Texas Roadhouse CEO Jerry Morgan said this week that servers could soon use handheld tablets nationwide after a successful pilot in select locations, aiming to improve speed and order accuracy without altering the brand’s relaxed dining experience.
The potential rollout comes as the chain increases its use of technology to streamline operations while maintaining strong customer demand.
If expanded, servers and diners across U.S. locations would see ordering handled more directly at the table using handheld devices.
Newsweek has contacted Texas Roadhouse via email for comment.
Why It Matters
Casual dining chains have increasingly turned to technology to improve efficiency and reduce errors as labor pressures and customer expectations evolve.
Texas Roadhouse has been testing these tools alongside other digital upgrades, including kitchen display systems and table-based payment options, as part of a broader operational push.
What To Know
Morgan highlighted the handheld tablets during a recent earnings call, describing them as a promising but still-developing part of the company’s strategy, The Sun reports.
The pilot, currently running in select restaurants, allows servers to input orders directly at the table rather than stepping away to use traditional point-of-sale systems.
That change can speed up how quickly orders reach the kitchen and reduce the risk of mistakes from handwritten notes or delayed entry.
Early results have been encouraging, according to Morgan. He said the devices have improved both ordering speed and accuracy, while feedback from staff and guests has been broadly positive.
Drive for Efficiency
The company is taking a measured approach, however, and is continuing to evaluate performance before deciding on wider implementation.
“Handhelds may speed things up when placing and sending orders,” Morgan said, adding that the aim is “to be more efficient and improve the complete guest experience,” not to turn tables more quickly.
The tablets are part of a wider push that includes digital kitchen systems and tablet-based payment tools, which have already been introduced or are being expanded across the chain.
These systems are designed to help kitchen staff manage orders more efficiently and allow diners to pay without waiting for a check.
“It’s working really well from the guest experience and from our employee experience and helping our managers run their business more efficiently, so all of it together is definitely helpful,” Morgan previously said when speaking about the various tech initiatives, according to Yahoo Finance.
Morgan also stressed that flexibility remains important for staff.
Servers will not be forced into a single system, he said, and can continue using traditional methods if preferred while the company refines the technology.
What Happens Next
For now, there is no confirmed timeline for a nationwide rollout.
The company is continuing to gather feedback and test the tablets gradually, signaling that any expansion will be deliberate rather than immediate.
Texas Roadhouse has built its brand around a casual, sit-down dining experience, and leadership has made clear that new technology will be introduced carefully.
Rather than reshaping how restaurants feel, the focus is on making service smoother behind the scenes while preserving the atmosphere customers expect.
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