Texas Roadhouse, a Louisville-born steakhouse chain has overtaken Olive Garden as America's top casual dining chain. Olive Garden, which has held the top position since 2018, recorded $5.2 billion in U.S. systemwide sales for 2024. Texas Roadhouse galloped ahead of Olive Garden with a robust 14.7% surge, ringing in $5.5 billion.

Analysts suggest that inflationary pressures may have contributed to a decline in business from lower-income consumers for Olive Garden. Meanwhile factors cited for Texas Roadhouse’s performance include consumer demand for affordable steak, store development, and investment in staffing and operations.

The top 10 casual dining chains and their 2024 U.S. sales, according to Technomic:

1. Texas Roadhouse: $5.5 billion
2. Olive Garden: $5.1 billion
3. Chili’s Grill & Bar: $4.6 billion
4. Applebees’s: $4.1 billion
5. Buffalo Wild Wings: $4 billion
6. Longhorn Steakhouse: $3 billion
7. Outback Steakhouse: $2.7 billion
8. The Cheesecake Factory: $2.6 billion
9. Red Lobster: $1.7 billion
10. Red Robin: $1.5 billion

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I mean have you tried their biscuits? They're so good they brought them out in grocery stores. I need to get me a bag.

Longhorn is amazing, three good sized pork chops are $19.79. That is less than 7 dollars per pork chop. Charges do add up though when I want both of my sides to be their premium steakhouse mac n cheese. Texas Roadhouse has the best ribs and chili of anywhere and great rolls, 2nd in bread only to Red Lobster's cheddar bay biscuits. The Cheesecake Factory- forever destined to not have a Fort Wayne location. :( The Chili's here closed a few years ago, and my mom has never thought much of Applebee's. Olive Garden is good, but we have a local Italian restaurant that is better. Outback isn't as good as they used to be.

Of all the mentioned restaurants, I only been to Red Lobster and Olive Garden as I mostly cook at home. The experience at Olive Garden wasn't too good as food was too bland and not tooo appetizing. I've heard they having staffing problem (as most restaurants seem to have these days), so it just might be that particular location.

I never been to Texas Roadhouse, but we have one near Walmart and the parking lot always seem to be packed. They must be doing something right.