In what could also be one of the best PR transfer ever, Chili’s is opening a Scranton, Pennsylvania department timed with the twentieth Anniversary of the U.S. The Workplace. For individuals who have by no means seen this present that is thought-about one of many finest sitcoms of all time, the connection between Chili’s and The Workplace could seem a bit unusual, however I do know the followers can really feel God on this announcement.
The Scranton Chili’s is about to open on April 7, simply two weeks after the twentieth anniversary date of The Workplace, which NBC first aired on March 24, 2005.
It wasn’t till Season 2 that the favored Tex-Mex chain was a featured off-site location for the Dunder Mifflin staff. Plus, it is a little identified The Workplace reality that the Chili’s within the widespread NBC sitcom was a pretend, recreated in an empty restaurant in LA only for filming. Lastly, Chili’s is making a Scranton location a actuality, they usually enlisted some particular recruits to assist with the advert, which was posted to X from the official Chili’s account.
We introduced just a few pals again to assist us rejoice the opening of Chili’s Scranton Department on April seventh. Oh, and yeah… it’s the one Chili’s on the earth that’ll be serving the Superior Blossom pic.twitter.com/ZwjuogNvtnMarch 26, 2025
If these Chili’s patrons and employees look acquainted, it’s as a result of they had been all a part of The Workplace solid. These people are all actors who appeared in The Workplace at one time or one other. True superfans can in all probability identify all of them, however proper off the bat I spot two of the finest characters from the NBC hit. Dunder Mifflin CEO David Wallace (Andy Buckley) will be seen bartending within the advert, and VP of Northeast Gross sales Jan Levison (Melora Hardin) will be seen sensually swaying in a sales space as her assistant Hunter serenades her with the well-known Chilis’ jingle “child again, child again, child again ribs.”
Jan being obsessed along with her assistant Hunter and his horrible music profession is likely one of the finest inside jokes in The Workplace. So is Michael’s love for “That’s what she mentioned” jokes, so I’m glad they had been each included on this advert.
Chili’s was first featured in two memorable episodes of the sitcom’s sophomore season, together with the Season 2 premiere, “The Dundies.” Those that have seen the present in all probability bear in mind this because the episode the place Pam will get extraordinarily drunk at Michael’s after-hours workplace award present, proclaiming she “feels God on this Chili’s tonight” whereas accepting her trophy. It’s additionally the episode the place she first kisses Jim, the catalyst for his or her Jim and Pam’s epic love story.
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On the finish of the episode, a supervisor reveals to the digicam crew that Pam is banned from the Chili’s. For some time, it was a preferred rumor that this was an actual life Chili’s worker who appeared on display screen. This isn’t true, though Chili’s didn’t miss the prospect to ask actor Christopher T. Wooden to reprise his position as supervisor for his or her Scranton location announcement.
When you gained’t see Wooden, or another actors for that matter, on the new Scranton Chili’s, you’re going to get to see every part else proven within the video. The brand new Pennsylvania location can be a time capsule straight out of 2005, with wooden paneling, tile tables, the basic blue drink shakers, and Chili’s wall artwork from the 2000s (and as seen in The Workplace).
Not solely that, however the Scranton location, and solely this location, will function the Superior Blossom on its menu. That is, after all, the favored appetizer from the American restaurant chain, which Michael orders throughout a enterprise assembly with Tim Meadow’s Christian in Season 2, Episode 7.
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This could possibly be you, proper right down to the newborn again ribs jingle! The brand new opening is bound to draw Workplace followers from all around the nation. Who is aware of, perhaps you’ll see a well-known face from Dunder Mifflin. The true query is, will they let in Pam Beasley?
After all, if I had been Greg Daniels, I’d discover a strategy to work within the iconic pepper-themed restaurant into the upcoming Workplace spin-off. Perhaps this collaboration will encourage him to get manufacturing rolling, as I’m nonetheless holding out hope for it to look on the 2025 TV schedule. If the Parks and Rec creator can pull that off, he’s a shoo-in for the Busiest Beaver Dundie!