7 Secrets Behind Jaggers: The Texas Roadhouse Spinoff That’s Exploding In 2025

The restaurant industry is witnessing a significant shift, and the latest powerhouse to emerge is Jaggers, the dynamic fast-casual concept from the creators of Texas Roadhouse. As of late 2025, Jaggers is no longer just an experiment; it’s a rapidly expanding brand that is redefining the premium quick-service experience, blending the legendary quality of its parent company with the convenience demanded by today’s diners. This deep dive reveals the unique DNA of Jaggers, its aggressive expansion strategy, and why it's being hailed as a formidable hybrid of industry giants like Chick-fil-A and Five Guys.

The concept was born from the vision of the late Kent Taylor, the revered founder of Texas Roadhouse, who sought to translate his commitment to quality ingredients and scratch-made food into a quicker, smaller-footprint format. Unlike the full-service, peanut-shell-on-the-floor experience of Texas Roadhouse, Jaggers is built around efficiency, featuring a prominent drive-thru and a streamlined menu focused on superior burgers, hand-breaded chicken, and fresh salads. This strategic pivot has positioned Jaggers for explosive growth, with aggressive plans for new locations rolling out across the country in 2025 and beyond.

The Essential Biography of the Jaggers Concept

• Founder: Kent Taylor (Founder of Texas Roadhouse and Bubba's 33).
• Parent Company: Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (The concept is a fast-casual sister brand).
• Concept Type: Fast-Casual Dining.
• Core Focus: Superior Fresh-Made Burgers, Hand-Breaded Chicken Sandwiches, and Fresh Salads.
• Unique Features: Smaller restaurant footprint, prominent drive-thru service, and a casual atmosphere.
• Industry Comparison: Often described as a hybrid combining the quality focus of Five Guys with the operational efficiency and chicken focus of Chick-fil-A.
• First Location: Indianapolis, Indiana (The concept has seen steady sales growth since its inception).
• Expansion Strategy (2025-2026): Rapid growth through a combination of franchised and company-owned stores, with plans for at least eight more locations in 2026.
• Notable 2025 Openings/Plans: New locations in Lexington, Kentucky (updated August 2025), Katy, Texas (Houston-area outpost, expected early summer 2025), and plans advancing for a first NKY location in Florence, Kentucky (December 2025).

The legacy of Kent Taylor is evident in every aspect of Jaggers. His commitment was to quality, and that principle is the foundation of the Jaggers experience. The brand is designed to offer the kind of scratch-made quality you would expect from a full-service restaurant, but delivered with the speed and convenience of a fast-casual model.

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What Makes the Jaggers Menu a Must-Try Experience

The menu at Jaggers is intentionally focused, allowing the brand to perfect a select number of core items. This strategic focus is a key differentiator in the crowded fast-casual landscape. While Texas Roadhouse is famous for its steaks and yeast rolls, Jaggers has carved out its own niche in the realm of premium handhelds.

The Burger and Chicken Showdown

The "Superior Fresh-Made Burgers" are a cornerstone of the Jaggers identity. They are known for being juicy and made-to-order, appealing to the segment of the market that values quality over simple speed. A standout item is the Sunrise Burger, which features two patties, American cheese, ham, and a fried egg, offering a unique, elevated take on a classic.

Equally important is the chicken lineup, which is where the comparisons to Chick-fil-A often arise. Jaggers features a variety of hand-breaded chicken sandwiches, including the classic Crispy Chicken and a fiery Spicy Crispy version. The emphasis is on fresh preparation, with the chicken hand-breaded in-house, ensuring a quality that surpasses many competitors.

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The menu also features hand-spun shakes and a selection of large, fresh-made salads, which cater to a broader audience looking for lighter options. The generous portions and attention to detail in the preparation of all items reflect the 'Roadhouse DNA' of abundant, high-quality food.

The Strategic Difference: Fast-Casual vs. Full-Service

Understanding Jaggers requires a clear grasp of its operational model versus that of its parent company, Texas Roadhouse. The differences are not just cosmetic; they are fundamental to the brand’s success and expansion potential. This is the ultimate case study in how a successful full-service brand can diversify into the fast-casual segment.

Smaller Footprint, Bigger Reach

Jaggers restaurants are significantly smaller than a typical Texas Roadhouse, often occupying around 3,500 to 3,900 square feet. This smaller footprint dramatically reduces both the initial investment and the operational overhead, making the concept highly scalable. It allows Jaggers to enter markets and specific real estate locations that would be unsuitable for a large, full-service steakhouse.

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The Power of the Drive-Thru

The single most important operational difference is the drive-thru. While Texas Roadhouse is a destination for a longer, sit-down dining experience, Jaggers is built for speed and convenience. A significant portion of Jaggers' sales comes from the drive-thru and counter orders, catering to customers who want quality food on the go. This focus on off-premise dining has proven to be a resilient and profitable model, especially in the post-pandemic era.

The experience with a Jaggers customer can be fleeting—a quick transaction at the window—compared to the longer, more involved sit-down service at Texas Roadhouse. This streamlined customer interaction is a key factor in the brand's ability to serve a high volume of customers efficiently.

Jaggers’ Aggressive 2025 Expansion and Future Outlook

The most exciting news surrounding Jaggers in 2025 is its accelerating development strategy. The brand is "primed to expand at a faster pace than in the past," according to industry analysts. This rapid growth is a clear indicator of the concept’s successful proof of concept and its strong unit economics.

Key markets are seeing new locations pop up, signaling a major push into the South and Midwest. The opening of the first Houston-area outpost in Katy, Texas, and the advancement of plans for a new location in Northern Kentucky (NKY) are just the beginning. Jaggers is actively pursuing a development strategy that combines company-owned stores with strategic franchising collaborations.

Looking ahead to 2026, the company has set an ambitious goal to open at least eight more locations. This trajectory suggests that Jaggers is quickly moving from a regional curiosity to a national fast-casual contender. The brand's success is a testament to the enduring appeal of the Texas Roadhouse commitment to quality, now repackaged for the modern, on-the-go consumer.

The combination of a smaller, more flexible physical plant, a drive-thru-centric model, and a menu built on high-quality, fresh-made items—all backed by the operational expertise of the Texas Roadhouse team—makes Jaggers a powerful entity to watch. It is successfully navigating the intersection of premium quality and fast-casual convenience, proving that the spirit of Kent Taylor’s original vision continues to thrive in a new, exciting format.