No April Fools': Chili's is opening a 'Scranton Branch' that celebrates 'The Office'
Show Caption
Hide Caption
Steve Carell teams up with nonprofit to surprise high school seniors
A nonprofit org, Alice's Kids, set up a special announcement for high school seniors who were affected by the Eaton Fire, delivered by Steve Carell.
Do you feel God in this Chili's?
The restaurant chain announced on March 26 its plans to open a Chili's "Scranton Branch" that will "pay homage to some of Chili's most notable on-screen moments, with throwback nods and decor," in addition to being the only Chili's restaurant to have the Awesome Blossom on its menu, according to a news release.
A Chili's spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY Tuesday that this is not an April Fools' joke.
The restaurant, set to open on April 7, will feature a giant Chili's Scranton Branch chalk art mural created by the original Chili's artist from the early 2000s, according to the news release, and will also include other throwback elements include "vintage artwork, Chili's iconic tile tables, and a perfectly recreated business lunch booth photo opp to snap the perfect 2005 frame."
"Seeing Chili's Scranton Branch was like stepping into a time machine, especially if that time machine could also spit out the greatest appetizer of all time, the Awesome Blossom," Brian Baumgartner, who played the role of Kevin Malone in the popular sitcom, said in the news release.
"Scranton is a city I'm very protective of, and working with Chili's to open this location was a natural fit. The Chili's team pulled out all the stops in creating this restaurant, and I'll be stopping in for an Awesome Blossom every time I come visit," Baumgartner said.
What is an Awesome Blossom and a Scranton Marg?
The Awesome Blossom is a deep-fried onion cut into a blossom shape with "easy to pull petals" and served with Chili's Buffalo Ranch dipping sauce, according to the chain.
The item was removed from menus in 2008 and will be available exclusively at the Chili's Scranton Branch.
The company is also offering customers a Scranton Marg, a "$5 party in a glass" that will be offered at Chili's locations nationwide on April 7 to celebrate the grand opening of the Scranton branch.
"I'm the daughter of a bar owner and I've had enough margaritas through the years that I'm getting picky about them, and the Scranton Marg is a really good one," Kate Flannery, who portrayed Meredith Palmer on the show, said in the news release.
"For fans who come to Scranton, Chili's Scranton Branch has everything you need in one place, and for those who can't make it on opening day, find the $5 Scranton Marg wherever your closest Chili's is," Flannery added.
New Chili's commercial featuring famous 'locals'
To promote the opening of the Scranton Branch restaurant, Chili's released a video on its YouTube channel on March 26 featuring some famous "locals."
Andy Buckley and Melora Hardin, who played David Wallace and Jan Levinson in the sitcom, star in the ad, filmed in the style of a classic local TV commercial and highlighting the location's unique decor.
The ad ends with Hardin being serenaded to the famous Chili's Baby Back Ribs jingle.
You can watch the full ad in the embedded video below.
This story has been updated to add new information.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Wendy's unveils Wednesday-themed 'Meal of Misfortune': When you can get it
Wendy's has announced a new meal in collaboration with the hit Netflix show "Wednesday" that the restaurant chain calls "pure punishment in a bag." The company unveiled on – you guessed it – Wednesday, July 23, the Wendy's Wednesday Meal of Misfortune. The limited-time meal is centered around four mystery sauces called the "Dips of Dread," along with "Rest in 10-Piece" nuggets, small "Cursed & Crispy" fries, and a new Frosty flavor called "Raven's Blood." The items will all be served in custom packaging, according to Wendy's. The meal will coincide with the release of Season 2 of "Wednesday" that will premiere on Netflix. The show will be in two parts. Part 1 will debut Aug. 6 at 3 a.m. ET and Part 2 will premiere Sept. 3 at 3 a.m. ET. More news: What to know about 'Wednesday' Season 2: Jenna Ortega returns with Lady Gaga When will the Wednesday meal be available? The items will be available at restaurants nationwide beginning Monday, Aug. 4, or via the Wendy's app on Wednesday, Aug. 6, according to Wendy's. In Canada, customers can get the meal in restaurants or via the Wendy's app starting Monday, Aug. 11. Will the Wednesday meal be available at all Wendy's locations? The company said the Meal of Misfortune will also be available at Wendy's locations in Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and Guam. "Wendy's and Wednesday are both cultural icons famous for challenging convention with wit and a bit of sass," said