COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Nearly 20 years after closing the last Chi-Chi’s location, the Mexican restaurant is planning a comeback in 2025.

The chain announced on Dec. 3 a new agreement with Hormel Foods, a Minnesota-based company that owns Chi-Chi’s trademarks. The agreement means Michael McDermott, the son of the Chi-Chi’s founder, can use the restaurant’s name on new locations that are expected to open in 2025.

“We have seen the impact our restaurant has had on individuals and families across the country and believe there is a strong opportunity to bring the brand back in a way that resonates with today’s consumer — an updated dining experience with the same great taste and Mexican flavor,” said McDermott in a release.

While Chi-Chi’s comeback includes new Midwest restaurants, it’s unknown if the plan will include Ohio. During the height of the chain’s popularity, Chi-Chi’s operated nearly 30 Ohio restaurants, including locations in Columbus, Dublin, Lancaster and Mansfield.

McDermott said in a statement the chain is currently in “the early stages of planning by securing funding” and that the first two locations will open in Minnesota next year. “Our goal is to explore the original development path Chi-Chi’s took, through both company and franchised opportunities within the Midwest and the East Coast,” he said.

Founded by restaurateur Marno McDermott and former Green Bay Packers player Max McGee in 1975, Chi-Chi’s grew rapidly and reached more than 200 locations across the U.S. A series of ownership changes eventually led to the chain’s closure in 2004.

McDermott, who built his career in the restaurant industry with brands like Kona Grill and Rojo Mexican Grill, said he is determined to honor his family’s legacy by combining the classic Chi-Chi’s restaurant experience with modern influences.

“Although there has not been a Chi-Chi’s restaurant in the United States in 20 years, McDermott believes the brand holds a special place in the hearts of those who remember its heyday and remains popular among consumers nationwide who enjoy its packaged salsas, tortillas, and seasonings, which will continue to be available as new restaurant locations open,” the chain said.