Chuy’s Mexican restaurants in the Fort Worth area will remain family-owned despite the chain’s recent merger agreement with its competitor.
On July 17, 2024, the popular Tex-Mex chain based in Austin sold its outstanding shares to Darden Restaurants Inc. out of Florida.
According to a company press release, Chuy’s was added to Darden Restaurants’ portfolio, which also includes Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, Yard House, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Seasons 52, and more.
Steven Hislop, chairman, CEO, and president of Chuy’s, shared his thoughts on Darden Restaurants’ acquisition.
“We are excited about the opportunity to join the Darden family and its portfolio of well-respected brands,” Hislop commented. “Together we will accelerate our business goals and bring our authentic, made-from-scratch Tex-Mex to more guests and communities.”
In 1982, Chuy’s Tex-Mex opened its doors in Austin, in the place of an abandoned barbecue joint off of Barton Springs Road. The chain quickly spread nationwide, becoming known for its delicious food and eclectic decor.
The Austin-based restaurant chain also faced some local competition as it continued to expand across the Lone Star State.
Smaller, locally-owned Tex-Mex restaurants named Chuy’s had to constantly battle the larger chain that swooped in with the same name.
The restaurants agreed to coexist in 1997 when the chain officially moved to North Texas.
The family-owned Chuy’s restaurant is outside the purchase agreement of the large chain and remains solely local. Its humble beginnings date back to 1982 when Jesus “Chuy” Adame opened his first restaurant on West Central Avenue near the Fort Worth Stockyards.
Adame now has four locations: two in Fort Worth, one in Haltom City, and another in Richland Hills.
Chuy’s specializes in Tex-Mex classics such as breakfast burritos, fajitas, and carne guizada, one of its most popular dishes. This dish features seasoned beef tips in a spicy gravy.
With breakfast served until noon and a variety of lunch specials offered throughout the week, Adame’s restaurants serve something for everyone at affordable prices.
Adame told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram about the deep-seated value of family that has driven business with patrons for generations.
“I’ve got customers who remember when their grandfather brought them here. Now they are bringing their grandchildren,” Adame said.
The local, family-run Chuy’s restaurants have several locations across the Metroplex with varying hours and options for each meal.
In contrast, the corporate chain restaurant focuses more on its specialty sauces, which range in heat levels from mild to hot, and its green chiles from Hatch, New Mexico, which play a large role in the food served by the chain.
Now part of the Darden Restaurant Group, the Austin-based Chuy’s will be compared to its value-based counterparts, such as Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, and other high-end chains part of the restaurant group, such as Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and Capital Grille.