Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks is an American sports-bar and restaurant chain built around a mountain-lodge setting, televised sports, American food, alcoholic drinks, and its branded server-uniform concept.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Twin Peaks is an American chain of sports bars and restaurants headquartered in Lewisville, Texas. Founded in 2005 by Randy DeWitt and Scott Gordon, the concept combines a wilderness-lodge atmosphere with extensive sports broadcasting, casual dining, beer and cocktails, and a highly recognizable service model centered on employees commonly called Twin Peaks Girls. The brand’s slogan is “Eats. Drinks. Scenic Views.” Its restaurants are designed to resemble rustic mountain lodges, using timber, lodge-style decoration, large television screens, and a sports-oriented social environment. The menu is built around American, Southwestern, and Southern-style food. Typical offerings include burgers, wings, steaks, sandwiches, tacos, salads, shareable appetizers, and other bar-and-grill items, accompanied by beer, spirits, cocktails, and nonalcoholic beverages. The brand differentiates itself not only through food and sports entertainment but also through its visual identity. Servers have traditionally worn red plaid tops with exposed midriff and décolletage paired with khaki or denim shorts, while seasonal promotions have sometimes used other revealing or themed outfits. This positioning has placed Twin Peaks within the category often described by commentators as “breastaurants,” alongside concepts such as Hooters, although the company also emphasizes its lodge design, food, beverage program, and sports-bar functionality. DeWitt’s earlier work with Brinker International, including involvement with the Rockfish Seafood concept, informed the decision to pursue a sports-bar opportunity with a differentiated theme. The chain expanded through a combination of company-operated and franchised restaurants. By August 2013 it had 38 locations in 17 states, with a concentration in Texas and additional restaurants across the American Southwest, Midwest, and South. Bloomberg described Twin Peaks in 2014 as one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the United States. By August 2018, the system had reached 84 locations—54 franchised and 30 company-operated—and reported system sales of $322 million in the cited period. Twin Peaks received early industry recognition, including a 2010 Hot Concept award from Nation’s Restaurant News and the International Franchise Association’s 2011 Franchisee of the Year award. It was also recognized for comparable-sales performance and restaurant technology innovation in 2017 and appeared on the Franchise Times Top 200 list in 2018. During the COVID-19 period, the company reported strong profitability and planned additional restaurant openings. In September 2020, FAT Brands announced an agreement to acquire Twin Peaks for $300 million. The transaction closed on October 1, 2020, making Twin Peaks part of the same restaurant portfolio as brands including Fatburger and Johnny Rockets. FAT Brands later entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January 2026. According to the supplied reference material, Twin Peaks emerged from that process in June 2026, ceased to be associated with FAT Brands, and returned to private ownership. At that point the chain had 115 locations and had announced further development in Nebraska, Florida, Connecticut, and South Texas. Twin Peaks remains active as a primarily United States-focused franchised and company-operated restaurant brand.
History
Twin Peaks was established in 2005 in Lewisville, Texas, by Randy DeWitt and Scott Gordon. DeWitt had experience working on restaurant development with Brinker International, including the Rockfish Seafood concept. The founders identified an opportunity in the expanding sports-bar segment and created a concept that paired televised sports and casual American food with a mountain-lodge theme and a distinctive service presentation. The resulting restaurants used rustic lodge imagery, extensive screens for sports viewing, and a menu spanning American, Southwestern, and Southern influences. The brand’s servers, known in company terminology and popular reporting as Twin Peaks Girls, traditionally wore red plaid tops and short khaki or denim bottoms. Seasonal and promotional uniforms were also used. This combination of sports, food, alcohol, lodge décor, and sexualized marketing made Twin Peaks part of the restaurant category commonly labeled “breastaurants.” The chain expanded through both franchising and company-operated restaurants. By August 2013 it had 38 locations across 17 states. Growth was concentrated in Texas, with additional penetration in the Southwest, Midwest, and South. In 2014, Bloomberg identified Twin Peaks as one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the country. By August 2018, the system had 84 locations, including 54 franchised and 30 company-operated units, and reported $322 million in sales for the period cited by the reference material. An additional restaurant in Toledo, Ohio, was described as the chain’s 85th location. The company received industry recognition during its expansion. Nation’s Restaurant News named Twin Peaks a Hot Concept in 2010, and the International Franchise Association selected it as Franchisee of the Year in 2011. In 2017, the chain was ranked first in Knapp Track comparable-sales performance among casual-dining brands and received recognition in the Enterprise Innovator category at the MURTEC conference. It was ranked 196th on the Franchise Times Top 200 list in 2018. Twin Peaks also faced legal and reputational challenges. In 2010, Twin Restaurant IP LLC sued the operator of Northern Exposure over alleged trademark infringement; the matter settled in 2011. A separate dispute arose after former Hooters executives joined a Twin Peaks franchisee and Hooters alleged that confidential information had been transferred before their departures. That case settled in 2012, with requirements concerning the return or destruction of the documents and restrictions on their use. The most serious incident occurred at the Waco restaurant in May 2015, when a biker-gang confrontation resulted in nine deaths and 18 injuries. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission suspended the location’s liquor license, and Twin Peaks revoked the franchise agreement and closed the restaurant. A related Harker Heights location owned by the same franchisee later closed. In 2018, current and former waitresses filed a lawsuit alleging sex discrimination and harassment connected with uniform and promotional expectations; the case was settled. The ownership structure changed in 2020. FAT Brands announced a $300 million acquisition of Twin Peaks on September 1, and the transaction closed on October 1. The brand joined FAT Brands’ multi-concept restaurant portfolio. The supplied reference material states that FAT Brands filed for Chapter 11 protection on January 26, 2026. It further states that Twin Peaks emerged from the process on June 15, 2026, ended its association with FAT Brands, and returned to private ownership. At that time, the chain reportedly operated 115 locations and had announced additional openings and development agreements in Nebraska, Florida, Connecticut, and South Texas. The brand’s current operating status is therefore active, although detailed post-2026 corporate governance information is limited in the supplied sources.
