Texas Roadhouse
Encyclopedia
Texas Roadhouse is a chain restaurant that specializes in steaks and promotes a western
theme. 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 peanut
s at each table.
Founder Kent Taylor lived in Colorado
and worked at nightclub
s and restaurants there, having aspirations to attend a culinary school. Kent was his own executive chef. In 1990, Taylor divorced his wife and returned to his hometown of Louisville. 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. In 1991, Taylor opened Buckhead Hickory Grill, the chain would eventually become Buckhead Mountain Grill. 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. 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
. 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.
Most restaurants offer entertainment in the form of line dancing. The waiters and waitresses learn line dances to popular country songs and perform line dances throughout the night. Certain restaurants require an hourly dance and other restaurants do not embrace dancing at all. The Champaign, IL location made up one original line dance and required a performance every hour during dinner service. The Bedford, TX location taught authentic country line dances and the employees knew anywhere from 5 to 10 different line dances. The Friendswood, TX location knows 5 different line dances and performs them at the top of every hour. The Orland Park, IL location does not embrace line dancing at all.
The employees also participate in inter-company competitions. Bartenders compete in "The Real Bar" competition. Meat cutters participate in the annual "Meat Hero Competition." There is also a line dancing competition.
The Roadhouse Corporation supports the homebuilding program Habitat for Humanity International
. The company also sponsors a road cycling
team of about 20 cyclists, along with Willie Nelson
tours. Each restaurant has a table called Willie's Corner, with pictures and memorabilia of Willie Nelson.
In 2002, Nelson signed a deal to become the official spokesman of Texas Roadhouse. Since then, Nelson has heavily promoted the chain, including a special on Food Network
.
, including steak
, ribs
, chicken
, and seafood
. Their main suppliers are Tyson Foods
and Smithfield Foods
. 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 dog
s. This includes the salad
s and dressings, sauce
s and side dish
es. Their steaks are never frozen, hand-cut in the restaurant. The restaurant provides free in-shell peanut
s 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 tunes.
, Virginia
outraged local police over its conduct following a shooting at the Sully District station of the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD). After a gunman had opened fire at the station, eventually killing two officers, police cordoned off the area, forcing some local businesses to close for a few hours. In the following days, some business closed again during the funeral processions for the two officers due to the large number of people lining the route.
Eric Rainwater, the manager of the local Texas Roadhouse, claimed losses of $9000 due to these closures and requested that this lost revenue offset the $5000 of fines the store had accrued due to alarm malfunctions.
The claim was denied and prompted the FCPD to contact the Texas Roadhouse corporate headquarters, eventually receiving an apology weeks later.
The story of this controversy has been circulating as a viral email
beginning in approximately 2006, and verified by urban legend website snopes.com. . Also, a crisis management
firm has used this controversy as an example of poor crisis management and public relations
.
Western (genre)
The Western is a genre of various visual arts, such as film, television, radio, literature, painting and others. Westerns are devoted to telling stories set primarily in the latter half of the 19th century in the American Old West, hence the name. Some Westerns are set as early as the Battle of...
theme. Texas Roadhouse Corporation is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
. The first restaurant was opened in Clarksville, Indiana
Clarksville, Indiana
Clarksville is a town in Clark County, Indiana, United States, along the Ohio River as a part of the Louisville Metropolitan area. The population was 21,724 at the 2010 census. The town, once a home site to George Rogers Clark, was founded in 1783 and is the oldest American town in the Northwest...
, in 1993 at the Green Tree Mall
Green Tree Mall
Green Tree Mall is a shopping mall located in Clarksville, Indiana, a suburb of Louisville, Kentucky. The mall is located off of I-65 about four miles north of downtown Louisville. It has a total area of . It was named for a large boundary tree of considerable age that once stood at the location...
across the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
from Louisville, Kentucky. The chain operates about 320 (July, 2009) locations in 46 states. It is known for its free buckets of peanut
Peanut
The peanut, or groundnut , is a species in the legume or "bean" family , so it is not a nut. The peanut was probably first cultivated in the valleys of Peru. It is an annual herbaceous plant growing tall...
s at each table.
