Texas Roadhouse has done it again. The brand kicked off 2026 with another stellar quarter, proving that its formula for success remains completely unmatched in the casual dining sector.
Aside from the anomalies of 2020, Texas Roadhouse has now posted an astonishing 61 straight quarters of comparable restaurant sales growth. That is over 15 years of relentless, predictable execution.
Here is a breakdown of the key metrics driving the legendary steakhouse chain forward this quarter.
The year started on an incredibly strong note, fueled by high guest demand and steady traffic:
Same-Store Sales: Up 7.1% to start the year.
Traffic Growth: Up 4.5%, showing that guests are physically filling seats, not just paying higher prices.
Two-Year Stack: On a two-year stack, same-store sales have climbed an impressive 10.6%.
Average weekly sales per restaurant saw a significant year-over-year jump, thanks in part to a highly resilient off-premise business.
Total Average Weekly Sales: Rose to $174,151 (up from $163,071 a year ago).
To-Go Sales: Accounted for $25,374 of that weekly total (up from $22,146 a year ago).
While total revenue and volume increased, macroeconomic pressures kept margins tight. Restaurant margin dollars lifted 10.5% to $264.4 million, primarily driven by higher sales volumes.
However, the overall restaurant margin percentage decreased by 36 basis points to 16.3%, pinched by ongoing macroeconomic headwinds:
Commodity Inflation: 6.2%
Wage and Labor Inflation: 3.8%
Texas Roadhouse isn’t just growing its existing sales; it’s rapidly expanding its physical footprint. In Q1 alone, the brand opened four company-owned stores and two franchises.
Year-to-date, they have opened seven corporate locations, with an additional 22 stores currently under construction.
“We kicked off 2026 with terrific momentum, thanks to the hard work and discipline of all our operators. Our strong traffic trends continue to fuel sales growth, and it’s clear that our commitment to delivering a legendary experience is appreciated by our guests.”
— Jerry Morgan, CEO of Texas Roadhouse
In a volatile restaurant industry where brands constantly scramble to chase the latest tech or menu trends, Texas Roadhouse wins by staying fiercely true to its identity: massive value, legendary hospitality, and relentless consistency. As the numbers prove, the growth arrow continues to point straight up.
