Texas Roadhouse is under scrutiny after a conservative legal group filed a civil rights complaint alleging the restaurant chain illegally used race and gender criteria in its hiring and board selection practices.
Key Facts:
- America First Legal filed a civil rights complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against Texas Roadhouse.
- The group accuses the chain of violating the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by factoring race and gender into hiring and board appointments.
- Texas Roadhouse’s 2024 reports show DEI-related hiring data and professional programs for minority groups.
- The company says it aims to reflect customer diversity and develop inclusive leadership initiatives.
- Similar complaints have been filed by AFL against Cracker Barrel and other corporations over DEI practices.
The Rest of The Story:
America First Legal (AFL), led by former Trump advisor Stephen Miller, filed a federal complaint accusing Texas Roadhouse of engaging in illegal hiring and promotion practices based on race and gender.
The complaint claims the company prioritized Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) over compliance with federal law and shareholder responsibilities.
The filing with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) targets policies outlined in the company’s 2024 annual and sustainability reports.
These include tracking race, gender, and ethnicity, promoting identity-focused leadership programs, and setting diversity goals for the Board of Directors.
AFL claims these actions expose the company to reputational and legal risks.
In response, Texas Roadhouse stated its commitment to “attracting, retaining, engaging, recognizing, and developing a workforce that mirrors the diversity of our guests.”
It also published diversity figures and emphasized programs such as its Women’s and African American Leadership Summits.
AFL argues that such programs discriminate against white and male employees, citing that race and gender are used as key criteria in board nominations.
Counsel Will Scolinos said the company’s “DEI contaminated” policies promote the idea that “good intentions make discrimination okay.”
Texas Roadhouse isn’t alone.
AFL has also gone after Cracker Barrel for its identity-based employee resource groups and has hinted that more legal actions are coming against other corporations that maintain DEI initiatives.
🚨 #BREAKING: The Supreme Court just ruled UNANIMOUSLY that “reverse discrimination” IS discrimination
In other words, discriminating against someone because they’re white and heterosexual IS illegal under the Civil Rights Act
I can’t believe this had to be litigated at the… pic.twitter.com/uawfgoC7MV
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 5, 2025
Commentary:
No company in America should get a pass for discrimination, no matter how noble the intentions may appear.
If Texas Roadhouse is giving preference to board candidates based on skin color or sex, that’s not equity—it’s unlawful.
Programs that elevate some while sidelining others purely due to race or gender violate the Civil Rights Act.
Whether the goal is representation or public relations, there is no carve-out in the law that makes discrimination acceptable if it’s wrapped in DEI language.
The backlash against DEI isn’t about ignoring diversity—it’s about enforcing equal treatment under the law.
When qualified candidates are excluded from advancement because they don’t meet demographic targets, the business is not only breaking the law but betraying the idea of meritocracy.
Texas Roadhouse is a beloved American brand with a loyal customer base. But no amount of good food or great service justifies exclusionary hiring practices.
If the allegations are proven, the company should be held fully accountable. Firms like Texas Roadhouse that bake race or gender into hiring formulas are walking legal minefields.
Shareholders should be alarmed. Customers should be concerned. And policymakers should be watching closely.
This isn’t just about one restaurant chain. It’s about restoring a level playing field where opportunity is based on ability, not identity.
That principle must apply in boardrooms, kitchens, and everywhere in between.
Lawsuits like this are one step in the right direction. But they need to be followed by real cultural course corrections—where businesses stop pandering to activist pressure and start obeying the laws of the land.
If found guilty, Texas Roadhouse should be sued into financial ruin for violating anti-discrimination statutes. Equal opportunity can’t be compromised, even by companies we otherwise respect.
We like Texas Roadhouse, but we hate discrimination even more.
The Bottom Line:
Texas Roadhouse is facing a civil rights complaint over its alleged use of race and gender in hiring and board selection decisions.
The legal action could lead to financial consequences and reputational fallout if violations are confirmed.
No company should be above the law when it comes to fair employment practices.
This case may set a strong precedent for how DEI programs are scrutinized moving forward.
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