Breaking: Texas Roadhouse will lock every door on Christmas Day, all 736 locations, for one day only. I have confirmed the chain will close on December 25 so its teams, the Roadies, can spend the holiday at home. The grills go cold for 24 hours. The rolls, the steaks, the ribs, all take a pause. Service returns on December 26 with normal hours.
What exactly is closing, and when
This is a holiday blackout, not a shutdown. Every restaurant in the country will be closed on December 25. That includes small town outposts and big city dining rooms. If your plan was hand cut ribeyes and a basket of warm rolls on Christmas, you will need a backup. The company’s policy has been consistent for years. One day off, for everyone, every Christmas.
This is a one day closure. Texas Roadhouse is not closing for good.
Why this matters for dining culture
Christmas Day has become a split screen in American dining. Some chains stay open, catching last minute eaters and travelers. Others go dark, investing in morale and retention. Texas Roadhouse sits firmly in the second camp. It is an employee first stance. It is rare at this scale, and it is a cultural signal.
Food is ritual. That hot honey cinnamon butter, the peanuts, the parade of sizzling sirloins, these are part of many families’ December rhythms. Closing for the day forces a shift. Some guests will book a different table. Many will cook at home. And that is where the story gets tasty.
The Texas Roadhouse at home plan
If the doors are shut, the flavors can still show up in your kitchen. The brand’s appeal is not secret. It is bold seasoning, high heat, and comfort sides. You can hit those notes with a plan and a few pantry tricks.
- Quick at home lineup: butter basted ribeye, roasted sweet potatoes, skillet green beans, copycat rolls with honey cinnamon butter.
For the steak, use a cast iron pan. Pat the meat dry. Season with kosher salt, cracked pepper, and a pinch of paprika. Sear in a hot film of oil. Add a knob of butter, a crushed garlic clove, and a sprig of thyme. Baste until glossy. Rest, then slice. The crust should sing.
For the rolls, go simple. A soft enriched dough, milk, butter, and a little sugar. Knead until smooth. Proof until puffy. Bake until golden. Whip softened butter with honey and cinnamon. Serve warm. The aroma will feel familiar.
For ribs, if that is your thing, bake low and slow until tender, then glaze with a brown sugar, chili, and vinegar sauce. Broil to set the shine. Serve with slaw to cut the sweetness.
No time to bake rolls. Grab good dinner rolls, warm in a low oven, and whip honey, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt into soft butter.
Inside the business story, growth keeps cooking
A day of silence does not mean trouble. The opposite is true. Texas Roadhouse is in growth mode. Comparable restaurant sales climbed 8.5 percent in 2024. Diluted earnings per share rose 42.5 percent. The company acquired 13 franchise restaurants early in 2025. Its 800th restaurant is under construction. It plans about 30 openings in 2025 and about 35 in 2026. That is an aggressive buildout, and it points to strong demand for its core menu.
The closure, then, reads like a culture choice, not a cash move. The chain is saying the quiet part out loud. Retention matters. Rest matters. A rested team cooks better steaks on December 26.
Expect heavier waits on December 26, especially dinner. Consider early lunch, or join the waitlist before you drive.
What happens next
Guests will pivot. Some will opt for diners that stay open. Many will move the meal home. Either way, this decision will echo through the holiday plate. It is a clear line drawn in a busy season. One day for staff to be with family. The next day, back to big energy and bigger baskets of rolls. The sizzle returns right after Christmas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Texas Roadhouse closing for good
A: No. This is a one day holiday closure on December 25. All locations reopen December 26.
Q: Are any locations open on Christmas Eve
A: Most locations plan normal hours on December 24. Check your local store for exact times.
Q: Can I order takeout on Christmas Day
A: No. Dining rooms and takeout are closed on December 25. Service resumes December 26.
Q: Why does the chain close on Christmas
A: It is a long standing policy to give employees a guaranteed holiday with their families.
Q: Will the menu or prices change after the holiday
A: Regular menus return on December 26. Expect normal operations, with typical seasonal specials by market.
Texas Roadhouse will go quiet for Christmas Day, on purpose. It is a hospitality choice with heart, made at the peak of a strong run. If you want those familiar flavors, bring them into your kitchen for one night. Then, when the doors swing open on December 26, the sizzle will be waiting.
