Sponsored By

Texas Roadhouse founder to debut Aspen CreekTexas Roadhouse founder to debut Aspen Creek

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

February 5, 2009

1 Min Read
Nation's Restaurant News logo in a gray background | Nation's Restaurant News

Ron Ruggless

LOUISVILLE Ky. Texas Roadhouse Inc., a 314-unit casual-dining chain, is scheduled to open a new concept called Aspen Creek on Feb. 24 here.

 

Inspired by the ski resorts of Colorado and Utah, Aspen Creek is the brainchild of Texas Roadhouse founder W. Kent Taylor. Taylor, an avid skier, is overseeing the restaurant’s concepting and construction. Taylor remains chairman of Texas Roadhouse, which will own and operate Aspen Creek.

 

 

 

“Aspen Creek is a full-service, casual-dining restaurant that serves a variety of classics, including salads, hamburgers, pasta, meatloaf and pizza,” said company spokesman Travis Doster. “The majority of the menu items are priced below $10.”

 

 

 

The 275-seat restaurant will feature a rugged-stone exterior and a mountain-lodge-inspired interior that includes stone, barn-wood accents and antique light fixtures.

 

 

 

This is the first new concept for Taylor since he opened the first Texas Roadhouse in 1993. The Louisville-based chain now has units in 46 states.

 

 

 

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].

 

 

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

Subscribe Nation's Restaurant News Newsletters
Get the latest breaking news in the industry, analysis, research, recipes, consumer trends, the latest products and more.