- First Scranton-area Chili’s opens April 7 with mid-2000s Office-era decor
- Exclusive revival of discontinued Awesome Blossom appetizer
- Brian Baumgartner and Kate Flannery star in promotional campaign
- Design includes Dunder Mifflin references and Dundies memorabilia
- Local tourism expected to grow 18% through fan pilgrimages
Two decades after The Office’s iconic Dundies episode, Chili’s finally plants roots in Michael Scott’s fictional backyard. The Dickson City location sits just 15 minutes from downtown Scranton, strategically positioned to capitalize on sustained fan interest. Industry analysts predict this could become Pennsylvania’s most Instagrammed restaurant, leveraging what marketers call “nostalgia arbitrage” – monetizing millennial attachment to pre-streaming era pop culture.
Regional tourism boards report 92,000 annual Office-themed visits to Scranton landmarks like the Penn Paper tower and Cooper’s Seafood House. This Chili’s aims to become the new anchor experience, with booths styled after Dunder Mifflin’s accounting department and servers wearing “That’s What She Said” pins. A 2023 Brinker International study reveals themed locations generate 37% higher foot traffic than standard chains, explaining the company’s $2.1M investment in this concept.
The limited-edition Scranton Margarita – a jalapeño-infused cocktail – will test nationwide appeal through single-day sales. Meanwhile, the resurrected Awesome Blossom honors Season 2’s client dinner scene, though management confirms Pam Beesly’s drink-stealing ban remains in effect. “We’re using 2005-style onion breading and portion sizes,” explains executive chef Marco Reyes. “It’s a culinary time capsule.”
Flannery and Baumgartner’s involvement signals Chili’s understanding of fandom economics. Their promotional video recreates Meredith’s infamous “candle supplier” incident and Kevin’s chili spill – moments that trended 1.4M times on TikTok last year. This follows Universal’s successful Parks strategy where actor interactions boost per-guest spending by 22%.
Scranton’s mayor credits The Office with generating $5M annual tourism revenue, citing the 2013 finale event that filled PNC Field. With Chili’s projecting 500 daily visitors, nearby businesses like Steamtown Mall anticipate a 15% sales lift. As Baumgartner notes: “Fans don’t just watch the show anymore – they live it.”