Liz Geraghty, international chief marketing officer for The Wendy's Company, in a news release. "This isn't a typical collaboration, because not just any brand could scheme up a Meal of Misfortune with Wednesday Addams. But for a brand that's proudly customer-obsessed and unapologetically bold, it was a match made in dark, dry-witted heaven." What kinds of sauces are the 'Dips of Dread'? Wendy's said two mystery dipping sauces come in each meal, adding that "fate will decide which of the four dips" customers receive. The four flavors are called: You Can't Hyde This Will Sting Grave Mistake Nowhere to Woe "Don't bother asking which sauce you'll get – you must surrender to your destiny. Those brave enough to try them all must endure multiple visits," Wendy's said in the news release. Contributing: Taijuan Moorman, Kelly Lawler, Bryan Alexander, Pamela Avila; USA TODAY Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Wendy's unveils Wednesday-inspired menu items: When you can get them
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Wendy's unveils Wednesday-themed 'Meal of Misfortune': When you can get it
Wendy's has announced a new meal in collaboration with the hit Netflix show "Wednesday" that the restaurant chain calls "pure punishment in a bag." The company unveiled on – you guessed it – Wednesday, July 23, the Wendy's Wednesday Meal of Misfortune. The limited-time meal is centered around four mystery sauces called the "Dips of Dread," along with "Rest in 10-Piece" nuggets, small "Cursed & Crispy" fries, and a new Frosty flavor called "Raven's Blood." The items will all be served in custom packaging, according to Wendy's. The meal will coincide with the release of Season 2 of "Wednesday" that will premiere on Netflix. The show will be in two parts. Part 1 will debut Aug. 6 at 3 a.m. ET and Part 2 will premiere Sept. 3 at 3 a.m. ET. More news: What to know about 'Wednesday' Season 2: Jenna Ortega returns with Lady Gaga When will the Wednesday meal be available? The items will be available at restaurants nationwide beginning Monday, Aug. 4, or via the Wendy's app on Wednesday, Aug. 6, according to Wendy's. In Canada, customers can get the meal in restaurants or via the Wendy's app starting Monday, Aug. 11. Will the Wednesday meal be available at all Wendy's locations? The company said the Meal of Misfortune will also be available at Wendy's locations in Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and Guam. "Wendy's and Wednesday are both cultural icons famous for challenging convention with wit and a bit of sass," said Liz Geraghty, international chief marketing officer for The Wendy's Company, in a news release. "This isn't a typical collaboration, because not just any brand could scheme up a Meal of Misfortune with Wednesday Addams. But for a brand that's proudly customer-obsessed and unapologetically bold, it was a match made in dark, dry-witted heaven." What kinds of sauces are the 'Dips of Dread'? Wendy's said two mystery dipping sauces come in each meal, adding that "fate will decide which of the four dips" customers receive. The four flavors are called: "Don't bother asking which sauce you'll get – you must surrender to your destiny. Those brave enough to try them all must endure multiple visits," Wendy's said in the news release. Contributing: Taijuan Moorman, Kelly Lawler, Bryan Alexander, Pamela Avila; USA TODAY Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Surprise delivery? 👀
Cheers — it's Friday! Ronnie here. Today is National Wine and Cheese Day — the perfect excuse to get fancy with some stinky delights and crisp sips. Food Tetris on a wooden board, anyone? We made a charcuterie board for my niece's first birthday. She had no idea it existed, but it stole the show. Anyway, treat yourself this weekend — you've earned it! Let's brie real... it's time to wine down. Shall we? 📦 An 'Amazon guy' asked to use the bathroom and then for soup! A puzzled grandma said yes — but wait 'til she found out who he really was. 🏃♀️ Everyone thought this runner at the Special Olympics was heading the wrong way … but he knew exactly where he was going, and it became the sweetest moment of the race. 💈 She lost all her hair at just 6 months old to alopecia — 16 years later, she's finally getting a first glimpse of herself with hair and the mirror moment was priceless. Cheesin' hard? Share the love — because good vibe pairs perfectly with any vintage of the day! Last week, we tested your good news knowledge about the golden retriever who risked it all for his best bud. And the answer is … C. The doorman of a building he doesn't even live in. Did you get it right? Scroll on for good news to fill your emotional charcuterie board — after all, just like the perfect bite of cheese, good news is best savored slowly. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Surprise delivery? 👀
