Texas Roadhouse says it’s bringing 220 jobs to Bellingham for one restaurant. Is that true?

In our Reality Check stories, Bellingham Herald journalists seek to hold the powerful accountable and find answers to critical questions in our community. Read more. Story idea? newsroom@bellinghamherald.com.

Bellingham’s Texas Roadhouse restaurant is planned to open in “early October,” and the chain has promised to hire 220 local employees. Several readers asked us how how more than 200 job openings are possible for a single restaurant, so we looked into it.

The chain steakhouse and BBQ restaurant announced its opening and job openings earlier this month in a news release.

“Bellingham’s new Texas Roadhouse will employ a staff of 220. The restaurant is currently accepting applications online and conducting interviews at a hiring trailer in the parking lot,” the news release states.

The restaurant is hiring for both full-time and part-time employees.

“220 jobs coming to Bellingham is an accurate statement. Sixty percent of these positions will be in our front of house, while the remaining 40% will be in our back of house,” Texas Roadhouse’s public relations team wrote in an email to The Bellingham Herald.

“EVERY Texas Roadhouse location hires 200+ employees — this includes front of house and back of house,” a Texas Roadhouse public relations representative wrote. “If you’ve ever visited one of our locations, you’ve probably seen the dozens of ‘Roadies’ working each shift, and that’s just the ones in the front of house. Plenty more back in the kitchen.”

Bellingham’s Texas Roadhouse will be hiring for 20 various roles, totaling in 220 total job openings, according to the representative. These roles are currently being filled:

▪ Managing partner

▪ Restaurant manager

▪ Kitchen manager

▪ Service manager

▪ Shift supervisor

▪ Host/hostess

▪ Server

▪ Bartender

▪ Busser

▪ To-go specialist

▪ Line cook

▪ Prep cook

▪ Grill cook

▪ Dishwasher

▪ Broiler cook

▪ Meat cutter

▪ Baker

▪ Salad maker

▪ Maintenance worker

▪ Janitor

Job applications can be found online on the Texas Roadhouse careers website.

No opening date had been announced as of Aug. 26, but Texas Roadhouse plans to be open for dinner from 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 to 11 p.m. Friday, and for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Texas Roadhouse will be at 4331 Meridian St., the former home to Billy McHale’s Restaurant.