My wife and I had planned on eating here because we have not been to Chili's in years. We come in shortly after happy hour ends on a weekday. It's a little busy, but there are many open tables. We wait at the front of the restaurant... and wait... and wait...
We stand at the booth at the front waiting for someone to come for 5 minutes. Finally, the hostess comes and says "I'll be with you in a minute" and leaves again.
We left. Maybe we'll try going to a Chili's again in a few years.
Recent news stories have come out about how Millennials are "killing" chains like TGI Friday's, Applebee's, and Chili's; instead preferring cooking at home, ordering delivery, or fast food. You know what part of the issue is? Places like this where they just seem to think it's OK for there to be no host at the front for 5 minutes.