Texas Roadhouse will go dark on Christmas Day. I have confirmed the steakhouse chain will close all 736 U.S. restaurants on December 25. Locations will run reduced, local hours on December 24. This affects dine-in and to-go service, and it shifts holiday sales into a tighter window.
What’s happening
The company is enacting a full day, nationwide closure on December 25. That lines up with its standing holiday policy, but this year the directive is being applied across the entire system at once. On Christmas Eve, most stores will open late morning and close early. Exact hours are set by each restaurant, so plan ahead if you want to dine on the 24th.
This move puts Texas Roadhouse alongside a growing list of large brands that are closed on Christmas to give workers the day off. For guests, it means no last-minute steak run on the 25th. For the business, it means a planned pause in operations at peak wages and thin holiday traffic.
All Texas Roadhouse locations in the United States will be closed on Wednesday, December 25. Expect shortened hours on Tuesday, December 24, that vary by location.
Why this matters to the market
Investors care about sales timing and labor costs. A Christmas Day closure removes one low-traffic, high-cost day that can dilute weekly productivity. It also concentrates demand into Christmas Eve and the weekend that follows. That often lifts average check and to-go mix as families pick up larger orders early.
The closure will not change the quarter’s direction on its own. One day of lost sales is usually offset by stronger days around the holiday. What could matter more is how the company manages staffing, gift card sales, and takeout volume in the lead-up. Gift card load is a December profit lever. Breakage and redemptions feed January traffic, which can firm up first quarter comps.
For Texas Roadhouse, ticker TXRH, the near-term watch items are margin discipline and mix. Beef costs and wage inflation have been the headwinds to beat this year. A controlled holiday schedule keeps overtime and premium pay in check. That helps restaurant level margins without risking brand goodwill.
The bigger picture
Texas Roadhouse competes in a crowded casual dining field. Many rivals also close on Christmas Day. The chains that close signal a clear employee-first stance, which can support retention and hiring. In a tight labor market, that is a real advantage. Lower turnover means fewer training hours and steadier service scores, both key for repeat traffic.
Operationally, the holiday plan pushes more volume into fewer hours on the 24th. That stresses kitchens. The company’s high-prep model, with hand-cut steaks and fresh sides, requires tight scheduling. Expect heavier reliance on call-ahead and early seatings. If execution holds, customer satisfaction can rise, because wait times are managed and staff is rested.
Investor takeaways
Here is what I am watching into year-end for TXRH:
- Gift card load growth and January redemption patterns
- Christmas Eve average check, party size, and to-go mix
- Labor hours per store and overtime rates in the holiday week
- Beef cost cadence and its impact on restaurant margins
If these metrics move the right way, Texas Roadhouse can exit December with solid momentum, even with the one-day blackout.
Confirm hours now. Check your local restaurant’s website page, call the store, or use the brand’s app to see Christmas Eve seating and to-go cutoff times.
Planning to dine out
If Texas Roadhouse is part of your holiday plans, shift to Christmas Eve and go early. Larger parties should book or call ahead. For Christmas Day, consider alternatives that typically operate on the holiday, like:
- Waffle House, open 24 hours in most locations
- Denny’s, usually open nationwide
- Hotel restaurants, often serving holiday menus
- Select local Chinese and Indian restaurants
Availability varies by city, so confirm before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are all Texas Roadhouse locations closed on Christmas Day?
A: Yes. All U.S. restaurants will be closed on December 25 for the full day.
Q: What are the hours on Christmas Eve?
A: Hours are reduced and set by each location. Many open late morning and close early evening.
Q: Will takeout or curbside be available on December 25?
A: No. Both dine-in and to-go service will be paused on Christmas Day.
Q: Does the closure hurt quarterly sales?
A: The impact is minimal. Sales typically shift to Christmas Eve and the surrounding days, which can support margins.
Q: What about sister brands like Bubba’s 33 or Jaggers?
A: Expect similar closures or reduced hours. Check each location’s posted schedule to be sure.
In short, Texas Roadhouse is pressing pause for Christmas Day, and planning a shorter Christmas Eve to balance guest demand and crew well-being. For investors, this is good housekeeping, not a red flag. For diners, it is a nudge to plan early, eat a little earlier on the 24th, and enjoy a quieter 25th.
