Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon

Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon was a well-known casual dining chain that brought a Texas-inspired steakhouse experience to communities across the United States. The company was founded in 1989 by Jamie B. Coulter, who envisioned a restaurant that combined hearty American fare with a lively, rustic atmosphere. Lone Star quickly gained attention for its distinctive decor and menu focused on steaks, ribs, and comfort food, and the brand expanded rapidly during the 1990s. At its height, Lone Star operated more than 260 locations, with restaurants in nearly every state and a handful of international markets.

A notable milestone in the company’s history came in 2006, when Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon was acquired by Lone Star Funds, a private equity firm, in a deal that took the company private. This period marked the beginning of significant changes for the brand, as it faced growing competition and shifting consumer preferences in the casual dining sector. Over the following decade, Lone Star struggled to maintain its relevance, and by the mid-2010s, the company began closing underperforming restaurants.

As of December 2017, Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon had ceased all corporate operations, following years of declining sales and widespread closures. The brand no longer pursues new locations or expansion, and all corporate-owned restaurants have closed. Any remaining locations are independently operated and do not participate in a national growth strategy. The company’s headquarters, once located in Plano, Texas, is no longer active, and all corporate communication channels have been decommissioned.

For commercial real estate professionals, Lone Star’s legacy is notable for the scale and visibility of its former portfolio. The chain was often a prominent anchor in suburban shopping centers and highway retail corridors, occupying freestanding restaurant properties that have since been repurposed or redeveloped. The rise and fall of Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon illustrate the dynamic nature of the casual dining segment and underscore the importance of adaptability in retail real estate. Today, the brand exists primarily in industry memory and as a reference point for restaurant growth, contraction, and the evolution of dining concepts over time.