Are they back on shopping board yet?

I know nothing about this restaurant as they do not exist where I live but I got the impression shoppers liked this shop (perhaps only because the food was reimbursed). I was looking at a list of the 20 worst chains in the country and the ones the author was predicting might be in trouble because of it and Texas Roadhouse was on the list.

I just checked the job board for the MSC and they are not listed. I have a feeling it will be a while before they are shopped again. In my state at the moment, restaurants can only open for outside dining or takeout. I used to love the bar shops at the Texas Roadhouse, but I think it will be a while before I'm willing to sit at the bar again
Funny, I was reading a financial article recently, and it said that because of customer loyalty, Texas Roadhouse will probably come out of this pandemic in better shape than its competitors.

Pre-COVID their parking lot was always full around mealtime and the benches on the porch full of people waiting for tables. We are at I believe 25% occupancy with 50% occupancy coming soon. Roadhouse is open but the parking lot has lots of space and no one is waiting outside. I suspect they may be doing call ahead appointments for tables.

@Flash wrote:

Pre-COVID their parking lot was always full around mealtime and the benches on the porch full of people waiting for tables. We are at I believe 25% occupancy with 50% occupancy coming soon. Roadhouse is open but the parking lot has lots of space and no one is waiting outside. I suspect they may be doing call ahead appointments for tables.

Yup. Always packed pre-COVID.

Great tasting food, fun atmosphere, value-oriented price point, and legendary service. Listed as millennial favorite every single year (sometimes getting top spot).

I follow their stock like some people follow their favorite sports team, favorite Netflix show, or favorite musical artist. I religiously read any and all news I can find on them. I dig into everything the CEO says. Wonderful, wonderful company!

Post-COVID, I think they will struggle a little bit until we get a vaccine, a knock-out therapeutic, or close to herd immunity. Their dining rooms were known to be super packed. So many times, I've sat with family shoulder-to-shoulder to other customers on their inside benches to wait for my seat. Or, we stood shoulder-to-shoulder with other patrons if there wasn't a bench seat. The dining room layout and seating are kind of tight too. It's not a good arrangement for COVID-19.

Customers were always very diverse: every age group; kid-friendly (I think certain nights, kids eat free); every gender and racial/ethnic group.

Eventually, this business will thrive again. Shops will be back. I can't decide if their value-oriented price point will hurt or help them more during COVID-19. Wealthier consumers may prefer (or, at least, can afford) an Outback or Longhorn Steakhouse over Texas Roadhouse, as their prices feel almost double at those two places and the atmosphere less "loud." I'm not saying TXRH has a poor customer base at all. Everyone I know who eats there regularly is around upper middle-class. But, I think their value price points also attract lower wage earners vs. Outback and Longhorn more.

Of the 38 million people laid off in America, the overwhelming majority are lower wage earners and non-college educated. What is scary is a calculation Lyn Alden did recently. If 75% of all unemployed people return to their jobs (which is highly unlikely) after we reopen and unemployment & PPP benefits expire in the next couple of months, the level of unemployment would STILL BE HIGHER than the peak of unemployment in 2009!

I think we'll see very high unemployment for a while and combined with COVID-19 and the way Texas Roadhouse has tight seating, it could easily take them two years (2022) to return to anywhere near their normal capacity and business volume.

Still, I have much higher hopes for a restaurant like TXRH over so many other businesses. They consistently get ranked as having the most loyal customers/fans and are a favorite of multiple demographics. Shops will be back and TXRH is here to stay. Many businesses will be gone, but not this rockstar! In the aftermath, the loss of competition (e.g., Logan's had to file bankruptcy and may not reopen at all) could benefit TXRH, as they will be one of the few restaurants left standing in some communities.

In the meantime, I wouldn't expect TXRH to spend on mystery shops during this tough environment. But, if they do, it's a nice benefit to those who love them and don't mind the virus risks.

@sandyf wrote:

I know nothing about this restaurant...

CEO Wayne Kent Taylor jokingly calls it the "redneck Outback."

It's a national treasure. Every American ought to experience TXRH at some point in their lives.

It is a restaurant that what it doesn't deep fry it cooks forever with enough salt to rapidly raise your blood pressure. When we did shops we watched as the morbidly obese waddled in and out of the restaurant--leaving with bags and boxes of leftovers. We only did a couple of shops because the food was just so antithetical to a healthy diet.

The TR in my area was selling cases of fresh meat and fruits and veggies along with curbside orders. So I suspect they are at least getting rid of what products they have coming in. (I suspect they were forced to take so much meat orders so many veggies etc irregardless of the shutdown).

But I have not seen any of their shops. I wished pre-COVID that they had a shop for the call in and to go as that is used a lot and something I would be checking up on (if I was management).

