DAILY DIRT: America’s favorite casual dining site? Texas Roadhouse is new No. 1

April 17, 2025 | By Steve Eighinger, Muddy River News Minister of Culture and Doctor of Love

Of the Top 10 casual dining national franchises, Quincy has three of them.

Daily Dirt for Thursday April 17, 2025

Slumping Olive Garden had been on top since 2018 … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,258 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Welcome to the throne, Texas Roadhouse.

The new leader when it comes to Americans’ favorite casual dining preference is Texas Roadhouse, knocking Olive Garden from the No. 1 position.

According to newly released data from Minnesota-based consulting firm Technomics (regarding the top 500 largest restaurant chains across the U.S.), Texas Roadhouse, headquartered in Louisville, Ky., has been rising rapidly over the past 11 years. Olive Garden, based in Orlando, Fla., had been the people’s choice since 2018.

Here are the top 10-ranked casual dining chains:

1. Texas Roadhouse
2. Olive Garden
3. Chili’s Grill and Bar
4. Applebee’s
5. Buffalo Wild Wings
6. LongHorn Steakhouse
7. Outback Steakhouse
8. The Cheesecake Factory
9. Red Lobster
10. Red Robin

“Texas Roadhouse, Chili’s and LongHorn were the standouts in what was otherwise a tough year for the largest casual-dining chains. Sales declined at four of the 10 biggest chains, and the average sales growth among the top 10 was just 0.6 percent,” writes Joe Guszkowski for restaurantbusinessonline.com.

Guszkowski said Texas Roadhouse has benefited from consumer demand for steak coming out of the pandemic, and has also helped its cause by investing in staffing and operations while keeping its prices lower than inflation. It has also ramped up new store development. Texas Roadhouse sales surged 14.7 percent last year, while Olive Garden sales rose just 0.8 percent. Olive Garden, long known for its large portions and endless breadsticks, has lost some business from lower-income consumers who have been most impacted by inflation. In an effort to regain (or attract new) customers, Olive Garden has brought back some promotions such as never-ending pasta.

Chili’s climbed over Applebee’s into the No. 3 spot, powered by 15 percent sales growth.

“The bar and grill chain is in the midst of a major comeback, thanks to a refreshed menu and value-focused marketing that has resonated with consumers,” Guszkowski noted.

Applebee’s sales, meanwhile, slid nearly 6 percent, and it closed 35 locations.

2. Did you know (Part 335)

That “borborygmus” is the actual name for the rumbling sounds made by the stomach.
That “emoticon” is the proper name for one of the symbols on a keyboard or mobile phone used to express an emotion.
That “fontanelle” is the soft patch of membrane on a baby’s head that has not yet developed into bone.
That a “muntin” is the thin strip of wood or metal separating window panes.
That a “ferrule” is the metal band holding the eraser on a pencil.

3. This week’s top celebrity birthdays include:

Actor Shemar Moore turns 55 on Sunday. He’s best known for his roles as Malcolm Winters on “The Young and the Restless,” Derek Morgan on “Criminal Minds” and Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson on “S.W.A.T.”.
Actor Tony Danza will be 74 on Monday. Many don’t know he was a one-time professional boxer.
Actor Jack Nicholson turns 88 on Tuesday. Best Nicholson film ever? I think I’d lean toward “Easy Rider” or “A Few Good Men”.
Singer Peter Frampton will be 75, also on Tuesday. Remember when he was with Humble Pie?
Wrestler-turned-actor John Cena turns 48 on Wednesday. A 16-time WWE world champion.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — Speaking of John Cena, he is the Guinness World Record holder for the most wishes granted through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, with a total of 650 wishes. He has been involved with the organization since 2002 and has become its most requested celebrity, even though you can’t see him.