LongHorn Steakhouse

LongHorn Steakhouse is an American casual-dining restaurant brand specializing in steaks, grilled meats, seafood, salads, sandwiches, and full-service bar offerings. The chain was established in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1981 by George McKerrow Jr., his father George McKerrow Sr., Bill Norman, and Bill Dukes. Its first restaurant, originally named LongHorn Steaks Restaurant & Saloon, opened on Peachtree Street on August 10, 1981. The founders positioned the concept around a steakhouse atmosphere with a Western and Texan visual identity rather than the formal, white-tablecloth model associated with some traditional steakhouses. The first restaurant occupied a former antique-store site and benefited from its location near Harrison's, a popular Peachtree Street pub. An early boost came during Atlanta's January 1982 Snow Jam, when severe weather stranded commuters across the metropolitan area. LongHorn offered discounted drinks and menu specials to people affected by the storm. The promotion was subsequently mentioned by Atlanta Journal and Constitution columnist Ron Hudspeth, helping draw attention to the young restaurant and improving its trading performance. LongHorn expanded through the 1980s and, by 1990, had developed a presence across the Eastern United States as well as in parts of the Midwest, Southwest, and Puerto Rico. The business was formerly associated with RARE Hospitality International Inc. In August 2007, Darden Restaurants acquired LongHorn Steakhouse, bringing it into the same portfolio as other large American full-service restaurant brands. Darden continues to own and operate the chain through its restaurant-business structure. The brand's identity is built around grilled steaks and an informal Western theme. Restaurants commonly use oil paintings, photographs, and selected Western memorabilia as interior decoration. Its steak menu includes signature offerings such as Flo's Filet and Outlaw Ribeye, while the broader menu includes ribs, chicken, salmon, lobster, shrimp, salads, soups, sandwiches, burgers, side dishes, and desserts. Appetizer offerings have included Texas Tonion and Wild West Shrimp, and the chain serves beer, wine, and signature margaritas. Some dishes can be finished with parmesan crusts. LongHorn also operates lunch menus with lighter and more casual formats, including soups, salads, sandwiches, and hamburgers. The customer proposition is generally mid-market full-service dining: more occasion-oriented than quick-service restaurants, but less formal than premium steakhouses. The brand's menu and restaurant design emphasize recognizable steakhouse fare, customization of steak doneness, and a casual Western atmosphere. As of May 2025, the chain had 596 locations across the United States and selected U.S. territories. LongHorn opened its first international location in the Philippines on April 11, 2025. The brand remains primarily North American in footprint and is operated within Darden Restaurants' publicly traded portfolio.

LongHorn Steakhouse began in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1981. Its founding group consisted of George McKerrow Jr., his father George McKerrow Sr., Bill Norman, and Bill Dukes. George McKerrow Jr. had previously worked as a manager at Quinn's Mill Restaurant, a concept connected with Victoria Station, a San Francisco-based restaurant company known for operating dining spaces in refurbished railway cars. That experience contributed to the founders' understanding of full-service restaurant operations before the creation of LongHorn. The first site opened on Peachtree Street on August 10, 1981, under the name LongHorn Steaks Restaurant & Saloon. The building had previously been used as an antique store and later as an adult-entertainment venue. The restaurant's early trading environment was helped by its proximity to Harrison's, a well-known local pub. Because Harrison's offered a limited bar menu, some patrons crossed the street to LongHorn for steak and more substantial food. A significant early publicity event occurred during Atlanta's Snow Jam 82 in January 1982. A major snowstorm stranded commuters in the metropolitan area, and LongHorn responded with one-dollar drinks and menu specials for affected motorists. Atlanta Journal and Constitution columnist Ron Hudspeth wrote about the restaurant's response, giving the young business additional local exposure. The episode became part of the chain's early origin story and illustrated the role of local operating decisions in building awareness for a new restaurant concept. During the 1980s, LongHorn expanded beyond its original Atlanta base. By 1990, it had restaurants throughout the Eastern United States, together with locations in parts of the Midwest, Southwest, and Puerto Rico. This expansion established the brand as a regional and then broader U.S. casual-dining chain. Its operating concept remained focused on steaks and other grilled entrées, supported by a Western or Texan atmosphere. LongHorn's restaurants use oil paintings, photographs, and selected Western memorabilia to reinforce the brand theme. The design is intended to make the steakhouse experience informal and visually distinctive. The menu developed beyond steak to include ribs, chicken, seafood, salads, sandwiches, burgers, soups, sides, desserts, and alcoholic beverages. This breadth allows the restaurants to serve both steak-focused diners and guests seeking alternative entrées or lunch items. Before its acquisition by Darden, the brand was associated with RARE Hospitality International Inc. Darden Restaurants acquired LongHorn Steakhouse in August 2007. Following the transaction, LongHorn became part of Darden's portfolio of large full-service restaurant brands. The acquisition provided the chain with the resources and operating infrastructure of a major public restaurant company while preserving its separate name, menu identity, and Western-themed positioning. LongHorn remained primarily a United States chain, with additional operations in Puerto Rico and Guam. On April 11, 2025, it opened its first international restaurant in the Philippines. By May 2025, the chain operated 596 locations across the United States and selected territories. Its current identity combines a casual full-service format, a steak-led menu, and a Western-inspired restaurant environment.