I limited myself to only 1 of these a month, I have 8 within driving distance so I felt it was a special treat. I always had good experiences. The only negative i ever had at the store, we had a table next to us get round 2 of alcoholic drinks before getting their main course and the party was getting drunk. To defuse the situation, my table was given more bread to cover up that the waitress was giving them extra bread to sober them up.

I do miss this shop but totally understand it will have to wait.

I haven't been there in years. Was never impressed with anything except their salads. The salad was fresh, crisp, and served in a chilled dish. The peanuts were good, too.

@Flash wrote:

It is a restaurant that what it doesn't deep fry it cooks forever with enough salt to rapidly raise your blood pressure. When we did shops we watched as the morbidly obese waddled in and out of the restaurant--leaving with bags and boxes of leftovers. We only did a couple of shops because the food was just so antithetical to a healthy diet.

@Flash wrote:

It is a restaurant that what it doesn't deep fry it cooks forever with enough salt to rapidly raise your blood pressure. When we did shops we watched as the morbidly obese waddled in and out of the restaurant--leaving with bags and boxes of leftovers. We only did a couple of shops because the food was just so antithetical to a healthy diet.

I like that make EVERYTHING from scratch there (down to their own dressings and grating the cheese the day of..., etc.).

You can taste the freshness in their foods compared to other places that just heat up whatever frozen stuff they had. It just tastes different. Salty? Maybe. Never noticed too much. Deep fried? I don't go for that much fried food. I get a steak, salad, and either a potato or steamed veggies. Solid wholesome meal! Unless bread that is probably unhealthy. But, if I wanted healthy, I'd just buy fresh cucumbers, fresh peppers, etc. and make a salad or slices for dipping at home.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/29/2020 02:47AM by shoptastic.

Best description I heard is that Texas Roadhouse does simple American food exceptionally well.

A lot of it is freshness (everything made and cut that same day). It's good proportion sizing and value too. And good taste. It's not fancy French, Italian, Japanese, etc. cuisine. But it's simple food done exceptionally well at an affordable price. Plus endless crack addict bread and peanuts.

I love Texas roadhouse. I have done many of their shops. Usually I do the belly up to the bar one (as I can do it alone) but have also done the dinning room one. I would go once a week on average often not on a shop. They have great $10 dinner specials and all there food is exceptionally good. I have only done takeout once during this pandemic. I will be back when dinning in reopens here. It can be pricey for some items but still cheaper than outback or longhorn for those same items. I honestly find most casual dinning places to be pricy. That's why you go for the specials and during happy hour no matter where you go unless you are middle upper class and can afford it. Even if I were filthy rich I would still go to Texas Roadhouse and probably go more.

I completely agree with Buffalo NY 101's post.

I LOVE Texas Roadhouse! Especially "Road Kill" and the house salad with Honey Mustard dressing. The bottled steak sauce is great too. I buy a bottle every now and then for home use. I have tried to find a good knock-off recipe for the honey mustard dressing, but no luck. A waitress once told me it has apple juice in it. That's all I know!

You know, if TXRH ever wanted to, they could sell orders of just their bread (not sure if they do that already)...

I'd buy it sans a meal. It could be a big money maker for them.

Their bread, alone, is reason to believe they will never go out of business. They could literally have a TXRH bread truck and probably have lines and lines of people everyday.

The report is easy and the reimbursement is decent. I always ask for a bonus as I work for cash, not food.

@sandyf wrote:

I know nothing about this restaurant as they do not exist where I live but I got the impression shoppers liked this shop (perhaps only because the food was reimbursed).

You got me at the endless peanuts. I could just eat peanuts in the shell and bread for dinner and be as happy as a clam, esp since I do not eat clams. I guess I have to try it when i am in tex ass.

@shoptastic wrote:

Best description I heard is that Texas Roadhouse does simple American food exceptionally well.

A lot of it is freshness (everything made and cut that same day). It's good proportion sizing and value too. And good taste. It's not fancy French, Italian, Japanese, etc. cuisine. But it's simple food done exceptionally well at an affordable price. Plus endless crack addict bread and peanuts.

@sandyf wrote:

You got me at the endless peanuts. I could just eat peanuts in the shell and bread for dinner and be as happy as a clam, esp since I do not eat clams. I guess I have to try it when i am in tex ass.

TX has the highest percentage of their chains, sandyf, but they are located everywhere in the U.S.

My mom's favorite restaurant is TXRH, so it has a special place in my heart. I will always love the place. She can be super cheap - I love her, but it's an annoying habit - and I've seen her eat practically all free bread and all free peanuts (with a glass of water) throughout the night, while taking a few small bites of her meal and taking the meal home ON TOP OF some extra free rolls! We only go on $9.99 special nights too, so she really gets a mega-bargain.

