Texas Roadhouse is preparing to construct a new building at 943 Mosley Road, tearing down the current structure and erecting the new one directly next to it on the same site. Officials said the new 8,683-square-foot restaurant will address ongoing customer needs for better seating capacity, updated technology, and a more efficient layout.
The new restaurant will be built closer to Frederica Street, allowing all the parking to be on the west side of the building rather than being split as it is now. Texas Roadhouse also plans to keep the current location open during the entire build. The only closure might come when the building is complete, and the staff needs a couple of weeks to train.
Jeff Heifner, managing partner at the current Texas Roadhouse location, said the move is necessary to accommodate the restaurant’s popularity and improve the overall dining experience.
“We’re looking forward to the newness,” Heifner 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.”
Heifner said the goal is to break ground next month and complete the new location by spring or summer 2025. He added that the weather could affect the actual timeline.
According to Heifner, the most significant improvement will be an increased seating capacity that makes more sense for the restaurant’s customer base.
“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,” he said. “The new space will have more two- and four-top tables to help us seat guests more efficiently.”
In addition to the expanded seating, the new restaurant will feature upgraded technology, such as iPads for taking orders directly at tables. Heifner added that a separate area for to-go orders will help facilitate faster dine-in service.
“To-go orders are a big part of our business, and we want to get it right,” Heifner said. “It’s so important these days. It accounts for around 20% of our sales.”
Despite being slightly smaller in total square footage — with most of the reduction coming from the kitchen — the new layout will be more efficient, Heifner said. The kitchen will have 8-foot ceilings, allowing for increased storage.
In a move for inclusivity, the bar area will also include two wheelchair-accessible seats with a bar top that can adjust to allow both guests to sit side by side at the same level.
Texas Roadhouse’s current building was originally built as an El Chico in the late ’80s. It operated as the Tex-Mex chain for a few years before remaining vacant for another few years.
Texas Roadhouse acquired the location, remodeled it, and opened its doors on October 27, 1997. It was the 22nd store in the company’s portfolio, which now includes approximately 800 locations.
“They didn’t anticipate it being this big,” he 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.”
