LongHorn Steakhouse to open first Springfield location

Last edited 3:12 p.m., June 17, 2011

LongHorn Steakhouse, a chain with more than 350 restaurants and about 18,000 employees, broke ground June 8 on its first Springfield restaurant.

The $3 million, 6,200-square-foot location, 3121 S. Glenstone Ave., is scheduled to open in October with seating for more than 240 customers, according to a news release. The price of construction was not disclosed.

"LongHorn is proud to be of service in communities across Missouri, and we are pleased to be opening our new location in Springfield," said John Alexander, LongHorn senior vice president of operations, in the release. "In these tough economic times, we are confident that our creation of new jobs and tradition of community service will add value to the city of Springfield."

LongHorn will begin searching for 85 employees for the restaurant in September.

There are 12 LongHorn Steakhouse restaurants in Missouri, concentrated in St. Louis, Kansas City, Columbia and Jefferson City, according to the company's Web site.

LongHorn is owned by Orlando, Fla.-based parent company Darden Restaurants Inc., which operates more than 1,800 restaurants, including Red Lobster and Olive Garden, which both have eateries in Springfield.

Chain steakhouses already operating in Springfield include Texas Roadhouse, Logan's Roadhouse, Lone Star Steakhouse and Colton's Steak House & Grill.[[In-content Ad]]