About
The company was founded on February 17, 1993, at the Green Tree Mall in Clarksville, Indiana, by Kent Taylor.Founder Kent Taylor lived in Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
and worked at nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
s and restaurants there, having aspirations to attend a culinary school. Kent was his own executive chef. In 1990, Taylor divorced his wife and returned to his hometown of Louisville. 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.
John Y. Brown, Jr.
This article is about one of four John Young Browns, from Kentucky, that have served political office. For others see: John Young Brown ...
helped Taylor fulfill his dream by backing him with $80,000. In 1991, Taylor opened Buckhead Hickory Grill, the chain would eventually become Buckhead Mountain Grill. 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. 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
Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Alachua County, Florida, United States as well as the principal city of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . The preliminary 2010 Census population count for Gainesville is 124,354. Gainesville is home to the sixth...
. 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.
Most restaurants offer entertainment in the form of line dancing. The waiters and waitresses learn line dances to popular country songs and perform line dances throughout the night. Certain restaurants require an hourly dance and other restaurants do not embrace dancing at all. The Champaign, IL location made up one original line dance and required a performance every hour during dinner service. The Bedford, TX location taught authentic country line dances and the employees knew anywhere from 5 to 10 different line dances. The Friendswood, TX location knows 5 different line dances and performs them at the top of every hour. The Orland Park, IL location does not embrace line dancing at all.
The employees also participate in inter-company competitions. Bartenders compete in "The Real Bar" competition. Meat cutters participate in the annual "Meat Hero Competition." There is also a line dancing competition.
The Roadhouse Corporation supports the homebuilding program Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat For Humanity International , generally referred to as Habitat for Humanity or simply Habitat, is an international, non-governmental, non-profit organization devoted to building "simple, decent, and affordable" housing, a self-described "Christian housing ministry." The international...
. The company also sponsors a road cycling
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
team of about 20 cyclists, along with Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
tours. Each restaurant has a table called Willie's Corner, with pictures and memorabilia of Willie Nelson.
In 2002, Nelson signed a deal to become the official spokesman of Texas Roadhouse. Since then, Nelson has heavily promoted the chain, including a special on Food Network
Food Network
Food Network is a television specialty channel that airs both one-time and recurring programs about food and cooking. Scripps Networks Interactive owns 70 percent of the network, with Tribune Company controlling the remaining 30 percent....
.
Cuisine
Texas Roadhouse serves American CuisineCuisine of the United States
American cuisine is a style of food preparation originating from the United States of America. European colonization of the Americas yielded the introduction of a number of ingredients and cooking styles to the latter...
, including steak
Steak
A steak is a cut of meat . Most are cut perpendicular to the muscle fibers, improving the perceived tenderness of the meat. In North America, steaks are typically served grilled, pan-fried, or broiled. The more tender cuts from the loin and rib are cooked quickly, using dry heat, and served whole...
, ribs
Ribs (food)
Ribs of beef, lamb, venison, and pork are a cut of meat. The term ribs usually refers to the less meaty part of the chops, often cooked as a slab .They can be roasted, grilled, baked, braised, or smoked....
, chicken
Chicken (food)
Chicken is the most common type of poultry in the world, and is prepared as food in a wide variety of ways, varying by region and culture.- History :...
, and seafood
Seafood
Seafood is any form of marine life regarded as food by humans. Seafoods include fish, molluscs , crustaceans , echinoderms . Edible sea plants, such as some seaweeds and microalgae, are also seafood, and are widely eaten around the world, especially in Asia...
. Their main suppliers are Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods
Tyson Foods, Inc. is a multinational corporation based in Springdale, Arkansas, that operates in the food industry. The company is the world's second largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork only behind Brazilian JBS S.A., and annually exports the largest percentage of beef out of...
and Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods, Inc. is the world’s largest pork producer and processor. Headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia, it runs facilities in 26 U.S. states, including the world's largest meat-processing plant in Tar Heel, North Carolina, and has operations in Brazil, China, France, Mexico, Poland,...
