Texas Roadhouse will open the doors to its brand-new Owensboro location on June 9, with plans to permanently close the current restaurant after service on Mother’s Day, May 11.
Managing Partner Jeff Heifner said demolition of the existing building, located at 943 Moseley Road, will begin on Thursday, May 15. The site will be repurposed as a new parking lot for the updated restaurant, which is situated adjacent to the original.
Heifner added that the team is eager to welcome guests into the improved space.
“We’re looking forward to the newness,” Heifner previously said. “The community has supported us for so long, and we’re excited to bring them an improved experience with shorter wait times and more comfortable seating.”
The new 8,683-square-foot restaurant was designed to address ongoing customer needs, including expanded seating capacity, updated technology, and a more efficient layout.
Unlike the current split-parking arrangement, all parking at the new location will be on the west side of the building. Inside, more two- and four-top tables will replace larger tables that Heifner said often go underused, allowing staff to seat guests more efficiently.
“Right now, we have 72 tables, and many of those tables are 6-tops with an average of two to four people sitting at them,” Heifner previously said. “The new space will have more two- and four-top tables to help us seat guests more efficiently.”
To-go orders — now accounting for about 20% of the restaurant’s sales — will have a dedicated pickup area. Additionally, servers will begin using iPads to take orders at tables, streamlining the service.
The new layout also features inclusive design elements, including two wheelchair-accessible bar seats with adjustable-height bar tops.
While slightly smaller overall, the restaurant makes up for the difference with an 8-foot ceiling in the kitchen, allowing for additional storage and efficiency.
The current building has a long history, originally built as an El Chico in the late 1980s. It sat vacant for several years before Texas Roadhouse remodeled the structure and opened on October 27, 1997. It was the 22nd store in the company’s now 800-plus location portfolio.
“They didn’t anticipate it being this big,” Heifner previously said. “We’ve learned a lot over the years and are excited to implement those lessons in the new location. We’re excited to have something new for our loyal staff and guests. It’s all about improving their experience and making sure everyone has a great time when they visit us.”
