Move over, pasta and breadsticks—steaks and rolls are stealing the show. Texas Roadhouse has officially bumped Olive Garden from its seven-year reign as the top casual dining chain in the U.S., according to the latest data from Restaurant Business, which tracks the nation’s 500 biggest restaurant chains. In 2024, the steakhouse powerhouse saw a hefty 14.7% jump in sales, raking in $5.5 billion and edging out Olive Garden’s $5.2 billion, which grew by a modest 0.8%.
Olive Garden, a staple of Italian-American comfort food since 1982, had held the crown since 2018. But Texas Roadhouse, founded in 1993 with its signature Western vibe and famously free yeast rolls, has been on a tear. Last year alone, it opened 26 new spots, bringing its total to 664 locations. That growth, paired with a surge in customer demand, propelled it past its rival. Meanwhile, Olive Garden’s parent company, Darden Restaurants, saw stronger gains at its other steakhouse brand, LongHorn, which posted a 7.2% sales increase—though it still trailed the top two.
The casual dining rankings rounded out with Chili’s in third, Applebee’s in fourth, and Buffalo Wild Wings in fifth. Chili’s, in fact, led the pack in sales growth with a 15% spike, fueled by a menu overhaul and a savvy social media push. But Texas Roadhouse’s consistent rise—especially since the post-pandemic years—has made it the new king of the category. Analysts point to its value-driven appeal, with hearty portions at reasonable prices, as a big draw in an era of pinched wallets.
Not every chain is riding high, though. Red Lobster took a brutal 22.7% sales hit after filing for bankruptcy in 2024, while Outback Steakhouse and Red Robin saw declines of 3.9% and 4.2%, respectively. Applebee’s didn’t fare much better, dropping 5.8%. Even with some bright spots, the casual dining sector as a whole eked out just a 0.6% average sales increase, showing how fierce the competition has become.
Texas Roadhouse’s winning streak isn’t just about numbers—it’s a shift in what diners crave. From its hand-cut steaks to those irresistible rolls, it’s tapped into a hunger for bold, American flavors that Olive Garden’s endless pasta couldn’t match this time around. For now, the steakhouse is sitting pretty at the top table.
