The restaurant chain is moving its first-ever Clarksville location to a new standalone building
Texas Roadhouse is closing the doors on its original location after 33 years in the Green Tree Mall in Clarksville, Indiana. The restaurant that started it all in 1993 will not disappear from the community. Instead, it will move just down Veterans Parkway to a brand new standalone building that is already under construction.
Buffalo Construction is handling the project and has begun work on the new location, which will sit next to Bubba’s 33, another restaurant owned by Texas Roadhouse Inc. The new facility will span 10,000 square feet and is designed to capture the heritage of the original location while providing modern amenities and more space.
The decision to relocate reflects both sentiment and practical business considerations. The Green Tree Mall location has declined in importance as retail foot traffic has shifted away from enclosed shopping centers. A standalone location offers better visibility, easier access and more control over the dining environment.
Honoring the past while building the future
Texas Roadhouse acknowledged the bittersweet nature of the move in a statement to local media. The chain recognized that the Clarksville location was foundational to everything the company became. Rather than simply abandoning that heritage, the company plans to incorporate design elements and architectural touches that will honor the original restaurant’s history.
The statement emphasized the role loyal customers and the surrounding community played in the restaurant’s success and the chain’s broader growth over three decades. The company framed the relocation not as an abandonment but as a continuation of service to Clarksville residents, with the new location positioned to serve the community for years to come.
The timeline for the closure and opening remains unclear. Texas Roadhouse has not announced when customers can expect the original location to shut down or when the new standalone restaurant will begin operations.
Broader expansion strategy
The Clarksville relocation is part of a much larger growth strategy. In its first-quarter 2026 earnings report, Texas Roadhouse announced that 22 new locations are currently under construction across the country. Of those, four are in Texas, demonstrating the company’s focus on expanding within its home state even as it grows nationally.
The Texas locations opening or recently opened include a Bubba’s 33 in Laredo that opened on May 11, a Texas Roadhouse in Cypress opening June 1, a Bubba’s 33 in Terrell opening June 1 and a Texas Roadhouse in West Dallas also opening June 1. The rapid pace of openings reflects confidence in the restaurant concept and strong demand for the brand.
Price increases amid growth
Despite expanding aggressively, Texas Roadhouse has also increased menu prices in April, even as the chain reported growing sales. The price increases appear to reflect broader inflationary pressures affecting the restaurant industry rather than declining demand for the chain’s food and experience.
The combination of expansion and price increases suggests a company navigating a delicate balance. Rising costs are pushing restaurants across the industry to adjust pricing, but demand remains strong enough to support both new locations and higher prices on existing menus.
Impact on retail real estate
The departure of Texas Roadhouse from Green Tree Mall represents another blow to an already struggling retail property. The loss of an anchor tenant and long-standing restaurant venue accelerates the decline many traditional shopping malls have experienced as consumer behavior shifts toward online shopping and standalone retail locations.
It remains unclear what, if anything, will occupy the Texas Roadhouse space once the restaurant relocates. The mall’s owners will need to find a replacement tenant to help fill the vacancy, but finding a concept willing to commit to mall retail in 2026 has become increasingly difficult for property managers nationwide.
Clarifying misinformation
A note of caution circulating on social media claims that country music legend Willie Nelson will perform at a send-off event for the original Clarksville location. That information is false. No such event has been announced, and there is no connection between Nelson and the restaurant’s relocation.