Texas Roadhouse, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2008 Results

Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (NasdaqGS: TXRH), today announced financial results for the 13 week period ended March 25, 2008.

Highlights for the quarter:

• Comparable restaurant sales decreased 1.2% at company restaurants and 2.8% at franchise restaurants;
• Six company restaurants opened, while one company restaurant was closed;
• Restaurant operating costs, as a percentage of restaurant sales, increased 97 basis points primarily as a result of higher food and labor costs;
• The Company repurchased 529,900 shares of its Class A common stock for a total purchase price of $4.9 million. As of the end of the first quarter, $20.1 million worth of Class A common stock remains authorized for repurchase; and
• Diluted earnings per share, which included a negative $0.006 per share impact relating to costs associated with the closing of one under-performing restaurant, increased 5% to $0.17 from $0.16 in the prior year period.

G.J. Hart, President and Chief Executive Officer of Texas Roadhouse, commented, “We are pleased with our first quarter results, which were in-line with our plan. Our operators have responded very well to the challenges we face and continue doing the right things for the long-term success of the business. While we have experienced some modest easing of cost pressures over the past few months, inflation and consumer spending remain uncertain. That said, we remain focused on delivering a legendary dining experience to each and every guest and realize that this basic fundamental is the key to success in any environment. As we look to the remainder of 2008, we believe we are on track to deliver 5-15% diluted earnings per share growth.”

Franchise Acquisitions

As previously announced, effective as of the first day of the Company’s second quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company acquired three franchise restaurants. The aggregate purchase price for the restaurants, which included two in Missouri and one in Kentucky, was approximately $8.7 million. The purchase price was paid in cash, funded through borrowings under the Company’s credit facility. On a 12-month basis, the acquisitions are expected to add approximately $13.0 million of net revenue and approximately $0.005 per diluted share to earnings, excluding an estimated $35,000 after-tax acquisition-related charge to be recorded during the second quarter of fiscal 2008.

Outlook for 2008

The Company reported that comparable restaurant sales for the first four weeks of the second quarter of fiscal 2008 were approximately flat compared to the same period of the prior year.

The Company is currently estimating diluted earnings per share growth of 5-15% for fiscal 2008. This includes an estimated $0.01 to $0.02 positive per share impact resulting from the addition of the 53rd week in the fiscal year. As such, the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 will contain 14 weeks versus 13 weeks in fiscal 2007.

This estimate is based, in part, on the following assumptions:

• New company-owned restaurant openings of approximately 30; and
• Comparable restaurant sales growth of flat to 1.0%.

Conference Call

The Company is hosting a conference call today, April 28, 2008, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss these results. The dial-in number is (800) 289-0730. A replay of the call will be available until May 5, 2008. To access the replay, please dial (888) 203-1112, and use 7351424 as the pass code.

There will be a simultaneous Web cast conducted at www.texasroadhouse.com.

About the Company

Texas Roadhouse is a casual dining concept that first opened in 1993 and today operates 293 restaurants system-wide in 44 states. For more information, please visit the Company’s Web site at www.texasroadhouse.com.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements in this release that are not historical facts, including, without limitation, those relating to our anticipated financial performance for the full year 2008, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the management of the Company. Actual results may vary materially from those contained in forward-looking statements based on a number of factors including, without limitation, the actual number of restaurants opening during full year 2008, the sales at these and our other company-owned and franchise restaurants, our ability to control restaurant operating costs, our ability to integrate the franchise restaurants which we have acquired, strength of consumer spending and other factors disclosed from time to time in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors should take such risks into account when making investment decisions. Stockholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Contacts:

Texas Roadhouse, Inc.
Investor Relations
Scott Colosi, 502-515-7300
or
Media
Travis Doster, 502-638-5457