The Rise And Fall Of Chi-Chi's: What Happened To The Popular Restaurant Chain?

The outbreak: how did it happen?

The chain originated in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1975, and within a decade, it had expanded to 237 locations across the United States. It enjoyed significant success during the '80s and '90s, with many people fondly recalling the restaurant from their childhood. At one point, the chain even ventured overseas, reaching as far as Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.

However, the number of locations began to decline steadily in the late '90s due to rising competition and a series of ownership changes. By 2002, only 144 locations remained. In October 2003, the chain filed for bankruptcy, and a month later, an outbreak occurred. Initially, 181 individuals were affected, along with 13 employees, and the numbers continued to rise as the CDC investigated the situation.

Eventually, it was determined that the outbreak was linked to green onions, specifically those that had not been cooked or had received minimal heating. While the exact source was not pinpointed, it was confirmed that the green onions originated from one or more farms in Mexico. By July 2004, Chi-Chi's had settled lawsuits related to the outbreak, but combined with the bankruptcy and ongoing leadership changes, it was too late for recovery. Today, Chi-Chi's remains a nostalgic memory for those who grew up in the '80s and '90s.