We can all agree that it's super important to support locally owned restaurants, but there is no shame in admitting you love chain restaurants, too. I mean, you must be doing something right if you're able to have locations all over the country, right?

ALSO READ: This Small Indiana Town is Home to the State’s Most Beautiful Restaurant

For the last seven years, America's favorite casual dining chain restaurant has been Olive Garden, but in 2025, the chain famous for salad and breadsticks fell one spot. The new #1 is another restaurant that is known for its bread. TEXAS ROADHOUSE takes the top spot according to newly released data from Technomic on the Top 500 largest restaurant chains in the U.S.

The Louisville, Kentucky-based chain has been growing quickly for years. It has benefited from consumer demand for steak coming out of the pandemic, but has helped its cause by investing in staffing and operations while keeping its prices lower than inflation. It has also ramped up new store development. ~Restaurant Business Online

Texas Roadhouse has hundreds of locations around the world, but the casual dining chain got its start here in the Hoosier state. The first Texas Roadhouse location opened back in 1993 in Clarksville, IN. These days, there are 27 locations throughout Indiana.

Texas Roadhouse, Canva
Texas Roadhouse, Canva
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I'm sure there is a portion of Texas Roadhouse customers that will point to the steak, chicken, or seafood as their favorite menu item, but for a vast majority of us, Texas Roadhouse will forever be known for those hot rolls and that ridiculously delicious honey-cinnamon-butter.

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The 10 Biggest Casual Restaurant Chains in America

  1. Texas Roadhouse
  2. Olive Garden
  3. Chili's Grill & Bar
  4. Applebee's
  5. Buffalo Wild Wings
  6. LongHorn Steakhouse
  7. Outback Steakhouse
  8. The Cheesecake Factory
  9. Red Lobster
  10. Red Robin

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According to the Wall Street Journal, the Indiana Foodways Alliance has the MOST food trails in America. Taste the very best that Indiana has to offer when it comes to breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between. Plan to visit some or all of these yummy stops all throughout the Hoosier state.

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