Texas Roadhouse fans across the country will have to make different dinner plans this December 25. The steakhouse chain is shutting every one of its 736 restaurants for a full 24 hours on Christmas Day. This move pauses service coast to coast and gives workers a rare holiday off.
The closure will begin at the end of business on Christmas Eve, and all locations are set to reopen the next day. According to company information and local store announcements, last seating on December 24 will vary by location. Some Texas Roadhouse locations plan to close early, such as a restaurant in Sherman, Texas, which posted holiday hours of 11:00 am to 8:00 pm on Christmas Eve.
This decision marks a consistent holiday tradition for the chain. Employees get time with family and friends on a day when many retail and restaurant workers find themselves clocking in. Texas Roadhouse leadership has described this break as part of their commitment to work-life balance.
Why the company shutters every Christmas
The move is not a response to financial struggles or shrinking sales. Instead, Texas Roadhouse has followed this holiday schedule for years. The chain, which is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, only closes all locations for 24 hours each year on December 25. Other major holidays like Thanksgiving or New Year’s Day do not see a full shutdown, although some locations may adjust hours for those dates.
For Christmas, the company stands by its policy nationwide. Diners who crave the chain’s rolls and cinnamon butter, or plan to gather for steak and ribs, will have to look elsewhere on that day. On Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, the chain will open its doors, but with shorter or location-specific hours. Their official site lists possible Christmas Eve hours of 11 am to 6 pm, but these can change based on the local market and traffic. Stores in tourist-heavy areas may stay open longer.
The restaurant’s decision has received coverage in national and local media. A recent report by the Hindustan Times confirmed the chain’s plan to close all locations on December 25 in observance of Christmas. Outlets like Rolling Out have noted that this is not an emergency or a sign of broader closures. It is a planned and publicized day off.
What this means for diners and competitors
Texas Roadhouse is not alone in closing for Christmas. Many restaurants, especially national chains, remain dark on December 25. Yet, some fast food giants and diners keep limited hours. For those who hoped to celebrate with the chain’s well-known American fare, the closure means making other plans, possibly at home or with other restaurants that stay open.
Other chains face different challenges. Recently, a Texas Roadhouse rival made headlines for shutting down several locations, but those moves were unrelated to the holiday or work-life balance. In Lexington, Kentucky, a steakhouse recently had to close temporarily after a sewage issue. That venue has since reopened, while Texas Roadhouse’s closure is both planned and temporary.
The company will return to standard or slightly adjusted hours on December 26, except where local regulations or demand call for a different approach. Every year, Texas Roadhouse’s holiday closure reminds customers of a business model that puts employees’ time off at the center, at least for one day. As the chain reopens after Christmas, regulars and new guests alike can once again expect the familiar menu and service that have made Texas Roadhouse a mainstay in many communities.
With this 24-hour pause, Texas Roadhouse signals where its priorities sit for the holiday. For diners, the message is clear: plan ahead for Christmas, then return the next day for steak, ribs, and the chain’s signature rolls. The holiday closure has become part of the Texas Roadhouse tradition, and for now, there are no signs the company will change course.
