Part 3/9:
A significant part of Chili’s turnaround can be attributed to Hoffman’s focus on operational efficiency, particularly in the kitchen. One of the most impactful changes originated from a culinary team initiative where executives tasted two versions of the Old Timer burger, Chili's most popular offering. Surprisingly, it was a subtle difference in pickles that made the distinction, leading to a drastic reduction in cost. Hoffman's team took this experiment and applied it to broader kitchen practices, identifying areas where minor adjustments could yield significant savings in both time and resources.