Texas Roadhouse
An American casual-dining steakhouse chain known for hand-cut steaks, Texas- and Southwestern-inspired food, fresh rolls, and lively restaurant entertainment.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Texas Roadhouse is an American casual-dining restaurant brand specializing in steaks and other Texas- and Southwestern-inspired dishes. Its restaurants are designed around a high-energy, informal steakhouse experience rather than a formal dining-room model. Core menu items include hand-cut steaks, ribs, chicken, seafood, burgers, salads, and side dishes, with fresh-baked rolls and cinnamon butter forming part of the brand's recognizable dining experience. Restaurants commonly incorporate country-themed decor, music, line dancing, and visible in-store food preparation to reinforce the concept. The brand was founded by W. Kent Taylor, a Louisville native who had previously worked in restaurants and nightclubs in Colorado before returning to Kentucky. Taylor opened the first Texas Roadhouse on February 17, 1993, in Clarksville, Indiana, across the Ohio River from Louisville. Early expansion was uneven: several restaurants opened in 1994 and later closed because of unsuitable locations. The setbacks led Taylor and his operating team to focus more closely on site selection, restaurant design, employee training, food preparation, and a consistent guest experience. Jim Broyles, who joined as director of food and beverages, helped reshape the chain's preparation and service systems. Texas Roadhouse expanded rapidly during the late 1990s and had 67 restaurants by the end of 1999. The company became publicly traded in 2004, listing on Nasdaq under TXRH. International development began in September 2011 with a restaurant in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The wider Texas Roadhouse, Inc. organization also operates or owns the Bubba's 33 and Jaggers concepts, although Texas Roadhouse remains its principal and best-known brand. The company emphasizes a value-oriented version of casual steakhouse dining, combining relatively accessible pricing with made-to-order food, large portions, energetic service, and entertainment. Its mission is expressed through the phrase “Legendary Food, Legendary Service.” Restaurant employees may perform line dances during service, and the company holds internal competitions for bartenders and meat cutters. The armadillo character Andy serves as a brand mascot, while Willie Nelson has had a long-running promotional and business relationship with the chain, including an ownership interest in a Texas Roadhouse location in South Austin. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, founder Kent Taylor donated his salary and bonus to employees. Taylor died by suicide on March 18, 2021, after experiencing severe tinnitus. Jerry Morgan subsequently became president and chief executive officer. The chain continued expanding under the corporate organization and, according to 2025 industry data cited by Wikipedia, became the largest casual-dining restaurant chain in the United States by sales or system scale, surpassing Olive Garden in the relevant ranking. As of August 2025, the brand operated approximately 800 locations in 49 U.S. states and about 70 international locations in 11 countries.
History
Texas Roadhouse emerged from W. Kent Taylor's attempt to create a distinctive American steakhouse concept after earlier experience in restaurants and nightclubs. Taylor returned from Colorado to his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, in 1990 and worked as a Kentucky Fried Chicken manager while pursuing restaurant opportunities. With financial backing from former Kentucky governor John Y. Brown Jr., he opened Buckhead Mountain Grill in 1991. A later disagreement over the direction of a proposed second location led Taylor to pursue a separate concept. Taylor had difficulty finding investors for the new restaurant. He eventually persuaded Dr. John Rhodes and two associates to invest $100,000 each in 1992, based on a concept Taylor had presented through informal drawings and notes. The first Texas Roadhouse opened on February 17, 1993, at Green Tree Mall in Clarksville, Indiana. A second location opened in Gainesville, Florida, during the same year. Three more locations followed in 1994 in Cincinnati, Clearwater, and Sarasota, but all three ultimately closed because of poor site locations. The early closures forced the company to refine its operating model. Taylor focused on stronger training, more suitable building designs, and a consistent restaurant environment. Jim Broyles joined as director of food and beverages and helped improve how the chain prepared and served its menu. These changes