Once popular shuttered mexican restaurant chain with locations in new jersey is coming back

TOMS RIVER, NJ . — Nearly two decades after the last Chi-Chi’s restaurant shut its doors, the once-beloved Mexican chain is making a comeback, with new locations expected to open in 2025 under a licensing agreement with Hormel Foods.

Chi-Chi’s had a large footprint in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, including multiple locations at the Jersey Shore, including Toms River.

The revival is being led by Michael McDermott, son of Chi-Chi’s co-founder Marno McDermott, who is determined to bring back the classic dining experience while incorporating modern touches to attract today’s consumers. McDermott, who has worked with brands like Kona Grill and Rojo Mexican Grill, founded Chi-Chi’s Restaurants LLC to lead the relaunch.

“I still have fond memories of growing up in the Chi-Chi’s restaurants that my father built,” McDermott said. “We believe there is a strong opportunity to bring the brand back in a way that resonates with today’s consumer – an updated dining experience with the same great taste and Mexican flavor.”

Michael mcdermott is determined to honor his family’s legacy by combining the classic chi-chi’s™ restaurant experience with modern influences

Originally launched in 1975, Chi-Chi’s was a major player in the casual dining scene during its heyday, with more than 200 locations nationwide. However, a series of ownership changes and financial struggles eventually led to the closure of the chain’s U.S. restaurants by 2004. The Chi-Chi’s name has since lived on through a popular line of salsas, tortillas, and seasonings sold in grocery stores.

Photo: once popular shuttered mexican restaurant chain with locations in new jersey is coming back

The new venture will honor the chain’s legacy while introducing modern features to appeal to a new generation of diners. McDermott says the company aims to combine the nostalgia of Chi-Chi’s with a lively, updated atmosphere and high-quality Mexican dishes.

Chi-Chi’s is poised to once again serve fans of the iconic brand, proving its enduring place in the hearts of those who remember it fondly.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.