• 2025

  First international location opens in the Philippines

  [1]LongHorn Steakhouseen.wikipedia.org

  LongHorn opened its first international location in the Philippines on April 11, 2025.

• 2025

  Network reaches 596 locations

  [1]LongHorn Steakhouseen.wikipedia.org

  As of May 2025, LongHorn operated 596 restaurants across the United States and selected territories.

• 2007

  Darden Restaurants acquires LongHorn Steakhouse

  [1]LongHorn Steakhouseen.wikipedia.org

  Darden Restaurants purchased the brand in August 2007 from its former corporate owner, RARE Hospitality International.

• 1990

  Chain expands across multiple U.S. regions

  [1]LongHorn Steakhouseen.wikipedia.org

  By 1990, LongHorn had restaurants throughout the Eastern United States and in parts of the Midwest, Southwest, and Puerto Rico.

• 1982

  Snow Jam promotion generates early publicity

  [1]LongHorn Steakhouseen.wikipedia.org

  During Atlanta's Snow Jam 82, the restaurant offered one-dollar drinks and menu specials to stranded motorists. The promotion received local newspaper attention.

• 1981

  First LongHorn restaurant opens in Atlanta

  [1]LongHorn Steakhouseen.wikipedia.org

  The first location, originally called LongHorn Steaks Restaurant & Saloon, opened on Peachtree Street in Atlanta on August 10, 1981.

Mid-market casual dining with a Western-inspired steakhouse identity.

• Steak

  Flo's Filet

  Flo's Filet is one of LongHorn Steakhouse's signature steak offerings and represents the brand's emphasis on individually prepared, steak-centered entrées.

• Steak

  Outlaw Ribeye

  Outlaw Ribeye is a flagship ribeye-style steak associated with LongHorn's grilled-steak menu and Western steakhouse identity.

• Appetizer

  Texas Tonion

  Texas Tonion is a signature appetizer associated with the chain's Texas and Western menu theme.

• Appetizer

  Wild West Shrimp

  Wild West Shrimp is a branded seafood appetizer that broadens the menu beyond beef while retaining the restaurant's Western naming convention.

• Restaurant menu · 1981

  LongHorn steak and grill menu

  The core menu includes a range of steaks alongside ribs, chicken, salmon, lobster, shrimp, salads, side dishes, and optional parmesan-crust preparations. The menu is designed to support both steak-focused meals and broader group dining.

• Restaurant menu

  Lunch menu

  LongHorn's lunch offering includes soups, salads, sandwiches, and hamburgers, providing formats intended for less formal or shorter daytime visits than the main steakhouse dinner menu.

• 1982Snow Jam 82 relief promotion

  Atlanta, United States

  During a severe Atlanta snowstorm that stranded commuters, LongHorn offered one-dollar drinks and menu specials to affected motorists. Local newspaper coverage gave the young restaurant valuable exposure.

  Outcome. The promotion helped improve the restaurant's early performance and became a notable part of its origin story.

  Source

• 2025

  Begin international expansion in the PhilippinesStrategy

  Background

  LongHorn had historically operated mainly in the United States and selected U.S. territories.

  Action taken

  The brand opened its first international location in the Philippines on April 11, 2025.

  Aftermath

  The opening extended LongHorn's geographic footprint beyond North America, although the chain remained primarily U.S.-based as of May 2025.

  Source

• 2007

  Join the Darden Restaurants portfolioM&A

  Background

  LongHorn Steakhouse was formerly associated with RARE Hospitality International before Darden Restaurants acquired the chain.

  Action taken

  Darden Restaurants purchased LongHorn Steakhouse in August 2007.

  Aftermath

  LongHorn continued as a distinct restaurant brand within Darden's publicly traded full-service restaurant portfolio.

  Source

1. 1LongHorn Steakhouseen.wikipedia.org
2. 2LongHorn Steakhouse official websitelonghornsteakhouse.com