first Margarita—a frozen version—in 1975 for just $1.50. Chili’s, which offers more than 11 Margaritas on any given day, along with a broad selection of tequilas, now sells about 20 million Margaritas a year.
The casual dining brand, acquired by Brinker in 1983, says it’s one of the top sellers of tequila in the U.S. among restaurant chains, and the number one on-premise national chain for Patrón tequila and Citrónge liqueur in the U.S. Prior to Covid-19, Chili’s was purchasing more than 9,000 cases of Patron Silver tequila and over 16,000 cases of Patron Citrónge per year.
In fact, Chili’s, which hit number-one in Margarita sales in 1994, had its largest-preforming Margarita of the Month in January 2020, with 1.67 million Patrón Margaritas sold in 31 days. The Presidente—hand-shaken 25 times with Sauza Conmemorativo tequila, Patrón Citrónge and E&J Brandy—is consistently Chili’s most popular Margarita. It’s available in classic, mango or strawberry flavors.
The Classic Rita on the Rocks and Tropical Sunrise (with Hornitos Reposado tequila, DeKuyper Melon Schnapps, grenadine and pineapple juice) are the next most popular Margaritas. During its 2021 fiscal year, which ended in June 2021, Chili’s sold 11,800 Gallon Mar-Go-Ritas; about 7.5% of its Margaritas sales were to-go for the year.
For National Tequila Day July 24, Chili’s will be offering $6 Presidente Margaritas, $30 To-Go Gallon Mar-Go-Ritas and its $5 Marg of the Month—Captain’s Stay-Cay ‘Rita, a mix of Captain Morgan spiced rum, Lunazul Blanco tequila, fresh sour mix, coconut purée, pineapple juice and grenadine. The special offers will be available through to-go orders and at participating Chili’s locations all day.