It wasn't an easy road though, and founder Kent Taylor worked at other restaurant chains and concepts before landing on Texas Roadhouse.
Texas Roadhouse.
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Taylor worked as a KFC area manager before starting Texas Roadhouse.
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Source: Made From Scratch by Kent Taylor
He wasn't successful within the KFC system because he was a "freethinker," and a "rogue," Taylor wrote.
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Taylor also managed a Hooters location before pursuing his own restaurant ideas full-time.
Taylor recruited staff for the growing Texas Roadhouse chain by eating at other restaurants and introducing himself to servers, hosts, and cooks he thought were doing a good job, he wrote in his book.
Waiters.
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Managing partners who ran each location had skin in the game because Taylor required they put $25,000 down and receive 10% of the location's profits.
Texas Roadhouse.
Taylor and his team originally considered giving out free popcorn before settling on the chain's iconic rolls.
Texas Roadhouse.
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Source: Made From Scratch by Kent Taylor
Developing the perfect recipe for the rolls took three weeks, experimenting with different types of yeast and flour.
Texas Roadhouse.
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There was also an ill-fated attempt to sell Mexican food at the restaurant, which lasted just two weeks thanks to "poor execution and almost no sales," Taylor wrote.
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Since then, the chain has expanded from medium-sized US cities to smaller markets, with promising sales.
Texas Roadhouse.
In 2002, singer Willie Nelson became an official partner of Texas Roadhouse by promoting the chain, and some locations have a corner of decor dedicated to him.
In the SEC filing, Texas Roadhouse said its operating strategy was based on high-quality food, low price points, and only serving dinner during weekdays.
Texas Roadhouse.
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The chain expanded outside the US for the first time in 2011. It now has 15 locations in Middle Eastern countries.
Texas Roadhouse.
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