Chili's sold nearly 30 million margaritas last year, and the $6 drink remains its biggest draw

American restaurant chain Chili's sold nearly 30 million margaritas last year — and it is on track to sell even more this year.

A report by Nation's Restaurant News said Chili's dominated restaurant chains in margarita sales in 2025, as the company finds new ways to keep its signature drink program fresh.

Mary Ellen Scott, Chili's senior marketing director, told the outlet: 'Guests are coming to Chili's for margs. It's part of who we are and part of the experience.'

Frozen margaritas have been a Chili's menu staple since 1975, back when they cost just $1.50. The chain has revamped the offering in recent years.

Frozen drinks now account for 25 percent of its margarita sales. Last year, Chili's launched a line of premium-liquor frozen margaritas.

In February, it introduced a Margarita of the Month Club, which allows customers to track how many of the drinks they bought and buy related merchandise.

Customers can collect a digital badge for each month's margarita, and Scott says the 'diehard' fans are eager to collect them all.

The club builds on the rotating Margarita of the Month program Chili's introduced in 2018, which draws customers in part for its low price of $6.

Scott said: 'It's value, newness and fun. It's always $6, the drink is changing every month, and we're always looking for ways to make the experience more fun, whether it's a candy or a swizzle.'

Examples include October's Witches Brew, a green drink made with Lunazul Blanco Tequila, blue Curacao and Monin Granny Smith Apple Syrup, served with a broomstick 'swizzle', a decorative stirrer. November's StrawEddy Marg combines the tequila with Deep Eddy Lemon Vodka, strawberry puree and house-made sour.

The premium-pour margaritas go for $10 to $12, which is still a bargain when cocktails in many major cities are going for around $20.

Chili's also has a full bar, but Scott says the margaritas remain its 'flagship'.

Chili's margaritas made headlines last month for an unrelated safety incident, in which North Carolina health officials said a cleaning chemical was mistakenly used to prepare drinks at a Forest City location, causing chemical burns to three customers. Chili's said guests and team members were injured and that it is investigating. The restaurant's permit was briefly suspended, then reinstated.