Chili's vs McDonald's Food Court Pop-Up NYC 2026: Which Fast Food Loyalty Type Are You?

# Chili's vs McDonald's Food Court Pop-Up NYC 2026: Which Fast Food Loyalty Type Are You?

> **Quick answer:** Today, April 16, 2026, Chili's set up a literal "food court" pop-up at 37 Union Square West in NYC — right next to a McDonald's — and invited consumers to serve as the jury in "Chili's vs. Fast Food." The stunt is part of a larger value war, with Chili's arguing its $10.99 3 For Me meal (including the new Big Crispy chicken sandwich) beats a comparable fast food order by size, price, and quality. #ChilisFoodCourt is trending on X, and which side you're on says more about you than you'd expect.

Chili's vs McDonald's food court pop-up NYC 2026 is the marketing stunt the internet has been waiting for. Today, at 37 Union Square West in Manhattan, Chili's transformed the sidewalk outside a McDonald's into a mock courtroom — complete with jury seats, a Court TV anchor, and a $10.99 meal that's making fast food's so-called "value" look very bad on the stand.

## What Is the Chili's Big Crispy Food Court Pop-Up?

The "Chili's Big Crispy Food Court" ran April 16 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 37 Union Square West in New York City — a location Chili's chose specifically because it sits next to a McDonald's. The concept is simple and brilliantly savage: attendees walk in as jurors in the case of "Chili's vs. Fast Food."

Court TV anchor Vinnie Politan hosted the proceedings, filming customer "verdicts" for an actual Court TV segment. Every jury member who showed up got a free Big Crispy 3 For Me meal — that's a Big Crispy chicken sandwich, fries, bottomless chips and salsa, and an unlimited fountain drink for $10.99. Consumers who couldn't make it to NYC were invited to post their own case against fast food on X tagging @chilis for a chance to win gift cards.