Who Owns Texas Roadhouse?
Its shareholders. Texas Roadhouse has been a public company since 2004, and unlike most chains it runs almost every US restaurant itself, with local managing partners who own a slice of their restaurant’s profits.
Most of its restaurants are run by the company itself, not franchisees, which is unusual for a chain this big and one of the reasons prices stay fairly consistent between locations.
How ownership has changed
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1992 | Kent Taylor raises money from Dr. John Rhodes and two colleagues, who each put in 100,000 dollars |
| 1993 | The first Texas Roadhouse opens in Clarksville, Indiana, on 17 February |
| 1999 | 67 restaurants |
| 2004 | The company lists on the Nasdaq at 17.50 dollars a share, raising about 159 million dollars |
| 2021 | Kent Taylor dies and Jerry Morgan becomes chief executive |
| Today | More than 800 restaurants across three brands |
Why a Kentucky based chain with an Indiana birthplace calls itself Texas comes down to Taylor’s love of country music and roadhouse bars. That same spirit is behind the staff dances, covered in why Texas Roadhouse employees line dance.
Who owns the shares?
As with most large public companies, the biggest holders are fund managers such as Vanguard and BlackRock, which buy shares on behalf of millions of savers. No one person or family controls the company.
Company run, not franchised
Texas Roadhouse runs most of its restaurants itself. Each one is led by a managing partner who invests 25,000 dollars, signs a five year contract and earns 10 percent of that restaurant’s profits. It gives the person running the restaurant a real stake without selling it off as a franchise.
| Brand | What it is |
|---|---|
| Texas Roadhouse | The main steakhouse, mostly company run in the US |
| Bubba’s 33 | Sports bar chain, about 60 restaurants |
| Jaggers | Small fast casual burger and chicken chain |
| Franchised Texas Roadhouses | Around 100, including locations outside the US |
That company run model is also why the menu page notes smaller price differences between markets than at franchised chains. Current prices are on the Texas Roadhouse menu.
Does Willie Nelson own Texas Roadhouse?
No, but he is closely tied to it. Willie Nelson became an official partner in 2002 after becoming friends with Kent Taylor, and he owns one Texas Roadhouse restaurant in South Austin. Many restaurants have a Willie’s Corner dedicated to him.
Texas Roadhouse is sometimes confused with LongHorn Steakhouse, which is owned by Darden. That story is in why is it called LongHorn Steakhouse.
Related Questions
Who owns Texas Roadhouse?
Its shareholders. Texas Roadhouse, Inc. is a public company traded on the Nasdaq under the ticker TXRH, with no majority owner. Large fund managers such as Vanguard and BlackRock are among the biggest holders.
Who founded Texas Roadhouse?
Kent Taylor, who opened the first restaurant in Clarksville, Indiana, on 17 February 1993. He led the company until his death in 2021.
Who is the CEO of Texas Roadhouse?
Jerry Morgan, a longtime company executive who became chief executive in 2021 after founder Kent Taylor died.
Is Texas Roadhouse a franchise?
Mostly not. The company runs most of its US restaurants itself through managing partners who share in the profits. Around 100 Texas Roadhouses are franchised, including those outside the US.
Does Willie Nelson own Texas Roadhouse?
No. Willie Nelson has been an official partner since 2002 and owns one restaurant in South Austin, but he does not own the company.
Is Texas Roadhouse from Texas?
No. It started in Clarksville, Indiana, in 1993 and is based in Louisville, Kentucky. The name reflects the roadhouse and country music style founder Kent Taylor loved.
More on Texas Roadhouse
About this guide. USA Food Menu is an independent reference site and is not affiliated with Texas Roadhouse, Inc. Company details come from company filings, announcements and published reporting, and restaurant counts change over time. Current prices are on the Texas Roadhouse menu.
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