@Dandydew wrote:

I LOVE Texas Roadhouse! Especially "Road Kill" and the house salad with Honey Mustard dressing. The bottled steak sauce is great too. I buy a bottle every now and then for home use. I have tried to find a good knock-off recipe for the honey mustard dressing, but no luck. A waitress once told me it has apple juice in it. That's all I know!

We went to Texas Roadhouse last night for dinner [not a shop], just because of your post. I had Roadkill and a salad with their honey mustard dressing, too. The place was PACKED, even with some tables closed off for social distancing. Had to wait 15 minutes to be seated. Looks to me like they'll be fine. Really good food and a very fun time.

There are none in my area and reading this forum is the only place I have learned of them...I said i would try them when i go to Texas because I am going to Texas in a few months..Just looked it up and there in fact TxRH in California but not anywhere I ever go.
We have very few chain restaurants of this type that are nationwide where I live. Personally I think it is because there is no empty land to build the type of restaurant that has a parking lot and a building. Recently some of this type of restaurant has popped up in remodeled shopping malls which have increasingly become restaurant malls with a few retail rather than retail malls with a few restaurants.

@shoptastic wrote:

@sandyf wrote:

You got me at the endless peanuts. I could just eat peanuts in the shell and bread for dinner and be as happy as a clam, esp since I do not eat clams. I guess I have to try it when i am in tex ass.

TX has the highest percentage of their chains, sandyf, but they are located everywhere in the U.S.

My mom's favorite restaurant is TXRH, so it has a special place in my heart. I will always love the place. She can be super cheap - I love her, but it's an annoying habit - and I've seen her eat practically all free bread and all free peanuts (with a glass of water) throughout the night, while taking a few small bites of her meal and taking the meal home ON TOP OF some extra free rolls! We only go on $9.99 special nights too, so she really gets a mega-bargain.

@sandyf wrote:

There are none in my area and reading this forum is the only place I have learned of them...I said i would try them when i go to Texas because I am going to Texas in a few months..Just looked it up and there in fact TxRH in California but not anywhere I ever go.
We have very few chain restaurants of this type that are nationwide where I live. Personally I think it is because there is no empty land to build the type of restaurant that has a parking lot and a building. Recently some of this type of restaurant has popped up in remodeled shopping malls which have increasingly become restaurant malls with a few retail rather than retail malls with a few restaurants.

Hmmm. Interesting. If I remember correctly, you're in Southern California (if not, no worries and no need to reveal). I lived and worked in SoCal previously and can see how it wouldn't be as big of a cultural brand there perhaps. Space is definitely an issue in many areas.

Wayne Kent Taylor, who personally scouts every single new restaurant location, has said he looks for towns that have hospitals, a military base, a college, or some kind of stable economics and surrounding businesses where there is high consumer spending. He has a six second freeway rule, where ideally the restaurant can be seen within six seconds of exiting a freeway.

I could imagine a place like Mission Viejo or Irvine having a TXRH. I used to shop and live there and recall many wide open spaces and shopping areas. America, though, as become much more of a service strip mall economy, though. You're right that retail has disappeared. The typical strip mall nowadays has:

hair salons
nail salons
restaurants
gyms
coffee shops
mobile phone providers
discounter retailers (ROSS, TJ Maxx, and Marshalls)

Basically, anything that cannot be Amazonified or outsourced to China/India, etc, nor easily competed against, due to its discount nature, has thrived the past 15 years or so.

With fast casual rising and traditional sit down restaurants declining too during this time, it's a rarity to see a restaurant like TXRH thrive. I agree with Wayne Kent Taylor that part of it is the fun factor and "experience" you get at TXRH that's drawn millennials, who are said to want to spend their dollars on experiences more than objects (which is, in turn, really a euphemism for saying they are actually broke and cannot afford nice houses and cars - not that they don't want them - and still want to enjoy life and so they spend their money on things they can actually afford, such as concerts and eating out where they can "feel good" ). TXRH does have a "feel good" vibe to it - on top of the amazing food and value.

America has changed a lot, but TXRH is a rare gem that draws an uber loyal following from all demographics of people. As long as young people love them, they will be around for a long time!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/30/2020 09:02PM by shoptastic.

@shoptastic wrote:

Hmmm. Interesting. If I remember correctly, you're in Southern California (if not, no worries and no need to reveal). I lived and worked in SoCal previously and can see how it wouldn't be as big of a cultural brand there perhaps. Space is definitely an issue in many areas.

