A popular eatery is being served up with a federal civil rights complaint after a conservative legal group alleged that the Texas Roadhouse uses Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) criteria in its employment practices.
In the complaint filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), America First Legal (AFL) accuses the restaurant chain of using “unlawful race and sex-based discrimination” in its employment decisions, including who should be appointed to the Board of Directors.
“Texas Roadhouse openly states that ‘attract[ing] diverse talent’ is a ‘vital part’ of its culture, admitting that it is ‘committed to attracting, retaining, engaging, and developing a workforce that mirrors the diversity of our guests,’” AFL said in an August 1 press release.
TEXAS ROADHOUSE GRILLED FOR ILLEGAL DEI PRACTICES —
AFL just filed a federal civil rights complaint against Texas Roadhouse for unlawful discrimination based on race and sex in employment practices. pic.twitter.com/2NCOQjKCXz
— America First Legal (@America1stLegal) August 1, 2025
The group cites the company’s public materials as damning evidence of its illegal discrimination.
/2 While many American companies have abandoned DEI, Texas Roadhouse still has it on the menu.
On its website, Texas Roadhouse pledges its commitment to “diversity, inclusion, and opportunity.” pic.twitter.com/gFdVjbNMWD
— America First Legal (@America1stLegal) August 1, 2025
“Throughout its public materials, it is clear that Texas Roadhouse uses the term ‘diversity’ to refer to race and sex, which constitutes an unlawful employment practice when used to influence an employment decision,” AFL states. “Texas Roadhouse also uses the term “diverse” only in reference to “Women & BIPOC” employees, appearing to unlawfully exclude white men from all ‘diversity’ initiatives.”
/5 Texas Roadhouse admits it “seek[s] diverse candidates” and “tak[es] into account diversity in all respects” — “including gender, race” — when considering nominees to its Board of Directors. pic.twitter.com/lkl7YLhf8e
— America First Legal (@America1stLegal) August 1, 2025
“In addition, Texas Roadhouse makes clear that it ‘seeks diverse candidates’ and ‘tak[es] into account diversity in all respects’ — ‘including gender, race, age’ when considering nominees to its Board of Directors,” the press release says.
America First Legal has posted a number of examples to X, including its “Roadie Development” program that touts its discriminatory “Women’s Leadership Summit” and “African American Leadership Summit.”
/8 And Texas Roadhouse hosted its first African American Leadership Summit in 2024, providing employees with “two days of connection, professional development, and community building.” pic.twitter.com/VR4mPXm0Hn
— America First Legal (@America1stLegal) August 1, 2025
“It is unlawful to allow race or sex to have any influence on an employment decision, whether that is selecting a Director or providing career development opportunities,” AFL points out.
“The evidence demonstrates that the Company’s hiring, promotion, and recruitment practices violate state and federal law. The evidence also demonstrates that the Company has prioritized unlawful diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and policies over shareholder value,” according to the complaint.
“Texas Roadhouse’s policies are a relic of an era where DEI contaminated American culture with the false belief that good intentions make discrimination okay. Whether it is in the cockpit, the boardroom, or the kitchen, discrimination on the basis of race or sex is never okay,” said America First Legal Counsel Will Scolinos.
“It is past time for Texas Roadhouse to join other companies in clearing DEI off Americans’ tables for good,” he added.
The group also filed a recent complaint against Cracker Barrel over its DEI discrimination.
“America First Legal is leading the fight to restore true equality under the law. From cockpits, classrooms, admissions offices, and hospitals, to corporate boardrooms and the C-suite, DEI initiatives and other radical leftist policies are pervading every space in our country. AFL is fighting back to protect the rights of everyday Americans,” the group states on its website.
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