Entertainment

New Loyalty Program at Chili's Rewards the Guest on Every Visit

DALLAS - We, Chili's^® Grill & Bar, just made things a whole lot simpler for Guests participating in our loyalty program, My Chili's Rewards. Have you noticed that loyalty programs have turned into crazy math equations? Like, let me calculate how many points I've earned. But, the rate of earning isn't even clear.

Then, let me solve to understand what the heck that means I get in return for keeping track of all of these points! Well, starting today, we're breaking away from the norm and promise that you don't need to solve equations to know what you're getting as a My Chili's Rewards Guest. It's simple! My Chili's Rewards Guests will get their choice of chips and salsa or a non-alcoholic beverage during every (yes, every) visit to Chili's.

"It's raining chips, hallelujah, it's raining chips!" sang Steve Provost, chief marketing and innovation officer of Chili's. "Well, and free non-alcoholic beverages!"

But, how did we come to this marvelous and simple update to our loyalty program you ask? By taking the time to listen to our Guests. We heard the feedback loud and clear that loyalty programs feel too complicated so what would keep them coming back is to make things simple. We then took that and tested it in a few markets starting in August 2017 to confirm we were giving Guests what they want. The results? We are! In test markets, approximately 50 percent of My Chili's Rewards members opt for free chips and salsa and the other 50 percent choose a non-alcoholic beverage.

"The reality is a loyalty program is a way of saying 'thank you' to our Guests for being one of their top dining options and we weren't doing a good job of that until now," added Steve Provost.

If you've lost faith in loyalty programs over the years, we're delighted to share Chili's is giving you a reason to care again.

Side note, if you're thinking, "wow, Chili's has been really self aware lately!" You're right. It started back in Sept. 2017 when we slashed the menu and focused on what made us famous – burgers, ribs and fajitas – and now we're applying that thinking to all aspects. Loyalty was next up and we've realized what it takes to make our Guests happy. More to come…

Stomp Out Hunger at Foodlink's Root Stomp Garden Party

EXETER - Stomp out hunger with FoodLink for Tulare County on March 24th. Join us for a family-friendly garden party where blues and folk music combine for a stompin' good time. We’ll have live music by local artist Lance Canales, craft beer by Rocky Hill Brewing, delicious BBQ, and Free kids’ activities and horse rides provided by Safety Skills Network will be taking place.

The garden party will be taking place in FoodLink’s DEEP Roots Garden. The garden began with a partnership with FoodLink and In Good Company, Clif Bar and other values driven organizations with a long tradition of community service, collaboration, and a powerful force for positive change in the community. Today the garden hosts educational opportunities for community residents and organizations.

2017 Best of the Valley Restaurant Awards to Recognize a Part of Reedley Community History: Lifetime Achievement Award - Jon Koobation

FRESNO - One of our region’s culinary giants, Jon Koobation, will be recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2017 Best of the Valley Restaurant Awards, presented by the Fresno chapter of the California Restaurant Association. The 27^th annual event will be held Monday, March 5^th, at the Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center.

“Having been given this honor just blows me away,” Koobation said. “Frankly, I’m just overwhelmed by it.”

IHOP® Restaurants Unveils Limited Edition PancakeWear For Spring 2018

GLENDALE - Today, IHOP® Restaurants announced the debut of PancakeWear by IHOP^TM, a limited-edition clothing collection inspired by a love of all things breakfast. The colorful, one-of-a-kind lineup features adult- and child-sized one pieces and lounge pants as well as socks. Part of the IHOP "60 Days of Giving" campaign, a portion of the proceeds from every purchase will benefit Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

The ultra-comfy PancakeWear by IHOP collection is the perfect accessory for eating pancakes, dreaming about pancakes, talking about pancakes and general pancake revelry – and helps a child in need at the same time. Limited inventory of the Spring collection is available now for purchase on eBay for Charity.

Red Lobster® Reveals Seafood With Standards Commitments

ORLANDO, Fla. - Red Lobster^®, the world's largest seafood restaurant company, has unveiled its Seafood with Standards platform, detailing its commitments to serving the highest quality seafood that is sourced in a manner that is Traceable, Sustainable and Responsible:

Traceable…to a known and trusted source
Sustainable…only sourced from trusted suppliers who follow industry best practices
Responsible…by following Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and other regulatory efforts that manage fish populations, such as fishing quotas, and avoiding serving at-risk species

Dunkin' Donuts Celebrates Girl Scout Cookie™ Season with New Thin Mints®, Coconut Caramel and Peanut Butter Cookie Inspired Coffee Flavors

CANTON, Mass. - As millions of people show support for Girl Scout entrepreneurs this season by buying boxes of their beloved cookies, Dunkin' Donuts is delivering the delicious taste of Girl Scout Cookies™ in its signature coffee and beverages for the first time. Dunkin' Donuts, under a licensing agreement with Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), introduces a trio of new coffee flavors inspired by iconic Girl Scout Cookie varieties: Thin Mints®, Coconut Caramel and Peanut Butter Cookie. All three flavors will be available by Monday, February 26, and served at participating Dunkin' Donuts restaurants nationwide through May for a sweet spring.

New Thin Mints flavored coffee features the classic cookie's combination of cool mint and decadent chocolate, while new Coconut Caramel flavored coffee treats guests to the taste of toasted coconut together with creamy caramel. With new Peanut Butter Cookie flavored coffee, Dunkin' Donuts has crafted its first-ever coffee featuring the flavor of mouth-watering peanut butter (without allergens). All of Dunkin' Donuts' coffee flavors inspired by Girl Scout Cookies are available in the brand's full lineup of hot or iced coffees, lattes, macchiatos, frozen coffee, and frozen chocolate.

Taco Bell's Nacho Fries Premiere On Menus Nationwide Today For $1

IRVINE, Calif. - Live Más productions presents Nacho Fries, one of the most highly-anticipated menu items in Taco Bell history, debuting today in restaurants nationwide. Taco Bell's take on fries is a departure from competitor's offerings when it comes to both flavor and cost, with bold Mexican seasoning and served alongside warm Nacho Cheese all for just $1.

A five-star menu item like Nacho Fries is worthy of the red carpet, and that's exactly the treatment Taco Bell is rolling out with its "Web of Fries" trailer. Starring Josh Duhamel, a family man who inquires why Taco Bell doesn't serve fries, finds he's bitten off more than he can chew when a sinister "Big Fries" conspiracy threatens to destroy everything he holds dear. The trailer will leave you hungry for more – more Nacho Fries that is.