supported a period of rapid expansion in the late 1990s, with the system reaching 67 restaurants by the end of 1999. Texas Roadhouse became a public company in 2004. Its shares began trading on Nasdaq under the symbol TXRH at an initial price of $17.50 per share, and the offering raised $159.3 million. Public-company status gave the business additional capital and visibility while it continued to expand its domestic restaurant base. The brand began international development in September 2011, opening its first overseas restaurant in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Its international footprint later grew alongside the large U.S. network. The parent company also developed or operated other restaurant concepts, including Bubba's 33 and Jaggers, while Texas Roadhouse remained the central brand. Texas Roadhouse's identity has been built around operational theater and repeatable guest rituals. Restaurants commonly provide country-themed decor, music, line dancing by staff, visible meat preparation, fresh rolls, and an informal service style. Willie Nelson became an official partner in 2002 and promoted the chain through media appearances; he also owns a Texas Roadhouse restaurant in South Austin. The company has supported organizations and initiatives including Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity International, and Homes For Our Troops, and has sponsored a road-cycling team. During the 2020 pandemic, founder Kent Taylor gave his salary and bonus to employees. Taylor died by suicide on March 18, 2021, after suffering from severe tinnitus. Jerry Morgan then assumed the president and chief executive role. Taylor's memoir, Made From Scratch: The Legendary Success Story of Texas Roadhouse, was published after his death. By August 2025, the chain was reported to operate about 800 U.S. restaurants across 49 states and approximately 70 international locations in 11 countries. In April 2025, data from Technomic's Top 500 U.S. restaurant-chain ranking was cited as placing Texas Roadhouse at the top of the casual-dining category, ahead of Olive Garden.
- 2025
Reported as the largest U.S. casual-dining chain
[1]Technomic data cited by Wikipedia placed the chain ahead of Olive Garden in the U.S. casual-dining ranking.
- 2021
Leadership transition after Taylor's death
[1]Jerry Morgan became president and chief executive after the death of founder Kent Taylor.
- 2020
Founder supports employees during COVID-19
[1]Kent Taylor donated his salary and bonus to employees during the pandemic.
- 2011
International expansion begins
[1]The first international restaurant opened in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
- 2004
Initial public offering
[1]Texas Roadhouse, Inc. became publicly traded on Nasdaq under TXRH.
- 2002
Willie Nelson becomes an official partner
[1]Willie Nelson entered an official partnership with the brand and became an important promotional figure for Texas Roadhouse.
- 1999
System reaches 67 restaurants
[1]Following operational improvements and late-1990s expansion, the chain had opened 67 restaurants by year-end.
- 1994
Taylor focuses fully on Texas Roadhouse
[1]Taylor sold his interest in Buckhead Mountain Grill and concentrated on expanding Texas Roadhouse.
- 1993
First Texas Roadhouse opens
[1]The first Texas Roadhouse opened on February 17 in Clarksville, Indiana.
- 1991
Buckhead Mountain Grill opens
[1]Taylor opened Buckhead Mountain Grill with financial backing from John Y. Brown Jr., gaining experience that informed his later steakhouse concept.
Products and positioning
A value-oriented, high-energy casual steakhouse combining hand-prepared food, large portions, friendly service, country-themed entertainment, and an informal Texas/Southwestern atmosphere.
Steakhouse entrées
Hand-cut steaks
Steaks are the brand's central product category. Texas Roadhouse presents them as hand-cut and cooked to order, reinforcing the restaurant's made-from-scratch positioning and visible food-preparation theater. The steak offering anchors the menu while allowing guests to choose among different cuts, portions, and accompaniments.
Barbecue and grilled entrées
Legendary ribs
Slow-cooked ribs provide a second major signature entrée alongside steak. They extend the brand's Southwestern and American barbecue identity and appeal to guests seeking a substantial, sauce-forward meal rather than a traditional steak cut.
Bread and table service
Fresh-baked rolls and cinnamon butter
Fresh rolls served with cinnamon butter are a recognizable part of the Texas Roadhouse meal ritual. The offering supports the chain's generous, informal hospitality positioning and gives guests a distinctive complimentary table item before the main course.
