Is Texas Roadhouse closing? If you are also a fan of the popular American steakhouse chain, chances are that you have also heard people in your circle of influence talk about this.

For many years, Texas Roadhouse, known for its lively atmosphere, succulent steaks, and unique dining experience, has become a staple in the casual dining scene. But what’s happening behind the scenes at Texas Roadhouse? Is Texas Roadhouse closing?

Well, while rumors and speculations about its closure have been in the air, the reality is quite different. Texas Roadhouse is not going out of business. So, what’s the reason behind this speculation about its closure? Just keep reading to find out.

What is Texas Roadhouse and What Does It Offer?

Texas Roadhouse, a subsidiary of Texas Roadhouse Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, is not just any steakhouse. It’s a chain that brings the flavors of Southwestern cuisine to life with its specialty in steaks.

The company was founded in 1993 in Clarksville, Indiana, by W. Kent Taylor. And since its establishment, Texas Roadhouse has grown exponentially. It presently operates around 627 locations across more than 40 states in the U.S. and extends its presence to 29 international locations in 10 countries.

Besides its famous steaks, the chain offers a variety of dishes, including ribs, chicken, pork chops, seafood, and vegetarian options. Unique to Texas Roadhouse are its three different concepts: the classic Texas Roadhouse restaurants, Jaggers, a fast-casual dining option, and Bubba’s 33, a family-friendly sports restaurant.

Recent years have seen Texas Roadhouse not only withstand challenges but also grow substantially. In 2017, its revenue was around $2 billion, which impressively doubled to over $4 billion in the subsequent five years, with a significant increase in the number of stores from 549 to 697.

Is Texas Roadhouse Closing?

As we said earlier, Texas Roadhouse is not closing. Every speculation about its closure right now is nothing but a rumor.

Contrary to the fears that arose three years ago when its Gatlinburg location was rumored to be closing permanently, Texas Roadhouse has shown resilience and growth. There’s no evidence to suggest any widespread closures.

Instead, the chain is presently doing everything possible to expand, opening 20 to 25 new restaurants recently, including 23 in 2022 and seven international branches. So, is Texas Roadhouse closing? The answer is a resounding no!

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Why is Texas Roadhouse So Popular?

You are not the only one at this junction wondering how the brand has become so popular among Americans. Well, Texas Roadhouse has carved a niche for itself in the casual dining sector.

Its popularity stems from the high-quality, fresh food prepared in its locations. You can enjoy really good, tasty barbecue on-site, including hand-cut steaks and scratch-made bread rolls.

Each Texas Roadhouse restaurant employs dedicated butchers and bakers to ensure freshness and quality. All these have been the drawing force that kept drawing more people to Texas Roadhouse and hence helped the brand grow in popularity.

The Future Plans of Texas Roadhouse

Of course, you now know that Texas Roadhouse is not closing. The brand is doing well, and there has not been any sign that it’s waving the white flag and bowing out of the market soon.

When the rumor broke out, the management of the restaurant chain responded by letting people know that they weren’t going anywhere. So, what does the future hold for Texas Roadhouse? Let’s take a moment to consider some of the plans of the popular restaurant chain.

• Continued Expansion

Texas Roadhouse’s future looks bright, with an impressive customer base and strong demand outlook in 2023. The company aims to increase its count from 697 to 900 locations. That is indeed a huge sign that the company has a good growth strategy, unlike a brand that is barely keeping up with the market.

• Embracing Smaller Communities

Texas Roadhouse’s CEO, Jerry Morgan, highlighted the success in smaller communities, which has been instrumental in revising their expansion targets upwards. Moving forward, the company plans to invest more, ensuring their presence in smaller communities.

• Financial Growth

With the potential of generating $6 million in annual revenue if it reaches 900 restaurants, Texas Roadhouse is on a path to not just expand but also significantly boost its financial performance.

How is the Brand Doing Financially?

Texas Roadhouse has demonstrated remarkable financial resilience and recovery, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, the brand’s revenue climbed to $2.93 billion, a significant rebound from the downturn experienced during the pandemic.

This increase, however, still places them slightly below their pre-pandemic levels, which indicates a steady path toward full financial recovery.

The pandemic had dealt a severe blow to the restaurant industry, including Texas Roadhouse, with challenges like temporary closures, capacity restrictions, and supply chain issues impacting revenue. From a high of $2.76 billion in 2019, the revenue had dipped to $2.56 billion in 2021, underlining the extent of the pandemic’s impact.

The company’s stock price also shows how well the company is recovering and how much investors trust their future. Despite a fall to around $55 in the summer of 2022, the stock price has since seen a substantial rebound, crossing over $90. All this shows how resilient the company is and nothing close to a company that is going out of business soon.

King’s Barbecue, Texas Roadhouse Rival Also Closing After 80 Years of Business

King’s Barbecue, a long-standing rival of Texas Roadhouse and an iconic barbecue joint has also announced its closure after an impressive 80-year tenure serving the community. This decision marks the end of an era for a restaurant that has withstood economic shifts, evolving culinary preferences, and even the recent global pandemic.

