Chili's to install tabletop tablets in all 823 company-owned US restaurants by H1 2014, allowing guests to view menus, order beverages and desserts, pay check at table

Cindy Allen

DALLAS , September 17, 2013 (press release) – Ziosk, makers of the world's first ordering, entertainment and pay-at-the table tablet, and Chili's® Grill & Bar announced today a partnership to bring tabletop tablets to all company-owned restaurants nationwide by the first half of 2014.

With the primary purpose of enhancing the guest experience, the Ziosk 7-inch tablet will be displayed on each table in the restaurant, giving guests the ability to interactively peruse menu items and specials as well as order beverages and desserts whenever the craving strikes. Additionally, when not engaging with their server, guests can play games together, share their real-time feedback with the brand and pay the check right at the table the moment they choose.

The new Ziosk tablets complement the fun and personal dining experience Chili's is known for, while putting the convenience and control of on-demand ordering, entertainment and payment all at the guests' fingertips. The tablets also perfectly align with the brand's efforts to re-image all company-owned restaurants, driving relevancy with today's guests.

"Results from a multi-market test of Ziosk prove this next step in Chili's innovation is a win for our guests, team members and the brand as a whole," said Wyman Roberts, CEO and president of Brinker International and president of Chili's Grill & Bar. "Embraced as a tool to help team members create an even better dining experience, we saw improvements in guest satisfaction and engagement from many different touch points within the restaurant, including Chili's guest feedback surveys and Email Club."

With Ziosk tablets soon available at 823 restaurants nationwide, Chili's is also meeting the growing demand for guest-facing technology. In a Consumer-Facing Technology Survey conducted by Technomic in 2012, 51 percent of respondents considered it important for restaurants to integrate technology into ordering.

"Chili's has a vision for casual dining in a connected world," said Austen Mulinder, CEO of Ziosk. "Integrating Ziosk tablets into the Chili's experience will give guests the convenience, speed and control that Ziosk uniquely provides – it is digitally enhanced dining at its very best."

About Chili's Grill & Bar
Chili's® Grill & Bar is the flagship brand of Dallas-based Brinker International, Inc. (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℠ 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.

About Ziosk
Based in Dallas, TX, Ziosk® is the first entertainment, ordering and pay-at-the-table tablet for the casual dining restaurant market. The technology, featuring a 7-inch tablet and encrypted credit card reader, resides on each table and enables guests to see menu items, play games, view news and entertainment, order food and beverages and 'pay on demand;' all which gives guests control over their dining experience. With its interactive capabilities, Ziosk and its footprint have created the Ziosk Media Network, a digital media platform for partners to create engaging experiences at the point of purchase. Ziosk is revolutionizing the experience and economics of casual dining. For more information, please visit www.ziosk.com.

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