When most people think of Texas Roadhouse, they picture hand-cut steaks and warm cinnamon butter rolls. But behind the scenes, the Louisville-based restaurant giant has been nurturing a fast-casual concept that franchise investors and F&B operators should be paying close attention to: Jaggers.
Launched in 2014 in Noblesville, Indiana, Jaggers focuses on scratch-made burgers, hand-breaded chicken tenders and sandwiches, and freshly prepared salads — all served in a streamlined, quick-service format. The concept was born from a deceptively simple question posed by Texas Roadhouse founder Kent Taylor: What would happen if Chick-fil-A and Five Guys merged into a single brand?
The answer, by all accounts, is working.
Jaggers didn’t rush to scale. Over its first decade, the chain expanded to just over 15 locations — a deliberately measured pace that allowed management to fine-tune operations, refine the menu, and learn the mechanics of running a quick-service restaurant from a company historically rooted in full-service casual dining.
That patience is now paying off. Texas Roadhouse, Inc. has signaled a clear acceleration: up to five new company-owned Jaggers locations are planned for 2026, with existing franchise partners expected to open additional units. The Saxton Group — one of the largest McAlister’s Deli franchisees in the U.S. — was brought on as Jaggers’ first franchisee with a 10-unit development agreement covering east and central Texas plus the Tulsa, Oklahoma market.
The total investment to open a Jaggers ranges from approximately $1.6 million to $3.2 million, depending on site configuration — whether inline or freestanding, single or double drive-thru.
In a fast-casual segment dominated by established players, Jaggers differentiates itself through several key operational and brand advantages:
Scratch-Kitchen DNA. Unlike most fast-casual competitors, Jaggers prepares the majority of its products in-house using high-quality ingredients — a direct inheritance from the Texas Roadhouse operational playbook.
Speed as a Differentiator. Average drive-thru times of 30 to 35 seconds put Jaggers ahead of many competitors in throughput efficiency, a critical metric for franchise unit economics.
Corporate Backing Without Corporate Bloat. As a concept under the Texas Roadhouse umbrella (which now operates over 800 systemwide restaurants across its three brands), Jaggers benefits from corporate infrastructure, supply chain leverage, and operational expertise — while retaining the agility of an emerging brand.
Consumer Loyalty. The brand has built a passionate customer base. Its chicken tenders, signature Jaggers sauce, and hand-cut fries consistently earn enthusiastic reviews. Menu highlights include the Crispy Chicken sandwich lineup, the Green Chile Cheeseburger, and hand-spun milkshakes.
For franchise investors watching the ASEAN corridor, Jaggers’ international ambitions are particularly noteworthy. The brand has already opened its first overseas location at Camp Humphreys, a U.S. military base in South Korea — and its franchise disclosure documents list international territory opportunities across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, including markets such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea.
Unlike domestic expansion (where Texas Roadhouse has been actively buying back franchised units to maintain corporate ownership), international growth is structured around territory-level franchise agreements — meaning entire countries, not individual units. This is a familiar model for master franchise investors and aligns with the deployment strategy favored by institutional franchise buyers.
Jaggers represents a compelling case study in patient brand development backed by institutional-grade infrastructure. The brand checks several boxes that sophisticated franchise investors look for:
As the fast-casual segment continues to evolve globally, concepts like Jaggers — with deep corporate backing, a scratch-kitchen value proposition, and a deliberate international franchise framework — deserve serious consideration from cross-border investors evaluating their next portfolio addition.
VF Franchise Consulting specializes in connecting qualified investors with high-potential franchise platforms across the F&B, Fitness, Education, and Business Services sectors. If you’re evaluating master franchise rights or cross-border expansion opportunities, we can help you navigate the landscape.
Email: info@vffranchiseconsulting.com | Hotline: +84 90 306 54 58
VF Franchise Consulting — Cross-Border Franchise Expansion Advisory
