Texas Roadhouse, a restaurant chain known for its classic American dining experience, is now the target of a civil rights complaint filed by America First Legal (AFL). The conservative legal group alleges the company illegally considers race and gender in hiring and promotion decisions, directly violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The complaint, filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), accuses Texas Roadhouse of emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at the expense of qualifications and merit-based hiring.

According to AFL, the restaurant chain explicitly tracks employees’ race, gender, and ethnicity to meet internal diversity targets, putting demographic quotas ahead of merit. AFL warns these controversial practices expose Texas Roadhouse to “reputational risk,” and could spark lawsuits from both investors and employees who feel unfairly treated or passed over due to DEI standards.

“The Company has prioritized unlawful DEI programs and policies over shareholder value,” America First Legal stated in the complaint.

Public company filings show Texas Roadhouse openly embraces its DEI goals. In its 2024 annual report, the company affirmed its intention to build a workforce that “mirrors the diversity of our guests.” It detailed specific percentages of employees and managers who are women or people of color.

AFL’s complaint also highlights how the company considers race and gender when nominating individuals to its board of directors. Texas Roadhouse’s own sustainability report from 2024 reveals that diversity is considered alongside traditional qualifications such as governance experience and financial expertise.

Such practices, AFL argues, risk breaching the fiduciary duties that executives owe to shareholders. Investors or employees could challenge the company legally if they believe these DEI-driven policies unfairly discriminate against certain individuals, causing potential financial and reputational harm.

Texas Roadhouse has not yet publicly responded to the legal filing or addressed AFL’s allegations, leaving uncertainty around how the company plans to handle the brewing controversy.

This complaint is part of a growing pushback against corporate DEI programs nationwide. Conservative legal groups argue these initiatives often cross the line from inclusion into outright discrimination, potentially breaking federal laws designed to ensure fairness and equal opportunity.

AFL has successfully challenged similar DEI initiatives before, recently securing the reinstatement of a law professor who claimed wrongful termination over objections to DEI policies. Their legal action against Texas Roadhouse signals the growing scrutiny companies face over DEI practices that conservatives argue unfairly target qualified individuals who do not fit demographic quotas.

For conservative supporters, AFL’s action against Texas Roadhouse sends a powerful message: corporations must respect American laws protecting equal employment opportunity and individual merit. It reinforces the importance of hiring based on ability, experience, and performance—not race or gender.

As the case unfolds, conservatives see it as a critical moment for pushing back against discriminatory hiring practices masked as diversity efforts. The lawsuit against Texas Roadhouse is a strong reminder that equality under the law matters, and conservative Americans are committed to holding woke corporations accountable.

America First Legal’s complaint against Texas Roadhouse could ultimately mark a victory for meritocracy and fairness, protecting the rights of all Americans against woke corporate overreach.