You are right. I live in Los Angeles right near the beach. As i mentioned some of the shopping centers have become restaurant heavy but also with many pricey places. A mall a few blocks away has a Ruth Chris, a Yard House, a Pan Quotidian (probably spelled wrong) and a host of other places that might have a handful of other locations but where entrees are $25 and up. On the streets almost every restaurant is a one or two locations only place. I guess they would be called mom and pop but mom and pop are gourmet trained chefs with fancy food. These places have hefty prices too. If I want to eat in my neighborhood i go to the places that have been around forever, not these places. I see Texas roadhouse in Anaheim and east of LA. All of them are an hours drive or more from my house, although right now traffic is light. There is no such thing as 6 seconds off the freeway. It takes longer than that to get thru the traffic once you exit!! And places close to freeway exits are usually the old places that have been around and are cheap with street parking if you can find it.

@sandyf wrote:

You are right. I live in Los Angeles right near the beach. As i mentioned some of the shopping centers have become restaurant heavy but also with many pricey places. A mall a few blocks away has a Ruth Chris, a Yard House, a Pan Quotidian (probably spelled wrong) and a host of other places that might have a handful of other locations but where entrees are $25 and up. On the streets almost every restaurant is a one or two locations only place. I guess they would be called mom and pop but mom and pop are gourmet trained chefs with fancy food. These places have hefty prices too. If I want to eat in my neighborhood i go to the places that have been around forever, not these places. I see Texas roadhouse in Anaheim and east of LA. All of them are an hours drive or more from my house, although right now traffic is light. There is no such thing as 6 seconds off the freeway. It takes longer than that to get thru the traffic once you exit!! And places close to freeway exits are usually the old places that have been around and are cheap with street parking if you can find it.

Yes, lots of mom and pop restaurants that have amazingly trained chefs....that is something I remember of LA and OC. So many amazing ethnic restaurants too that are not chains, but family-owned.

TXRH may not be anything "special" in SoCal, given the variety and high quality of food offerings there.

I have nightmares of the 405 freeway when I lived in SoCal, so I can imagine Wayne Kent Taylor trying out his 6 second rule and 30 minutes later still unable to get off an exit ramp during rush hour.

@shoptastic wrote:

I have nightmares of the 405 freeway when I lived in SoCal, so I can imagine Wayne Kent Taylor trying out his 6 second rule and 30 minutes later still unable to get off an exit ramp during rush hour.

Ha, Ha but au contraire...i think a place like Texas Roadhouse after reading everyone's assessment would be quite popular if only they found an empty piece of land to build on. Even though these pricey places are and were full to the point of people overflowing onto the streets waiting for tables during the recession of 2008 to whenever it was finally over, there were many who lost their jobs and could not join those who did go out for expensive dinners and drinks every night of the week. It was always a jarring sight for me when people were thrown out on the street and these pricey places were thriving. $12-15 drinks and happy hour appetizers that cost more then I normally spend on a whole dinner.

I love TR and, yes, you can buy their rolls separately and even get them unbaked so that you can make them fresh at home. They have been selling their uncooked meats, etc. during the shutdown and also Family Packs. They had a special for Mother's Day for $60 which included 4 racks of ribs (cooked), 4 unbaked potatoes, side of corn, doz. rolls and included the barbeque sauce to use when heating the ribs. I live alone and hate to cook so I bought the Family Pack and fixed myself about 10 dinners to pop in the freezer. I also loved doing their "sister" shop at Bubba's. A week ago patio dining was opened with the 6 ft. restrictions, etc. and Bubba's set up a tent to extend their patio out into the parking lot. TR said they couldn't get a permit to do that but perhaps that was because they didn't have a patio to start with. This week TR will have inside dining with the restrictions in place. BTW, I've been staying in but when I have had to venture out I've been stocking up on the BOGO offers or family packages and then making my own TV dinners. I really like Olive Garden when they do their buy one, take home one deals. I think I also read that TR was one of the few chains that was able to keep their earnings up.

Hmm...Tx Roadhouse is actually doing FANTASTIC! They have figure out how to service customers even in this Covid-19 situation. I actually listened to their stock meeting and was very impressed what they have done and their forward plan. Their stock has gone up tremendously. May consider making money just on their stock, lol!

no call ahead for reservations. They have spaced their booths and tables. They know the % of customers will be down but still figured out how to keep afloat. Remember, this isn't going to go on for life. This is a temp issue.

I follow their stock like some people follow their favorite sports team, favorite Netflix show, or favorite musical artist. I religiously read any and all news I can find on them. I dig into everything the CEO says. Wonderful, wonderful company!

I, too, am a GROUPIE!! Watching their stock go up and up!

I love Texas Roadhouse and eat there often. I've never eaten at Outback Steakhouse although I've thought about it. Here's an interesting article comparing TX Roadhouse and Outback. Spoiler: TX Roadhouse won.

[www.businessinsider.com]

I've eaten at Outback and the one heren does not compare to TR. Bubba's is a sister of TR and I love eatingT there as well.