Quick Answer
Texas Roadhouse plans to open between 20 and 35 new locations across the United States in 2026, building on the roughly 30 stores it opened in 2025 and bringing its total footprint past 744 units. Suburban Texas, the Southeast, and the Mountain West are the most active build zones.
The growth story extends well beyond the flagship steakhouse. The companys sports bar concept Bubbas 33 is slated for 10 or more new stores, and fast-casual chicken concept Jaggers will add 8 locations. Corporate buybacks of franchise stores are also pushing direct ownership toward 95 percent.
Behind the scenes, a nationwide Digital Kitchen rollout is replacing paper tickets with screen-based order management, supporting a to-go business that now exceeds 13 percent of total sales.
The 2026 Expansion Strategy: More Steaks in More Cities
The casual dining sector has been notoriously difficult to navigate post-pandemic, but Texas Roadhouse has found a winning formula: massive portion sizes, perceived value, and an aggressive, calculated expansion strategy. While budget steakhouse competitors like Sizzler have faced nationwide closures, Texas Roadhouse is doing the opposite.
After opening approximately 30 new locations in 2025 (bringing their total footprint to 744 units), the company is showing no signs of slowing down. For 2026, industry estimates and corporate earnings projections confirm that fans can expect anywhere from 20 to 35 new Texas Roadhouse locations to open their doors across the United States.
Where Are They Building?
While the company keeps specific grand opening dates under wraps until the final phases of construction, development pipelines are already active. A major new location in Cypress, Texas, began construction early in the year, and additional sites have been announced in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Arizona.
The brand typically targets booming suburban markets, large retail corridors, and out-of-parcel mall lots where foot traffic and parking availability are high. The leadership team prefers freestanding buildings on highly visible corners with ample parking for the chains famously busy weekend wait lists.
- Cypress, Texas (under construction).
- Multiple Florida suburbs targeted for late 2026 openings.
- New Carolina locations in growing exurbs.
- Arizona and Nevada expansion to absorb fast population growth.
- Continued infill in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states.
Buying Back the Brand
In addition to laying new foundations, a major part of the 2026 corporate strategy involves buying out existing franchise locations. Texas Roadhouse executives have stated their goal is to bring approximately 95 percent of all restaurants under the direct corporate umbrella.
This consolidation allows for tighter quality control, streamlined supply chains, and a projected weekly sales growth of up to 6 percent for the year. It also concentrates marketing decisions, menu testing, and labor practices in the home office, which the company believes is essential for maintaining its hospitality reputation.
Beyond the Steakhouse: Bubbas 33 and Jaggers Are Growing
One sure sign of a restaurant empires success is when its original concept spawns highly profitable spinoffs. Texas Roadhouse currently operates two distinctly different sister chains, and both are slated for significant growth in 2026.
Bubbas 33 is a high-energy sports bar concept focusing on scratch-made pizzas, wings, and craft burgers, though it still offers a ribeye for traditionalists. The 33 is a historical nod to 1933, the year Prohibition ended. With nearly 50 current locations, the company plans to open 10 or more new stores this year.
Jaggers is a fast-casual dining experience specializing strictly in high-quality chicken tenders, burgers, and fresh salads. There is no steak on the menu. Currently operating 20 units (a third of which are in Indiana), Jaggers is slated to open 8 new locations in 2026.
The Digital Kitchen Revolution: Tech Behind the Scenes
While you will not see robotic servers bringing you your Cactus Blossom anytime soon, technology is making major inroads at Texas Roadhouse. The brand has explicitly stated that its tech incursion is designed to be subtle, keeping the focus on the vibrant dining room atmosphere.
The biggest shift in 2026 is the nationwide rollout of the Digital Kitchen initiative, which replaces traditional paper tickets with screen-based order management. Expeditors can track cook times for different cuts of meat with incredible precision, reducing waste and improving consistency across thousands of orders per night.
- Kitchens transitioning entirely to screen-based order management.
- To-go orders now account for over 13 percent of total sales.
- Servers increasingly equipped with handheld digital tablets for table-side order firing.
- Proprietary app expansion for waitlist management and rewards.
- Pay-at-the-table technology rolling out chain-wide.
- Improved kitchen efficiency frees staff to handle higher to-go volume.
The takeaway
With 2026 shaping up to be a banner year, the Texas Roadhouse empire proves that a commitment to core values, meat, bread, and efficiency, never goes out of style. Between 20 and 35 new flagship locations, double-digit growth at Bubbas 33 and Jaggers, and a nationwide Digital Kitchen rollout, the brand is leaning into the casual dining space while competitors retreat.
If a new restaurant is breaking ground near your neighborhood, expect a packed parking lot the moment those rolls hit the table.
