One of the most frequently asked questions on several local social media sites has been, “When’s Texas Corral going to open???”.
Clearly the family steakhouse chain from Indiana was well-liked when it operated at Exit 29 in Benton Township for several years. It’s return to the market, in the former Big Boy location at Exit 23 in Stevensville is being highly anticipated. About a month ago, Texas Corral began recruiting and hiring staff for the new location. So, what’s the hang-up in getting the new restaurant open?
Texas Corral executive Paul Switzer, watching over construction work at the new site, tells MoodyOnTheMarket.com they’re having the same issues as everyone else in the food and beverage business: finding staff and properly training them is a bigger challenge than ever before in the industry.
Switzer says they’ve hired about half the 60 person staff they need to open the new Texas Corral. And they are waiting for several areas of the restaurant’s interior and facilities to be completed. In some cases, Switzer says, it’s been a challenge competing for skilled labor with other projects underway. There are only so many skilled craftsmen and installers available, and this is prime construction season.
Pressed for a date for opening, Switzer says, “Second week of August–maybe. But don’t hold me to it! We’ll open when we know we’re ready to serve customers.”
Switzer says local general manager Elizabeth Ethridge is busy training staff members who have been hired, while attempting to fill the other job vacancies. There’s a Facebook page for potential applicants who are interested. Search ‘Texas Corral Hiring’ on Facebook.
The exterior at Texas Corral looks almost ready. It’s trademark simulated Old West Watertank is ready to be hoisted into place.
The old Big Boy facility is somewhat smaller than Texas Corral normally constructs. Approximately 120 vs. the normal 200 or more. So, they are looking at a small outdoor seating area to supplement capacity in the busy Summer season. That’ll be on the front of the building, toward Red Arrow Highway. Much of the available parking at Texas Corral will be in a big back lot.
Learn more about the Texas Corral chain of restaurants at: www.TexasCorral.net
