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By Sam Stevenson
Associate News Editor
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Texas Roadhouse CEO Jerry Morgan said this week that servers could soon use handheld tablets nationwide after a successful pilot in select locations, aiming to improve speed and order accuracy without altering the brand’s relaxed dining experience.
The potential rollout comes as the chain increases its use of technology to streamline operations while maintaining strong customer demand.
If expanded, servers and diners across U.S. locations would see ordering handled more directly at the table using handheld devices. However, for some diners, the appeal of Texas Roadhouse isn’t just the food, it’s the old-school service, making the idea of tablets on the table divisive.
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Newsweek has contacted Texas Roadhouse via email for comment.
A Digital Revolution?
Casual dining chains have increasingly turned to technology to improve efficiency and reduce errors as labor pressures and customer expectations evolve.
Texas Roadhouse has been testing these tools alongside other digital upgrades, including kitchen display systems and table-based payment options, as part of a broader operational push.
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What To Know
Morgan highlighted the handheld tablets during a recent earnings call, describing them as a promising but still-developing part of the company’s strategy, U.K. tabloid The Sun reported.
The pilot, currently running in select restaurants, allows servers to input orders directly at the table rather than stepping away to use traditional point-of-sale systems.
That change can speed up how quickly orders reach the kitchen and reduce the risk of mistakes from handwritten notes or delayed entry.
Early results have been encouraging, according to Morgan. He said the devices have improved both ordering speed and accuracy, while feedback from staff and guests has been broadly positive.
Drive for Efficiency
The company is taking a measured approach, however, and is continuing to evaluate performance before deciding on wider implementation.
“Handhelds may speed things up when placing and sending orders,” Morgan said, adding that the aim is “to be more efficient and improve the complete guest experience,” not to turn tables more quickly.
The tablets are part of a wider push that includes digital kitchen systems and tablet-based payment tools, which have already been introduced or are being expanded across the chain.
These systems are designed to help kitchen staff manage orders more efficiently and allow diners to pay without waiting for a check.
“It's working really well from the guest experience and from our employee experience and helping our managers run their business more efficiently, so all of it together is definitely helpful,” Morgan previously said when speaking about the various tech initiatives, according to Yahoo Finance.
Morgan also stressed that flexibility remains important for staff.
Servers will not be forced into a single system, he said, and can continue using traditional methods if preferred while the company refines the technology.
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What Could This Mean for Diners?
For customers, the shift to handheld tablets could subtly reshape the dining experience—starting with speed and convenience.
As Morgan indicated, the technology is designed to let servers input orders directly at the table, meaning they reach the kitchen faster and with fewer errors compared to handwritten notes or delayed entries into a central system.
While this is designed to translate into shorter wait times, quicker drink refills, and more accurate orders—especially during peak hours when traditional service can slow down, the change may also affect how diners interact with staff. With servers relying more on devices, some guests could experience less personal, face-to-face engagement, particularly if ordering and payment becomes more and more screen-driven.
One of the biggest unknowns is how this technology could influence tipping. Tablets and digital payment systems often prompt customers to leave a tip on-screen, sometimes while a server is present—something research from LendingTree suggests can increase tips but also create discomfort: While 60 percent of American diners say they tip more when asked to do so digitally, around 24 percent say they always feel pressured and uncomfortable when the tip option appears.
In practice, that means diners could end up tipping more—or feeling more conflicted about it.
Is the Tablet Trend Transforming Casual Dining?
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Texas Roadhouse is far from alone in experimenting with tech at the table, but the results across the restaurant industry have been mixed.
Chains like Applebee’s and Chili’s have spent years rolling out tabletop tablets and handheld devices that allow diners to order items, split checks, and pay without waiting for a server.
At Applebee’s, for example, hundreds of locations now use table tablets that let guests place additional orders or pay instantly, giving them more control over the experience, according to Parade.
Chili’s has also leaned heavily into the model. Restaurant Dive reports that the chain has expanded tablet-based systems to more than 1,000 restaurants across the nation, with features that speed up payments and even offer games or loyalty perks.
Opposite Attracts
Although the push reflects a broader industry effort to improve efficiency, reduce errors, and meet rising expectations for speed and convenience, the transition hasn’t been entirely one-directional.
Some restaurant operators have pulled back on front-of-house technology in recent years, opting instead to refocus on hospitality and human interaction as a competitive edge.
Others have scaled back certain automated features after finding that too much screen time can make the experience feel impersonal. That tension—between efficiency and hospitality—is exactly what Texas Roadhouse will have to navigate if it expands its tablet program nationwide.
Tablets at the Table: Pros vs. Cons
As more restaurants consider moving towards handheld devices and tabletop technology, the trade-offs are becoming clearer—for diners, servers, and operators.
The Upside
- Faster service: Orders can be sent to the kitchen instantly, cutting down wait times and speeding up the overall experience.
- Improved accuracy: Digital entry reduces the risk of mistakes from handwritten tickets or miscommunication.
- Easier payments: Guests can split bills, pay immediately, and avoid waiting for the check.
- Convenience and control: Diners can order additional items or review menus at their own pace, often without needing to flag down a server.
- Potential for higher tips: Digital prompts can encourage larger gratuities and make tipping easier**.**
The Trade-Offs
- Less human interaction: Increased reliance on screens can reduce the personal touch that many diners expect from casual dining.
- Tipping pressure: On-screen prompts can make customers feel obligated to tip more—or tip when they otherwise wouldn’t.
- Learning curve for guests: Not all diners are comfortable using tablets, which can slow things down rather than speed them up.
- Experience trade-off for servers: While devices can reduce back-and-forth trips, they may shift the role away from traditional hospitality and potentially impact tip dynamics.
What Happens Next
For now, there is no confirmed timeline for a nationwide rollout.
The company is continuing to gather feedback and test the tablets gradually, signaling that any expansion will be deliberate rather than immediate.
Texas Roadhouse has built its brand around a casual, sit-down dining experience, and leadership has made clear that new technology will be introduced carefully.
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