For decades, this restaurant has been a staple in the Virginia community, known for its delicious barbecue and family-oriented service. The Keeler family, including Alicia Keeler, the founder’s granddaughter, and her husband, Matt Keeler, who currently operates the business, expressed how challenging this decision was.

They have been at the forefront of the restaurant, enduring long hours and the demanding nature of the food service industry. The announcement of the closure on June 17 was met with a wave of heartbreak from their loyal customers.

But the Keelers family said this is a decision they had to make because of the huge toll the long working hours at the restaurant is having on their health. Despite their passion for the business, they recognized the need to prioritize their health and well-being.

King’s Barbecue has been a long-standing rival of Texas Roadhouse, and now that it’s closing up, it’s one less competition for Texas Roadhouse. Isn’t it?

Who is Texas Roadhouse’s biggest competitor?

While unique in its offerings and dining experience, Texas Roadhouse operates in a competitive casual dining sector. It faces significant competition from a diverse array of restaurants, each with its own unique appeal and customer base. Let’s take a quick look at some of them.

Buffalo Wild Wings

Established in 1982, Buffalo Wild Wings offers a different dining experience centered around sports and wings. Its sports bar atmosphere and focus on chicken wings make it a popular destination, especially during sporting events, appealing to a clientele that might overlap with Texas Roadhouse’s.

P.F Chang’s China Bistro

P.F Chang’s was founded in 1993. The restaurant provides an Asian-inspired culinary experience. Its focus on Chinese and other Asian cuisines sets it apart from Texas Roadhouse, but it competes for the same demographic looking for a quality casual dining experience.

Darden Restaurants

Darden Restaurants is another significant player in the restaurant industry. It operates several well-known chains like Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse. Darden Restaurants’ diverse portfolio allows it to cater to a wide range of dining preferences, positioning it as a formidable competitor to Texas Roadhouse.

Panera Bread

Panera Bread offers a café-like ambiance with a focus on bakery products, sandwiches, and salads. While it serves a different type of fare, it competes in the casual dining sector for customers seeking a quick but quality meal.

Wendy’s

Wendy’s, a fast-food chain established in 1969, indirectly competes with Texas Roadhouse by offering affordable and quick dining options. Though it primarily serves fast food, its widespread presence and popularity present competition for the casual dining crowd.

Why was the Columbus Texas Roadhouse Location Closed?

The closure of the Texas Roadhouse location in Columbus, specifically at 1540 Bethel Road, came as a surprise to many. In fact, it is one of the reasons many people are asking, ‘Is Texas Roadhouse closing?

However, rather than a reflection of the chain’s general health or operational practices, this particular closure was attributed to licensing issues related to state tax regulations. The State of Ohio’s tax commissioner suspended the restaurant’s license due to failures in filing and/or paying sales tax.

This administrative action indicates compliance issues unique to this franchisee and has nothing to do with the whole Texas Roadhouse brand.

The situation was further clarified by the Ohio Department of Taxation, which, while unable to provide specific details due to taxpayer confidentiality laws, noted that the suspension was a consequence of the franchisee’s failure to meet tax obligations. This kind of suspension is typically enforced when there is a recurring pattern of non-compliance.

Is Texas Roadhouse Closing – Final Note

We believe you now know that Texas Roadhouse is not closing. The present speculations circulating about its potential demise are nothing but a rumor and are far from the true reality of the restaurant chain.

The brand continues to thrive, with plans for expansion and a strong financial outlook. It’s still very much popular due to its commitment to quality and fresh food, and while it faces competition, it holds a unique position in the casual dining market.

So, is Texas Roadhouse closing? The resounding answer is no! Texas Roadhouse is not going anywhere.

FAQs

How Many Texas Roadhouses are There in the World?

Texas Roadhouse, as of recent reports, operates over 600 locations throughout the United States and more than 30 international locations. This brings the total count to over 630 Texas Roadhouse restaurants globally. However, the chain continues to expand both domestically and internationally because of its growing popularity and successful business model.

Where is the World’s Largest Texas Roadhouse?

The world’s largest Texas Roadhouse is located in Lubbock, Texas. This location stands out for its size and has become a notable landmark for both the city of Lubbock and Texas Roadhouse as a brand.

Why is Texas Roadhouse so Popular?

The brand’s popularity stems from several key factors. Primarily, it’s known for its legendary food and service, including complimentary fresh baked bread and peanuts, hand-cut steaks prepared daily, and its famous Fall-Off-The-Bone Ribs.

Apart from that, the restaurant’s commitment to freshness, with in-house butchers and bakers, ensures high-quality, freshly-prepared meals, which offers its customers a unique dining experience every time they come. Because of these, Texas Roadhouse continues to be popular among Americans.  

Is America the Only Country with Texas Roadhouse?

No, America is not the only country with Texas Roadhouse locations. The company, which opened its doors in 1993, has expanded significantly since then. It now operates in 49 states across the U.S. and has a presence in 22 international locations in nine foreign countries.

Where Was the First Texas Roadhouse?

The first Texas Roadhouse was opened in Clarksville, Indiana, in 1993. Founded by Kent Taylor, this inaugural location marked the beginning of what would become a widely recognized and beloved steakhouse chain.

The success of this first restaurant paved the way for the rapid expansion and enduring popularity of Texas Roadhouse nationwide and internationally.