LongHorn Steakhouse is an American casual dining restaurant chain owned and operated by Darden Restaurants, headquartered in Orlando, Florida.[2] As of 2023, LongHorn Steakhouse generated more than $2.5 billion in sales in its 563 locations.[4]
 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Genre | Steak house |
| Founded | August 10, 1981 in Atlanta, Georgia |
| Founder | George McKerrow, Jr. |
| Headquarters | 1000 Darden Center Drive Orlando, Florida, U.S. 32837 |
Number of locations | 563 (September 2023) |
Area served | United States (including Puerto Rico and Guam) |
Key people | |
| Products | Steaks, chicken, burgers, salads |
| Parent | Darden Restaurants (2007–present) |
| Website | longhornsteakhouse.com |
| Footnotes / references [1][2][3] | |
History
editLongHorn Steakhouse was founded in 1981 by George McKerrow Jr. and his best friend Brian. McKerrow was a former manager at Quinn's Mill Restaurant, a subsidiary of Victoria Station, a San Francisco-based concept with railroad cars used as dining areas that was popular in the United States during the 1970s and '80s.
The first location, originally called LongHorn Steaks Restaurant & Saloon, opened on Peachtree Street in Atlanta, Georgia on August 10, 1981. It was a former antique store, then an adult entertainment business. The walls were still painted black and some of the booths were divided by recycled black partitions. He filled it with steer heads and western paraphernalia. The LongHorn featured steaks grilled in a butter sauce.
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It was across from a popular pub, Harrison's on Peachtree. Harrison's was the favorite hangout of Atlanta Journal and Constitution columnist Ron Hudspeth. Harrison's had a very limited bar menu, so regulars ventured over to the LongHorn for a steak after a night of drinking.[citation needed] In January 1982, a sudden snow storm that became known as SnowJam 82 trapped the area's commuter population within the city limits, and McKerrow offered $1 drinks and menu specials to the stranded motorists. Hudspeth featured it in his column. This helped to turn around the struggling restaurant.[5]
By 1990, the franchise expanded farther south. It has locations primarily throughout the Eastern United States.[2] It also has many locations in the Midwest, Southwest, and Puerto Rico.
In August 2007, LongHorn Steakhouse, formerly owned and operated by RARE Hospitality International Inc., was purchased by Darden Restaurants, Inc.[6]
Theme
editLongHorn Steakhouse has a Western/Texan theme. Each restaurant is decorated with oil paintings, photos, and selected Western memorabilia that support this theme.[citation needed]
Menu
editThe restaurant is best known for serving various kinds of steak, including its "Flo's Filet".[7] In addition to steak, the menu also includes ribs, chicken, salmon, lobster, shrimp, and salads. Appetizers include their "Texas Tonion" and "Wild West Shrimp"; and side dishes are also served. The restaurant offers a full bar with draft and bottled beer, wine, and several signature margaritas.[citation needed] A lunch menu that includes soups, salads, sandwiches, and hamburgers is available.[2]
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Flo's Filet, a center cut filet -
Ribeye Steak -
The "Longhorn", a porterhouse steak -
Chopped Steak (ground beef)
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Doneness preference
editAccording to research conducted between May 2016 - May 2017, 37.5 percent of diners preferred their steak done medium, 25.8 percent medium-well, 22.5 percent medium-rare, 11.7 percent well done, and only 2.5 percent preferred their steak to be rare.[3]
References
edit- ^ "Darden 2011 Annual Report" (PDF). Darden Restaurants, Inc. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 24, 2012. Retrieved April 12, 2012.
- ^ a b c d Darden Restaurants, Inc. (May 29, 2011). "FY 2011 10-K". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Retrieved April 12, 2012.
- ^ a b Hickey, Walt; Dottle, Rachael (2017-07-03). "How Americans Order Their Steak". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved 2017-07-05.
- ^ "Fiscal 2023 Final Results". Darden Concepts, Inc. Retrieved 2023-06-22.
- ^ "Atlanta's had a hearty appetite for restaurants". Atlanta Business Chronicle. September 22, 2008. Retrieved April 12, 2012.
- ^ Nichola Groom (August 16, 2007). "UPDATE 3-Darden to buy RARE steakhouse chains". Thomson Reuters. Retrieved April 12, 2012.
- ^ "About LongHorn". LongHorn Steakhouse. Retrieved April 12, 2012.