- 2026
Returns to private ownership
[1]The supplied reference states that Twin Peaks emerges from the FAT Brands restructuring process and resumes private ownership.
- 2020
Acquired by FAT Brands
[1]FAT Brands completes its $300 million acquisition of Twin Peaks.
- 2018
Reaches 84 locations
[1]The system is reported to have 84 locations, split between franchised and company-operated restaurants.
- 2015
Waco location closes after fatal gunfight
[1]Corporate headquarters revokes the Waco franchise agreement after a deadly biker-gang confrontation at the restaurant.
- 2013
Reaches 38 restaurants
[1]The chain has expanded to 38 locations across 17 states.
- 2011
Named Franchisee of the Year
[1]The International Franchise Association recognizes Twin Peaks as Franchisee of the Year.
- 2010
Receives Hot Concept recognition
[1]Nation’s Restaurant News names Twin Peaks a Hot Concept.
- 2005
Twin Peaks is founded in Lewisville
[1]Randy DeWitt and Scott Gordon establish the sports-bar and restaurant concept in Lewisville, Texas.
Products and positioning
A themed, sports-centered casual-dining and bar concept combining lodge aesthetics, televised sports, American food, alcoholic beverages, and a provocative server-uniform identity.
Restaurant experience · 2005
Twin Peaks sports-bar dining
The core offering combines a mountain-lodge-themed dining room, multiple television screens, live sports viewing, table service, alcoholic beverages, and casual American food. Restaurants are designed for group visits and sports-oriented social occasions rather than purely transactional takeaway dining.
Food · 2005
American, Southwestern, and Southern menu
Twin Peaks serves a broad casual-dining menu associated with American bar-and-grill restaurants. The range includes burgers, wings, steaks, sandwiches, tacos, salads, appetizers, and other Southwestern or Southern-influenced dishes, supported by beer, cocktails, spirits, and soft drinks.
Brand experience · 2005
Twin Peaks Girls service concept
A central part of the brand identity is its server presentation. Employees traditionally wear red plaid tops and short khaki or denim bottoms, with other themed outfits used for seasonal promotions. The concept has driven strong brand recognition while also generating criticism and employment-related litigation.
Controversies
2018
Uniform and workplace-practices lawsuit
Current and former waitresses alleged that the chain imposed discriminatory and harassing requirements involving body shape, revealing uniforms, and lingerie or bikini promotions. The litigation was settled.
2015
Waco biker-gang gunfight
On May 17, 2015, rival biker gangs engaged in a gunfight at the Waco, Texas, Twin Peaks restaurant. Nine people died and 18 were hospitalized. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission suspended the location’s liquor license, while corporate headquarters terminated the franchise agreement and announced that the restaurant would not reopen. Related criminal cases were dismissed in 2019.
Brand decisions
2026
Separate from FAT BrandsM&ABackground
FAT Brands entered Chapter 11 protection while restructuring its debt and restaurant portfolio.
Action taken
According to the supplied reference, Twin Peaks emerged from the process, ended its association with FAT Brands, and returned to private ownership.
Aftermath
The brand reportedly continued operating with 115 locations and additional signed development agreements.
2020
Approve acquisition by FAT BrandsM&ABackground
Twin Peaks pursued a change in ownership as FAT Brands expanded its portfolio of restaurant concepts.
Action taken
FAT Brands announced a $300 million acquisition on September 1, 2020, and completed it on October 1, 2020.
Aftermath
Twin Peaks operated as part of the FAT Brands portfolio until the separation described in the supplied 2026 reference material.
Acquisition price. $300 million (Announced September 1, 2020; completed October 1, 2020)
2015
Terminate the Waco franchiseStrategyBackground
A deadly biker-gang confrontation occurred at the Waco restaurant after concerns had reportedly been raised about the location’s handling of biker gatherings.
Action taken
Twin Peaks revoked the franchise agreement and confirmed that the Waco restaurant would not reopen.
Aftermath
The location closed permanently, and a related Harker Heights restaurant operated by the same franchisee later closed as well.
Recent events
Twin Peaks closed its Pensacola location[2]
Reported:
Twin Peaks' Pensacola restaurant on Bayou Boulevard closed effective April 5, 2021, after seven years in the city.
Sources2 sources
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