While many casual dining chains continue to close locations across the United States, Texas Roadhouse, Inc. is moving in the opposite direction — and its fastest-growing concept may surprise you. Jaggers, the fast-casual burger and chicken brand created by the late Texas Roadhouse founder Kent Taylor, is ramping up expansion in 2026 with new restaurant openings, growing franchise interest, and strong consumer demand.
For franchise investors evaluating opportunities in the food and beverage sector, Jaggers represents one of the most compelling emerging concepts backed by a proven parent company.
A Concept Built on the Texas Roadhouse Playbook
Jaggers launched in 2014 in Noblesville, Indiana, with a simple but ambitious vision. Kent Taylor, who had built Texas Roadhouse into one of America’s most successful casual dining brands, wanted to take the same scratch-made quality philosophy into the fast-casual segment. The concept he envisioned was a restaurant that could combine the best elements of established chicken and burger chains — delivering hand-breaded chicken, fresh burgers, crisp salads, and hand-spun milkshakes at accessible price points, all prepared from scratch daily.
The result is a fast-casual restaurant that offers both dine-in and drive-thru service, with a menu ranging from a classic cheeseburger priced around $7 to specialty sandwiches and signature sides like mac and cheese and edamame. Everything from dressings to sauces is made in-house, staying true to the same operational standards that helped Texas Roadhouse become the top casual dining chain in the United States.
Rapid Growth Across All Three Brands
Texas Roadhouse, Inc. now operates more than 800 restaurants globally across its three brands: Texas Roadhouse, Bubba’s 33, and Jaggers. The parent company posted nearly $5.4 billion in revenue in 2024, with average unit volumes exceeding $8 million for the first time in company history. In 2024, Texas Roadhouse overtook Olive Garden to become the number one casual dining brand in the United States.
Jaggers, while still the smallest of the three concepts, has shown remarkable momentum. The brand’s systemwide sales grew by 58% in 2024, and new locations have drawn enthusiastic crowds. When a new Jaggers opened in Texarkana, Texas earlier this year, customers arrived as early as 6:15 a.m. to be first in line. The grand opening featured mascots from all three sister brands — a signal of the corporate family’s growing confidence in the concept.
Across all three brands, approximately 35 new company-owned restaurants are expected to open in 2026, including around 20 Texas Roadhouse locations, 10 Bubba’s 33 restaurants, and up to five Jaggers sites. Franchise partners are expected to add several more Jaggers locations on top of that.
Franchise Expansion: A Strategic Growth Path
One of the most significant developments for prospective franchise investors is that Jaggers is actively seeking franchise partners for both domestic and international growth. While Texas Roadhouse has been moving away from franchising its core steakhouse brand — steadily acquiring franchised locations and bringing them under corporate ownership — Jaggers is taking the opposite approach, using franchising as a primary vehicle for expansion.
The brand’s first franchise development agreement was signed with The Saxton Group, a Dallas-based operator with over 35 years of multi-unit restaurant experience. The Saxton Group committed to developing 10 Jaggers locations across Texas and Oklahoma, leveraging its deep operational expertise in the fast-casual space.
This franchise model is particularly appealing because it offers the operational sophistication of a mature restaurant company — with systems, supply chains, and training programs developed over three decades at Texas Roadhouse — paired with the growth potential of an early-stage brand. With plans to expand up to approximately 30 total locations before reassessing its pace, Jaggers is taking a measured, quality-first approach to scaling.
Why Consumers Are Taking Notice
Customer reception has been overwhelmingly positive. Diners consistently praise the quality and freshness of the food, noting that the hand-breaded chicken and burgers stand out from typical fast-food offerings. Many customers have drawn favorable comparisons to established chicken chains, with some saying the chicken is crispier and the overall experience is superior to competing brands. The combination of quality ingredients, reasonable pricing, and the convenience of drive-thru service has created strong repeat traffic.
The brand currently operates locations in Kentucky, Indiana, North Carolina, and Texas, with one international presence on a U.S. military base in South Korea. As more locations open, particularly in high-growth markets, awareness and demand are expected to continue building.
What This Means for Franchise Investors
The Jaggers opportunity stands out in today’s franchise landscape for several reasons. The brand is backed by a parent company with a proven track record of consistent growth, strong unit economics, and disciplined expansion. Texas Roadhouse, Inc. has demonstrated the ability to build successful restaurant concepts from the ground up, and its willingness to invest in both technology upgrades and operational training across all three brands signals a long-term commitment to quality.
For investors in Asia, the Middle East, and other international markets, Jaggers represents an opportunity to bring a fresh American fast-casual concept with built-in operational infrastructure to regions where demand for quality burger and chicken offerings continues to grow.
Explore the Jaggers Franchise Opportunity
If you are interested in bringing Jaggers or Texas Roadhouse to your market, VF Franchise Consulting can help. With years of experience connecting investors with leading international franchise brands, VF Franchise Consulting provides end-to-end support — from market analysis and site selection to legal, operational, and marketing guidance.
Contact us today at info@vffranchiseconsulting.com or visit vffranchiseconsulting.com to learn more about available franchise opportunities in your region.
