This Veterans Day, Chili's has Service Members' Backs In More Ways Than One

DALLAS, Nov. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The best way to anyone's heart is through their stomach, and every year, Chili's® Grill & Bar honors veterans and active military personnel with free entrees as a delicious and filling token of thanks. But this year, the brand is taking their appreciation one step further and making it easy for guests to pay back the injured servicemen and women who have done so much for the country. For the first time in Chili's history, participating restaurants nationwide will host a 'Give Back Event' Sunday, Nov. 10 to raise money for Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP), a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors.

To participate in the Give Back Event, guests simply need to bring their hungry appetites into their local Chili's anytime Sunday, Nov. 10 and mention to their server they are dining in support of WWP. The brand will, in turn, donate 10 percent of the check's net sales to the organization – and guests can leave with their stomachs and hearts full.  

"Give Back Events are more than just what Chili's does, it is who we are, and we could not think of a better reason to broaden this local fundraising effort to say thanks to those who had and continue to have our backs," said Krista Gibson, senior vice president of brand strategy for Chili's Grill & Bar. "We pride ourselves on our culture of giving back locally, and with the addition of a nationwide Give Back Event benefitting Wounded Warrior Project, Chili's guests can support the injured servicemen and women in their community as well as across the country."

In addition to the Give Back Event, veterans and active military personnel will enjoy a free meal Monday, Nov. 11 when they dine at one of the more than 1,200 Chili's restaurants nationwide. Signature entrees offered as part of the special Veterans Day menu include:     

• Oldtimer® with Cheese
• Chicken Crispers®
• Margarita Grilled Chicken
• Classic Turkey Toasted Sandwich
• Lighter Choices Grilled Chicken Salad
• Soup & Salad Combo
• Full-sized Flatbread (any flavor)
• Pizza (any flavor)
• Any Lunch Combo during lunch hours

During Veterans Day and throughout the fall, guests can also 'pour' on additional support for WWP and share their appreciation with both veterans and active-duty service members by looking for the "Our Turn to Serve" Heinz® Ketchup bottle on their Chili's table. Guests can scan the QR code on the specially marked ketchup bottles and write a thank you note to those who have served the country. For every thank you written, Heinz will donate $1 to WWP, up to $250,000.

To learn more about Chili's Give Back Event benefitting WWP and Veterans Day offering, visit chilis.com. 

About Wounded Warrior Project
Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is recognizing its ten-year anniversary, reflecting on a decade of service and reaffirming its commitment to serving Wounded Warriors for their lifetime. The mission of WWP is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. WWP's purpose is to raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org.  

About Chili's Grill & Bar
Chili's® Grill & Bar is the flagship brand of Dallas-based Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT), a recognized leader in casual dining. Chili's offers a variety of Southwestern-inspired, classic American favorites at nearly 1,600 locations in 33 countries and two territories. In addition to Chili's, Brinker owns and operates Maggiano's Little Italy®.

At Chili's, More Life Happens Here(SM) around every table, every day, at every Chili's across the country. Guests are encouraged to share their stories of More Life Happening at their restaurant by connecting  with the brand on Chili's blog (blog.chilis.com), Facebook (http://facebook.com/chilis), Twitter (http://twitter.com/chilis), YouTube (http://youtube.com/chilis) and Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/chilis). For more brand-related information, please visit http://www.chilis.com.

SOURCE Chili's Grill & Bar