. The chain boasts several cooking championships across the country with their ribs and steaks. The menu follows a theme of mushrooms
Edible mushroom
Edible mushrooms are the fleshy and edible fruiting bodies of several species of fungi. Mushrooms belong to the macrofungi, because their fruiting structures are large enough to be seen with the naked eye. They can appear either below ground or above ground where they may be picked by hand...
, cheese
Cheese
Cheese is a generic term for a diverse group of milk-based food products. Cheese is produced throughout the world in wide-ranging flavors, textures, and forms....
, and barbecue
Barbecue
Barbecue or barbeque , used chiefly in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia is a method and apparatus for cooking meat, poultry and occasionally fish with the heat and hot smoke of a fire, smoking wood, or hot coals of...
. Everything on the menu is made from scratch, with the exception of children's menu items Kraft Macaroni & Cheese
Kraft Dinner
Kraft Dinner, known as Kraft Macaroni and Cheese in the United States and Macaroni Cheese in the United Kingdom, is a macaroni and cheese convenience food that requires minimal preparation by the consumer. The original product, a packaged dry macaroni and cheese mix, was introduced in 1937 by the...
and hot dog
Hot dog
A hot dog is a sausage served in a sliced bun. It is very often garnished with mustard, ketchup, onions, mayonnaise, relish and/or sauerkraut.-History:...
s. This includes the salad
Salad
Salad is any of a wide variety of dishes, including vegetable salads; salads of pasta, legumes, eggs, or grains; mixed salads incorporating meat, poultry, or seafood; and fruit salads. They may include a mixture of cold and hot, often including raw vegetables or fruits.Green salads include leaf...
s and dressings, sauce
Sauce
In cooking, a sauce is liquid, creaming or semi-solid food served on or used in preparing other foods. Sauces are not normally consumed by themselves; they add flavor, moisture, and visual appeal to another dish. Sauce is a French word taken from the Latin salsus, meaning salted...
s and side dish
Side dish
A side dish, sometimes referred to as a side order or simply a side, is a food item that accompanies the entrée or main course at a meal.-Common types:...
es. Their steaks are never frozen, hand-cut in the restaurant. The restaurant provides free in-shell peanut
Peanut
The peanut, or groundnut , is a species in the legume or "bean" family , so it is not a nut. The peanut was probably first cultivated in the valleys of Peru. It is an annual herbaceous plant growing tall...
s 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
Armadillo
Armadillos are New World placental mammals, known for having a leathery armor shell. Dasypodidae is the only surviving family in the order Cingulata, part of the superorder Xenarthra along with the anteaters and sloths. The word armadillo is Spanish for "little armored one"...
named Andy. Each store also has a free jukebox
Jukebox
A jukebox is a partially automated music-playing device, usually a coin-operated machine, that will play a patron's selection from self-contained media...
up front where diners can select their favorite tunes.
Controversy
The Texas Roadhouse store in ChantillyChantilly, Virginia
Chantilly is an unincorporated community located in western Fairfax County and southeastern Loudoun County of Northern Virginia. Recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census designated place , the community population was 23,039 as of the 2010 census -- down from 41,041 in 2000, due to the...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
outraged local police over its conduct following a shooting at the Sully District station of the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD). After a gunman had opened fire at the station, eventually killing two officers, police cordoned off the area, forcing some local businesses to close for a few hours. In the following days, some business closed again during the funeral processions for the two officers due to the large number of people lining the route.
Eric Rainwater, the manager of the local Texas Roadhouse, claimed losses of $9000 due to these closures and requested that this lost revenue offset the $5000 of fines the store had accrued due to alarm malfunctions.
The claim was denied and prompted the FCPD to contact the Texas Roadhouse corporate headquarters, eventually receiving an apology weeks later.
The story of this controversy has been circulating as a viral email
Viral email
A viral email is a certain kind of email which rapidly propagates from person to person, generally in a word-of-mouth manner...
beginning in approximately 2006, and verified by urban legend website snopes.com. . Also, a crisis management
Crisis management
Crisis management is the process by which an organization deals with a major event that threatens to harm the organization, its stakeholders, or the general public. The study of crisis management originated with the large scale industrial and environmental disasters in the 1980's.Shrivastava, P....
firm has used this controversy as an example of poor crisis management and public relations
Public relations
Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
.