The HEI Noon Chili Saloon was a collaboration between QwikBite, HEI Inc., and The Amato Group to bring chili-themed catering to the HEI Ranch. A full cafeteria on the Ranch was planned, along with various vending machines to offer food throughout the property. QwikBite employee Hank Friedmann set up a temporary stand as a proof of concept to provide catering for the 9th Annual On Cinema Oscar Special, though he was initially led to believe that a cafeteria had already been constructed on the date of the special.
They served a variety of chili, however they did not serve the original Tom Chaplin chili recipe. Friedmann stated that QwikBite was interested in acquiring the rights to Chaplin's recipe, as well as the Chaplin's name. Tim Heidecker and Axiom stated that the Chili Saloon's chili was “too spicy.”[1]