Texas Roadhouse
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Type | Public NASDAQ: TXRH |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1993 in Clarksville, Indiana |
| Founder(s) | Kent Tayler |
| Headquarters | Louisville, Kentucky, USA |
| Key people | Willie Nelson(Spokesman) |
| Industry | Restaurants |
| Products | Steak, ribs, chicken, and seafood |
| Revenue | 880.4 Million (2008) |
| Net income | 38.1 Million (2008) |
| Website | Texas Roadhouse.com |
Texas Roadhouse is a publicly traded chain restaurant on the NASDAQ (symbol TXRH) that specializes in steaks and promotes a western theme.[1] Texas Roadhouse Corporation is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. The first restaurant was opened in Clarksville, Indiana, in 1993 at the Green Tree Mall across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. The chain operates about 320 (July, 2009) locations in 46 states. It is known for its free buckets of peanuts at each table.
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[edit] About
The company was founded on February 17, 1993, at the Green Tree Mall in Clarksville, Indiana, by Kent Taylor.[2]
Founder Kent Taylor is from Colorado and worked at nightclubs and restaurants there. In 1990, Taylor divorced his wife and returned to his hometown of Louisville.[3] He began work as a Kentucky Fried Chicken manager, and had dreams to open a Colorado-themed restaurant. Former Kentucky Governor John Y. Brown, Jr. helped Taylor fulfill his dream by backing him with $80,000.[3] Taylor opened Buckhead Hickory Grill in 1991 and began doing well. The chain would eventually become Buckhead Mountain Grill.[4] Brown invested more money and wanted to open a second store in Clarksville. Complications in the partnership caused it to fall apart as they were preparing to open the Clarksville location.[3] Taylor found new partners and was forced to use a new name, Texas Roadhouse. A year later he sold his shares in the Buckhead restaurant. The second Texas Roadhouse opened in Gainesville, Florida.
The restaurant chain struggled with its competition with Outback Steakhouse, Longhorn Steakhouse, Logan's Roadhouse, and Lone Star Steakhouse early on. However, Texas Roadhouse would expand rapidly in the late 1990s; and by the end of 1999, there were 67 restaurants. In 2004, the chain began public offerings.[3]
The Roadhouse Corporation supports the home-building program Habitat for Humanity International.[5] The company also sponsors a road cycling team of about 20 cyclists, along with Willie Nelson tours.[6] Each restaurant has a table called Willie's Corner, with pictures and memorabilia of Willie Nelson.
[edit] Cuisine
Texas Roadhouse serves American Cuisine, including steak, ribs, chicken, and seafood. Their main suppliers are Tyson Foods and Smithfield Foods.[7] The chain boasts several cooking championships across the country with their ribs and steaks. The menu follows a theme of mushrooms, cheese, and barbecue. Everything on the menu is made from scratch, with the exception of children's menu items Kraft Macaroni & Cheese and hot dogs. This includes the salads and dressings, sauces and side dishes. Their steaks are never frozen, and hand-cut in the restaurant. The restaurant provides free in-shell peanuts in the waiting room and at all tables, and unlimited dinner rolls (with honey cinnamon butter) to seated guests. Their slogan is "Legendary Food, Legendary Service". Their mascot is an armadillo named Andy. Each store also has a free jukebox up front where diners can select their favorite songs.
[edit] References
- ^ Bloggingstocks.com - Texas Roadhouse
- ^ Texas Roadhouse - History
- ^ a b c d Reference for Business - Texas Roadhouse, Inc
- ^ Bizjournal - Texas-sized growth fuels Roadhouse
- ^ Roadhouse Habitat for Humanity
- ^ The South Beach Diet Dining Guide by Arthur Agatston (2005 Rodale) Page 129 ISBN 1594863601
- ^ Texas Roadhouse - Menu
