Overview
LongHorn Steakhouse is an American full-service restaurant brand whose menu centres on grilled steaks, supported by chicken, seafood, burgers, salads and side dishes. Its positioning sits within mainstream casual dining rather than the premium steakhouse segment. Restaurants combine table service, a bar and a Western-influenced interior, serving customers looking for an accessible steak-led meal rather than a formal fine-dining occasion.
The brand belongs to Darden Restaurants, the publicly listed US restaurant group that also owns Olive Garden and several other full-service concepts. For readers researching franchise opportunities, the central distinction is ownership: LongHorn's core US estate is company-operated. It should not be treated as a broadly available domestic franchise system comparable with chains built around independent owner-operators.
History and growth
LongHorn began in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1981, founded by George McKerrow Jr. The original restaurant established the steak-focused proposition that remains central to the business. Expansion subsequently took the concept beyond its home market, developing a regional chain and then a wider US presence under RARE Hospitality, which also owned The Capital Grille.
Darden acquired RARE Hospitality in 2007, bringing LongHorn into a substantially larger restaurant organisation. That transaction gave the brand access to group-wide purchasing, operating systems and development capabilities. Growth under Darden has primarily involved opening and operating restaurants directly, rather than selling large numbers of domestic franchises. Its history therefore illustrates the expansion of a centrally managed restaurant chain, not the conventional progression from an original outlet to a dispersed network of small franchise businesses.
Global footprint
Darden reported around 580 company-operated LongHorn Steakhouse restaurants as of the end of its 2024 financial year, on 26 May 2024. This is a dated measure of the company-operated estate, rather than a current worldwide total including every licensed restaurant. The United States remains the brand's principal market, and its footprint is far more concentrated there than those of internationally franchised casual-dining chains.
LongHorn also has a limited presence through franchise or licensing arrangements beyond its core mainland US operations. These arrangements should not be confused with a generally available franchise programme in every market. A reliable, separately stated worldwide country count is not provided here. For market-entry research, the relevant questions are whether Darden is considering the proposed territory and whether existing agreements already assign development rights to another operator.
How the franchise model works
LongHorn's principal operating model is direct ownership by Darden. The parent group controls restaurant development, recruits management teams and runs day-to-day operations through its corporate structure. This creates a different relationship from a conventional franchise, where an independent business invests in a restaurant and pays for the right to use a brand and operating system.
Darden does use franchising for selected international activities, but this does not establish an open offer for an individual to purchase a LongHorn franchise in the United States. Any prospective arrangement would need confirmation from Darden concerning brand availability, territory and operator eligibility. Applicants should distinguish between a single-site opportunity, a multi-restaurant development agreement and a licence attached to a particular market; those structures can involve materially different responsibilities.
Investment and requirements
A standard LongHorn franchise fee, total investment range, royalty schedule and minimum net-worth requirement are not publicly disclosed as part of a broadly available franchise offer. Figures published by third-party franchise websites should not be treated as confirmed brand terms. Prospective franchisees should request the relevant franchise disclosure documents, where applicable, and current programme information directly from Darden before relying on any proposed costs or conditions.
In practical terms, a full-service steakhouse requires premises suitable for a substantial kitchen, dining room and bar, along with refrigeration, cooking equipment and trained staff. Property costs, construction, local approvals and working capital would depend on the location and agreement. These are general operating requirements, not published LongHorn entry criteria. There is no sound basis for converting them into a brand-specific investment estimate without verified documentation.
What franchisees should consider
The first issue is access, not the headline cost of entry. A business seeking to operate LongHorn needs to establish whether any rights are available in its target market. Brand recognition alone does not mean a franchise can be purchased, and the existence of licensed restaurants elsewhere does not demonstrate that similar agreements are being offered to new applicants.
Operationally, steak-led casual dining exposes restaurants to beef purchasing costs, labour availability and the challenge of delivering consistent preparation during busy services. Table-service restaurants also need enough local demand to support their premises and staffing throughout the trading week. For an international operator, further questions include supply-chain suitability, import requirements, menu adaptation and the division of responsibilities for training and marketing. These matters warrant examination in the actual operating proposal rather than assumptions based on other chains.
Competitive landscape
Texas Roadhouse and Outback Steakhouse are among LongHorn's most direct competitors, sharing a steak-focused proposition aimed at mainstream restaurant customers. The Keg Steakhouse + Bar is another relevant comparison, although its geographical emphasis and positioning differ. Broader casual-dining brands such as Chili's and Applebee's compete for many of the same dining occasions without making steak the defining feature of their menus.
Competition involves more than menu prices: food consistency, service, convenience, atmosphere and perceived value all influence customer choice. From an operator's perspective, ownership structure is an additional distinction. A competitor with an established franchise recruitment programme may offer a more accessible route into restaurant ownership than LongHorn, irrespective of the relative consumer appeal of the brands.
Outlook
LongHorn's direction is best understood through Darden's restaurant-development strategy and operating performance rather than expectations of widespread franchise recruitment. Its established US presence gives the group a platform for further company-led expansion, while any international licensing remains dependent on market selection and suitable operating partners.
The broader commercial challenge is to sustain a clear steakhouse proposition while managing food costs, staffing and customers' sensitivity to discretionary spending. For prospective operators, the practical conclusion remains straightforward: LongHorn is an established restaurant business, but not a standard off-the-shelf franchise opportunity. Any assessment of an available territory or investment should begin with verified information from the brand owner.
LongHorn Steakhouse franchise: frequently asked questions
Can you buy a LongHorn Steakhouse franchise?
LongHorn's core US business is company-operated, and it does not offer a broadly available domestic franchise programme. Selected franchise or licensing arrangements exist beyond its core mainland US operations. Anyone interested in operating the brand should ask Darden directly whether opportunities are available in the proposed territory and what type of agreement would apply.
How much does a LongHorn Steakhouse franchise cost?
A standard franchise fee and total investment range are not publicly disclosed as part of a broadly available LongHorn offer. Unverified figures on third-party websites should not be regarded as official terms. Prospective franchisees should request current programme information and the relevant franchise disclosure documents, where applicable, directly from Darden.
How many LongHorn Steakhouse locations are there?
Darden reported around 580 company-operated LongHorn restaurants at the end of its 2024 financial year, on 26 May 2024. That figure is a historical company-operated count, not a current worldwide total including all licensed outlets. The brand's main restaurant estate is in the United States.
Who owns LongHorn Steakhouse?
LongHorn Steakhouse is owned by Darden Restaurants, the publicly listed US restaurant group that also owns Olive Garden and other full-service brands. Darden acquired LongHorn through its purchase of RARE Hospitality in 2007. The brand's principal US restaurant estate is operated directly by the group rather than by independent franchisees.
Where and when was LongHorn Steakhouse founded?
LongHorn Steakhouse was founded in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1981 by George McKerrow Jr. It developed from its original restaurant into a regional and then wider US chain. Now part of Orlando-based Darden Restaurants, it retains a steak-focused menu and Western-influenced restaurant identity within the mainstream casual-dining market.
Latest LongHorn Steakhouse news
Our news engine monitors LongHorn Steakhouse announcements. New reports will appear here as they are published.
Figures are approximate and based on publicly reported information as of 26 May 2024. Franchise costs and terms change; prospective franchisees should obtain the brand’s current disclosure documents and take independent legal and financial advice. Profile updated October 2026.