Yard House

Yard House is a full-service restaurant and bar that serves American food with a global twist in a lively, social setting. It started in 1996 in Long Beach, California, as a place where people could gather around great beer and good food, with a big central bar and a classic rock soundtrack setting the tone. From the beginning, the idea was to create a high-energy spot that felt like a destination, not just another place to eat.

Over the years, the menu has evolved to include a wide range of dishes, from burgers and steaks to street tacos, poke nachos, and shareable appetizers, all designed to pair with a deep selection of draft beer. Most locations feature dozens of taps, making it a go-to for guests who enjoy craft and mainstream beer in one place. The atmosphere is upbeat, with open kitchens, large bars, and plenty of screens, which supports a long daypart mix from lunch through late night.

The brand grew steadily through the 2000s, expanding beyond Southern California into major suburban and tourist markets across the country. A key turning point came in 2012 when Darden Restaurants, a large, publicly traded restaurant company, acquired Yard House. That move brought stronger infrastructure, real estate expertise, and capital, allowing the brand to open more locations with a more consistent, polished look and feel.

As of November 2025, Yard House operates more than 90 restaurants in 23 states, with a footprint that stretches from major metro suburbs to popular tourist destinations. The company continues to open new corporate-owned locations, including recent and planned units in places like Naperville, Illinois, and near the Walt Disney World corridor in the Orlando area. These new sites reflect a pattern of choosing strong suburban trade areas, lifestyle centers, regional malls, and mixed-use projects where there is reliable daytime traffic and a mix of retail, entertainment, and tourism.

Under Darden’s ownership, Yard House has maintained a focused expansion strategy, favoring large-format spaces in well-located pads and end caps. The brand is not franchised, so all locations are company-owned and operated, which helps keep the experience consistent across markets. In recent years, the concept has become a recognizable presence in destination dining environments, often anchoring or complementing entertainment-driven projects where guests are already out for a night or a day of activity.