Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Chili's Grill & Bar, Brinker Intl
Search every verified Douglas Comings interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Douglas Comings, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Chili's Grill & Bar at Brinker International, has been involved in the company's recent strategic initiatives. In October 2024, Brinker CEO Kevin Hochman discussed Chili's performance, noting that comparable sales grew 13.5% in the most recent quarter. Hochman attributed this to investments in the guest experience, better service levels, and menu tightening. He also mentioned the company's use of TikTok to reach new customers and the introduction of value-oriented menu items such as the $10.99 Three For Me lunch menu and a $6 margarita. Hochman stated that the company aims to meet a range of guest needs, from value to premium options. In September 2023, Hochman described the company's turnaround as "well underway," with a focus on reinvesting $55 to $60 million in advertising to drive traffic. He emphasized a strategy of simplifying operations by listening to restaurant teams and implementing their ideas to improve the guest experience and profitability. Hochman noted that the company is focused on improving restaurant operating margins and managing labor, and that regardless of macroeconomic conditions, the priority is to provide the best possible guest experience to win market share.
“If consumers are going to be pulling back on trips, they need to go to restaurants they trust or will have a great experience. We've been at this for over two years making an investment in the guest experience, better service levels, and tightening up menus so the restaurant teams can more consistently execute and make...”
“We've certainly invested in the fun atmosphere in our restaurants and then we've turned on advertising, this industry leading value that we had before I got here as CEO, but now we're telling customers about it, and its industry leading value not just in terms of a hot price point but the quality of the food is really...”
“TikTok is a place where we've made some investments. Our food is experiential and we're finding a whole generation is being introduced to Chili's that have never come or came when they were young and having an amazing experience, having fun with the food.”
“We stick to the fundamentals of a great experience and a fun atmosphere with abundant food at hot price points. We've done that with the Three For Me menu, inspired by the famous fast food combo meals, only we believe they're a much better value.”
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