Texas Roadhouse has overtaken Olive Garden as the top casual dining restaurant in the U.S. for the first time since 2018. The change in ranking is attributed to a 14.7% growth in sales for Texas Roadhouse, driven by strategic investments in staffing and operations, as well as the addition of 26 new locations. The chain’s efforts to maintain prices below inflation contributed to its success.
In contrast, Olive Garden, known for its unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks, has been pushed to the second spot on the Top 500 Chain Restaurant ranking by Technomic.
Texas Roadhouse reported a significant increase in restaurant sales in the fourth quarter of 2024, with company locations seeing a 7.7% rise and domestic franchises a 6.3% rise compared to the previous year. The company’s CEO, Jerry Morgan, highlighted their continued growth, noting the upcoming opening of their 800th restaurant.
This trend in favor of steakhouse dining extends beyond Texas Roadhouse. LongHorn Steakhouse also saw a 7.2% increase in sales last year, allowing it to surpass Outback Steakhouse and secure the position as the sixth-largest casual dining brand, according to the latest reports.