Chiquito (restaurant)

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Chiquito
TypeTex-Mex Mexican themed restaurant chain
Founded1989; 32 years ago (1989)
FateAdministration
Headquarters
United Kingdom
OwnerThe Restaurant Group
Websitechiquito.co.uk

Chiquito is a restaurant chain based in the United Kingdom specialising in Tex-Mex foods.[1] It also serves food via its virtual restaurants Cornstar Tacos and Kickass Burritos.[2]

History[]

The company was established in 1989,[3] and has sixty eight restaurants across the country.[4] It dubs itself as 'The Original Mexican Grill & Bar', and has been described as the United Kingdom's best known Mexican chain.[5] Chiquito restaurants are part of the Restaurant Group.[6]

Following the coronavirus pandemic, it was announced that restaurants of Chiquito would not be reopening after social distancing restrictions are lifted. In an announcement to the stock exchange on 18 March, owners The Restaurant Group announced their intention to place Chiquito into administration.[7] The chain re-opened a limited number of its restaurants in August 2020.[8]

Decor and style[]

The restaurants, which tend to feature a large bar and lounge style restaurant have rustic interior décor, based on traditional Mexican architecture and culture, where old Mexican posters and photos adorn the walls, alongside piñatas plates, balloons, castanets, fans, and sombreros.[3][9] Spanish and Mexican music played throughout the restaurant.[10]

Notable past employees[]

Nick Frost, actor and writer, worked at the Staples Corner (London) branch where he first met Simon Pegg.[11]

Environmental record[]

In November 2015, the chain was one of seven restaurants surveyed that failed to meet a basic level of sustainability in its seafood.[12]

References[]

  1. ^ (4 March 2010). Go Mexican for a hot chain meal, Bristol Evening Post
  2. ^ Beardsworth, Luke (28 June 2019). "Restaurants accused of lacking transparency over 'virtual brands'". LancsLive. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  3. ^ a b Ritchie, Simon (27 December 2008). "Food & Drink - Chiquito, Clifton Moor, York". York Press. York. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  4. ^ "Strong Brands, Focussed Strategy" (PDF). Annual Report 2010. The Restaurant Group plc. p. 2. Retrieved 12 October 2011.[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ "Mexican chain hits town". Belfast Telegraph. Belfast. 15 April 2010. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  6. ^ "Restaurant Group serves up strong sales". Reuters. 12 September 2007. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  7. ^ "'It's adios for now' – Chiquito to close majority of sites as group files for administration". The Caterer. 27 March 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  8. ^ "Ellesmere Port Chiquito restaurant to reopen this month". Chester & District Standard. 24 August 2020. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  9. ^ Lloyd, Jane (30 March 2007). "Eating Out". Liverpool Daily Post. Liverpool. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  10. ^ Anson, John (19 January 2008). "Chiquito's, Blackburn". Lancashire Telegraph. Blackburn. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
  11. ^ Stuart, Husband (18 July 2013). "Nick Frost: 'It's about time I showed off my smokingly hot side'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  12. ^ Smithers, Rebecca (18 November 2015). "More than half of UK's family restaurant chains serving unsustainable seafood" – via The Guardian.

External links[]

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