Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's March order expanding alcoholic drinks to-go when accompanied by food orders amid the pandemic has a shot at becoming codified as Texas law, according to some industry insiders. Potential opposition could arise from package stores, from which Texas restaurants are required by law to purchase their wine and spirits, and some restaurateurs say cocktails to-go raise issues of liability and aren't worth the risk.

Texas Roadhouse founder and CEO Kent Taylor will forego his salary and bonus until Jan. 7, 2021, to free up money to help the chain's hourly employees during the pandemic, the company reported in a regulatory filing. The Louisville, Ky.-based chain operates about 500 US locations.

Texas Roadhouse will expand Jaggers, its two-unit fast-casual sandwich concept, with plans to add two more locations next year. In addition to its namesake casual chain, the company also operates the 26-unit Bubba's 33 chain.

Takeout orders account for about 7% of total sales at Texas Roadhouse and the chain is seeing double digit-growth in to-go sales, fueled in large part by customers' desire to avoid a wait in crowded restaurants, CEO Kent Taylor said. The chain will continue to focus on growing its to-go business but will eschew delivery due to concerns about maintaining food quality, he said.

Texas Roadhouse has launched a fast-casual concept called Jaggers, serving burgers, milkshakes, fries, chicken sandwiches and salads. The company currently has no plans to expand the concept beyond its Indianapolis and Noblesville, Ind., locations, instead choosing to focus on its casual dining concept, Bubba's 33, said Travis Doster, senior director of public relations for Texas Roadhouse.