Casual-dining menu
Chicken, seafood, burgers, salads, and sides
The broader menu includes grilled and fried chicken, seafood, burgers, salads, and numerous side dishes. These categories broaden the customer base beyond steak diners while preserving the restaurant's American casual-dining format and emphasis on hearty portions.
Marketing campaigns
- 2002Willie Nelson partnership
United States
Texas Roadhouse made Willie Nelson an official partner. Nelson promoted the brand, including through a Food Network special, and his association became part of the chain's country-music-oriented identity.
Outcome. Established a long-running celebrity and music association for the brand.
- Legendary Food, Legendary Service
United States · International markets
The company's mission platform centers on the promise of “Legendary Food, Legendary Service,” linking food quality, hospitality, employee performance, and the theatrical restaurant environment.
Outcome. Continues as the brand's stated service and positioning framework.
- Community and sports sponsorships
United States
The company supports Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity International, and Homes For Our Troops, and has sponsored a road-cycling team.
Outcome. Extends brand activity into community, housing, athletic, and inclusion-related initiatives.
Brand decisions
2021
Appoint Jerry Morgan as chief executiveOtherBackground
Founder and chief executive Kent Taylor died in March 2021 after experiencing severe tinnitus.
Action taken
Jerry Morgan was announced as president and chief executive officer.
Aftermath
Morgan became the senior executive responsible for continuing the company's operations and expansion.
2011
Enter international marketsStrategyBackground
The company sought to extend its steakhouse concept beyond the United States.
Action taken
It opened its first international location in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Aftermath
The international network later reached approximately 70 locations in 11 countries as of August 2025.
2004
Become a publicly traded companyOtherBackground
After a period of domestic restaurant growth, Texas Roadhouse sought public-market capital.
Action taken
Texas Roadhouse, Inc. listed on Nasdaq under TXRH at $17.50 per share and raised $159.3 million.
Aftermath
The company continued operating as a public restaurant group and expanded its principal brand.
Initial public offering proceeds. $159.3 million raised (2004 initial public offering)
1994
Strengthen operating standards after early closuresStrategyBackground
Three restaurants opened in 1994 later closed because of poor building locations, creating pressure to improve the expansion model.
Action taken
The company emphasized better site selection, restaurant design, in-store training, and food and beverage systems.
Aftermath
The refinements supported faster and more consistent expansion in the late 1990s.
1993
Launch a distinct steakhouse conceptStrategyBackground
After an earlier partnership surrounding Buckhead Mountain Grill broke down, Taylor sought investors for a new restaurant concept with a Texas- and Southwestern-inspired steakhouse identity.
Action taken
Taylor and his investors opened the first Texas Roadhouse in Clarksville, Indiana.
Aftermath
The concept became the foundation of a large domestic and international casual-dining chain.
Recent events
- 2025
Texas Roadhouse reported as the largest U.S. casual-dining chain[1]
Other
Industry data cited by Wikipedia placed Texas Roadhouse ahead of Olive Garden as the largest casual-dining restaurant chain in the United States.
- 2025
Texas Roadhouse reports first-quarter 2025 revenue growth[1]
Other
The company was reported as achieving approximately 10% year-over-year revenue growth in the first quarter of 2025, with same-store sales growth of 3.5%.
- 2021
Jerry Morgan succeeds Kent Taylor as chief executive[1]
Leadership change
Following Kent Taylor's death, Jerry Morgan was announced as president and chief executive officer.
- 2020
Founder Kent Taylor donates salary and bonus to employees during pandemic[1]
Other
During the COVID-19 pandemic, founder Kent Taylor donated his salary and bonus, reported as more than $800,000 in total, to company employees.
- 2011
Texas Roadhouse begins international expansion with Dubai restaurant[1]
M&A · Other
The company opened its first international Texas Roadhouse location in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, initiating the brand's overseas expansion.
Sources2 sources
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