Batavia could soon be getting a major new restaurant along Randall Road.

Texas Roadhouse is planning to build a brand-new restaurant at the Windpoint Shopping Center at 275 N. Randall Road, adding another recognizable dining destination to one of Batavia's busiest commercial corridors.

And this won't involve moving into an existing restaurant space.

Plans call for an entirely new 7,926-square-foot restaurant, with Texas Roadhouse expected to invest approximately $5 million into the Batavia location.

The project is now moving through the city's approval process, including a proposed incentive package designed to help bring the restaurant to town.

Where Would Texas Roadhouse Be Located?

The proposed restaurant would be built on an outlot at the Windpoint Shopping Center, 275 N. Randall Road.

It would sit across the parking lot from Kohl's and near the Pickled! pickleball facility.

That puts Texas Roadhouse directly along the Randall Road commercial corridor, where Batavia already has a large concentration of restaurants, retailers and entertainment businesses.

Nearby businesses along Randall Road include Portillo's, Chick-fil-A, Culver's and Chicken Salad Chick.

This Would Be a Brand-New Restaurant

Rather than converting an existing restaurant, Texas Roadhouse plans to construct a new building specifically for the Batavia location.

The proposed restaurant would measure approximately 7,926 square feet.

According to information presented to Batavia officials, the company expects to invest about $5 million into developing the property.

The restaurant is also expected to employ the equivalent of approximately 50 full-time workers.

Batavia Is Considering a $230,000 Incentive

One of the more interesting parts of the project is the proposed agreement between Texas Roadhouse and the City of Batavia.

City officials have been considering a sales-tax-sharing agreement worth up to $230,000.

Under the proposed arrangement, Texas Roadhouse would receive 50% of the city's 1% municipal sales tax generated by the restaurant.

The agreement would continue for up to 10 years or until the restaurant receives $230,000, whichever happens first.

That means the incentive would come from sales tax generated by the new restaurant rather than from an upfront payment by the city.

Why Does the Restaurant Need an Incentive?

The proposed incentive would help offset infrastructure expenses associated with developing the site.

Those improvements include work involving:

• Water mains

• Stormwater infrastructure

• Sanitary sewer connections

• A sidewalk extension along Randall Road

Batavia officials have indicated that these additional infrastructure costs played a role in negotiations to bring Texas Roadhouse to the property.

The city's Committee of the Whole recommended moving forward with the agreement.

Why Not Use an Existing Empty Restaurant?

That's a question some Batavia residents have already raised.

There is an empty restaurant building farther north on Randall Road near Portillo's at 851 N. Randall Road.

The building previously housed Bennigan's, Honey-Jam Cafe and Denny's.

However, city officials said the property's owner isn't interested in bringing another restaurant into the building and has instead been considering a car wash for the site.

There's also a size difference.

The former restaurant building is approximately 6,400 square feet, while the proposed Texas Roadhouse would be nearly 7,926 square feet.

Texas Roadhouse also generally favors purpose-built locations designed around its specific restaurant format.

Another Addition to the Randall Road Corridor

Randall Road has become one of the Fox Valley's most important commercial corridors.

Batavia's stretch already includes major retailers, restaurants and entertainment destinations, and Texas Roadhouse would add another national restaurant brand to that mix.

The location could also attract customers from surrounding communities including Geneva, North Aurora, Aurora and St. Charles.

Texas Roadhouse already operates suburban locations including Naperville and Bloomingdale, but the Batavia restaurant would give Fox Valley residents another option closer to home.

What Is Texas Roadhouse Known For?

Texas Roadhouse is a casual steakhouse chain best known for its hand-cut steaks, ribs, burgers, freshly baked bread and signature cinnamon butter.

The company has grown into a major national restaurant brand with hundreds of locations.

Its restaurants tend to be relatively large, high-traffic destinations — one reason Batavia officials expect the proposed location to draw customers from outside the city as well.

Has the Batavia Location Been Approved?

The project has been moving through Batavia's review process.

The city's Committee of the Whole discussed the proposed incentive agreement and recommended approval.

The restaurant's design has also gone before the Batavia Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Review.

Additional city approvals are part of the process before construction can move forward.

When Will Texas Roadhouse Open in Batavia?

An official opening date has not yet been announced.

Because the project involves constructing an entirely new restaurant and completing associated infrastructure improvements, there's still work to be done before customers will be walking through the doors.

For now, the important development is that plans for the restaurant are actively advancing through the city review process.

FAQs

Is Texas Roadhouse coming to Batavia?

Texas Roadhouse is planning a new restaurant in Batavia and the proposal is currently moving through the city's approval process.

Where would Texas Roadhouse be located?

The proposed restaurant would be built at Windpoint Shopping Center, 275 N. Randall Road in Batavia, near Kohl's.

How large would the restaurant be?

Plans call for a new approximately 7,926-square-foot building.

How much is Texas Roadhouse investing?

The company expects to invest approximately $5 million into the Batavia site.

Is Batavia giving Texas Roadhouse $230,000?

The proposed agreement is structured as a sales-tax rebate rather than an upfront $230,000 payment. Texas Roadhouse could receive half of the city's 1% municipal sales tax generated by the restaurant for up to 10 years, capped at $230,000.

When will Texas Roadhouse open?

An opening date has not yet been announced.

Final Thoughts

Another major restaurant could be joining Batavia's Randall Road corridor.

Texas Roadhouse is proposing a nearly 8,000-square-foot restaurant backed by an estimated $5 million investment, bringing a new national dining destination to Windpoint Shopping Center.

The project still has steps to complete before construction and an eventual opening.

But with city officials already reviewing the development and its proposed infrastructure agreement, this is one Batavia project worth watching.

And for anyone in the Fox Valley who currently drives to another suburb for Texas Roadhouse, a much closer option could eventually be on the way.