Willie Nelson: Texas Roadhouse’s Secret Owner?
When you think of Texas Roadhouse, you likely think of steaks, t-bones, and garlic mashed potatoes – not of Willie Nelson. But what if the country music star is the secret owner behind the famous steakhouse chain? While speculation has been around for a while, is there any truth to the rumor? Let’s take a closer look at the hearsay surrounding Willie Nelson and Texas Roadhouse.
Background of Texas Roadhouse
Texas Roadhouse is an American steakhouse that was founded in 1993 by W. Kent Taylor in Clarksville, Indiana. The restaurant chain is known for its steaks, ribs, and sides such as roasted vegetables, macaroni and cheese, and jalapeno poppers. The chain has grown to over 500 locations in the United States, Puerto Rico, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.
Origins of the Rumor
The rumor that Willie Nelson is the secret owner of Texas Roadhouse might have started as early as 2001. That year, Nelson provided the music for the restaurant’s radio ads. Because of Nelson’s involvement with the promotion, some people speculated that he had an ownership stake in the chain.
Another rumor suggests that Willie Nelson started the company in 1993. However, this is unlikely, given that the restaurant was founded by W. Kent Taylor that same year. In addition, Nelson has not publicly commented on the speculation that he is a part-owner of Texas Roadhouse.
Factors Fueling the Rumor
There are several factors that have helped fuel the rumors that Willie Nelson is the secret owner of Texas Roadhouse. For one, the restaurant chain’s former president, Wayne Kent Taylor, was a known fan of Nelson’s music. Taylor was also an avid collector of Nelson’s memorabilia.
In addition, Nelson’s music has been featured in several television commercials for Texas Roadhouse. His song, “On the Road Again”, was used for the restaurant’s “Road Trip” campaign in 2018. The singer’s name was also mentioned in some of the commercials.
Willie Nelson’s Involvement with Texas Roadhouse
Although Willie Nelson may not be the secret owner of Texas Roadhouse, he does have some involvement with the restaurant chain. In 2001, he provided the music for the restaurant’s radio ads. As mentioned previously, Nelson’s music was also featured in some of the restaurant’s television commercials.
Nelson has also been involved in fundraising efforts for the chain. In 2014, he helped to raise money for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital by selling bracelets with the Texas Roadhouse logo. In addition, Nelson has made appearances at some of the restaurant’s locations to promote the fundraiser.
Finally, Nelson has also been seen wearing Texas Roadhouse t-shirts in some of his performances. This further adds to the speculation that the singer might have a financial interest in the restaurant chain.
Texas Roadhouse’s Current Ownership
Although Willie Nelson may not be the secret owner of Texas Roadhouse, he does have some involvement with the restaurant chain. The company is currently owned by W. Kent Taylor, its founder, and investment firms AEA Investors, LLC and KarpReilly, LLC.
These investors have held a stake in the company since 2006 and have helped to expand its presence worldwide. In addition, an additional investor, New York-based hedge fund, Barington Capital, LLC, announced in May 2020 that it had taken a significant ownership stake in the company.
Conclusion
Despite the rumors, Willie Nelson is not the secret owner of Texas Roadhouse. However, the singer does have some involvement with the restaurant chain, as he has provided the music for some of its radio and television commercials, and has even been seen wearing Texas Roadhouse t-shirts during his performances.
The truth is, the company is currently owned by W. Kent Taylor, its founder, and investment firms AEA Investors, LLC and KarpReilly, LLC. In addition, New York-based hedge fund, Barington Capital, LLC, has taken a significant ownership stake in the company. So while Willie Nelson may not be the secret owner of Texas Roadhouse, he may be its most famous fan.
I’m Kieran Walker, and I’m a Celebrity and Financial Expert. I live in Monaco, and I love helping people make the most of their money. Whether it’s through investments, or just making sure they’re getting the best deals on everything they buy, I want to help as many people as possible grow their wealth.
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