Texas-born favorite brings full-service dining, familiar flavor and added convenience to international travelers at IAH
(Houston, Texas — Tuesday May 5th, 2026) — Houston Airports and SSP America today announced the opening of Chili’s at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), bringing one of Texas’ most recognizable restaurant brands to the airport.
The new full-service restaurant gives travelers another welcoming place to relax, recharge and enjoy a familiar meal before departure. The opening reflects a broader effort by Houston Airports to bring recognizable, high-quality dining options to travelers while supporting the continued transformation of IAH as one of the nation’s leading international gateways.
Rooted in Texas and long embraced by Houstonians, Chili’s brings a menu built for broad appeal and travel-day flexibility, with dine-in seating as well as convenient takeaway service for passengers on tighter timelines. Travelers can choose from Chili’s favorites including fajitas, Big Mouth Burgers, Southwestern Eggrolls, Chicken Crispers, salads, breakfast offerings, and signature margaritas, along with beer, wine and nonalcoholic beverages.
Jim Szczesniak, Director of Aviation for Houston Airports, said, “IAH connects 48 million passengers each year to destinations across five continents and that global role calls for an experience that is welcoming, reliable and reflective of Houston. Our airport dining experience is ranked among the top 10 best in the world, and openings like Chili’s reflect our commitment to bringing trusted brands to travelers. Whether passengers are beginning a journey, connecting through Houston or arriving for the World Cup, they can expect a well-run airport experience and the kind of hospitality this city is known for.”
Kyle Phillips, Vice President, Concepts & Development, SSP America, said, “Chili’s is one of those brands that feels instantly familiar, but in Houston, it means even more. It’s part of the Texas story. Bringing it to IAH gives travelers a restaurant they know and trust, while also delivering the kind of warmth, familiarity and broad appeal that great airport dining demands. We’re proud to partner with Houston Airports and Chili’s to open a space that feels welcoming, convenient and distinctly right for this airport.”
David Weston, Vice President, International Business & Global Business Development, Brinker International, said, “We are thrilled to deepen our partnership with SSP America as we bring our guests’ favorite dishes and the bold Southwestern flavors of Chili’s Grill & Bar to George Bush Intercontinental Airport. This opening marks a significant milestone in our brand awareness, allowing us to connect with millions of international and domestic travelers. SSP America’s expertise in airport dining makes them the perfect partner to deliver our delicious food and signature hospitality to the Houston community and beyond.”
The new Chili’s arrives at an exciting moment for IAH, as Houston Airports continues investing in a faster, more seamless and more enjoyable travel experience. For passengers, the restaurant adds another strong dining option at the airport — one designed to bring comfort, convenience and familiarity to the journey.
As the airport prepares for continued growth in international traffic and major global events on the horizon, the addition of Chili’s helps ensure that IAH delivers not only on function, but on experience.
Media Contact
Lana Cramer
Vice President, Corporate Marketing & Communications
240.882.0754
Lana.Cramer@foodtravelexperts.com
About Houston Airports
Houston Airports is the City of Houston’s Department of Aviation. It is comprised of George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and Ellington Airport/Houston Spaceport (EFD). Houston Airports served 62 million passengers in 2025 and connected passengers to more than 180 destinations. Houston Airports positions Houston as the international passenger and cargo gateway to the South-Central region of the U.S., serves as a primary gateway to Latin America, and is home to the World’s Best Airport Art program.
About SSP America
SSP America is a division of SSP Group plc (LSE:SSPG), a global leading operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations employing 49,000 colleagues in around 3,000 units across 38 countries. We specialize in designing, creating, and operating a diverse range of food and drink outlets in airports, train stations, and other travel hubs across six formats: sit-down and quick service restaurants, bars, cafés, lounges, and food-led convenience stores. Our extensive portfolio of brands features a mix of international, national, and local brands, tailored to meet the diverse needs of our clients and customers.
Our purpose is to be the best part of the journey, and our focus is on making every journey taste better – bringing great food and welcoming hospitality to travelers across the globe. Sustainability is crucial for our long-term success, and we aim to deliver a positive impact for our business while uniting stakeholders to promote a sustainable food travel sector.
About Chili’s® Grill & Bar
Hi, welcome to Chili’s! A proud leader in the casual dining industry and the flagship brand of Dallas-based Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT), Chili’s was named Ad Age’s 2025 and 2026 Brand of the Year, marking the first brand in Ad Age history to win the award back-to-back. Founded in 1975, Chili’s is known for serving Big Mouth Burgers®, Crispy Chicken Crispers®, and sizzling fajitas, while hand-shaking more margaritas than any other restaurant brand in the United States. Chili’s operates over 1,600 restaurants in 29 countries and two territories with over 70,000 team members. With a purpose to make everyone feel special, Chiliheads take food, drink, and service seriously – but not themselves. Chili’s was a proud winner at the 2025 MenuMasters Awards for Best New Menu Item for Nashville Hot Mozz, the breakout addition to the social media-famous Triple Dipper. For more than 20 years, Chili’s has been a proud supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and has raised more than $120 million for the organization through generous guest and team member donations. Find more information at chilis.com.
